Week 11 (Mar 29, 2007) - Heathcare Financing and Health Outcomes in the Global Context

How will we address the disparity in the amount of health care dollars spent in developing countries versus the amount in spent in developed countries? There really is no way to justify the fact that 84% of the world's population inhabits LMICs, yet we only spend 12% of worldwide health care dollars on the people in LMICs.

Unfortunately, large modifications in the global distribution does not appear to be on the horizon. Indeed we, global public health professionals should work towards that goal. In the meantime we are left with major public health problems from both communicable and non-communicable diseases in these countries and we have to find ways to address these now with the limited resources that are available.

Cost-effectiveness is a tool that can be used to make policy decisions on how to best allocate health care dollars to maximize effective therapies and avert the most DALYs possible. Until there is a more equitable distribution of global health care dollars, cost-effectiveness can help address global health disparities now. It's not perfect and contextual factors need to be considered along with cost-effectiveness data. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water, it seems to me that in countries with limited resources, cost-effectiveness should be used by policy makers. What do you think ?

Week 7 (Feb 22, 2007) - Environment, Sustainability and Global Health

Dignity. That is the concept that stood out most for me as I reviewed the materials for week 7. There is no dignity when a person does not have access to clean water and sanitation. Once again it seems we have an issue that primarily affects poor people in developing countries and is not addressed as fully and passionately as it should be. If I were someone living in the conditions that we read about this week, I would feel like the world forgot me.

The case study opened my eyes further to the far reaching impact of the lack of access to clean water. Seeing that the pursuit of clean water can consume time that girls might otherwise use getting an education, addressing the issue of clean water in these populations can help us meet two of the MDGs. If we are serious about the MDGs, why aren't more efforts and resources being put toward acheiving them, especially when the answers are right in front of us. Hmmmmm.

I'm Back !!

Hello MPH classmates,

I am happy to be back on my blog after being out for a bit for my back problem. I can't believe I have not had a blog entry in a month. Well, the next couple of entries will be my attempt to catch up. There have been so many interesting things discussed while I was out. I look forward to your insight and comments on my catch-up entries. Cheers !

AC