Global health policy and Governance

Assignment Brief

In this paper, you have to deal with the topic of Global health policy and Governance in which you are required to focus on the following aspects in detail:

• Explore the phenomenon of Global health policy and Governance including fundamental
• Discuss the role of health systems
• Identify the relationship between the globalization process and global health’s social, political, economic and environmental determinants
• Discover the elements that form global policies and actions with an impact on peoples’ health in an increasingly complex global governance context
• Discuss the important aspects of the global health measurements

Instructions 

Global health policy and Governance

• Outline the fundamentals of global health
• Explore the relationship between the globalization process and global health’s social, political, economic and environmental determinants
• Find out the factors that shape global policies and actions with an impact on peoples’ health in an increasingly complex global governance context
• The essentials of global health measurements
• The role of health systems

Sample Answer

Global Health Policy and Governance

Introduction

Global health policy and governance have become key topics in today’s world as health issues now cross borders and affect everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, showed how a disease in one country can quickly spread and affect the global population. In this paper, we will explore the basics of global health, the role of health systems, how globalisation affects health, and how policies are made and measured to improve health outcomes across the world.

Fundamentals of Global Health

Global health focuses on improving health and achieving equality in health for all people worldwide. It deals with problems that affect multiple countries or regions, such as pandemics, malnutrition, and access to healthcare. It also works to reduce health inequalities between rich and poor countries.

Some key areas of global health include:

• Infectious diseases (e.g. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis)

• Non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes)

• Maternal and child health

• Mental health

• Environmental health (e.g. pollution, climate change)

Global health also involves organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO), which helps to coordinate global health efforts, set standards, and provide technical support.

The Role of Health Systems

Health systems are the backbone of any country’s healthcare delivery. A health system includes all the people, institutions, and resources that are organised to deliver healthcare services to the population.

Key parts of a health system include:

• Hospitals and clinics

• Doctors, nurses, and health workers

• Medicines and medical equipment

• Health policies and insurance systems

A good health system should be accessible, affordable, and provide quality care. Strong health systems are essential for responding to health emergencies, providing vaccinations, managing chronic conditions, and promoting public health.

Globalisation and Global Health Determinants

Globalisation is the process by which countries become more connected through trade, communication, and travel. While it has many benefits, it also brings challenges to global health.

Social Determinants

Globalisation has changed how people live and work. It has increased urbanisation and changed diets, which can lead to obesity and other health problems. It can also lead to inequality, where poor people have worse health outcomes.

Political Determinants

International agreements and foreign policies can affect how countries manage their healthcare systems. Decisions made by powerful countries or international organisations often influence health policies in developing nations.

Economic Determinants

Global trade affects access to medicines and healthcare technology. Sometimes, poorer countries can’t afford essential medicines. Also, international companies might push unhealthy products like fast food or tobacco into low-income countries.

Environmental Determinants

Pollution, deforestation, and climate change, often caused by global industry, directly impact public health. For example, climate change increases the spread of diseases like malaria.

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