Introduction
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. Global health . . . is a synthesis of population-based prevention with individual-level clinical care.
Communicable diseases are an issue both in the United States and internationally. While globalization has eased travel between countries, it has also contributed to the spread of disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a disease can be transported to any major city in as little as 36 hours.2 Outbreaks of diseases like Zika and Ebola are a reminder that health threats in other countries are not limited by borders. The best way to combat and prevent health problems in the United States is to also address them globally.
In 2016, eight out of the top ten leading causes of death around the world were also the leading causes of death in North Carolina, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and diabetes.3,4 Individuals in rural areas of America had higher rates of mortality from these diseases compared to their urban counterparts5 Global and rural healthcare settings face similar barriers when trying to improve health outcomes. Socioeconomic factors, cultural differences, educational barriers, political support, shortage of healthcare workers, and access to care are all factors that contribute to disparities in rural and global health.6
Source: Let’s Get Healthy California
Global/local (glocal) means having a global perspective or understanding of transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions, and applying that perspective to address healthcare problems at the local level.
Global health practice is most effective when linked to local community efforts. Many of the skills necessary to improve the health of low-resource global communities are directly applicable to local rural health communities. Both settings involve addressing healthcare disparities, using public health principles to create large-scale change, and being cognizant of cultural differences and cross-cultural communication. Utilizing local community partners, optimizing community engagement, and addressing the specific needs of the community are critical strategies to creating sustainable change in either setting. Interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare disciplines and non-healthcare disciplines, such as architecture, law, economics, engineering, public policy, and environmental sciences, is an important tool to addressing the multi-level needs of rural and global communities.
The video and activity that are provided will help you to consider the relationship between global and rural health, as well as the barriers and disparities that are present in these patient populations.
