Global Health Guide

Global health is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on improving health and achieving health equity for all people worldwide. It transcends national boundaries and considers health and disease as outcomes of complex interactions among biological, economic, social, political, cultural, and environmental factors (Alaimo & Varrica, 2023; Haring, et al., 2021; Welten, et al., 2022). This field emphasizes the interconnectedness of health issues across the globe and the need for collaborative, transnational efforts to address them (Haring, et al., 2021; Welten, et al., 2022; Berner-Rodoreda, et al., 2023).

Key Principles and Objectives

• Equity and Inclusiveness: A core principle of global health is promoting health equity, ensuring that all populations have access to the resources needed for good health, regardless of geographic or socioeconomic status (Haring, et al., 2021; Welten, et al., 2022; Berner-Rodoreda, et al., 2023).
• Multidisciplinary Approach: Global health involves contributions from various disciplines, including clinical medicine, public health, social and behavioral sciences, environmental sciences, economics, public policy, law, and ethics (Haring, et al., 2021; Welten, et al., 2022).
• Systems-Based Approach: Recent shifts in global health emphasize a systems-based approach to healthcare delivery, considering the broader context in which health services are provided to ensure equitable care (Welten, et al., 2022).

Challenges and Focus Areas

• Health Inequities: Addressing the inequitable distribution of health resources and the burden of disease is a primary focus. This includes tackling both communicable and non-communicable diseases, with a growing emphasis on the latter due to their rising prevalence globally (Welten, et al., 2022; Dai, et al., 2023; Bauer, et al., 2014).
• Environmental and Social Determinants: Global health recognizes the significant impact of environmental and social determinants on health outcomes. Factors such as urbanization, economic stability, education, and access to healthcare are critical areas of concern [1] [7].
• Global Health Governance: The field has led to the development of new institutional frameworks and governance structures to manage and coordinate global health efforts effectively (Roemer-Mahler, 2025; Raviglione, et al., 2023).

Historical Context and Evolution

Global health has evolved from earlier concepts of international health and tropical medicine, expanding its focus to include a broader range of health issues influenced by globalization (Hanefeld & Fischer, 2021). The field has gained prominence over the past two decades, driven by the recognition of the interconnected nature of health problems and the need for comprehensive, collaborative solutions (Hanefeld & Fischer, 2021; Buchanan & Decamp, 2021).

Current Trends and Future Directions

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The United Nations' SDGs have significantly influenced global health priorities, particularly in addressing non-communicable diseases and promoting sustainable health practices (Welten, et al., 2022; Raviglione, et al., 2023).
• Innovative Financing and Partnerships: The complexity of global health challenges has led to innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships between public and private sectors to support health initiatives (Bauer, et al., 2014; Raviglione, et al., 2023).
• Focus on Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Despite its global scope, global health often prioritizes low- and middle-income countries, addressing disparities in health outcomes and access to care (Berner-Rodoreda, et al., 2023; Niazi, et al., 2024).

In summary, global health is a dynamic and evolving field dedicated to improving health outcomes and achieving health equity worldwide through interdisciplinary collaboration, systems-based approaches, and a focus on the social and environmental determinants of health (Alaimo & Varrica, 2023; Haring, et al., 2021; Welten, et al., 2022; Berner-Rodoreda, et al., 2023).

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References

Alaimo, M. G., & Varrica, D. (2023). Global public health and toxicology. In Encyclopedia of Toxicology, Fourth Edition: Volume 1-9 (Vol. 4, pp. V4-987). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.00445-0

Bauer, U. E., Briss, P. A., Goodman, R. A., & Bowman, B. A. (2014). Prevention of chronic disease in the 21st century: elimination of the leading preventable causes of premature death and disability in the USA. Lancet (London, England), 384(9937), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60648-6

Berner-Rodoreda, A., Casamitjana, N., Froeschl, G., Kyobutungi, C., Miranda, J. J., Sheikh, K., & Skordis, J. (2023). Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity as Drivers of Global Health—Recommendations for Global Health Research, Education, and Practice. In Sustainable Development Goals Series: Vol. Part F2781 (pp. 501–505). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33851-9_78

Buchanan, A., & Decamp, M. (2021). Responsibility for Global Health. In Global Health: Ethical Challenges (pp. 136-145). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108692137.010

Cacciatore, S., Mao, S., Nuñez, M. V., Massaro, C., Spadafora, L., Bernardi, M., Perone, F., Sabouret, P., Biondi-Zoccai, G., Banach, M., Calvani, R., Tosato, M., Marzetti, E., & Landi, F. (2025). Urban health inequities and healthy longevity: traditional and emerging risk factors across the cities and policy implications. Aging clinical and experimental research, 37(1), 143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-025-03052-1

Dai, Z., Yang, Y., Fu, J., Chen, X., Qu, Y., Wang, Y., Li, F., Han, Z., Guo, Y., Qiao, Y., & Su, X. (2023). Research progress and implications of population medicine and global health. Chinese Journal of Disease Control and Prevention, 27(11), 1336–1341. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.16462/j.cnki.zhjbkz.2023.11.015

Hanefeld, J., & Fischer, H.-T. (2021). Global Health: Definition, Principles, and Drivers. In Handbook of Global Health: With 362 Figures and 152 Tables (pp. 3–27). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45009-0_1

Haring, R., Kickbusch, I., Ganten, D., & Moeti, M. (2021). Handbook of Global Health: With 362 Figures and 152 Tables (p. 2917). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45009-0

Niazi, F., Rahique, A., Sriram, S., Kaur, K. N., & Saeed, S. (2024). Beyond Numbers: Decoding the Gendered Tapestry of Non-Communicable Diseases in India. International journal of environmental research and public health, 21(9), 1224. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091224

Raviglione, M. C. B., Pablos-Méndez, A., & Villa, S. (2023). The Changing World of Global Health. In Sustainable Development Goals Series: Vol. Part F2781 (pp. 9–14). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33851-9_2

Roemer-Mahler, A. (2025). Global health. In Elgar Encyclopedia of International Relations (pp. 155–156). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035312283.00074

Welten, V. M., Dabekaussen, K. F. A. A., & Melnitchouk, N. (2022). Global Health 101. Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, 35(5), 355–361. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1746184

(Scopus AI, 2025)