Global Health Challenges and Opportunities

In the 21^st century, health is very much a global issue with significant humanitarian, economic, and national security implications. With international trade, travel, and telecommunications, the world is shrinking. Two million people cross national borders every day. This means that the threat of infectious diseases such as a pandemic flu, AIDS, bioterrorism, the spread of tobacco and obesity, and the safety of our food and water supply do not respect state or national borders. The triumph of public health interventions over the past 100 years has resulted in as much as a thirty year increase in life expectancy in many developed nations. In contrast, some countries in the developing world have experienced dramatic declines in life expectancy due to AIDS, other infectious illnesses and maternal and child mortality. Unsafe water is the single largest cause of death worldwide and 1 billion people do not have clean water to drink. Globally, mental illness is the leading cause of disability among persons age 5 and older. Nations are also facing the double jeopardy of chronic illness. Last year, 4 million people died of tobacco related illnesses and over 1 million people are overweight resulting in a global chronic disease epidemic that is robbing individuals and nations of the productivity and funds needed to build healthy communities, economies and futures.

This presentation will focus on critical global health challenges including infectious and chronic diseases as well as reduction of maternal/childhood mortality. The role of prevention, health systems strengthening and the application of technology including digital health initiatives (e.g. use of mobile phones and new media) will be discussed as opportunities for advancing health globally. The importance of health diplomacy will be underscored to strengthen knowledge, infrastructure, preparedness, and partnerships to improve health worldwide.