GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES TO WATCH OUT IN 2024
In the ever-changing world of global health, it’s like we’re on a rollercoaster ride with surprises around every corner. As globalization keeps on booming, so do our health challenges. We’re like students in the school of life, trying to learn from our past slip-ups and build a better future. This year, some old familiar challenges are still hanging around, and there are some new ones knocking on the door. Time to pay attention, find solutions, and be the health superheroes we can be!
1. SARS-CoV-2 (Hello Old friend!)
COVID-19 is still hanging around and the stubborn virus is shape-shifting into different versions. According to latest WHO report the latest variant known as JN.1 has currently made its way into 71 countries. Wrap your head around this: 774 million confirmed cases and a whopping seven million lives lost globally as of January 7, 2024. This virus just doesn’t quit!
2. Mental Health on a Thin Line
A team of researchers from Harvard Medical School and the University of Queensland has found that one in two people worldwide will develop a mental health disorder during their lifetime. The study, which involved conducting structured, face-to-face surveys with over 150,000 adults across 29 countries representing various economic statuses and geographical regions, serves as the foundation for these findings.
Today, the concept of safety feels like a distant dream. People are grappling with challenges that shouldn’t even exist, making you wonder, where do we stand in the grand scheme of things? We were just beginning to grasp the significance of mental health, learning to heal, finding our way — and then, boom!
War! Gun Violence! Cyber bullying! Harassment! Child Abuse! Sexual Abuse!
3. Non-Communicable Diseases (THE MVP):
Wrap your head around this: 41 million folks disappear annually, and no, it’s not a plot from a spy thriller — it’s the silent work of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), claiming a staggering 74% of global deaths! Now, we can’t change our genes, but hold on — there’s still a lot we can do to tackle it. However, the data spills the beans on a different story. Point fingers at the rise of couch potatoes, the vanishing act of physical activity, and the slow but sure love affair with junk food.
4. Climate in Crisis!
Hold onto your hats — global temperatures are dropping, ice caps are doing their best disappearing act, and global warming is cranking up. Pollution levels in some spots are so harsh that stepping outside is a health hazard! But that’s not all — the soil is taking a hit, messing with crop growth and nutrition. The oceans? They’re feeling a bit neglected, and vegetation is waving goodbye. It’s a domino effect, making life cycles stumble, and don’t even get us started on the air quality — it’s not winning any awards. Mother Earth’s giving us some serious side-eye; time to pay attention and do our part!
5. Vaping Reality Check: More Than Just Vapor:
Let’s break it down: those fancy e-cigarettes might look cool, but they’re no breeze. They’re a health risk, tied to lung problems and asthma. Here’s the kicker — many teens think vaping is safer than smoking, and even non-smokers jump on the bandwagon thinking it’s harmless. Spoiler alert: it won’t help you quit smoking, and down the line, you might end up with a stronger nicotine fix. The charm of no smoke has made vaping a hit with the young and old, ditching the smoking stigma. It’s time to understand the truth behind the vapor and protect our health.
These challenges are just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s pause, reflect, and contribute our efforts to address the myriad issues affecting our global health. Together, every small action adds up to create meaningful change.
