Global health problem

Global health plays a crucial role in reducing poverty and promoting global security.  However, there are many health challenges affecting the globe including climate change, and communicable and non-communicable diseases (Daniels et al 2014).  Today, one significant problem that affects global health is non-communicable diseases and in specific cancer.  Cancer is one of the global health crisis affecting low-and-middle-income countries (LMCs) Daniels et al 2014).  The research finds these countries experience a high level of poverty. People living in these areas have less income, they do not access quality care, and the developing countries do not have effective prevention and treatment tools.  In addition to inadequate resources, the political, social and economic status is poor and this affects the standard of living Daniels et al 2014). People in these counties face lifestyle challenges such as consumption of alcohol, excessive use of legal and illegal drugs, consumption of unhealthy food and drink, and inactivity.

The most common types of cancer in LMCs are breast cancer, and lung cancer which occurs due to cigarette smoking (McCraken & Phillips, 2017). Men and women also suffer from stomach cancer, liver cancer, and cervix cancer.   In every year, the total cases of cancer are 11 million and 6 million comes from LMCs (McCraken & Phillips, 2017).  Cancer in these countries is neglected and resources are insufficient making it hard to address the public health issues.  People from LMCs are disadvantaged in that they are exposed to risk factors and extra dangers and they cannot avoid them due to poor access to healthcare. In the past, people believed that cancer affects people in the Western world but today, cancer is ‘globalizing'. In the 1970s, the cancer cases were only 15% but in 2007, the cancer cases were 72%. (McCraken & Phillips, 2017).   The research indicated that by 2020, the poorest nations will experience 60% of cancer cases and if the recent trends continue, the total cancer cases will be 23.6million by 2030 (McCraken & Phillips, 2017).  Thus, cancer is a real crisis, and the cancer caseloads in LMCs are increasing due to inaccessibility, and unavailability of quality care and technology.

 

Solutions

 Given that the affected population is people living in LMCs, the solutions or preventive measures should start with implementing effective cancer control measures in the countries (Institute of Medicine et al, 2007).  The national government should solve the cancer crisis in developing countries by allocating resources. The U.S can make a tremendous difference and prevent cancer by providing technical assistance and curative care strategies. The LMCs should be provided with population-based strategies to address poor nutrition and physical inactivity (Institute of Medicine et al, 2007).  The national governments should also collaborate in implementing tobacco control interventions and develop cancer plans and programs.  Non-government organizations, private sectors, and other interests groups should also develop national cancer plans and come up with common goals toward ending preventing cancer in LMCs (Institute of Medicine et al, 2007).  The national government should also ensure the availability of resources and infrastructure to asset health care professionals in performing testing and providing treatment.

 

 

 

Nursing's role

            Nurses should also engage in cancer control activities to reduce cancer in LMCs.  Since cancer shares risks factors, health professionals should provide control measures such as vaccinations for HBV and HBP to prevent liver cancer (Institute of Medicine et al, 2007).  Health professions should also control cancer such as cervical cancer through screening and provide psychosocial support to help the patients deal with psychological impacts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Daniels, M. E., Donilon, T. E., Bollyky, T. J., & Council on Foreign Relations,. (2014). The

emerging global health crisis: Non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income

countries.

 

 McCraken Kevin.,& Phillips R. David. (2017). Global Health: An Introduction to Current and

Future Trends. Taylor & Francis,                  

 

 

 Institute of Medicine et al. (2007). Cancer Control Opportunities in Low- and Middle-Income

Countries. National Academies Press