Global Health- The Impact of Science and Technology
22.07.2018
In the world today, science matters because science serves and saves lives. The impact of science and technology in healthcare and global health in general cannot be overemphasized. Science and technology, by expanding human understanding, is at the forefront of innovations and inventions in healthcare. It creates a foundation for improvements in global health, unravels ideas, fuels discoveries, informs policies and programs as well as promotes better, healthier lives for all people. Science drives and transforms global health through discoveries and technologies as described below:
• Science and technology generates treatments, cures, and vaccines to manage global health challenges
Since the last few decades, science has created new health technologies that have driven incredible progress in global health. The many investments in science and research have produced over 100 vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and other lifesaving global health tools have been developed and introduced. Some life-saving inventions include polio vaccine that eradicated the virus and antiretroviral treatments that have histrionically extended the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, the meningitis A vaccine has saved 378,000 lives and prevented 673,000 new infections since 2010 while the child-friendly malaria drugs have reduced childhood malaria deaths by 65 percent since 2000.
• Science sheds light on population needs and aids the design of relevant research tools
Scientific research promotes progress in global health by developing tools that create positive health impacts for the populations and settings in which they’re applied. Research ensures that health care services are provided in a culturally sensitive way and that medications are available, affordable and user-friendly. Through research components and instruments such as surveys, surveillance, data analysis and reviews, science aids the comprehension of population dynamics and complexity as well as proffers reliable and effective solutions.
• Science and technology supports emergency preparedness through the understanding, prediction and tracking of potential health risks
The early detection of an outbreak is important for effective response and the prevention of epidemics or pandemics. Science and technology is employed in the surveillance of infectious diseases through the use of weather patterns to project the possibility of insect-borne disease outbreaks and the use of genomics or evolutionary theory to predict anti-microbial resistance. Biotechnology, molecular biology and genetic engineering are also scientific advancements employed in the diagnosis of many infections, disease control and development of antibiotics.
• Technology provides information and data at our fingertips
The revolution of mobile technology and digital health has transformed the access and use of health information as well as how global diseases and health challenges are combated. Patients and health service providers now use mobile devices to access health information and track immunization coverage or monitor health services and supplies respectively. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers use short message service (SMS) to remind patients of their appointments and to adhere to their treatment regime. Finally, the government, through the ministry of health, can now deploy new data visualization tools in order condense data into accessible, comprehensible and easy-to-use information guide… thanks to science and technology.