1. Burden of disease
Burden of diseaseGood health is very critical to human welfare. Sustained economic and
social development globally also depends on the good health of the general population. The
member states of the world health organization (WHO) have set the target of formulating
strategies aimed at improving accessibility and availability of health services to citizens
(The World Health Report, 2012). An example of an initiative that the world health
organization has taken in addressing the public health policy debate is the evidenced-based
input through the global burden of disease. The global burden of disease (GBD) is a regional
and global assessment that is done comprehensively on mortality and disability from an
estimate of 107 diseases and injuries and also ten risk factors (Bui & Markle, 2007). The
study carried out purposes to make information and projections about disease burden
globally available. The burden of disease is the gap created between the health status at
present and an ideal health state where every person lives into old age disease and
disability free. Exposure to certain risk factors contributing to the illness, disability, and
premature mortality are causes of the gap. This paper will look at the global burden of
disease and possible strategies to solving this problem.2.0 Discussion2.1 Facts on Global
Burden of DiseaseApproximately 10 million children below five years of age die annually
(Black, 2011a). Their deaths can be largely attributed to lack of access to simple and
affordable interventions. With statistics such as this the world health organization would be
best placed to formulate appropriate strategies to deliver integrated and effective health
care as well as strengthen health systems. In this way the deaths of children would be
greatly reduced. Of all deaths related to health problems, deaths resulting from
cardiovascular diseases are considered to be the most. Cardiovascular diseases are those
diseases of the heart and blood vessels and that cause stroke and heart attacks. Prevention
measures such as regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and discouraged use of tobacco
would reduce the deaths resulting from cardiovascular diseases by more than 70% (Black,
2011b). In Africa, where HIV/AIDS infections are still high, most of adult deaths are linked
to HIV/AIDS. This high HIV/AIDS mortality continues to dominate despite the substantial
progress that has been achieved in the treatment and prevention of the disease. Obstacles
such as lack of access to health services, shortage of human resources and weak health care
systems limit provision of better health care.Age associated chronic diseases are on the
increase and this can be attributed to the increasing population of older population globally
(Black, 2011c). In preparation of the growing needs of the elderly, health care givers, health
systems and the societies in the whole world should be made aware and trained on the
2. needs of the elderly. Cancer is a major killer worldwide. However, lung cancer has been
found to be the most common cause of cancer related deaths. In developing countries for
instance smoking contributes to more than 80% of cancers of the lung. Approximately 15%
of deaths women of reproductive age experience worldwide result from complications of
pregnancy (Black, 2011d). The social and economic losses experienced from these deaths
could have been reduced by a large margin since more than five hundred thousand women
dying from complications during pregnancy or childbirth die from preventable
complications. Improving maternal health through improved health care before and after
childbirth is one particular strategy that would combat this problem. Mental disorders have
been linked with several causes of disability in the world. Approximately 120 million people
are affected by depression globally and this number is not projected to decrease any time
soon (Black, 2011e). Less than 25% of those affected by depression are the only ones who
have access to adequate health care and treatment.In 2004, road traffic injuries were
ranked ninth as the cause of death globally. It is projected that by 2030 they will rise to fifth
(Black, 2011f). More than three thousand people die in road traffic crashes and millions
injured while others are disabled. Promotion of road safety practices would greatly help in
preventing these deaths. An estimated 30% of deaths in children below five years of age are
caused by under-nutrition. Approximately 20 million children in the world are
malnourished (Black, 2011g). Lack of access to nutritious foods, inadequate breastfeeding,
and administering of inappropriate food are sample causes of the under-nutrition. Also
common childhood diseases can be attributed to the reduced appetite in children and
absorption of the necessary nutrients from food.2.2 Suggested solutions to the excess
burden of disease in developing countriesHigh-income countries are not as affected by the
burden of disease compared to low- and middle-income countries. The burdens as
discussed are primarily associated with reproductive health, child illnesses, and infectious
diseases. The occurrence of communicable diseases, maternal and neonatal conditions is
very low in high-income countries compared to the approximate number of 17.6 million
people who die in low- and middle-income countries each year from these illnesses
(Jarnison et al, 2006a). Although the greater wealth and better general living conditions in
high-income countries can be pointed as positive factors for the low infection rate, the use
of cost-effective health interventions must also not be overlooked. Applying known and cost
effective measures in addressing diseases in the GBD could reduce the numerous needless
deaths substantially. The use of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) would for instance reduce
case fatalities that are associated with childhood diarrhea (Jarnison et al, 2011b). Skilled
birth attendance, provision of prenatal care, tetanus immunization, hygienic care of the
umbilical cord of a newborn, immunization against childhood illnesses and use of the DOTS
strategy in control of TB are other cost-effective measures that can be utilized in addressing
the burden of disease in developing countries. Efforts to reverse the HIV/AIDS epidemic are
founded on preventive measures. These measures include educating people on the
infection, how it is transmitted, and encouraging use of condoms, consistent screening of
blood used for transfusion, and promoting use of clean needles in health institutions or
health care situations (Martin, 2007). Halting mother to child transmission can be achieved
through the use of antiretroviral drugs. Making these services accessible is very core to the
3. realization of the goal of reversing this epidemic.In the 57th World Health Assembly carried
out in May of 2004, a global strategy on diet, physical activity, and health was adopted in a
unanimous manner by the member states of the WHO (Lopez et al, 2006). Chronic non-
communicable diseases (NCDs) have a lot to gain from this strategy which took 18 months
during multi-stakeholder consultations especially since it opens doors for policy-makers to
develop new and appropriate initiatives to tackle the rise of NCDs in the world.3.0
SummaryThe global burden of disease has been adopted to address the public health policy
debate through the use of evidence based input. Ill-health is known to impact on nations
worldwide negatively both socially and economically in development. There are various
facts connected to the burden of disease such as the approximate numbers in the rates of
infection with HIV/AIDS and the prevalent large number of deaths caused by lung cancer.
Developing countries have had to experience the full impact of the burden of disease since
the diseases in GBD are in large numbers in developing countries.4.0
RecommendationsRegular physical activity, discouraging use of tobacco and consumption
of a healthy diet are examples of measures that are recommendable for reducing deaths
resulting from cardiovascular diseases. The HIV/AIDS epidemic can be addressed through
ensuring that health services are accessible to all especially in developing countries where
this epidemic affects people most. In addition, more health care professionals should be
employed to cover the shortage and weak health systems should be strengthened. Cost-
effective health interventions should be advocated for such as the use of ORT in child
diarrhea, application of skilled birth attendance and increased immunization against child
illnesses.5.0 ReferencesBlack, C. (2011). 10 Facts on the Global Burden of Disease. World
Health Organization. Retrieved January 9, 2011 from:
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/global_burden/facts/en/index.htmlBui, T. D. &
Markle, W. H. (2007). Global health: past, present and future. In Markle, W. H., Fisher, M., &
Smego, R. A. (Eds), Understanding global health (pp. 19-36). The McGraw-Hill, Columbus,
OH. Retrieved
from:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47566859/Understanding%20Global%20Health%20Chapt
er%202.pdf on 01-12-
2012http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47566859/Understanding%20Global%20Health%20Chapte
r%203.pdf on 01-12-2012Jarnison, D. T. et al (2006). Chapter 4: Cost-Effective Strategies for
the Excess Burden of Disease in Developing Countries. Priorities in Health. Retrieved
January 9, 2011 from: http://www.dcp2.org/pubs/PIHLopez, A. D. et al (2006) Global
Burden of Disease and Risk Factors. Disease Control Priorities Project. Retrieved January 9,
2011 from: http://www.dcp2.org/pubs/GBDMartin, C. (2007). Global health: past, present
and future. In Markle, W. H., Fisher, M., & Smego, R. A. (Eds), Understanding global health
(pp. 37-60). The McGraw-Hill, Columbus, OH. Retrieved from:World Health Organization
(2012). The World Health Report. Retrieved January 9, 2011 from:
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