Blog #6: Improved Data on Global Health Needs

"Big Data, Better Global Health"
The Council on Foreign Relations, 02/21/2013

http://www.cfr.org/global-health/big-data-better-global-health/p30042

The American Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) reports on a recent Geneva conference involving World Health Organization leaders, Bill Gates and other health experts. The conference was called in response to new data on global health estimates, released as part of a large effort, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to better understand global disease burdens. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation gathered data from 187 countries over a 20-year period- the largest project of its kind. The new information represents a significant breakthrough in understanding a fuller picture of global health. In the past, donors (like wealthy, developed nations and philanthropists) often had to rely on spotty data and estimates when deciding where dollars might do the most good. With better knowledge of global disease burdens, funding can be better targeted to the most significant issues. Also, the new data indicate better means for donor organizations, local governments and health organizations to collaborate on the areas of greatest need. Of note, the data reveal that non-communicable diseases like heart disease, lung disease and cancers have surpassed infectious diseases as the primary sources of global disease morbidity and mortality.

Analysis

The benefits of this new information are hard to overstate. For decades, the full scope of global disease burdens has been only partially understood. Several factors have proven barriers to good health information. These include lack of financial resources, "western bias," government corruption, conflicts and to some extent, the lack of broadly effective treatments. Although there is still significant room for improvement, better sanitation, vaccination and infection treatments have greatly reduced the effects of infectious diseases on a global scale. This is huge news. At no time in human history has then been the case, until now. The other side of the proverbial coin tells us that significant health issues remain. Increasing rates of heart disease, lung disease, obesity, diabetes, cancers and other chronic health concerns will prove significant issues for decades to come. At the least, we may now have a starting point for beginning to address these problems.

Antony Lynn Cochran
SOC 202-02, Spring 2013
03/06/2013, 20:05