1. Examine the inequalities of health care in Canada.
Health disparities have been reported in Canada for almost 40 years, particularly among people of low socioeconomic status, Aboriginal identity, female gender, and who live in rural or remote communities (Touhy et al., 2012). “People who are part of a visible minority tend to be economically disadvantaged with blacks and Aboriginals faring worse” (Touhy, et al., 2012, p.52). Little has been done to enhance their access to health services. Aboriginal people have limited access to doctors and dentists even though they have more health care needs than non-Aboriginal Canadians (Fred, 2009). For example, the life expectancy of Aboriginals is 6.6 years shorter than that of the general Canadian population (Kay-Raining Bird, 2011).
In reference to income, findings from numerous studies suggest that socio-economic conditions such as income and education are strongly correlated to health outcomes (Gamache, et al., 2010). Income affects the quality of housing, the ability to buy enough food, and the ability to access education (Mikkonen & Raphael, 2010). For example, poverty rates are much higher because of the low income among Canadian Aboriginals, immigrants, and the African-Canadians than in the rest of the Canadian population (Touhy et al., 2012). On account of their low income, they are forced to choose between basic needs such as food, heat, telephone, medications, and health care visits, which are very important for overall health (Touhy, et al., 2012). Mikkonen and Raphael (2010) similarly reported that the suicide rates amongst low-income communities are twice as high as in the wealthier communities. In order to decrease the frequency of mental illness related hospitalizations in Canada, the living conditions of Aboriginal people and other financially disadvantaged groups should be improved (Safaei, 2012).
2. Apply concepts of global health to a local case study such as the homeless population in Toronto.
“Global health is an area for study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide” (Kopla, et al, 2009, p. 1993). Kopla, et al (2009) also added that global health has the following characteristics: it is population based with prevention focus; it gives priority to poor, vulnerable, and underserved population; it uses multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and multisectorial approaches; and it focuses on reduction of health disparities.
According to putting house first (2014), 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness within each year and 30,000 of them are homeless each night. Based on the concepts of global health which is discussed in previous paragraph, our health care system has to give priority to the 200,000 homeless Canadians by promoting social justice, economic redistribution, essential health care services, education and other public services. This is because homeless people are the poorest and the most vulnerable people in Canada. For example, homeless people are in a higher risk for communicable as well as non-communicable diseases than the general population. As a consequence, homeless people have lower life expectancy and higher mortality rate than the general public (Mc Neil, et al., 2013).
3. Discuss how awareness of global health issues will improve our ability to care
Modern transportations and technologies lead to a rapid globalization because of increased travel, communication, and economic interdependency. Globalization is a key factor in shaping global health (Koplan, et al., 2009). Howson, et al (1998) also stated that globalization can bring risks such as emerging infectious diseases and drug resistance pathogens; exposure to dangerous substances; and violence. For example, Ebola, which is an infectious disease and a current world health issue, knows no borders. Therefore, the spread of this infectious disease to Canada and the rest of the world can be controlled by increasing our awareness and government involvement in managing this health crisis. Getting involved in this crisis can also help health care professionals to get ready to design the right protocol, policy, and procedure, if Ebola makes it to the Canadian territory. Howson, et al (1998) explained that developed countries could benefit themselves by involving in global health crises because through involving the countries can protect their peoples, improve their economy, and advance their international interests.
4. Draw parallels between global health challenges in developing countries and challenges here at home (in Canada).
Nearly one Forth of the world population lives in developing countries where non-communicable diseases such as depression and heart diseases combined with road traffic deaths are rapidly replacing the communicable diseases such as infectious diseases and malnutrition as the main causes of death (WHO, 2014). Because of globalization, global health issues shifted from infectious diseases to various chronic diseases (Nabel, et al., 2009). Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases are responsible for more than half of all deaths in the world; 80% of deaths occur in low and middle-income countries (Nabel, et al., 2009). According to WHO (2014), developing countries are dealing with communicable diseases, non communicable diseases and socio- behavior illness which are a triple burden to the middle and low income countries.
When it comes to Canada, which is a developed country, the major health burdens are non-communicable diseases. Nissinen (2001) stated that the major health burdens in developed countries are non-communicable diseases where 3 out of 4 deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and accidents. In Canada, although the prevalence of communicable disease is very low, it is still affecting those from low social status groups such as homeless people, immigrants, and Aboriginal people. Touhy et al. (2012) reported that Aboriginal people are also more likely to be affected by Tuberculosis than the non-Aboriginal people in Canada (26.6 per 100 000).
5. Conclusion
Low income, inadequate access to health services as well other health determinants strongly contribute to health variances. Although it is important to improve the policies and practices that increase access to health care, the main focus must be to take action against the causes of the health disparities such as socioeconomic status and poverty, the core determinants of health (Touhy, et al., 2012). Therefore, in order to achieve improved global health, it is important to focus on social justice, economic redistribution, promoting essential health care services, education and other public services (Bentatar, et al., 2011).
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