Environtmental and Global Health

Archive for the ‘Public Health’ Category

Education Foundation for Health (FUNDADEPS) recently published World Atlas of Health in collaboration with AstraZeneca Foundation and the Foundation SM.En brief will be presented from official. Analyze health conditions in which they live more than 600 million people in nearly 200 countries has been a major challenge but the result is amazing.

To get the updated information the authors have relied on official statistics from the Organization of the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Atlas is divided into three blocks. The first section entitled “General Development Mapping” shows the level of socioeconomic development of the various populations since this level so powerfully affects the lives of individuals and determines the health status of different populations. In this section we show by example, maps that refer to life expectancy at birth, education and income per capita. Imbalances between the world’s States are impressive. In 2005, Luxembourg ranked first in terms of income with more than 62,000 dollars of GDP per capita in Sierra Leone only reached 548 U.S. dollars per capita, providing 57% of population below one dollar a day income .

The second group called “Health in the world today” provides a true diagnosis of current health inequalities between countries. In this block we show how sick and dying people with a section which analyzes diseases in the world (the prevalence of HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) and non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease mortality and cancer). In this section there is something that has surprised me: Although we tend to think that non-communicable diseases become apparent in the rich or developed countries, the reality is the opposite. A World Bank report shows that 80% of deaths for this type of diseases recorded in 2005 occurred in low-income countries and media.

The last block, called “Great challenges of global health,” shows that we should practice healthy habits to improve health in the world. Increased life expectancy is, without doubt, one of the greatest achievements of mankind. We must bear in mind that this aging process will not stop, causing a tremendous impact on society and health care. Here are tips on healthy habits to age with quality of life: eat well and have an active lifestyle, prevent smoking, avoiding risk behaviors, mental health care and protect our environment which in turn is a Protector health.

The World Health Day 2010 (7 April) will focus on urbanization and health. The theme reflects the desire to recognize the effects of urbanization on both our collective health on a global scale, as in the health of every one of us.

Virtually all population growth over the next 30 years will take place in urban areas. It affects such matters as water, environment, violence and injuries, non communicable diseases and their risk factors such as the use of snuff, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and risks of disease outbreaks.

The urban planning can promote healthy habits and safety through investment in active transport, the design of areas for physical activity and the adoption of regulations against snuff and for food safety. It can also promote the improvement of urban living conditions in the areas of housing, water and sanitation. A city that is accessible and inclusive quality of life for all ages will benefit all its inhabitants.

As part of the campaign thousand cities, a thousand lives during the week from 7 to April 11, 2010 will be organized events around the world:

* Mil cities: open to the public streets, public spaces open to health, either for activities in parks, town meetings, cleanups, or close some streets to motor traffic.

* A thousand lives: tell the story of the local promoters of Urban Health, to collect a thousand stories of urban health advocates, for their efforts, have had a considerable impact on the health of their cities.