Hi everyone and welcome back to my Blog. My Inquiry question is, “How does disease affect the world?” but in order to fully understand the answers to this big question we first must know what disease is, which was previously discussed in my previous blog post, along with how disease impacts the economy and society socially; as a result, in this blog post, we will learn about the last sub question, “What is the long-term impact of disease on healthcare infrastructure, research, and public health policies?“
Disease outbreaks leave a lasting mark on healthcare and the evolution of healthcare, disrupting the balance of medical services and resources and therefore putting patients in risk. (1) Hospitals and clinics often find themselves overwhelmed by the sudden amount of patients, leading to shortages of supplies, staff, and availability in facilities. In the long term, addressing these challenges is an important effort to strengthen the healthcare system. (1) This may involve expanding hospital capacity, investing in medical equipment and supplies, and bolstering the training and support systems for healthcare workers. (2) By strengthening healthcare systems, communities can better prepare for future outbreaks and make sure everyone get the care they need in a timely manner.
Research efforts increase in response to disease, wether that’s overtime or suddenly, as scientists try to understand the pathogen, develop many diagnostics, collect data, undersatnding effecst and exploring treatment options. (2) This research may someti,es miss valuable insights and innovations that extend far beyond the immediate crisis, if the disease was an outbreak. (3) In the aftermath of an outbreak, research networks are quickly organized, collaborations between scientists, doctors and countries are made, and funding streams support efforts to understand and stop diseases. The long-term impact of this research is important and leads to many advancements in medical science and allowing citizens to be more educated on medical topics/helath and the enhances the global health systems. (3)
The impact on research impacts public health policies which go through thorough review and revision in cases of disease outbreaks, since governments want to improve preparedness and their ability to respond quickly and efficiently. (4) This includes icnluding surveillance systems to catch outbreaks early, while making sure the public has access to accurate information, and the enforcement of measures to control the disease. (4) Over time, these policies and rules evolve to bring attention to coming threats and danger, including lessons learned from any past outbreaks and advancements in technology, science and medicine. (5) By adapting and enhancing public health policies created by governments, communities can improve their resilience and readiness for future health challenges.
To add, Diseases also show how global health is connected and why international cooperation is important for advancement and research. After an outbreak, countries work together to strengthen health governance, share information, and come up with proper responses. (6) They also share resources to help impacted regions, which is a plus for everyone around the world. Collaborative research projects are created, data sharing is improved, and efforts and evolution in these systems is more understood worldwide. (7) By coming together no matter the circumstances we can anticipate, prevent, and reduce the impact of future outbreaks and better control current infectious/non-infectious diseases.
In conclusion, disease and disease outbreaks not only reveal the fragility of global health systems but also accentuate the inequalities that persist within them. By recognizing and addressing these, we can build a more resilient and reliable healthcare system. (8) Through teamwork and efforts and a commitment to health, we can prepare for the impact of future health, making sure that everyone has access to care and support they need to thrive. (8) Overall, diseases greatly affect the world by disrupting economies, overwhelming healthcare systems, and revealing inequalities. Addressing these issues demands global cooperation, investment in healthcare, and a commitment to fairness and resilience in times of crisis. Thank you so much for reading my blog posts and following me through this journey of new learning and I hope that you can take something important and relevant out of my Blog Posts!
Citations:
- “Covid-19 and Chronic Disease: The Impact Now and in the Future.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 June 2021, www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2021/21_0086.htm.
2. “How to Improve Primary Healthcare to Prepare for Future Pandemics.” UNICEF, www.unicef.org/stories/how-to-improve-primary-healthcare-to-prepare-for-pandemics. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.
3. Admin, Health Analytics. “The Benefits of Research in Healthcare.” Health Analytics, 5 Aug. 2023, healthanalytics.com/expertise/benefits-of-research-in-healthcare/.
4. Spears, Mandy. “5 Ways Public Policy Impacts Health.” The Sycamore Institute, 21 Feb. 2021, www.sycamoreinstitutetn.org/5-ways-public-policy-impacts-health/.
5. Government of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. “Global Health Policy Applying Evidence.” CIHR, 8 Mar. 2022, cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51205.html#.
6. “What Is Global Health? (The 10 Reasons Why You Need to Know about It).” Decade of Health, 20 May 2021, www.decadeofhealth.co.uk/what-is-global-health-10-reasons-why-you-need-to-know-about-it/#:~:text=Global%20health%20is%20about%20ensuring,health%20for%20all%20people%20worldwide.
7. “What Is Global Health Security?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 May 2022, www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/security/what.htm#:~:text=Global%20health%20security%20is%20the,they%20occur%20in%20the%20world.
8. “Disease Outbreaks.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/emergencies/disease-outbreaks. Accessed 15 Feb. 2024.