Global Health Protection and Security
8.10.2017
Several factors pose threats to the health, well-being and safety of populations, as well as the economy of countries across the world. These factors include public health issues such as communicable or infectious diseases, bio-terrorism, natural disasters, man-made disasters, and non-communicable diseases.
The importance of global health protection and security has become more necessary given the advent of many epidemics and threats to global health security. The world today is synonymous to a global village, with high rates of mobility and connection through airplanes, speed boats and trains. Consequently, the impact and effect of diseases and other health problems can spread across wide geographical regions in a matter of hours. As the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts it, an outbreak anywhere, is indeed a threat everywhere. More so, there is need for protection against biological warfare (Bio-terrorism) which involves the use of biological weapons- toxins and infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as an act of war to kill or debilitate humans, animals or plants.
The aim of global health protection and security is to remain one step ahead of potential outbreaks, and to be prepared to act quickly in the case of emergencies. This preparation involves having both the human and financial resources sufficient to handle any outbreak. Lack of emergency preparedness and weakness in the health system allows for diseases to thrive and spread, ultimately transforming local outbreaks into global epidemics. During an outbreak, time is of the essence, therefore it is essential to detect, prevent and rapid spread of diseases immediately. Early intervention and outbreak control prevents morbidity and mortality that can potentially overwhelm the health system and economy. Furthermore, outbreaks- like other accidents are unpredictable and can happen at any time with grave consequences. These consequences include the cost of controlling outbreaks, decrease in travel and tourism and instability of businesses, staggering economic growth, increase in the cost of health services and disruption in international trade. In the United States (US), The Commission on Global Health Risk Framework for the Future (CGHRFF) estimates a total cost of $6 trillion USD for global pandemics.
Different countries have different bodies responsible for global health protection and security. In the US, Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP) of the CDC is responsible for protecting citizens from public health problems in this regard. There is need for a worldwide effort through the Global Health Security Agenda, to strengthen every country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats in order to protect the health and security of the world. Data collection through disease monitoring and surveillance are important components of global health protection and security. Additionally, countries need to support each other and share resources during health emergencies. To be secure, countries must have the public health capacity to identify health threats, stop outbreaks from becoming epidemics, and save lives.