Blog-Off II Entry: Is Globalization Bad For Your Health?

Is Globalization bad for your health? The study of Globalization and the affects of it have been broken down into smaller areas such as health, economics, politics, environmental and social/cultural issues. All of them are interwoven and dependent upon each other. And as with everything, Globalization in these areas has positives and negatives.

Globalization: The Good

• People receive medical treatment that they wouldn't otherwise have access to.
• The number of people and children receiving education about health issues has increased.
• Necessities such as fresh drinking water, sanitation, and nutritional foods are gradually becoming a way of life.
• The basic needs of people in underdeveloped countries is now discussed openly and often so that they can get the basic human essentials that they need.
• People can get medical treatment anywhere in the world if they can afford it.
• Access to medical information is only a click away on a computer or a phone call. This allows medical professionals as well as "everyday people" to the most up-to-date information available on virtually every medical issue and the research that's being done.

Globalization: The Bad

• Alcohol, drug, and tobacco use is the highest in the most underdeveloped areas of the world. This is due to the lack of education regarding the harmful affects of these chemicals and (as some research has indicated) companies who focus their attention on these areas because the more developed areas of the world are educated to the affects.
• Precautions for sexually transmitted diseases are either never taken or not taken consistently.
• The people that travel to other countries to get medical treatments may suffer severe consequences or even death if the treatments are not up to certain basic medical standards.
• Global travel also means that the diseases such as SARS, Avian Flu, Mad Cow, Pneumonia, H1N1 and various others can be easily spread. Those with sensitive immune systems, children, and elderly can potentially die from any of these treatable diseases.
• Concerns of bioterrorism has risen due to how easily chemicals, diseases, and the like can be spread.

It is often said that one of the safest things that people can do for themselves is be educated about their health. And while "a little knowledge can be poison", we owe it to ourselves to do everything we can to always be the healthiest that we can be. Helping others when we can and leaving everything better than the way that we found it seems to be good ideas too.

Share your thoughts! All the best to you.

Kelly Ann

Comments

[Kelly Ann]

Therran: I'm a fan of a healthy life as well. Thank you for your kind words. Globalization is such an important current events issue. And it's often overlooked.

D.J.: WebMD is a great website. I use is too on occasion, but only as a guide. It's good as a basic site for medical information, but I never let it replace my doctor.

Kelly Ann

[Therran Oliphant]

Kelly Ann,

Per usual, I'm enthralled by your posts about Globalization. I think you've hit on a timely topic.

1. People rarely think about the effects of things that seem to be status quo

2. The focus on developed nation's responsibility to the underdeveloped/developing is admirable.

I am a HUGE advocate of using food, exercise and vitamin/mineral supplements as a great way to stave off effects of poor health. As you mentioned, though, education is paramount.

Therran

[D.J.]

While there are many resources on the Internet, the only website I depend on for medical information is WebMD. Compared to WebMD, any other website could be as truthful as Wikipedia. Though I won't argue against the existence of such resources - the more information available, the more educated we become.

All in all, a great blog.

[Kelly Ann]

@lacouvee: Janis, what a great idea to share the vaccine with the underdeveloped areas. I do see your point that it's also a negative. If every country that had a surplus shared it with places where it was needed, I think that would be an excellent humanitarian gesture. And thank you for sharing the piece about the surplus as well.

Kelly Ann

[@lacouvee]

Here's an example of a globalization positive.

In Canada we ordered H1N1 vaccine in advance of this current outbreak. It's shelf life is normally 18 months.

Now, everyone in Canada who wanted or needed to be vaccinated has received the vaccine and we have about half of what we ordered left! Our chief medical health officer is now in discussions with the World Health Organization (as are other developed nations with a surplus)about redistribution of the vaccine to developing nations.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091210/edm_h1n1_excess_091210/20091210/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

The con of this story could be that developed nations were able to quickly buy up supplies of the vaccine, to the detriment of populations in the developing nations.

[Kelly Ann]

Hermann: That's right! It's a great thing, right?! Thank you for your input.

Kelly Ann

[Hermann]

Great post, Kelly.

One point to add on the PRO side:
If you have a rare disease, you can easily educate yourself on the net about it, search for other people with similar problems, and find experts all around the world.

Several years ago that would have been unthinkable.

[Kelly Ann]

Courtney: I agree with you. We have so much, and I'm truly grateful.

[Courtney]

Interesting post Kelly. I agree with the good and the bad. As with anything else, there are pros and cons, so globalization is no different. It's especially interesting how much we take for granted in this country that is in dire need in other countries.

[Kelly Ann]

Tim:

Check out the following items:

http://www.planesheets.com/

http://www.protravelgear.com/products/Original-TRAYblecloth-Airline-Tray-Table-Cover.html

Also, take packets of disinfecting wipes with you in your carry-on. Wipe down the light and vent above you, as well as the handles of your seat. You'll thank me for it. This should help you out in addition to regular sanitation for public places and taking "Airborne".

Happy trails to you... *whistling*

Kelly Ann

[Tim]

Kelly Ann,

What a great post you have here, kudos to you! I myself have never traveled abroad, I do travel nationally quite often and even that scares me lol. I'm the dude you see popping the drug called "airborne" before getting on the plane. I do that because I have little ones at home, I'm never too worried about my own health...why, I dont know! There was a time where I went 4 years without health insurance, now that I have a family I pay $600 a month :( . I should point out that reading Conrad's blog on "blogging" he gives some great pointers in reference to your title!