Local and Global issues in Health and Wellbeing
Physical
Mental
Childhood Development (Physical)
Over 200 million children ages 5 and under will not reach their full developmental potential due to factors such as lack of healthcare access and lack of nutrition
30% of children in developing countries do not have access to iodized salt. This could lead to iodine deficiencies that increase risk of cognitive disorders.
With obesity in children reaching epidemic levels, children are becoming more likely to have continued obesity in adulthood, increasing risk for diseases such as diabetes and coronary heard disease.
Cardiac Health
Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting men and women of all ethnic groups
Injuries from Traffic Accidents
5-35% of all road deaths are alcohol related
Despite seat belts decreasing risk of fatal injury by 45-50%, some countries have limited or no laws mandating wearing a seatbelt.
In 2016, there was a staggering 1.35million deaths as a result of a traffic accident
Substance Abuse
Chronic users of illicit drugs are at higher risk for diseases such as Hepititis C and HIV
In 2019, 1 in 18 people ages 15-64 admit to using an illicit drug in the last year.
Overall drug use has increased by over 20% in the last decade
The increasing rates of heart disease follows closely with the increasing rates of malnutrition, lack of exercise, and obesity.
Childhood Development (Cognition/Social)
Social media
Cyberbullying can have profound psychosocial outcomes including depression and suicide.
A new phenomenon dubbed "FaceBook depression" has been observed by researchers showing direct correlation between preteen use of social media and depression
Social Discrimination
A study performed by 2021 suggests that stunting isn't just reliant on malnutrition, but can also be heavily influenced by poverty and lack of parental education
Developmental stunting has been directly tied to high amounts of social discrimination in societies that enforce a caste social hierarchy
Mental Illness
Stress stemming from chronic loneliness can increase rates of morbidity and mortality
Approximately 280 million people suffer from depression worldwide
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease
A quarter (25%, 1/4th) of the world population suffers from mental illness
57% of Americans with a mental illness do not receive treatment
31% of Americans worry about the social stigma associated with getting help for their mental issues, creating an increased factor for anxiety
Doctors are twice as likely to commit suicide