Introduction
The US is a leader in global health and contributes to solving many of the global challenges related to various levels of healthcare. Due to the globalized and interconnected nature of the world in modern times, health aspects in other parts of the world can directly impact the US. This paper will focus on recommendation 7 among global health priorities, which is to improve survival in women and children.
Selected Recommendation
Maternal and child mortality rates are traditionally considered as some of the most crucial indicators of both development and the state of the health care system among nations. Therefore, survivability and care for these highly vulnerable populations is vital since it can have long-term impacts on the demographics and development of communities.
Vulnerable Populations
It is well-known that women and children are inherently vulnerable populations, particularly in the developing world. Social structures typically place them at the bottom in terms of standing and decision-making. This leads to these populations not being able to advocate effectively for themselves and face discrimination. Therefore, because of such complex healthcare needs for maternal care and early childhood, they are less able to access necessary health services. The situation further exacerbates if the woman and child belong to a racial, ethnic, or religious minority in their respective communities.
Reason for Selection
Women and children’s health is a crucial issue in almost all countries but is significantly exacerbated in developing nations. Women and the children relying on them often having much more limited resources and education to cope with their respective health issues and needs, leaving the population disempowered. This issue is fundamental to the health, demographics, and human rights.
Healthcare Policies
Healthcare policy is a complex issue that is driven by both domestic and international concerns. Domestically, the US is seeking to address MCH through structured programs and increased funding while setting an example for legally empowering women and children’s protections. Meanwhile, internationally, the US is the leading contributor of funds and resources, such as vaccines and health equipment, to multiple global efforts. These establish effective frameworks of healthcare delivery and drive policy at the government level, which would empower women to access healthcare but education and employment as well, which are key to improving survivability.
Implementing Global Recommendation
The recommendation should be implemented because it is both highly preventable with proper interventions and has a tremendous impact on societies and demographics. MCH is a key health indicator for a reason; it emphasizes the underlying quality of health systems because the majority of these conditions causing mortality are preventable. Meanwhile, the consequences can be drastic, both in the negative sense or in the positive; if improvements are made, it can have a significant knock-on effect.
Funding Global Recommendation
Funding allocation is a sensitive issue, and a major part of it goes to reactionary programs such as treating an epidemic. However, preventive efforts can be highly effective as well, such as vaccinations. Improving MCH and mortality is aiming to fix the underlying social factors that impact a range of health indicators beyond MCH.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recommendation of improving women’s and children’s health and mortality is fundamentally important as an element of global health and social change. It is heavily intertwined with many of the subsequent social issues, which in turn impact many of the other global health problems that the other recommendations are meant to address.
References
Healthy People. (2020). Maternal, infant, and child health. Web.
Johnson & Johnson. (n.d.). Women’s and children’s health. Web.
KFF. (2021). The U.S. government and global maternal and child health efforts. Web.
Musuva, A. (2016). Women and children are the most vulnerable in a weak health system. Web.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Global health and the future of the United States. Web.
World Health Organization. (2019). Maternal mortality. Web.