Transcript Introduction into global health issues - IFMSA

Globalisation in your country
A discussion of your experiences with health
Globalisation in your country
‘a process of greater integration within the world economy
through movements of goods and services, capital,
technology and (to a lesser extent) labour, which lead
increasingly to economic decisions being influenced by global
conditions’
- Jenkins 2004
Which country is most globalised?
 Divide into your NMO/country
 Brainstorm globalisation at “home”
 Make a list of how health is affected:
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Positively
Negatively
What has not changed (at all)
Offer some concrete examples
 10-15 minutes
 Results of discussion/presentations on following slides
Results: Commonalities between countries
 Negative aspects:
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Brain drain & movement of health care professionals
Funding pressure (leading to unfavorable privatisation)
Import of diseases via immigration/travel (i.e. tuberculosis)
Immigration challenges (cultural differences, language barriers
and unequal access to healthcare)
 Positive aspects:
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Access to information, better standards and EBM
Prevention campaign experience (sharing)
Transfer of technology and pharmaceuticals
Better education due to international exchange
Results: Mentioned by single countries
 Negative aspects:
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EU membership  higher costs, less money for healthcare
Drug tourism (i.e. Amsterdam)
Effects of war  global image, external pressure to change
Greater income divide / poverty gap
NGO projects in developed countries (for immigrants)
Influence of diet on cancer rates and alcohol-related disease
Political influence on health: Taiwan WHO membership
 Positive aspects:
– Effects of war  drive to improve healthcare
– Lifestyle (i.e. different healthy thinking, exercise etc.)
Results: What does not change
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Public nature of healthcare systems (even with privatisation)
Role of primary care structure
Good diet (Mediterranean) / Bad diet (high caloric)
Doctors like to make lots of money
The British can still only speak English….
Results: Issues not mentioned…
 Climate change, global effects of environmental problems
– Respiratory effects
– Unclean/Unsanitary water supplies
– Sun exposure
Questions to consider…
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Is globalisation good for health?
How does your country’s experience compare to others?
In which direction is your country heading?
What is the best and worse globalisation can offer?
Is globalisation managed? Should it be managed?