The definition of public health given by the WHO is: ‘the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society’. The word ‘society’ in that definition can be interpreted in a local sense, of course, but also in global terms. To quote the eminent public health scientist Jonathan Patz in an article on reuters.com: ‘there is … an issue of disproportionate vulnerability. But … because we live in a globalized economy, an increase in disease anywhere in the world really puts everyone at risk.’
Focus students’ attention on the quotation: ‘an increase in disease anywhere in the world really puts everyone at risk.’ Ask them to what extent they think this is true. Is this the most important point, or is it more important to focus on the ‘disproportionate vulnerability’ which means that some countries are more at risk than others?
Elicit some examples of infectious diseases which have had a worldwide impact (e.g., HIV/AIDS, COVID-19), and elicit possible reasons why some countries may be more at risk than others. For example:
• inadequate health service provision generally • poor public health service provision • lower levels of nutrition
Set for small-group discussion. Encourage students to think about ways in which all countries can become less vulnerable. Feed back verbally as a class.
