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Discuss the social, economic and environmental effects (determinants) that then affect health.

Assignment Brief

Assessment task: Essay

Critically examine one key global public health issue, the key factors influencing it, the role of global institutions, and the global health policies and programmes developed to tackle them.

ESSAY OUTLINE

Introduction

Background

  • What is global public health? Definition, criticisms, key themes and issues about what global public health means…
  • Define your global health issue (malaria, diabetes…)
  • What it is
  • What health effects there are at a person,  community, and global levels. Also discuss  the social, economic and environmental effects (determinants) that then affect health.  
  • Why is your global health issue important?
  • Use global statistics on your global health issue  (and regional if you think its relevant).
  • Discuss key trends in how that issue has developed over time (past, present, future).
  • What  are the main global drivers of your global health issue.
  • How is your global health issue being tackled (from a public health perspective)
  • What is the global policy related to your global health issue
  • Who are the key global actors (could also be regional and national) relevant to your global health issue and what do they do, what role do they play?
  • Identify key prevention approaches that are currently used to tackle your global health issue (where appropriate you can discuss early diagnosis and prevention - prophylactic - medical treatment as prevention approaches) 
  • What criticisms are being made about the policy, actors and prevention approaches.
  • What evaluations have been carried out on the policy and prevention approaches and what did they find.
  • What are new prevention approaches are being researched currently.

Conclusion

Wrap up of your opinion and thinking on future policies and approaches.

THE GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES HAVE CHOOSEN IS HIV

Sample Answer

Tackling HIV as a Global Public Health Challenge: Policies, Actors, and Prevention Approaches

Introduction

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue, decades after it first emerged. Although significant progress has been made in treatment, prevention, and awareness, millions of people are still affected worldwide. The issue of HIV brings together medical, social, economic, and political challenges that require a coordinated global response. This essay will critically examine HIV as a global health problem by discussing its background, scale, and trends. It will also analyse the role of global institutions, public health policies, and prevention approaches currently in place, as well as critiques and future directions.

Background: Understanding Global Public Health and HIV

What is Global Public Health?

Global public health refers to health issues that transcend national boundaries and require international cooperation. It involves addressing health inequalities and focusing on prevention, health promotion, and the social determinants of health. Criticisms of global public health include its tendency to favour high-income countries` interests, donor-driven agendas, and the unequal power between global North and South. Nevertheless, key themes include equity, sustainability, collaboration, and rights-based approaches.

Defining HIV

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If untreated, it can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Unlike other viruses, HIV is not curable, but it can be controlled with proper medical care, especially antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The Health, Social, and Economic Impact of HIV

Health Impact

At an individual level, HIV can lead to serious illness and death if not treated. It weakens the immune system, making individuals vulnerable to infections and cancers. On a community level, HIV affects workforce productivity, increases healthcare costs, and places strain on families and caregivers. On a global scale, HIV contributes significantly to the burden of disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Social and Economic Determinants

Social determinants such as poverty, gender inequality, stigma, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare significantly affect HIV transmission and outcomes. Economically, HIV increases healthcare costs and affects labour force participation, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental factors such as unstable housing and poor sanitation may also play a role in vulnerability to infection.

Why HIV Remains Important Globally

HIV remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to UNAIDS (2023), approximately 39 million people were living with HIV globally, and 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2022. Sub-Saharan Africa carries the heaviest burden, with around 67% of global HIV infections. Despite progress, 1.3 million people were newly infected in 2022, showing that prevention strategies are still falling short in many regions.

Trends in the Development of the HIV Epidemic

HIV first emerged in the early 1980s, spreading rapidly across the globe. Initial responses were hampered by fear, stigma, and limited understanding. By the 1990s, ART became available, marking a turning point in treatment. In the 2000s, global efforts scaled up, led by initiatives like PEPFAR and the Global Fund.

Today, HIV is considered a manageable chronic condition in many parts of the world due to better diagnostics and medications. However, disparities remain. New infections are rising in some areas, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Emerging challenges include drug resistance, reduced donor funding, and the impact of crises like COVID-19 on health services.

Main Global Drivers of HIV

Several global drivers fuel the continued spread of HIV:

  • Poverty and inequality: Poor access to healthcare and education increases vulnerability.

  • Stigma and discrimination: Fear of judgement leads to people avoiding testing or treatment.

  • Gender-based violence: Women and girls are disproportionately affected, especially in low-income countries.

  • Marginalisation: Key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people, and people who inject drugs face higher risks and often lack healthcare access.

  • Conflict and displacement: War and migration disrupt health systems and increase HIV transmission risks.

Public Health Approaches to Tackling HIV

Public health strategies focus on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support. These include:

  • HIV testing and counselling to encourage early diagnosis.

  • Treatment as prevention (TasP), where those on ART with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV.

  • Condom distribution and sexual education.

  • Harm reduction services for drug users, including needle exchange programmes.

  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for high-risk groups.

Continued...


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