Introduction
Globalization is the practice of integration among different peoples, companies, and governments of different countries in the world. This occurs through the process of international investments and trade and is assisted by the increasing penetration of information across countries globally. Globalization encourages free movement across borders, which is good for international trade but presents a challenge to global health. National governments cannot be able to deal effectively with the complex challenge to health that globalization presents. It is important for international organizations to step in and to assist in the process of monitoring and maintaining global health.
Pursuing good health for all people is a common international goal and many gains have been made in increasing life expectancy in the last century. There are still some glaring health inequalities between the poor and the rich in certain societies, but the economic integration brought about by globalization has helped the progress of countries which are developing. Globalization has resulted in various strides in development but is also responsible for negative effects on the health experienced globally.
Effects of Globalization on Health and Lifestyle
Globalization impacts public health both negatively and positively. First, globalization has increased the number of diseases from pollution and fast food. Air pollution is a consequence of fast development in nations due to globalization. The growing number of people using transportation and building factories around the world has led to many health problems such as asthma and cancer. Asthma is rampant mainly in children and teenagers and affects the respiratory system. It is caused by inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles which is caused by the exhaust fumes of transportation means such as cars, trains, buses, and motorcycles. Air pollution is the cause for increasing numbers of asthma's patients. In addition, the growing number of factories worldwide is a contributing factor to the increase in cases of cancer disease. Due to globalization, there are hundreds of factories in many cities around the world such as oil and leather factories, and home cleaners. All of these factories produce polluting chemical fumes which contribute to the spread of conditions like lung cancer among all age groups in society. Labonte, (2009, p. 105) points out that lung cancer will affect people who live regions with high levels of air pollution especially during their developmental years.
However, fast food and coffee are as dangerous as air pollution in their effect on health. Fast food, which is the easiest way for busy people to obtain their daily meals, is the main cause of disease like obesity. Nowadays, many fast food restaurants like McDonalds and KFC are spreading in the developing world. Fast foods are not nutritious as they often involve being cooked with oil and are often filled with calories. For example, in making of a fast food meal like a hamburger, fried meat is used; French fries are cooked by frying potatoes in oil. These foods have high levels of fat, which causes high blood pressure for people who eat them. "Worldwide, an estimated 1.6 billion adults (aged 15 years and older) were overweight (BMI: 25-30 kg/m2), and 400 million were obese (BMI > 30) in 2005. By 2015, it is expected there will be 2.3 billion overweight and more than 700 million obese adults worldwide" (Labonte, 2009, p. 117). In addition, a dangerous culture of coffee consumption has emerged. Drinking coffee has an adverse impact on health because it is a cause for anemia. The expansion and proliferation of trade and industry between states has contributed to the increasing number of coffee shops serving coffee in many flavors and to entice consumers. Anemia has become more prevalent due to the high consumption of coffee and tea which reduces the percentage of iron in the blood and causing anemia. Anemia is a condition of the blood where the blood is unable to transport enough oxygen to various organs causing organ to tire easily.
On the other hand, globalization has also benefited people's health. Globalization has helped scientific research in the medical field through the medical research carried out by doctors from around the world. Research is facilitated by globalization which is a treasure in our lives and is an important part of culture and knowledge which are vital to improving people’s health (Huyren, Martin & Hilderink, 2005, p.2). Globalization has also resulted in an increase in ease of travel and movement for various activities like studying, teaching, or leisure. Travel is a way in which knowledge translation occurs (Huyren, Martin & Hilderink, 2005, p.2) leading to cultural exchange and understanding.
Globalization has also caused serious lifestyle changes due to the technological advances which have introduced new forms of entertainment. Television and video games are commonly being used especially by young people and the youth. These are activities which do not require much physical activity and therefore contribute to conditions like obesity. This is unlike earlier years where children actively participated in sports and outdoor activities. The bad effects on people's social activity relate to two important global entertainments. For example, Play Stations (Pang and Guindon, 2004, p.2) is one of the most common games played by children and teenagers between the ages of 13 and 23. Play Station (Pang and Guindon, 2004, p.2) is electronic and handheld game a child can carry it and use it anywhere because of its small size. Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are very popular and are increasingly being adopted by young people only but also other age groups and corporate bodies. While social networks can be used for good purposes, they are also responsible for wasting time, decreasing other activities, increasing fraud, no privacy, unethical videos, and pictures.
In contrast, globalization has huge benefits in information and communication technology in businesses and general life. Globalization has made activities like global marketing easier by using e-commerce (Pang and Guindon, 2004, p. 1). E-commerce helps business to improve and succeed, because it makes business people's lives easier than before. Nowadays, there many online websites where one can acquire a variety of goods and services buy what people's needing by good price and easiest deliver.
Furthermore, globalization has improved communication technology using mobile/cell phones and the media. Cell phones (Pang and Guindon, 2004, p. 1) are portable telephones which have greatly enhanced the ease of communication. This means that one can be reached at any place at any time, which has made running businesses much easier and general communication. Global media is an important technology which allows the exchange of information so that people's learn new information from other countries, understand many kinds of culture and access global news quickly (Pang and Guindon, 2004, p. 2). Transmission, circulation, and exchange of knowledge is now a reality due to the development of techniques and means of communication.
Conclusion
Globalization is a process where economic empowerment across the globe has led to integration o people around the world. Globalization has had a positive effect on health especially due to medical research which has been facilitated by globalization. Communication has also been improved by the process of globalization through gadgets like mobile phones which have greatly improved communication. The internet has also facilitated the use of e-commerce where transactions can be carried out online.
Globalization has also had a negative effect on the lifestyle and health of people. It has contributed to ill health due to the large numbers of industries and factories which are causing air pollution. Air pollution causes lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses especially asthma. In addition, globalization has changed people’s lifestyle into one characterized by busy schedules. These schedules have reduced the amount of time which people have to cooking, which means that more people are relying on fast food. Fast food is generally unhealthy and is the major cause of obesity in the population. Coffee and tea are also consumed more often leading to increased cases of anemia. Moreover, it has also contributed to the development of obesity among children and the youth who now prefer to watch television and play video games instead of engaging in physical activity. While globalization has generally brought about development around the world, it is important that the negatives effects it causes be addressed by international organizations so that a healthy population and lifestyle is sustained.
References
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Huynen M., Martens P. and Hilderinck H. (2005). The health impacts of globalization: a conceptual framework. Globalization and Health 1(14). Available at http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/content/1/1/14
Labonte R. (2009). Globalization and health: Pathways, evidence and policy. New York: Routledge.
Martin G. (2005). Globalization and Health. Globalization and Health 1 (1). Available at http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/content/1/1/1
Pang T. and Guindon E. (2004). Globalization and Risks to Health. EMBO Reports. Available at http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v5/n1s/full/7400226.html
