Strategies-Health Issues

Instructions
Roll your cursor over a region of the globe. In each region, you will find four case scenarios representing
each of the global issues that you explore throughout the course: democratization, human rights issues,
environmental issues, and health issues.
The case scenarios provide you with a brief example of a global issue occurring in that region of the
world. You will use the case scenarios to complete an Application Assignment.
For the Application Assignment in Week 5, you should be prepared to address the following:
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Briefly describe the selected region and the global issue from the scenario.
Describe one I-G-O and one N-G-O that provide service in that region to address the global issue.
Explain at least one strategy the I-G-O and N-G-O use to address the global issue in the region
you selected.
Explain two factors that impact the global issue in that region. Be sure to use examples to
illustrate your points.
Remember, you will be completing and submitting an Application Assignment based on the scenario.
Note: You may use the animated time line from Week 1 or the Internet to search for information on
international organizations (I-G-Os and N-G-Os).
Regions
North America
Hunger
Despite being identified as the land of plenty, the United States includes a population for whom hunger is
a reality. In 2009, 50.2 million Americans lived in “food-insecure” households. Food security refers to the
availability of food and a person’s access to it. Over 5.6 million households accessed emergency food
from a food pantry one or more times in recent years. The reasons for hunger range from economics to
accessibility.
Senior citizen populations require greater consideration and protection against food insecurity and
hunger. Recent statistics showed that over 884,000 seniors living alone are food insecure. For example, a
study focused on food insecurity among elderly populations found that seniors sometimes had enough
money to purchase food but did not have the resources to access or prepare it. A study that examined
the health and nutritional status of seniors found that food-insecure seniors had significantly lower
intakes of vital nutrients in their diets when compared to their food-secure counterparts.
Currently, food prices are increasing as a result of environmental changes such as floods and droughts.
Also, crops are being diverted for the production of biofuels.
You have been asked to advise federal government officials on how to minimize the growing problem of
hunger in the United States. You must decide which organizations you invite to work with you in this
endeavor and explain strategies you might use to accomplish your goals.
Latin America (Includes Central America)
Cholera
In countries such as Haiti, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru, cholera epidemics occur on a regular basis.
Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by bacteria found in water contaminated by sewage. The spread of
the disease can be rapid, and the symptoms include severe diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and leg
cramps.
You are a volunteer nurse in a small coastal region of Guatemala. A local mother and child come into the
clinic where you work. They both show signs of cholera. They are dehydrated from vomiting and both
have acute diarrhea. You treat the symptoms of the disease and arrange for the two be taken to the
nearest hospital for full recovery. Within 3 days, the number of patients arriving with similar symptoms
has grown exponentially. You realize that you cannot treat them all.
The local ministry of health provides emergency funds and enlists your help in getting help from other
organizations. You are asked to provide two international organizations (one I-G-O and one N-G-O) to set
up and administer a program specifically geared to address the cholera outbreak. You must also explain
to the ministry of health strategies that might be used to address the issue.
Africa
Waterborne Disease
On the continent of Africa, in countries such as Sudan, Ghana, and Nigeria, guinea worm disease
presents a health risk for many. The disease consists of a parasitic worm infection resulting in the growth
of a worm inside the bodies of those infected. Infection is spread when people drink water that is
contaminated by fleas carrying the guinea worm larvae. Symptoms may not appear for up to a year after
infection, and diagnosis is usually made only after the parasitic worm has grown in length and is
protruding from the body of the infected person.
You are a health worker sent to survey the health environment in the Sudan. Your job is to identify
opportunities to eradicate preventable diseases such as the guinea worm disease. You are provided with
the budget to set up a small health center in a rural area to address guinea worm disease in the local
community. You are given the authority to enlist the help of I-G-Os and N-G-Os to assist you in setting
up a treatment program to address the disease. You are also to convey strategies you intend to use to
address guinea worm disease so that other communities might learn from your program.
Asia/Pacific
Sanitation
More cell phones than toilets. That statement might seem puzzling, repugnant, or even ridiculous to you.
Yet consider this: Cell phone use in India is commonplace, with nearly 500 million subscribers. Yet in
some areas of India, there is no access to toilets. One slum in the city of Mumbai has more than 10,000
occupants, yet not a single toilet is available for their use. Without toilets, poor sanitation and
contaminated water threaten to cause widespread disease.
A group of volunteers has decided to organize a global effort to place toilets, sanitize water sources, and
treat preventable diseases such as diarrhea. They contact international organizations to carry out the
initiative and provide them with a strategy to tackle this global issue. As one of the volunteers, you are
tasked with writing a report on the international organizations that take part in the effort, describing
strategies used and factors that affect the overall health issues associated with this global issue.
Europe
HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is often associated with regions such as Africa. Yet according to some authorities,
Eastern Europe has one of the fastest-growing rates of HIV/AIDS. Published reports indicate that this
latest trend in disease represents an epidemic. Intravenous drug users and sex workers make up the
majority of new cases. Government health agencies have attempted to address the issue, but
international organizations have intervened to step up efforts for prevention and treatment. New
strategies must be undertaken to address this latest surge. In addition, factors that affect HIV/AIDS
issues in this region must be accounted for in designing prevention and treatment programs.
You are an AIDS activist sent to monitor efforts and report your observations. In your report, be sure to
include the international organizations (I-G-Os or N-G-Os) involved, strategies utilized, and factors that
may affect this health issue.
Middle East
Public Health After Conflict
In Lebanon and the surrounding region, a violent conflict between various factions has left many
Lebanese people displaced and injured. After the conflict, people return to their homes, only to find that
many health facilities are damaged or destroyed.
Lack of facilities has major implications for public health in the region. Basic needs such as vaccinations,
reproductive care, and primary care cannot be met. The region is in need of medical supplies and health
professionals to administer them. Mental health, sanitation, and untreated injuries are also becoming
problems.
In an effort to provide health care for all those who are affected, a team of health representatives from
allied nations surveys the health issues in the region. They enlist the help of I-G-Os and N-G-Os to tackle
the immediate problems. They write a proposal which includes strategies to address the many health
issues in the region, and they summarize factors that are likely to have an impact on health in the region.
You are part of the team and write the final report.

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