scholarly journals Global Surgery: The Perspective of Public Health Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Brittany A. Hout ◽  
Eric P. Matthews ◽  
Jan-Michael Van Gent
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
Middle Income

Current research has emphasized the importance of increased involvement of medical professionals and global health specialists for the success of global surgery efforts. This quantitative descriptive study aimed to examine public health students’ perceptions of global surgery. A 21- question mixed method online survey was distributed over eight weeks via student email to all students enrolled in the Masters of Public Health Program at A.T. Still University (ATSU) College of Graduate Health Studies. Of 212 students, 35 (16.5%) respondents completed the survey with 30 students reporting interest in global health in their future public health careers. Two-thirds of students erroneously identified infectious diseases as the leading cause of death worldwide, not traumatic injury. Participants identified infectious disease and OB/GYN as the two medical fields to contribute significantly to global health. Surgical care was felt to be the least economically cost-effective medical field for low and middle-income countries (LMICs). As the first project to report perspectives of public health students regarding global surgery, this study highlighted several significant misconceptions concerning global surgery. Like the results from similar studies in medical students, it is alarming that there is such a paucity of community health knowledge surrounding surgery and its effects on global surgical needs. Further research should focus on the effect on student perceptions after curriculum modification include education regarding the burden of surgical disease and role of global surgery.

scholarly journals What is ‘global surgery’? Defining the multidisciplinary interface between surgery, anaesthesia and public health

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. e001808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bath ◽  
Tom Bashford ◽  
J E Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Low Income ◽  
International Health ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Major Factors

‘Global surgery’ is the term adopted to describe a rapidly developing multidisciplinary field aiming to provide improved and equitable surgical care across international health systems. Sitting at the interface between numerous clinical and non-clinical specialisms, it encompasses multiple aspects that surround the treatment of surgical disease and its equitable provision across health systems globally. From defining the role of, and need for, optimal surgical care through to identifying barriers and implementing improvement, global surgery has an expansive remit. Advocacy, education, research and clinical components can all involve surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied healthcare professionals working together with non-clinicians, including policy makers, epidemiologists and economists. Long neglected as a topic within the global and public health arenas, an increasing awareness of the extreme disparities internationally has driven greater engagement. Not necessarily restricted to specific diseases, populations or geographical regions, these disparities have led to a particular focus on surgical care in low-income and middle-income countries with the greatest burden and needs. This review considers the major factors defining the interface between surgery, anaesthesia and public health in these settings.

The Absence of Surgical Care on the Public Health and Global Health Agendas: Insights from a Global Surgery Community

2014 ◽  
Vol 219 (3) ◽  
pp. S57
Author(s):  
Evan G. Wong ◽  
Emmanuel A. Ameh ◽  
Sherry M. Wren ◽  
Wakisa Mulwafu ◽  
Mark A. Hardy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
The Public

scholarly journals The 12 trillion dollar question: is global surgery cost effective?

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 186-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Dube ◽  
R Patel
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Global Surgery ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Financial Gain ◽  
Global Access ◽  
Low And Middle Income

This article considers the financial gain of providing global access to safe and affordable surgical care, especially in low and middle income countries.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on the care of people living with noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: an online survey of physicians and pharmacists in nine countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Bullen ◽  
Jessica McCormack ◽  
Amanda Calder ◽  
Varsha Parag ◽  
Kannan Subramaniam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
World Health ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where people may have limited access to affordable quality care, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to have a particularly adverse impact on the health and healthcare of individuals with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A World Health Organization survey found that disruption of delivery of healthcare for NCDs was more significant in LMICs than in high-income countries. However, the study did not elicit insights into the day-to-day impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare by front-line healthcare workers (FLHCWs). Aim: To gain insights directly from FLHCWs working in countries with a high NCD burden, and thereby identify opportunities to improve the provision of healthcare during the current pandemic and in future healthcare emergencies. Methods: We recruited selected frontline healthcare workers (general practitioners, pharmacists, and other medical specialists) from nine countries to complete an online survey (n = 1347). Survey questions focused on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice and NCDs; barriers to clinical care during the pandemic; and innovative responses to the many challenges presented by the pandemic. Findings: The majority of FLHCWs responding to our survey reported that their care of patients had been impacted both adversely and positively by the public health measures imposed. Most FLHCs (95%) reported a deterioration in the mental health of their patients. Conclusions: Continuity of care for NCDs as part of pandemic preparedness is needed so that chronic conditions are not exacerbated by public health measures and the direct impacts of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Emphasizing the Role of Neurosurgery Within Global Health and National Health Systems: A Call to Action

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Wilguens Lartigue ◽  
Olaoluwa Ezekiel Dada ◽  
Makinah Haq ◽  
Sarah Rapaport ◽  
Lorraine Arabang Sebopelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Global Burden ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Disability Adjusted Life ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Global Burden Of Diseases

Background: Worldwide, neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years lost and the second leading cause of death. Despite global health capacity-building efforts, each year, 22.6 million individuals worldwide require neurosurgeon's care due to diseases such as traumatic brain injury and hydrocephalus, and 13.8 million of these individuals require surgery. It is clear that neurosurgical care is indispensable in both national and international public health discussions. This study highlights the role neurosurgeons can play in supporting the global health agenda, national surgical plans, and health strengthening systems (HSS) interventions.Methods: Guided by a literature review, the authors discuss key topics such as the global burden of neurosurgical diseases, the current state of neurosurgical care around the world and the inherent benefits of strong neurosurgical capability for health systems.Results: Neurosurgical diseases make up an important part of the global burden of diseases. Many neurosurgeons possess the sustained passion, resilience, and leadership needed to advocate for improved neurosurgical care worldwide. Neurosurgical care has been linked to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus highlighting the tremendous impact neurosurgeons can have upon HSS initiatives.Conclusion: We recommend policymakers and global health actors to: (i) increase the involvement of neurosurgeons within the global health dialogue; (ii) involve neurosurgeons in the national surgical system strengthening process; (iii) integrate neurosurgical care within the global surgery movement; and (iv) promote the training and education of neurosurgeons, especially those residing in Low-and middle-income countries, in the field of global public health.

scholarly journals COVID-19: An opportunity to strengthen Public Health Policy and Advocacy Efforts in LMIC (Low- Middle-Income Countries)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ponn P Mahayosnand ◽  
Saman Essa ◽  
ZM Sabra
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
World Health ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Policy Problem ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Successful Case ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Similar to how physicians practice evidence-based medicine to treat individual patients, policymakers should govern the public's health according to evidence-based data. Initiated by the World Health Organization's directive to make COVID-19 research open and freely accessible, (1,2) multidisciplinary studies are still published daily. Collectively, policymakers worldwide have not used available data effectively to make noteworthy reductions in the pandemic that is now over a year old. This brief commentary introduces a policy problem, then shares 3 categories of successful case studies as possible solutions: [1] Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC): Vietnam and Iran, (3,4) [2] public health practitioners: social workers in Africa and pharmacists in Zambia, (5,6) and [3] public health programs: a smoking cessation program and inmate health program. (7,8) Examples from LMIC were selected to demonstrate practical, cost-effective and duplicable methods. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach with community health partners is also proposed. (2,9)

scholarly journals The Global Burden of Surgical Disease: An Analysis on Inaccessible Surgical Care in Low and Middle Income Countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chau Huynh ◽  
Minh NQ Huynh
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Anaesthetic Management ◽  
Global Burden ◽  
Political Climate ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Worldwide, 4.8 billion people do not have access to safe, adequate surgical care and anaesthetic management. Surgical care has been deemed “the neglected child of global health,” a startling reminder of the disparities in health services. The provision of surgical interventions can avert 11% of the global burden of disease and 1.5 million deaths each year. Many obstacles exist for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to progress towards accessible surgical care. The first challenge is delivering cost-effective surgical care despite financial constraints and political turmoil. Foreign aid was established to alleviate the financial burden and its contributions have been pivotal. However, based on the political climate in certain countries, funds are siphoned to government sectors other than health care. Moreover, the lack of infrastructure, equipment, and personnel in LMIC compound the issue. The other challenge is determining if surgery is as feasible and effective as non-surgical health interventions. Surgical care is crucial and this paper aims to assess the challenges that limit its stature in global health discussions. The paper will address the influence of financing, infrastructure, workforce, service delivery, and information management on surgical care, and the current resolutions, such as humanitarian aid missions.

scholarly journals Risky business: COVAX and the financialization of global vaccine equity

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Stein
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Public Health Risk ◽  
Goods And Services

Abstract Background During the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVAX has been the world’s most prominent effort to ensure equitable access to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Launched as part of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (Act-A) in June 2020, COVAX suggested to serve as a vaccine buyers’ and distribution club for countries around the world. It also aimed to support the pharmaceutical industry in speeding up and broadening vaccine development. While COVAX has recently come under critique for failing to bring about global vaccine equity, influential politicians and public health advocates insist that future iterations of it will improve pandemic preparedness. So far COVAX’s role in the ongoing financialization of global health, i.e. in the rise of financial concepts, motives, practices and institutions has not been analyzed. Methods This article describes and critically assesses COVAX’s financial logics, i.e. the concepts, arguments and financing flows on which COVAX relies. It is based on a review of over 109 COVAX related reports, ten in-depth interviews with global health experts working either in or with COVAX, as well as participant observation in 18 webinars and online meetings concerned with global pandemic financing, between September 2020 and August 2021. Results The article finds that COVAX expands the scale and scope of financial instruments in global health governance, and that this is done by conflating different understandings of risk. Specifically, COVAX conflates public health risk and corporate financial risk, leading it to privilege concerns of pharmaceutical companies over those of most participating countries – especially low and lower-middle income countries (LICs and LMICs). COVAX thus drives the financialization of global health and ends up constituting a risk itself - that of perpetuating the downsides of financialization (e.g. heightened inequality, secrecy, complexity in governance, an ineffective and slow use of aid), whilst insufficiently realising its potential benefits (pandemic risk reduction, increased public access to emergency funding, indirect price control over essential goods and services). Conclusion Future iterations of vaccine buyers’ and distribution clubs as well as public vaccine development efforts should work towards reducing all aspects of public health risk rather than privileging its corporate financial aspects. This will include reassessing the interplay of aid and corporate subsidies in global health.

scholarly journals Firearm violence: a neglected “Global Health” issue

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Werbick ◽  
Imran Bari ◽  
Nino Paichadze ◽  
Adnan A. Hyder
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Firearm Violence ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Health Issue ◽  
The Impact

AbstractPopulations around the world are facing an increasing burden of firearm violence on mortality and disability. While firearm violence affects every country globally, the burden is significantly higher in many low- and middle-income countries. However, despite overwhelming statistics, there is a lack of research, reporting, and prioritization of firearm violence as a global public health issue, and when attention is given it is focused on high-income countries. This paper discusses the impact of firearm violence, the factors which shape such violence, and how it fits into global public health frameworks in order to illustrate how firearm violence is a global health issue which warrants evidence-based advocacy around the world.

scholarly journals THE IGNORED PANDEMIC OF PUBLIC HEALTH CORRUPTION: A CALL FOR ACTION AMID AND BEYOND SARS-COV-2/COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-116
Author(s):  
Jorge A. Sánchez-Duque ◽  
◽  
Zhaohui Su ◽  
Diego Rosselli ◽  
Maria Camila Chica-Ocampo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Care Systems

Corruption in healthcare is on the rise. When corruption infiltrates global health, causes embezzlement of public health funds, malfunctioning medical equipment, fraudulent or ineffective health services such as expired medicines and fake vaccines that could have life-or-death consequences. A corrupt healthcare system, amid global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when resources are in constraint and trust is in high demand, can lead to devastating, though avoidable, health and economic consequences. It is imperative for policymakers, health experts, patients, caregivers, and global health funders to promptly acknowledge and address corruption in healthcare. The current pandemic generates an emergency and disorder state on health care systems across the globe, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where a weakening of control measures is evident, creating the perfect storm for corruption. This paper builds on existing research to examine processes that support essential stakeholder engagement in anti-corruption efforts. In this context, an extensive review of literature has been conducted by using various databases such as PubMed, Science direct, SCOPUS, Research Gate, and Google Scholar and a total of 45 articles and documents on corruption and COVID-19 were screened and selected by authors independently. To fill the knowledge gaps about the need for actions to be taken during a pandemic like COVID-19, we propose an anti-corruption grassroots movement that focuses on changing the social norms surrounding corruption in healthcare. By pushing forward a practice that normalizes conversations about corruption in everyday health practices and involving more stakeholders in the protection of public health resources, we argue that not only local health systems can become more resilient and resistant to corruption, but also global health initiatives can become more effective and efficient to improve individual and global health.

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