Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Do we have to pick a battle?
Going through some of the class readings as well as my personal research for my review paper, the importance our 2nd week’s topic, Globalization, really has on everything we do in global health has become more visible. The impacts of globalization are so wide spread that they affect everything from the neglected diseases Mana talked about in her presentation, to the rise of human trafficking demands, and cardiovascular disease around the world. Globalization not only brings about countless of both positive and negative changes in developing countries, it also substantially increases the amount of interconnectedness around the world. As we learn about all the problems that affect people’s health, it becomes easier to see how everything and everyone is interrelated. This also brings about added challenges. How can we address ALL the pressing issues that are pertinent to global health? Do we have to pick some battles and leave others out of the fight? We are taught to look out for the well being of the global society, but is it possible to address everything? The increasing CVD in Russia, TB, Malaria, HIV/AIDS in Africa, the neglected diseases, the corruption, the plight for the poor, etc.? There is so much to be done, it can be overwhelming… it almost seems like in order to make a dent in any issue you have to pick one and accept that you are going to be indirectly ignoring the rest. Maybe by increasing our awareness of how truly “global” these problems are, we can pick our battles to include every individual and become global specialists that start looking at everything through a macro lens.
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4 comments:
I guess this is where balance and priority setting become essential, otherwise it seems really really overwhelming.
hi ivette, interesting questions you raised. i think about that too more and more now...for example, in the context of HIV/AIDS, interventions used to be targeted to high-risk populations. but now mainstream society has been affected. how do you pick who gets the intervention, with limited funds? what works for middle-class 25 year olds probably won't work for young trafficked sex workers or truck drivers. so i think your question is a very important one to ask.
Hi Ivette,
You raise some very interesting points and questions. Indeed, the impact of globalization on the areas we have discussed can hardly be exaggerated. Recognizing the interrelation of these peoples and issues brings some personal concerns... particularly the realization that if we are to make a significant impact on any of the areas you mentioned, it will take an international collaboration with the appropriate stakeholders willing to do what it takes to address glaring disparities... with international relations the way they are today, I can't help but be pessimistic :(
Good points :)
David
I believe that it is possible to address all health issues, but we must prioritize and work together to tackle the most severe issues first.
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