While precise global health definitions vary by source, you can think of it as the

understanding of health care at an international and interdisciplinary level. It

includes the study, research, and practice of medicine with a focus on improving
health and health care equity for populations worldwide.
The effects of a globalized economy, advances in transportation, and changes to
agricultural practices have resulted in health care issues transcending
international borders.
Practicing physicians and medical school instructors must do their parts to
influence prevention efforts on a worldwide scale by focusing on global health.
The first step to understanding global health is to define it, and then learn about
some related issues.
So what are the biggest challenges confronting progress in global health? The
three global health issues detailed below help illustrate the breadth and depth of
this complex field.

1. Pandemics
According to an article published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization,
pandemics are defined as global disease outbreaks. Examples of pandemics
include COVID-19, and other viral threats. Every year, there are newly emerging
pandemic threats. Vaccination efforts can help, but it’s critical to address issues at
the source by addressing important areas like health education and responsible
agricultural practices

2. Environmental factors
How can air pollution and climate change affect the health of the human
population? In most cases, the answer lies in water sources and sanitation.

Storms, flooding, droughts, and air pollution make it easier for diseases to spread
across large groups of people. The immediate solution is to provide resources like
bottled water and sanitation technology, but global health must also focus on the
prevention of environmental challenges in the first place.
3. Healthcare systems
Inadequate access to health systems is a health threat, with at least half
the global population lacking access to essential healthcare services.
Challenges in healthcare systems vary across countries. Strengthening
primary healthcare systems is pivotal to effectively and holistically address
health issues.

1. Invest in Mobile Clinics

To address issues with transportation due to geographic barriers and improve access
to care, the U.S. health care system is increasingly investing in alternative treatment
sites. Instead of traveling to a hospital, many patients can now access care at mobile
clinics closer to where they live and work.

2. Extend Telehealth Services

Historically, providers have been unwilling to establish services in small, rural
communities because they lack large hospital systems and populations with money to
pay for services. This means people have to travel away from their home community to
get medical care.

Telehealth provides remote access to physicians and other medical service providers to
patients without a physical clinic in their area. Through videoconferencing and cloud-
based data, doctors can communicate across large geographic distances to better
coordinate care for patients.