Health Disparities Globally
What is the problem?
It is clear that far too many people around the world lack access to adequate healthcare. Part of the reason for this is that many nations do not provide adequate healthcare for their citizens, and some governments subject their citizens to atrocities ranging from torture to genocide. Global health disparities become all too apparent when we look at the top 10 causes of death in the United States compared to those throughout the world.
| In the United States | Throughout the World |
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Sources: World Health Report 1999, World Health Organization; National Vital Statistics System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999
What does this mean?
Seven of every 10 Americans - 1.5 million people - who die each year die from a chronic disease. Heart disease and cancer account for almost two-thirds of all deaths in the United States. While heart disease may also be the leading cause of death throughout the world, many of the other diseases seen globally (especially those with asterisks) are either of the acute nature or would be considered treatable or less severe due to public health measures in the United States. This means that while Americans are dying from chronic diseases - many of which can be attributed to modifiable risk factors - people around the world are suffering from conditions that could be helped if they had appropriate care and treatment. Notice also that HIV/AIDS did not make the top 10 list for the United States, while it is the #4 killer throughout the rest of the world.
What can be done?
Exactly what role health professionals can play in bringing about improvements to the state of health in the world is a subject founded on the principle that healthcare is a right. Much can be done to remedy the healthcare situation throughout the world, but a lot if it comes down to money. Currently, the U.S. federal government spends only 0.05% of its budget on global health activities. Much more than that is needed if we are to fight the AIDS disparity issue around the world. By looking at data on both life expectancy and treatment, it is easy to recognize that HIV/AIDS patients in other countries are not receiving care equal to that of patients in the United States.
- 28.1 million people in Africa are currently infected with HIV. This figure accounts for 70% of the worldwide HIV population. In three African countries - Botswana, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe - over 25% of the adult population is infected, bringing the life expectancy in Botswana down to 30 years of age.
Source: HIV / AIDS: Implications for Policy Reduction. 2001.
International AIDS Economics Network: www.iaen.org
- In 2001, over 500,000 HIV/AIDS patients in the United States received antiretrovial(ARV) drugs, resulting in fewer than 100,000 deaths. In Sub-Saharan Africa, however, fewer than 100,000 patients received ARV treatment, and therefore the death toll was over 2 million. (Triple drug antiretroviral therapy is a treatment regimen that is very effective in delaying disability and prolonging the life of persons with HIV.) It is estimated that 12 million AIDS deaths in developing nations within the next five years that could be prevented by antiretroviral drug therapy
Source: UNAIDS and WHO, Panos Institute, 2000. www.panos.org.uk
AMSA feels that as responsible citizens/physicians-in-training, we have a commitment to our world to fight global AIDS. We can do that through the promotion of education, public policy, and corporate responsibility.
Check out AMSA's AIDS page, Global AIDS Pandemic and Medical Students.
Learn about the AMSA Global Health Action Committee.