Ecology of healthRight to health

Health and DevelopmentDR. S. A. RIZWAN, M.D.,

Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Community Medicine

VMCHRI, Madurai

First things first…

Agara mudhala ezhuthellam aadhi bhagavan mudhatrey ulagu.

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Recap…

History of medicine – various civilizations, various concepts

Concept of health and wellbeing Various methods to measure well being Spectrum of health Determinants of health

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Classify…4/39

Learning objectives

At the end of this class, you should be able to1. Describe the relation

between ecology and health2. Describe the right to health

concept3. Describe the relation

between health and development

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Ecology of health

The relation between (wo)man and her/his environment

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Ecology of health

Greek word ‘oikos’ meaning a house Human ecosystem

Natural environment Man-made environment

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Natural environment8/39

Man made environment9/39

Ecology and health

Health seen as an equilibrium between (wo)man and her/his environment

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(WO)MAN ENVIRON.

HEALTH

Changes in environment affect health Urbanization Industrialization Deforestation Dams and canalsExamples: Malaria, Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, Bhopal gas tragedy, Chernobyl nuclear accident

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Changes in environment affect health

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Importance of ecology

Prevention and control of disease The greatest improvement in human health can

be achieved through understanding environmental factors

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Summary

The study of disease is really the study of (wo)man and her/his environment

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Questions…

Which of the following is not a disease related to physical environment?1. Malaria2. Dengue3. Cholera4. Depression

Give an example of environmental planning to protect health?

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Right to health

A highly personal responsibility

A major public concern

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Fundamental rights of the citizen

Right to Equality Right to Freedom Right against Exploitation Right to Freedom of Religion Cultural and Educational Rights Right to Constitutional Remedies

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Right to health

One of the last rights to be acknowledged

WHO constitution - fundamental right of every human to attain the highest possible standard of health

Health is no longer charity but a right

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Responsibility for health

Who is responsible? Individual Community State International

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Individual responsibility

One cannot give health to another

‘Self-care’ Health related activities

undertaken by the persons themselves

Diet Sleep Exercise Period checkups Vaccination Early care seeking

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Community responsibility

Active involvement of families and communities in health matters

Three ways1. Provide manpower, logistics,

funds2. Take part in planning3. Utilizing the services

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Examples of community responsibility

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Health care for the people, by the people.

State responsibility

Constitution of India says that maintaining the health of the people is the responsibility of the state

Alma Ata declaration gave rise to the Health of All

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Example for state responsibility

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International responsibility

Cooperation between different countries

Experts, drugs, control of communicable diseases

Eg., Smallpox, HIV/AIDS, Tobacco

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Example of international responsibility

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Summary

The responsibility for good health begins with the individual

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Questions…

Give me an example for international responsibility in health?

Name anything that exemplifies state responsibility for health

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Health and development

Money is necessary to achieve good health

Or is it?

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Relation between health and socio-economic development

Health is necessary for socio-economic development of nations

And the vice-versa is also true

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Example: money is health31/39

Example: money is health32/39

Money is not sufficient

But economic development is not sufficient

Social factors like education, employment, housing, freedom also important

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Example: money is not sufficient, USA & CUBA

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Indicator USA Cuba

Life expectancy 77 years 78 years

Infant deaths 5 6

Children deaths 8 8

Maternal deaths 49 13

Government expenditure on health 88% 44%

Example: money is not sufficient, INDIA & SRI LANKA, THAILAND

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Indicator India Sri Lanka Thailand

Infant deaths 50 13 12

Children deaths 66 16 13

Immunization 66% 99% 98%

Example: money is not sufficient, KERALA

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Summary

Money is necessary but not sufficient for achieving good health of the population

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Questions…

What index is used to classify countries into developed or developing countries?

What indicators are used to measure health of a nation?

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Take home messages

1. The study of disease is really the study of (wo)man and her/his environment

2. The responsibility for good health begins with the individual

3. Money is necessary but not sufficient for achieving good health of the population

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Thank you

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