In 2019, World Health Organization (WHO) addressed we are facing many health challenges due to environmental pollution, climate change, physical inactivity, the outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, etc. We hope this article can draw your attention to global health.
(1) Air Pollution and Climate Change
In 2019, WHO announced that air pollution becomes the greatest environmental threat to global health. 90% of people are living in a polluted environment and breathing unclean air every day. Microscopic pollutants in the air can penetrate and damage our respiratory and circulatory system. 7 million people are dead from a stroke, lung cancer and heart disease due to air pollution every year. Air pollution also leads to climate change. Global warming will trigger heat stress, malnutrition and undernutrition due to flood and drought.
(2) Noncommunicable Diseases
Noncommunicable diseases include cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Over 70% of all deaths worldwide (41 million people) are caused by these diseases. There are five risk factors to drive noncommunicable diseases: (1) tobacco use, (2) the harmful use of alcohol, (3) lack of physical activity, (4) unhealthy diet and (5) air pollution. These risk factors also deteriorate mental health issues. Therefore, maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercising are important.
(3) Global Influenza Pandemic
Experts believe that we will face another deadly global influenza pandemic. But, all of us still don’t know when it will hit and how hard it will be. A global influenza pandemic will be throughout the year instead of seasonal. It will become the world’s biggest infectious disease threat. The virus of influenza is still mutating to invade our immune systems. Therefore, influenza vaccination is critical to protecting young children, the elderly, pregnant women, or people who have vulnerable immune systems.
(4) Antimicrobial Resistance
Antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials are powerful modern medicines to fight diseases. However, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites have antimicrobial resistance now. Antimicrobial resistance becomes a threat to global health security. Enhancing the awareness of controlling the distribution, use and misuse of antibiotics is very important. WHO advocates promoting “open research” where initial stage research is shared for the development of therapeutics, diagnostics and antibiotics.
Start your healthy lifestyle from your diet! Exercise more and supplement yourself!