Communicable Diseases & Global Health

“An infectious disease is a clinically evident disease of humans or animals that damages or injures the host so as to impair host function, and results from the presence and activity of one or more pathogenic microbial agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi. Transmission of an infectious disease may occur through several pathways; including through contact with infected individuals, by water, food, airborne inhalation, or through vector-borne spread.” Wikipedia

Out of the readings, and videos, the AIDS orphan video touched my heart thoroughly. Wow every 14 seconds a child orphans in the world!
What does this mean? HOW FAR BEHIND ARE WE? WITH SO MANY EDUATED PEOPLE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM and SO MANY NATURAL RESOURCES AND IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY…. THE STATISTICS AND NEWS REPORTS ARE VERY DISAPPOINTING. As I view this inhumane display of disparity due to color, I am shocked and very saddened.

I have been in search of a useful/short video in regard to infectious disease. I think this topic can best be understood visually rather than verbally or anything else. I really liked the TED video that explained different stages of small pox with dazzling pictures. It is amazing what a tiny bacteria can do to the whole body, not to mention leaving abominable marks.
So now as a “soon to be a Global Public Health Professional” I need your feed back and innovating ideas!!!
What methods would you recommend in order to prevent a pandemic infectious disease from spreading from one person to another or from this side of the world to the other?




Below I am including an idea that I got by watching the TED video:
In that video clip, Larry Brilliant mentioned that taking a program which has shown success within a community and scaling it up to the country’s unique situation is good progress.
I think this is an excellent primary strategy for implementing a program within a large population, and some past experiences have shown that this method has worked well.
Targeting, cultivating religious leaders and the elderly to disseminate information are also effective in the long run, especially in rural areas where public health needs are common.
As I have mentioned before, we all MUST work together as a team and be in touch with each other, no matter where we are located. We should motivate and empower each other by remembering and reminding ourselves that we do have the knowledge and skills we need to make a difference in the world. Hope to have a disease Free World one day.
Please let me know your thoughts!