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Introduction to Global Health

Global health encompasses the challenges to and opportunities for health and well-being that transcend national borders, have broad socioeconomic and political impact, and are best addressed through coordinated, multinational efforts. Regardless of where nurses work, global health issues influence their practice to some extent. An example of a global health challenge is the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

Lack of Human Resources for Health Globally

Three major processes contribute to the shortage of healthcare workers—including nurses: insufficient supply, inequitable distribution, and migration. These factors affect the availability and accessibility of healthcare services worldwide.

Traditional and Complementary Health Practices

International nurses working in global health often encounter local traditional and integrative health practices, such as Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs): individuals who attend to women during childbirth based on cultural roles; and Traditional Healers: community members recognized for their use of physical, spiritual, and herbal modalities to treat illness.

Question 1: Is the following statement true or false? Utilising Traditional Birth Attendants in communities optimizes better outcomes for mother and child.

Answer: False. Maternal and neonatal mortality rates tend to be higher when the only birth attendant is a TBA. Historically, this has been due to a lack of sterile or clean techniques and insufficient knowledge about preventing common childbirth complications. Global health nurses often train TBAs in evidence-based maternity care to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.

Disparities and Efforts in Global Health

Significant disparities in health and well-being exist at the global level, stemming from complex political and economic processes. Over the past 50 years, efforts to improve health outcomes in low-income countries have focused on maternal and child health, water and sanitation improvements, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The MDGs, established by the United Nations in 2000, include eight goals with specific targets by 2015, three of which relate directly to global health: reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

Key Concepts in Global Health and International Nursing

Effective partnerships between foreign and local nurses can lead to innovative, evidence-based, appropriate, and sustainable healthcare solutions. Sustainability refers to maintaining project benefits without further outside input. Other crucial concepts include availability, accessibility, and acceptability of healthcare services.

Question 2: Which key concept in global health may be concerned with individuals fearing stigma? Partnerships, Sustainability, Availability, Accessibility.

Answer: Accessibility. Accessibility involves ensuring that individuals can obtain health services. Stigma is a critical barrier, as it can prevent people from seeking or utilizing healthcare due to fear of community judgment or discrimination.

Global Public Health Sector and Organizational Roles

Multilateral organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN), collaborate across countries with shared health objectives. Bilateral organizations and donors are governmental agencies that fund health initiatives in lower-income countries. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including faith-based and civil society groups, also play vital roles in global health.

The Role of Nurses in Global Public Health

International nurses serve in various capacities: as advisors, trainers, program managers, researchers, and humanitarian responders. Success in these roles depends heavily on transcultural nursing skills, including effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability to diverse healthcare contexts.

Preparing for a Career in International Nursing and Global Public Health

Nurses aiming to work internationally should acquire knowledge of history, community development, and cultural competencies of their host countries. Developing transcultural nursing skills and a flexible, open-minded attitude that facilitates social justice are essential. Willingness to live in less comfortable conditions and take personal risks are also important traits.

Getting Started in International Nursing

Engaging in long-term volunteer work with established organizations is an effective pathway. Building a relevant skill set includes academic preparation—such as studying transcultural nursing—and supporting global health initiatives through financial contributions or advocacy. Nurses can also support global health efforts through medical missions, short-term assignments, military nursing, or long-term volunteer projects.

Question 3: Is the following statement true or false? One way a nurse may develop his/her skill set in their own country is by learning a new language.

Answer: True. Developing linguistic skills enhances transcultural competence, enabling nurses to communicate effectively in multicultural contexts, whether abroad or at home.

Paper For Above instruction

Global health represents an expansive field that encompasses the broad challenges and opportunities faced by populations across the globe, transcending borders and requiring multifaceted, multinational strategies. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, nurses—whether practicing domestically or internationally—must develop a nuanced understanding of global health issues, cultural competence, and the social determinants influencing health outcomes.

The impact of global health challenges such as infectious disease outbreaks, resource shortages, and health disparities profoundly influences nursing practice worldwide. For instance, the Ebola outbreak in 2014 underscored the importance of international cooperation, rapid response, and culturally sensitive care. Nurses working internationally or in diverse communities need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to address these complex issues effectively, including understanding traditional health practices and integrating them with evidence-based medicine.

One significant determinant of health equity at the global level is the disparity in resource distribution. The shortage of healthcare workers, particularly nurses, complicates efforts to improve health outcomes in low-income countries. Insufficient supply, unequal distribution, and migration of health workers contribute to health inequities, reducing access and availability of necessary services. Addressing these shortages involves not only increasing supply but also creating sustainable models of care that are culturally appropriate and community-led.

Traditional and complementary health practices, such as those performed by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and traditional healers, are integral to many communities. While these practices are culturally significant, relying solely on untrained TBAs in childbirth can lead to high maternal and neonatal mortality rates due to risks like infections and unmanaged complications. Recognizing the importance of cultural competence, global health nursing aims to train and incorporate TBAs into formal healthcare systems, improving outcomes through evidence-based interventions while respecting cultural practices.

Global health initiatives have been guided by frameworks like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which set targets for reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating infectious diseases. These ambitious goals have spurred worldwide efforts to improve water sanitation, fight HIV/AIDS, and promote maternal and child health. Achieving these objectives requires robust partnerships between governments, international agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.

Partnerships are central to effective global health strategies. Multilateral organizations like WHO and UN coordinate international efforts, while bilateral agencies and NGOs implement localized programs. Nurses are vital within these collaborations, serving as advocates, educators, and practitioners who facilitate culturally appropriate and sustainable health solutions. The principles of sustainability, availability, accessibility, and acceptability are essential in designing programs that endure and adapt to local needs.

Accessibility, for example, encompasses more than physical availability; it includes overcoming barriers like stigma. In many contexts, stigma related to diseases such as HIV/AIDS discourages individuals from seeking care, highlighting the importance of culturally sensitive approaches in global health interventions. Nurses, with their transcultural competence, can help reduce stigma and improve health service accessibility.

To prepare for careers in international nursing and global health, practitioners must acquire a range of skills and attitudes. Knowledge of cultural contexts, health systems, and community development is foundational. Equally important are transcultural nursing competencies, including language skills, cultural sensitivity, and openness to diverse perspectives. Such skills enable nurses to communicate effectively, build trust, and implement culturally appropriate interventions.

Learning new languages is a practical way for nurses to enhance their skill sets, especially since language barriers are a significant obstacle to effective care. Multilingual nurses can foster better rapport with patients, educate communities, and participate more fully in international programs. Additionally, cultural humility—recognizing one's limits and constantly seeking to learn—is a critical attitude that underpins successful international nursing practice.

The pathway into global health nursing is diverse. Long-term volunteer work, supported by organizations that facilitate training and cultural orientation, provides invaluable experience. Academic preparation, including studying transcultural nursing theories and global health policies, strengthens capacity. Financial support and advocacy also play roles, enabling nurses to contribute to global efforts indirectly or directly through medical missions, military nursing, or civil service.

Ultimately, the integration of culturally sensitive skills, language proficiency, and a collaborative mindset positions nurses to make enduring contributions to global health. Their work supports the overarching goals of reducing disparities, improving health outcomes, and building resilient health systems worldwide.

References

• Benatar, S. R. (2013). Global health and global justice: The ethical and political challenges. Public Health Reviews, 35(1), 1-14.
• Crane, J. (2018). International Nursing: Concepts and Challenges. Elsevier.
• Global Health Council. (2020). Principles of global health. Retrieved from https://globalhealth.org
• World Health Organization. (2016). Global strategy on human resources for health: Workforce 2030. Geneva: WHO.
• Hoffman, S. J., et al. (2017). Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals for health: An essential role for nurses. Nursing Outlook, 65(3), 253-260.
• Shiffman, J. (2016). Knowledge, moral claims and the politics of global health. Journal of Global Health, 6(1), 010301.
• World Bank. (2018). The health workforce: Policies and strategies. Washington, DC: World Bank.
• Peña, J. E., et al. (2019). Traditional medicine practices and their integration into contemporary health systems. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 9(3), 210-217.
• WHO. (2019). Language barriers and health disparities: Addressing communication gaps in healthcare settings. Geneva: WHO.
• Yin, R. (2014). Case study research design and methods. Sage Publications.