2024-07-21 15:32:11
The aim of public health is to reduce infant and general mortality, and therefore to increase life expectancy and duration. The largest public health action carried out in the world took place in Rethondes on 11 November 1918 with the signing of the armistice ending the Great War. The mortality rate of men across an entire continent in the 16 to 40 age group fell from 10% to less than 0.5%. Epidemics and famines stopped abruptly and the birth rate started up again. Unfortunately, twenty years later, the Second World War revived juvenile deaths, famines and epidemics.
The same is true for all countries in the world: a government that fails to avoid wars can do without a health ministry. When a country succeeds in maintaining a few decades of peace, it can then consider public health actions that are not in vain. Thus, for North America, Europe and Japan, it was from the 1970s onwards that it became mathematically profitable to take an interest in public health. This is raw and incontestable epidemiology.
The same is true for famines. A country that cannot feed its population can also do without a health ministry. Doctors and NGOs are unable to change the health indicators of a country where malnutrition is chronic. Knowing that famines are generally correlated with periods of war, we are therefore back to square one.
Finally, the last part of the trilogy of health miseries is that of epidemics. This is the only part where medicine can improve health indicators, but it is still necessary that these epidemics are not directly linked to a war or a famine. It is also necessary to clearly define what an epidemic is. The plague decimated more than 35% of individuals. Today we speak of an epidemic for mortality rates of less than 1%, or even 1 per thousand. If the terms war and famine have retained their health violence, that of epidemic no longer covers the same realities as before.
For example, AIDS, considered the epidemic of the 20th century, was only the seventh cause of infant mortality, far behind infectious diarrhea, malaria or tuberculosis. I do not know which diseases will be considered epidemics by the WHO in the 21st century. I especially hope that the trivialization of this term will not give too much supremacy to the ministries of health over the various ministries responsible for ensuring lasting peace and food sufficiency.
More comically, but also seriously, the risk of dying from a mobile phone in a car is a thousand times higher than the risk of dying from meningitis. Public health has required a vaccine for the latter but has no means of action on the former.
Let us repeat that epidemiology is not a medical science, but a social science.
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How does war affect public health goals and outcomes?
Table of Contents
The Imperative of Peace and Stability in Achieving Public Health Goals
Introduction
Public health is a critical component of any society, aiming to reduce infant and general mortality, and increase life expectancy and duration. However, achieving these goals is heavily dependent on the presence of peace and stability in a country. This article explores the intricate relationship between war, famine, and epidemics, highlighting how these three health miseries are intertwined and how a country’s ability to maintain peace and stability is essential for effective public health actions.
The Impact of War on Public Health
The signing of the armistice ending World War I in Rethondes on November 11, 1918, is a testament to the profound impact of war on public health. The mortality rate of men across an entire continent in the 16 to 40 age group plummeted from 10% to less than 0.5%, marking a significant reduction in mortality. This decrease was accompanied by a sudden halt in epidemics and famines, and a resurgence in birth rates. Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II twenty years later reversed these gains, highlighting the devastating effects of war on public health.
The Role of Peace in Public Health
A government that fails to avoid wars can do without a health ministry, as the devastating consequences of conflict render public health actions ineffective. Conversely, maintaining peace and stability enable countries to implement successful public health initiatives. This is evident in the experiences of North America, Europe, and Japan, where public health actions became profitable from the 1970s onwards, following decades of peace. Epidemics, famines, and wars are correlated, making it challenging to improve health indicators in the absence of peace.
The Interplay between Famines, Wars, and Public Health
Famines are often linked to periods of war, and a country that cannot feed its population cannot maintain a functional health ministry. Chronic malnutrition renders public health actions futile, emphasizing the need for peace and stability to address health concerns. The correlation between famines and wars highlights the significance of peace in achieving public health goals.
The Last Part of the Trilogy: Epidemics
Epidemics are the only area where medicine can improve health indicators, but this requires that the epidemics are not directly linked to war or famine. Moreover, the definition of an epidemic has evolved over time, with modern-day mortality rates of less than 1% or even 1 per thousand being considered epidemic. This trivialization of the term epidemic may undermine the gravity of the situation and the importance of addressing the root causes of health miseries.
A Critical Analysis of Epidemics
The AIDS epidemic, considered one of the most significant health crises of the 20th century, was only the seventh cause of infant mortality, lagging behind infectious diarrhea, malaria, and tuberculosis. This highlights the complexities of defining and addressing epidemics. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) classification of diseases as epidemics may influence our understanding of public health challenges. It is crucial to avoid trivializing the term epidemic, ensuring that we prioritize addressing the root causes of health miseries.
Conclusion
Peace and stability are essential prerequisites for achieving public health goals. The interplay between war, famine, and epidemics underscores the imperative of maintaining peace and stability to reduce infant and general mortality, and increase life expectancy and duration. Governments, healthcare professionals, and NGOs must recognize the critical role of peace in public health and work towards creating a peaceful and stable environment that enables effective public health actions.
Optimized Keywords: Public Health, War, Famine, Epidemics, Peace, Stability, Mortality Rate, Infant Mortality, Life Expectancy, Duration, Health Indicators, World Health Organization (WHO).
– How does war impact public health initiatives and outcomes?
The Imperative of Peace and Stability in Achieving Public Health Goals
Public health is a critical component of any society, aiming to reduce infant and general mortality, and increase life expectancy and duration. However, achieving these goals is heavily dependent on the presence of peace and stability in a country. The atrocities of war, the devastation of famine, and the outbreak of epidemics have time and again thwarted the efforts of public health initiatives, highlighting the intricate relationship between these three health miseries.
War: The Greatest Obstacle to Public Health
The largest public health action carried out in the world took place in Rethondes on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the armistice ending World War I. The mortality rate of men across an entire continent in the 16 to 40 age group fell from 10% to less than 0.5%. Epidemics and famines stopped abruptly, and the birth rate started up again. Unfortunately, twenty years later, World War II revived juvenile deaths, famines, and epidemics, underscoring the devastating impact of war on public health.
In reality, a government that fails to avoid wars can do without a health ministry. When a country succeeds in maintaining a few decades of peace, it can then consider public health actions that are not in vain. Thus, for North America, Europe, and Japan, it was from the 1970s onwards that it became mathematically profitable to take an interest in public health.
Famine: The Silent Killer
Famine is another significant obstacle to public health. A country that cannot feed its population can also do without a health ministry. Doctors and NGOs are unable to change the health indicators of a country where malnutrition is chronic. Knowing that famines are generally correlated with periods of war, we are therefore back to square one.
Famine is a silent killer that can have long-lasting effects on the health and well-being of a population. Chronic malnutrition can lead to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and increased susceptibility to diseases. In the absence of a reliable food supply, public health initiatives are doomed to fail.
Epidemics: The Uncontrollable Factor
Epidemics are the only part of the trilogy of health miseries where medicine can improve health indicators. However, it is still necessary that these epidemics are not directly linked to a war or a famine. It is also necessary to clearly define what an epidemic is. The term “epidemic” no longer covers the same realities as before, with today’s mortality rates of less than 1% or even 1 per thousand being considered an epidemic.
For example, AIDS, considered the epidemic of the 20th century, was only the seventh cause of infant mortality, far behind infectious diarrhea, malaria, or tuberculosis. The trivialization of the term “epidemic” should not give too much supremacy to the ministries of health over the various ministries responsible for ensuring lasting peace and food sufficiency.
The Importance of Epidemiology
Epidemiology is not a medical science, but a social science. It is essential to understand the social and economic determinants of health to develop effective public health strategies. Public health has required a vaccine for meningitis, but it has no means of action on the risk of dying from a mobile phone in a car, which is a thousand times higher.
Conclusion
public health goals and outcomes are heavily dependent on the presence of peace and stability in a country. War, famine, and epidemics are intertwined, and a country’s ability to maintain peace and stability is crucial in achieving public health goals. The imperative of peace and stability cannot be overstated, and it is essential to recognize the intricate relationship between these three health miseries to develop effective public health strategies.
Bibliography
[1] Lucperino.com. (n.d.). Trilogy of Health Miseries. Retrieved from
Keyword List
Public health
War
Famine
Epidemics
Peace
Stability
Mortality rate
Infant mortality
Life expectancy
Epidemiology
Social science
Health ministry
NGOs
Meta Description
Explore the intricate relationship between war, famine, and epidemics, and how a country’s ability to maintain peace and stability is crucial in achieving public health goals.
Header Tags
H1: The Imperative of Peace and Stability in Achieving Public Health Goals
H2: How War Affects Public Health Goals and Outcomes
H2: The Silent Killer: Famine and Public Health
H2: Epidemics: The Uncontrollable Factor
H2: The Importance of Epidemiology
* H2: Conclusion
