The Challenge of Global Health

Wealthy nations and their citizens donate billions in cash to end AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and some other high-profile problems in the developing world. But with uncoordinated programs, lacking in sustainability and long-term planning, the fast flow of cash could make problems worse, not better, argues health analyst and author Laurie Garrett. Studies have shown that focusing on high-profile diseases like AIDS in Haiti diminished patient health in other areas, from pre-natal care to basic vaccinations. Citizens of wealthy nations gripe about immigration, but have no compunction about tempting health care workers away from African nations in desperate need of education and care. Some African nations lose more than half their graduating doctors and nurses to urban hospitals in the US and the UK. Such selfishness and hypocrisy could become the trigger behind global pandemics. – YaleGlobal