Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education – Region X

Division of Valencia City
CENTRAL BUKIDNON INSTITUTE, INC.
Bagontaas, Valencia, Bukidnon 8709, Philippines
Junior High School Department

HEALTH 10 COMPENDIUM 3

UNIT 3
GLOBAL HEALTH TRENDS, ISSUES, AND CONCERNS
Learning Competencies:
 Discusses the significance of global health initiatives (H10HC-IIIa-1).
 Describes how global health initiatives positively impact people’s health in various countries (H10HC-
IIIb-c-2).
 Analyzes the issues in the implementation of global health initiatives (H10HC-IIIb-c-3).
 Recommends ways of adopting global health initiatives to local or national context (H10HC-IIId-e-4).

Lesson 3 Global Health Concerns for You and Me

GLOBAL HEALTH INTITATIVES
Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) – set global health goals and adopted worldwide on the 25 September
2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all members of humankind. Here are they:
1. No Poverty
Goal: end poverty in all its forms everywhere
Facts
- Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
While the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half between
1990 and 2015, too many are still struggling for the most basic human needs.
- As of 2015, about 736 million people still lived on less than US$1.90 a day; many lack food,
clean drinking water and sanitation. Rapid growth in countries such as China and India has
lifted millions out of poverty, but progress has been uneven. Women are more likely to be
poor than men because they have less paid work, education, and own less property.
- Progress has also been limited in other regions, such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa,
which account for 80 percent of those living in extreme poverty. New threats brought on by
climate change, conflict and food insecurity, mean even more work is needed to bring people
out of poverty.
- The SDGs are a bold commitment to finish what we started, and end poverty in all forms and
dimensions by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable, increasing basic resources
and services, and supporting communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.
2. Zero Hunger
Goal: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
- The number of undernourished people has dropped by almost half in the past two decades
because of rapid economic growth and increased agricultural productivity. Many developing
countries that used to suffer from famine and hunger can now meet their nutritional needs.
Central and East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have all made huge progress in
eradicating extreme hunger.
- Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to development in
many countries. There are 821 million people estimated to be chronically undernourished as
of 2017, often as a direct consequence of environmental degradation, drought and
 biodiversity loss. Over 90 million children under five are dangerously underweight.
Undernourishment and severe food insecurity appear to be increasing in almost all regions of
Africa, as well as in South America.
- The SDGs aim to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people–
especially children–have sufficient and nutritious food all year. This involves promoting
sustainable agricultural, supporting small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology
and markets. It also requires international cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure
and technology to improve agricultural productivity.
3. Good Health And Well-Being
Goal: ensure health lives and promote well-being for all ages
- We have made great progress against several leading causes of death and disease. Life
expectancy has increased dramatically; infant and maternal mortality rates have declined,
we’ve turned the tide on HIV and malaria deaths have halved.
- Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda reflects the
complexity and interconnectedness of the two. It takes into account widening economic and
social inequalities, rapid urbanization, threats to the climate and the environment, the
continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases, and emerging challenges such as
noncommunicable diseases. Universal health coverage will be integral to achieving SDG 3,
ending poverty and reducing inequalities. Emerging global health priorities not explicitly
included in the SDGs, including antimicrobial resistance, also demand action.
- But the world is off-track to achieve the health-related SDGs. Progress has been uneven,
both between and within countries. There’s a 31-year gap between the countries with the
shortest and longest life expectancies. And while some countries have made impressive
gains, national averages hide that many are being left behind. Multisectoral, rights-based and
gender-sensitive approaches are essential to address inequalities and to build good health for
all.
4. Clean Water And Sanitation
Goal: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
- Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, an alarming figure that is projected to
rise as temperatures do. Although 2.1 billion people have improved water sanitation since
1990, dwindling drinking water supplies are affecting every continent.
- More and more countries are experiencing water stress, and increasing drought and
desertification is already worsening these trends. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in
four people will suffer recurring water shortages.
- Safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires we invest in adequate
infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene. Protecting and restoring
water-related ecosystems is essential.
- Ensuring universal safe and affordable drinking water involves reaching over 800 million
people who lack basic services and improving accessibility and safety of services for over
two billion.
- In 2015, 4.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation services (with adequately
disposed or treated excreta) and 2.3 billion lacked even basic sanitation.
5. Sustainable Cities And Communities
Goal: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
- More than half of us live in cities. By 2050, two-thirds of all humanity—6.5 billion people
—will be urban. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly
transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces.
- The rapid growth of cities—a result of rising populations and increasing migration—has led
to a boom in mega-cities, especially in the developing world, and slums are becoming a more
significant feature of urban life.
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 - Making cities sustainable means creating career and business opportunities, safe and
affordable housing, and building resilient societies and economies. It involves investment in
public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and
management in participatory and inclusive ways.
6. Responsible Consumption And Production
Goal: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce
our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources.
Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to 70
percent of all freshwater for human use.
- The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic
waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal. Encouraging industries,
businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting
developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.
- A large share of the world population is still consuming far too little to meet even their basic
needs. Halving the per capita of global food waste at the retailer and consumer levels is also
important for creating more efficient production and supply chains. This can help with food
security, and shift us towards a more resource efficient economy.
7. Life Below Water
Goal: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
- The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems
that make the Earth habitable for humankind. How we manage this vital resource is essential
for humanity as a whole, and to counterbalance the effects of climate change.
- Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
However, today we are seeing 30 percent of the world’s fish stocks overexploited, reaching
below the level at which they can produce sustainable yields.
- Oceans also absorb about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, and we are
seeing a 26 percent rise in ocean acidification since the beginning of the industrial
revolution. Marine pollution, an overwhelming majority of which comes from land-based
sources, is reaching alarming levels, with an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic litter to be
found on every square kilometer of ocean.
- The SDGs aim to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from
pollution, as well as address the impacts of ocean acidification. Enhancing conservation and
the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law will also help mitigate
some of the challenges facing our oceans.
8. Life On Land
Goal: sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt
biodiversity loss
- Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihoods.
Plant life provides 80 percent of the human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important
economic resources. Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, provide vital habitats for
millions of species, and important sources for clean air and water, as well as being crucial for
combating climate change.
- Every year, 13 million hectares of forests are lost, while the persistent degradation of
drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares, disproportionately affecting
poor communities.
- While 15 percent of land is protected, biodiversity is still at risk. Nearly 7,000 species of
animals and plants have been illegally traded. Wildlife trafficking not only erodes
biodiversity, but creates insecurity, fuels conflict, and feeds corruption.

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 - Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are
part of our common heritage and support global food and water security, climate change
mitigation and adaptation, and peace and security.

Activity 1 Friendly Debate

Have a classroom debate and argue between how to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Divide yourselves
into two groups

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL

What?
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first international treaty negotiated
under the auspices of WHO. It was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 and entered into
force on 27 February 2005. It has since become one of the most rapidly and widely embraced treaties in United
Nations history.

Why?
The WHO FCTC was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic and is an evidence-
based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health. The Convention represents a
milestone for the promotion of public health and provides new legal dimensions for international health
cooperation.

How?
The proposed specific steps by the FCTC for the government to solve tobacco-related problems are:
- Adopt tax and price measure to reduce tobacco consumption
- Ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship
- Create smoke-free work and public spaces
- Put prominent health warnings on tobacco packages
- Combat illicit trade in tobacco products

GLOBAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE THE HARMFUL USE OF ALCOHOL

What?
During the Sixty-third session of the World Health Assembly, held in Geneva in May 2010, the 193 Member
States of WHO reached an historical consensus on a global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol by
adopted resolution WHA63.13. The adopted resolution and endorsed strategy gives guidance to both Member
States and to the WHO Secretariat on ways to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
The vision behind the global strategy is improved health and social outcomes for individuals, families and
communities, with considerably reduced morbidity and mortality due to harmful use of alcohol and their
ensuing social consequences. It is envisaged that the global strategy will promote and support local, regional
and global actions to prevent and reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

Why?
The global strategy aims to give guidance for action at all levels; to set priority areas for global action; and to
recommend a portfolio of policy options and measures that could be considered for implementation and
adjusted as appropriate at the national level, taking into account national circumstances, such as religious and
cultural contexts, national public health priorities, as well as resources, capacities and capabilities.

How?

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 1. Global strategy will be implemented by engaging all countries who participate in the treaty, the
international development partners, public and private health, and research institutions.
2. The four priority areas for global action are:
a. Public health advocacy and partnership;
b. Technical support and capacity building;
c. Production and dissemination of knowledge;
d. Resource mobilization.

Activity 2 List it!

Log on to https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-
behaviours/alcohol/governance/global-alcohol-strategy and list down the 10 areas for National Action to reduce
the harmful use of alcohol:
1. Leadership, awareness, and commitment
2. Health services’ response
3. Community action
4. Drink-driving policies and countermeasures
5. Availability of alcohol
6. Marketing of alcoholic beverages
7. Pricing policies
8. Reducing the negative consequences of drinking and alcohol intoxication
9. Monitoring and surveillance
10. Response to public health issues

GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN

What?
The 66th World Health Assembly, consisting of Ministers of Health of 194 Member States, adopted WHO’s
Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020 in May 2013. The action plan was developed in
response to the growing burden of mental health disorders and the challenges that health systems around the
world are facing to respond to the needs of people with mental health problems. The action plan is a landmark
achievement that focuses international attention on a long-neglected problem and is firmly rooted in the
principles of human rights.

In 2019, the action plan was extended until 2030 by the 72nd World Health Assembly to ensure its alignment
with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The plan will help countries achieve Sustainable
Development Goal target 3.4 – by 2030, reduce by one third premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases
through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being.

Objectives:
1. Strengthen effective leadership and governance for mental health
2. Provide comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health and social care services in community-
based settings
3. Implement strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health
4. Strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR VACCINES AND IMMUNIZATIONS (GAVI)

What?
GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) was set up as a Global Health Partnership in 2000 with the goal of creating
equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries. In particular,
GAVI aims at accelerating access to vaccines, strengthening countries’ health and immunization systems, and

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introducing innovative new immunization technology. Since GAVI’s inception, it has subsequently supported
the immunization of an additional 326 million children and prevented a potential 5.5 million deaths.

WHO is one of four permanent members of the GAVI Board and alternate Chair (with UNICEF) of GAVI’s
Executive Committee. WHO further supports GAVI’s activities by facilitating vaccine related research and
development, standards setting and regulating vaccine quality. It further develops evidence-based policy options
to guide vaccine use and maximize country access. GAVI further benefits from WHO input on issues ranging
from cold chain and vaccine management, to training and post-introduction analysis of vaccines.

The Regional Office for Europe and the WHO country offices support the coordination of GAVI activities in
countries in the European Region. WHO offices assist country health authorities in drafting applications for
GAVI support and drawing up a plan of action for introducing vaccines. In addition, the WHO/Europe provides
technical support to implementing immunization programs, including storage and logistics, as well as
undertaking monitoring and evaluation measures.

What?
A core element of GAVI’s current development model is to work together with countries in scaling up
domestically funded immunization efforts. As countries develop economically, GAVI requires them to take on
more of the costs until they ‘transition’ fully out of GAVI support.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization was formed to harness the strengths and experience of
multiple partners in immunization. It is an historic alliance between the private and public sector committed to
the mission of saving children's lives and protecting people's health through the widespread use of vaccines.

A new type of public-private partnership, GAVI brings together governments in developing and industrialized
countries, established and emerging vaccine manufacturers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), research
institutes, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank.

Compiled References:
Cabatana, C.R., Lacia, G.C., Libiran, P.O., & Solis, R.V. (2023) MAPEH expedition in the 21st century 10 (New
Edition). Rex Book Store, Inc.
https://fctc.who.int/who-fctc/overview
https://www.emro.who.int/mnh/mental-health-action-plan/index.html
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals?
gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnrOtBhDIARIsAFsSe53HV47xFt5b317EUNY0ec03yN1uAze5Z3Tm
YVV-zSqqV6GhSYZkgvoaAlTREALw_wcB
https://www.vaccinealliance.org/General_Information/About_alliance/index.html
https://www.who.int/europe/about-us/partnerships/partners/global-health-partnerships/gavi-alliance
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241599931
https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/alcohol/
governance/global-alcohol-strategy