Discussion Question: Due In 24 Hours On 7/3/17 At 6:00 Pm

Discussion Question:: Due in 24 hours on 7/3/17 at 6:00pm : Global Health Disparities

Discuss why inter/intra national global health disparities are an important factor in providing health development for underdeveloped countries. Provide examples in your response. Written paper due 7/5/17 at 7:00pm.

Based on the review of health development across international countries, develop criteria on how the health and disease levels can be assessed to create a “quality of life scale” for health organizations to utilize. Using a composite measure such as Healthy life years (HeaLY) or Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE), take the countries you used for the Unit 2 assignment and apply this composite measure to provide a quality of life assessment. Then write a 2-3 page, position paper explaining your rationale of why you think these measures are good or poor for long-range assessments and what can be done to improve this situation. Be sure to include your developed criteria and quality of life assessment. Your writing should follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.) and APA style guidelines. Your work should be well ordered, logical and unified, as well as original and insightful. Your submission should display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics.

Paper For Above instruction

Global health disparities, both inter- and intra-national, represent a critical challenge in promoting equitable health development, especially in underdeveloped countries. These disparities refer to the uneven distribution of health resources, services, and outcomes among countries and within countries, which affect the overall health and quality of life of populations. Understanding and addressing these disparities are essential for fostering sustainable improvements in health systems and achieving global health equity.

Inter-national disparities often reflect economic and political differences among nations. For example, countries like Nigeria and India face significant barriers to healthcare access due to poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited healthcare workforce. These disparities are exemplified by infant mortality rates, which are substantially higher in these nations compared to developed countries like Japan or Switzerland. Within nations, intra-national disparities are equally pronounced; minority populations or rural communities often experience worse health outcomes due to limited access to healthcare, cultural barriers, or social determinants of health. For instance, indigenous populations in the United States and Canada often face higher rates of chronic diseases and lower life expectancy compared to the general population.

Addressing these disparities is vital because they directly impact the success of health development initiatives. Without equitable access to healthcare, efforts to reduce disease burden or improve health outcomes can be ineffective or unsustainable. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of universal health coverage and targeted interventions for vulnerable populations to bridge these gaps. For example, expanding vaccination programs in underserved regions, increasing healthcare workforce in rural areas, and implementing culturally sensitive health education have shown positive impacts in reducing disparities.

To assess health and disease levels across nations and develop a “quality of life scale,” criteria should include multiple dimensions, such as life expectancy, prevalence of chronic and communicable diseases, access to healthcare services, health literacy, and socioeconomic factors. Composite measures like Healthy Life Years (HeaLY) or Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE) encapsulate these dimensions by adjusting overall life expectancy for health quality, thus providing a more comprehensive picture of population health. These measures account for years lived in poor health, thereby offering insight into the actual lived experiences of individuals within a country.

Applying HALE to the countries from the Unit 2 assignment allows for an objective comparison of health outcomes. For example, if Country A has a high overall life expectancy but a low HALE, it indicates that despite longevity, many years are spent in ill health, reflecting poor quality of life. Conversely, a smaller gap between life expectancy and HALE signifies better health standards and healthcare systems. This approach thus provides nuanced insights beyond raw lifespan data.

In evaluating these measures, they are generally effective for long-range assessments because they account for multiple health factors and provide a holistic view of population health. However, limitations include data quality and availability, especially in low-income regions where health information systems may be underdeveloped. Additionally, these measures may not fully capture social determinants of health or quality of life aspects such as mental health, social cohesion, or environmental factors.

Improving these assessments requires enhancing data collection infrastructure, integrating social and environmental data, and developing more culturally sensitive metrics. For example, incorporating patient-reported outcomes and subjective assessments of well-being can complement traditional measures, providing a fuller picture of health and quality of life. Moreover, international collaborations and investments in health information systems can improve data accuracy and comparability across countries, facilitating better long-term planning and policy formulation.

In conclusion, addressing global health disparities is essential for equitable health development. Developing comprehensive, multidimensional assessments like HALE enables health organizations to evaluate and monitor progress effectively. While current measures are valuable, ongoing improvements in data quality, inclusivity, and scope are necessary to enhance their utility for guiding sustainable health improvements worldwide. By refining these tools and expanding efforts to reduce disparities, the global community can move closer to achieving health equity for all.

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