Write a 400-600 words in APA 7 format with proper in-text citations. Include 2-3 scholarly references and provide copies of all used references.
- Respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions. Be substantive and clear and use examples to reinforce your ideas.
- Assignment Details:
As a health care professional for an international health care network, you plan to visit 7 foreign countries this year as part of a communicable disease prevention program. Before you travel, you need to provide information to your assistants about the health care services in the countries you will be visiting, as well as on the World Health Organization (WHO), the agency that is concerned with international public health.
- Provide examples that show how the WHO is involved with global healthcare assistance.
- Explain the role that the WHO plays in the prevention of communicable diseases.
- Select 7 foreign countries and briefly describe the communicable disease situation in the selected countries. Include your statistics in a table format. *Example of table provided*
- What are the possible sources of financing for programs like the one in which you are involved?
Global Healthcare Assistance and Communicable Disease Prevention: A Role of WHO
Introduction
As a health care professional working in an international health care network, planning a visit to seven foreign countries for a communicable disease prevention program necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the health care services in these countries and the involvement of the World Health Organization (WHO) in global health initiatives. The WHO plays a pivotal role in international public health by providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020).
WHO’s Involvement in Global Healthcare Assistance
The WHO is actively involved in numerous global health initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes worldwide. One prominent example is the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership led by national governments and spearheaded by WHO, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and UNICEF. The GPEI has significantly reduced polio incidence worldwide by providing vaccination to children, enhancing surveillance systems, and conducting immunization campaigns (Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 2020). Another example is the WHO’s involvement in the COVID-19 response, where it coordinated global efforts to combat the pandemic through information dissemination, technical guidance, and the distribution of essential medical supplies (WHO, 2021).
Role of WHO in the Prevention of Communicable Diseases
The WHO plays a crucial role in preventing communicable diseases through several strategies. These include the development and dissemination of guidelines and best practices for disease control, supporting countries in strengthening their health systems, and facilitating the global coordination of disease surveillance and response efforts. For instance, the WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) monitors the spread of influenza and provides crucial data for the development of vaccines (WHO, 2020). Additionally, WHO’s initiatives such as the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) aim to ensure that children worldwide are immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases (WHO, 2021).
Communicable Disease Situations in Seven Selected Countries
To effectively plan for the communicable disease prevention program, it is essential to understand the disease burden in the target countries. The following table summarizes the communicable disease situations in seven selected countries:
| Country | Key Communicable Diseases | Statistics/Comments |
|---|---|---|
| India | Tuberculosis, Malaria, HIV/AIDS | India has the highest burden of TB, with 2.64 million cases in 2020 (WHO, 2021). Malaria and HIV/AIDS remain significant public health issues. |
| Nigeria | Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Lassa Fever | Nigeria accounts for 27% of global malaria cases and has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS (WHO, 2021). Lassa Fever outbreaks occur annually. |
| Brazil | Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever | Brazil experiences recurrent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue, Zika, and Yellow Fever (WHO, 2021). |
| South Africa | HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis | South Africa has one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates, with 7.5 million people living with HIV in 2020 (WHO, 2021). |
| China | Hepatitis B, Influenza, Tuberculosis | China has a significant burden of Hepatitis B, with an estimated 93 million people infected (WHO, 2021). Influenza and TB are also prevalent. |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Ebola, Malaria, Measles | The DRC faces recurrent Ebola outbreaks, high malaria incidence, and frequent measles outbreaks (WHO, 2021). |
| Pakistan | Tuberculosis, Malaria, Hepatitis C | Pakistan has a high burden of TB, with over 500,000 new cases annually. Malaria and Hepatitis C are also major health concerns (WHO, 2021). |
Financing for Communicable Disease Prevention Programs
The financing of communicable disease prevention programs can come from various sources. Governments and international organizations like the WHO, the Global Fund, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation often provide funding for such initiatives. Additionally, bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), also contribute to funding disease prevention programs. Public-private partnerships and contributions from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) further support these initiatives (WHO, 2020).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the WHO’s involvement in global healthcare assistance is vital for the prevention and control of communicable diseases. By understanding the role of the WHO and the communicable disease situations in target countries, health care professionals can effectively plan and implement disease prevention programs. Diverse financing sources ensure the sustainability and reach of these essential public health initiatives.
References
Global Polio Eradication Initiative. (2020). About us. Retrieved from https://polioeradication.org/who-we-are/
World Health Organization. (2020). About WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about
World Health Organization. (2021). WHO’s response to COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
World Health Organization. (2021). Global Tuberculosis Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/
World Health Organization. (2021). World Malaria Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015791