Improving global health for the greater good
While improving global health is a diverse issue involving healthcare professionals, providers, and politicians, it’s not all about medicine. It’s true that, on average, people are living longer, but are they living better? Global health initiatives also take into account non-medical disciplines including epidemiology, sociology, economic disparities, public policy, environmental factors, cultural studies, and more.1
We are all responsible, on some level, for the health and wellness of our communities, of our countries and nations -- of our world. Global health has to do with our lifestyles and is closely linked to our environment. By making some adjustments in those lifestyles, we can be “instruments for global change.”
Being an instrument for positive changes means not just talking about how you can make a difference; it means taking action. Choose a few areas about which you feel passionate. Learn about how they impact the health of, not only your community, but communities worldwide, and then about what you can do with the information you’ve acquired to make a positive difference.
Acting locally
The changes that you make to your daily life don’t have to be radical. By making small adjustments to your lifestyle, such as getting an annual flu shot, eating a well-balanced healthy diet, walking for thirty minutes each day, or washing your hands more often, you can have a positive influence over global health.
Become active in local conservation efforts. Recycling, reusing, and composting are all good options to make sure that the products you purchase are used to their highest potential. Make more of an effort to shop locally, which is good for the environment because less energy is used to transfer goods. Plant your own vegetable garden.
Be mindful of your water usage. One of the biggest challenges facing the world today is access to clean water for all people. Many of the world’s peoples still suffer from the negative health consequences linked to poor water quality.
“Worldwide consumption and production -- a driving force of the global economy -- rest on the use of the natural environment and resources in a way that continues to have destructive impacts on the planet.”2 Each year, approximately one third of all the food that’s produced ends up rotting in the trash cans of retailers as well as consumers or spoiling as a result of poor transportation and/or harvesting. Sustainable consumption and production can help to reduce poverty for future generations as well as aid in the transition to lower carbon emissions and greener economies.3
Impacting globally
The actions that you take locally can have a global impact. By making a concerted effort to use less plastic, to recycle what you do use, and clean up plastic waste from roads and waterways for example, you can help to prevent the degradation of our ground and water supplies.
Just as is important is raising awareness of food insecurity and hunger within your community. Join the GHT Companies in donating to “Feeding San Diego” whose mission is to ensure that every person facing hunger receives nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue.
References
1 What is Global Health? The 6 Biggest Issues You Need to Know About, St. George’s University.
2 Responsible Consumption and Production, Sustainable Development Goals | United Nations.
3 Responsible Consumption and Production, ibid.
NOTE: The St. George’s University, and United Nations, have not reviewed or approved the above article.