NURS4115 Role of the Nurse in Public and Global Health

Role of the Nurse in Public and Global Health
Student’s Name
Institution
Role of the Nurse in Public and Global Health
Two Healthcare Concerns
Increased Exposure to Malaria
Numerous studies have pointed out global climate change to be a contributing factor in the spread of vector-borne diseases including Zika, dengue, encephalitis, yellow fever, and malaria. According to Campbell-Lendrum, Manga, Bagayoko, & Sommerfeld (2015), these vector-borne diseases increase the disease burden globally and contribute to epidemics that affect health security negatively. In addition, as informed by the authors, they have wider socio-economic effects globally. Campbell-Lendrum, Manga, Bagayoko, & Sommerfeld (2015) point out that variability in weather conditions and the increasing temperature that the world continues to experience undermine immensely the steps made globally against the diseases.
One of the vector-borne diseases that global climate change has increased its spread is malaria. According to Ngarakana-Gwasira, Bhunu, Masocha, & Mashonjowa (2016), climate change is poised to increase malaria burden in high land regions, East Africa, and the tropics. Malaria has been shown to be sensitive to the effects of global climate change. The reason for this is that the vectors that spread the disease as well the associated parasite are sensitive to climatic variables including temperature and rainfall. It is the opinion of Ngarakana-Gwasira, Bhunu, Masocha, & Mashonjowa (2016) that while most studies have focused on the impact of temperature on malaria dynamics, they have failed to incorporate rainfall as a variable in the transmission of the disease. As such, it is anticipated that global climate change is bound to have a significant impact on the distribution, intensity, and spread of malaria. It is evident that climate change is a serious health concern that requires immediate actions from stakeholders all over the world.
Respiratory Problems
Studies have also associated climate change to increased respiratory problems. According to D’Amato, Cecchi, D’Amato, & Annesi-Maesano (2014), climate change aggravates respiratory infections and also increases the exposure to the associated risk factors. With global climate change poised to get worse in the coming years, the related respiratory problems are also bound to increase. As such, the study by D’Amato, Cecchi, D’Amato, & Annesi-Maesano (2014), terms climate change as an enormous direct threat to the respiratory health of the population. Many critical health determinants such as air, water quality, economics, and food supplies are significantly affected by climate change. Therefore, evidence shows that a change in climate can have adverse effects on population’s respiratory health. In the 2003 heat wave in Europe where temperatures rose above 35 °C, most of the deaths were as a result of cardiopulmonary causes (D’Amato, Cecchi, D’Amato, & Annesi-Maesano, 2014). In addition, as ice melts and heat waves are experienced, water deprivation is experienced. The resulting migration of population results in negative impacts on the respiratory health.
The study by D’Amato, Cecchi, D’Amato, & Annesi-Maesano (2014) documents the respiratory health effects that are attributed to climate change. According to the authors, the main concern diseases related to the climate change problem include rhinosinusitis, asthma, respiratory tract infections, and COPD. The study also points out that people with pre-existing cardiopulmonary illness are at an increased risk of suffering from the effects of climate change. With climate change being one of the biggest contributing factors to such health concerns, it is critical that immediate steps are taken to reduce its effects.
Comparison of the Concerns in the US with Australia and Uganda
The climate change healthcare concerns are felt differently in different countries. While the developed countries contribute massively to climate change, it is the developing countries that experience its adverse effects more significantly. According to Campbell-Lendrum, Manga, Bagayoko, & Sommerfeld (2015), the per capita mortality rate for developing countries is 300 times higher compared to the developed countries. This is with respect to vector-borne diseases that are related...