Saturday, May 13, 2023

"Growing Health Crisis: Major Issues, Mitigation Processes and its Impact on the Economy"

 

Introduction:

 The world is facing a growing health crisis, with a range of issues affecting the overall health and wellbeing of people. The health crisis has affected both developed and developing countries, with the latter being disproportionately affected due to limited access to healthcare resources and infrastructure. India is one of the countries that have been hit hard by the growing health crisis, with a range of issues affecting the public health.


Major health issues in the world and in India:

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):  NCDs such as heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes are responsible for over 70% of deaths globally, with low and middle-income countries being the most affected. In India, NCDs account for 61% of all deaths, with heart disease being the leading cause.

Infectious Diseases: Infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS continue to be major public health issues globally, with developing countries being the most affected. In India, tuberculosis is a major issue, with the country having the highest burden of tuberculosis in the world.

Maternal and Child Health: Maternal and child health is another major issue affecting the public health globally, with developing countries being the most affected. In India, maternal mortality is high, with 174 women dying per 100,000 live births.

Mental Health: Mental health is a growing concern globally, with depression being the leading cause of disability. In India, mental health issues are on the rise, with suicide being a major concern.


Mitigation processes to improve public health:-

Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: Governments need to invest in healthcare infrastructure to ensure that people have access to quality healthcare services. This includes investing in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals.


Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Governments need to promote healthy lifestyles, such as regular exercise, healthy diets, and avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco and alcohol.


Immunization: Governments need to ensure that people are vaccinated against infectious diseases, which can prevent outbreaks and reduce the burden of disease.


Education and Awareness: Governments need to educate people about health issues and promote awareness campaigns to improve public health.


Effect on the economy:

The growing health crisis has a significant impact on the economy, with the cost of healthcare being a major concern. The estimated expenditure of the Department of Health and Family Welfare of  Govt of India for 2023-24 is Rs 86,175 crore, approximately 2% of total central government expenditure for 2023-24. This is an increase of 13% over the revised estimates for 2022-23. In low and middle-income countries, healthcare costs can lead to poverty, as people are forced to pay out of pocket for healthcare services. The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), a sub-mission of the larger National Health Mission (NHM), was established by the Government of India (GOI) on May 1, 2013, with the goal of providing equitable and high-quality primary healthcare services to urban residents, with a particular emphasis on slum and vulnerable groups of the population. Additionally, the burden of disease can reduce productivity, as people are unable to work due to illness. This can lead to a decrease in economic growth, as well as an increase in poverty and inequality.


Conclusion:

The growing health crisis is a major concern globally, with a range of issues affecting public health. Governments need to take action to mitigate these issues and improve public health. This includes investing in healthcare infrastructure, promoting healthy lifestyles, ensuring that people are vaccinated, and promoting education and awareness about health issues. Additionally, the economic impact of the health crisis needs to be addressed to ensure that healthcare is affordable and accessible to all.


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