Jimmy Carter: The Context Of Global Health

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GLOBAL HEALTH (LEADERSHIP, IMPORTANCE)
The context of global health is complex and involves an interdisciplinary approach through a cohesive interaction of medicine, public health, human rights advocacy, sociology and economics to achieve the goal of improving the health of all people. (Koplan et al., 2009) defines global health as an “area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide”, emphasizing the involvement of various disciplines within and beyond health sciences. This is why a former president (Jimmy Carter), an investigative journalist (Nicholas Kristof) and a public health epidemiologist (Donald Hopkins) are all considered global health leaders. …show more content…
As governor of the state of Georgia he pushed reforms through the legislature to provide equal state aid to schools in both the wealthy and poor areas of Georgia, set up community centers for mentally handicapped children and increased educational programs for convicts. His role as a facilitator at the Carter center, promoting dialogue, sharing of knowledge and collaboration among communities has been pivotal in eliminating 99% of guinea worm cases worldwide. Also, Nicholas Kristof through his columns with emphasis on human rights abuses and social injustices has helped portray the suffering among the developing world's often forgotten people on a global stage. His cover of the genocide in Darfur helped spark the attention of world leaders facilitating humanitarian aid. The Gates foundation credits his 1997 article on child mortality as the catalyst for focusing their philanthropy on global health. In addition, Donald Hopkins has demonstrated the importance of trust in leadership. His ability to earn the trust of communities he works with through his approach of treating people with respect in order to promote behavioral change instead of dictating terms through a top down manner was instrumental in the eradication of smallpox and measles in Sierra Leone. Also, his ability to adapt solutions to the …show more content…
A health population transforms to a healthy workforce which is the backbone of any growing economy. Also, ill health invariably leads to high school dropout rates thereby increasing the level of illiteracy in communities which hinders development. This is critical as unemployment and poverty are major social determinants of health as they determine access to healthcare, proper nutrition and good housing which are linked to health outcomes and could be triggers for civil unrests. Also, the multidisciplinary approach of global health tackles human trafficking, promotes gender equity in patriarchal societies through female education and empowerment and was instrumental in making this one of the goals of both the MDGs and SDGs. This ultimately reduces both maternal and child mortality as well as increases the diversity of the workforce in a nation enabling economic
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