Measuring the Burden of Disease in Low Income Countries

Global Burden of Disease

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study was pioneered by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to give data about health trends worldwide (Dunachie et al., 2020). This data includes information about mortality, morbidity, risk factors, and overall health status, and thus the GBD Study is able to help people better understand the relationships between poverty, social inequality, and health.

Poverty and social inequality directly affect health in multiple ways. They can result in limited access to clean water, nutritious food, adequate housing, and healthcare services, which are critical determinants of health. According to GBD data, lower-income countries generally have higher disease burden, especially with regards to communicable diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS (Strong et al., 2005).

Social inequality also plays a key role in health disparities. Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or caste can create barriers to healthcare access and contribute to stress and other mental health issues. For example, in the United States, African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities often experience lower quality healthcare compared to their white counterparts, even when insurance status, income, age, and severity of conditions are comparable. They are also disproportionately affected by certain health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, in part due to social and economic disadvantages stemming from systemic racism.

Education and health are intimately linked. More education often leads to better health outcomes because it equips individuals with knowledge about healthful behaviors and provides greater access to healthcare resources. GBD data can help us understand the health outcomes of different educational levels and help inform public policy and investment in education.

Health policy and research are also important for global health. Well-informed and evidence-based policies can have profound impacts on public health by addressing disease burden, targeting interventions, and optimizing healthcare systems. Research provides the evidence needed to shape these policies, and the GBD Study is a vital tool in this context.

Trade agreements can also significantly affect health, both directly and indirectly (Friel et al., 2013). For example, trade agreements can impact the cost and availability of health-related goods, including pharmaceuticals, food products, and medical equipment. They may also influence health by affecting economic factors such as employment and income levels. A trade agreement that results in job losses in certain sectors could indirectly harm health by increasing poverty and stress. On the other hand, a trade agreement that opens up new markets could potentially improve health by increasing economic growth and prosperity.

It is worth noting, however, that the impacts of trade agreements on health can depend on different factors, such as the specific provisions of the agreement, the economic and social context in which it is implemented, and the health policies and systems of the countries involved. For example, agreements that contain strong intellectual property protections may impact the affordability and accessibility of pharmaceuticals. This has been a major concern in various free trade agreements where patent protections potentially increase drug prices and limit access to affordable generics. Conversely, provisions that eliminate tariffs on medical equipment or health-related goods can improve access to these resources.