Over the past few years, maintaining global health has been a critical issue affecting the welfare of individuals and societies throughout the world. From the recent COVID pandemic to the increase of mental health issues and chronic illness, 2022 was a year of a variety of global health issues. Thus, as we move into 2023, we must look back at these issues and determine how to alleviate their effects.
A significant global health issue that is still in effect in 2023 is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the introduction of vaccines, new variants are still emerging. Long COVID prevents people from attending school and work. Individuals with Long COVID need proper support from primary care physicians and treatments that we have yet to discover. The pandemic has been a challenge for everyone, regardless of where they are. Its impact is expected to continue affecting economies and healthcare systems worldwide.
The number of individuals with mental health disorders has continued to rise as it is the leading cause of disability. With the pandemic forcing people to remain indoors, isolated from others, and deprived of their usual routines, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues have now transpired. As we move forward into 2023, it is expected that mental health will continue to be a global health concern, particularly for young adults and adolescents. Thus, it is imperative to start looking for solutions that lead to these disorders to offer people the best prevention options.
Chronic diseases and non-communicable illnesses are also a global concern at this time. Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease continue to be significant health problems worldwide due to their prevalence and complexity. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and a lack of physical activity are leading contributors to non-communicable diseases. To combat this issue, we need to focus our attention on strengthening the basis of our healthcare systems.
Overall, access to healthcare remains an issue in many parts of the world. Addressing this problem is critical to advancing global health. Issues such as availability, affordability, and accessibility of healthcare services significantly affect the health and well-being of individuals, particularly those in low-income areas.
As we move forward into 2023, it is vital to prioritize these global health concerns and work toward developing concrete policies and strategies that promote better health for all individuals.
Thank you for reading,
Ilana Saidov
Source:
11 global health issues to watch in 2023, according to IHME experts. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. https://www.healthdata.org/acting-data/11-global-health-issues-watch-2023-according-ihme-experts