
In 2017 we witnessed
many new developments in the health industry. With more and more people joining
the fitness bandwagon, several issues, that weren’t deemed to be pertinent,
gained a much-needed limelight.
2018 isn’t going
to any different. Fresh health concerns will emerge, and this time, let’s hope people
take them seriously. Here’s a quick look at the issues we are likely to face:
Mental health
When an
earthquake, the magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter scale, hit Haiti in 2010 more
than 200,000 people died. The aftermath was equally terrible. Almost 25% of the
surviving population experienced significant post traumatic stress disorder and
many of the rescue and health workers were similarly affected.
In 2017, a
similar level of stress was observed among Americans. This stress level rose
between January and August. According to studies by the American Psychological
Association, more than half the population of Americans feel that they are
experiencing the lowest point in their lives.
While a part of
this is due to the constant political unrest and uncertainty, another part of
this has risen from gun violence, chronic poverty and natural disasters.
Globally, how can
we even forget technology? With smartphones, tablets, laptops and bluetooths,
we are connected more than ever. And maybe this is why we feel incredibly
lonely. In almost every corner of the globe, the issues of teen suicide and
depression have risen and in 2018 things are going to be even worse.
So when it comes
to global health issues that deserve awareness, mental health issues will
definitely top our list.
Malaria, virus, and dengue
With the global
temperatures slowly rising, diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika virus and
chikungunya too are on the rise. The mosquito and many other disease-carrying
pests are thriving on this big, warm world.
This in turn, is
leading newer strains of influenza and the relatively older strains bubonic
plague are forecast to emerge and re-emerge. With an outbreak of bubonic plague
having just been reported in Madagascar we cannot afford to be complacent in
2018.
Disease resulting from natural disasters
Last September,
the death toll from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico was more than 64. Several
people were diagnosed with exhaustion, heart attacks and strokes, most of which
they wouldn’t have experienced, if the hurricane had not occurred.
Extreme weather
conditions are becoming common with every passing day – 2017 saw wildfires
claim 300,000 acres of California and 1 million acres of land in British
Columbia as people lost homes, livelihoods and in some cases, lives. With
droughts and floods forecast to be more frequent across the world the
possibilities of impending infection also rise. So, in 2018 Governments need to
be aware of, and prepared for, dealing with the diseases cropping up from
natural disasters.
Tick borne viruses
Tick borne
viruses, or more specifically the Crimean congo fever, is yet another health
issue that is going to take 2018 by storm. This tick borne virus is widely
prevalent in the African, Asian and Middle Eastern Countries. So if you’re
planning a trip here anytime soon, it would be wise to take the necessary
precautions.
Ebola
Ebola has not had
such a high profile as it did when this deadly virus occurred with a severe outbreak in Africa during 2014-2015. However,
it has not gone away and there is still a high possibility of its re-emergence.
Although there isn’t any vaccine for Ebola currently available, scientists and doctors
are hopeful that a vaccine will go into production in March /April 2018 which
will address this dreadful disease.
Summary
If the foregoing
sounds like more of the same then that is probably because it’s true. Mental
health issues look to be here to stay and natural disasters are a constant
threat – moreso in some parts of the World than others but these are all global
issues and it is to be hoped that the trust we all put in our world leaders is
well placed.
Mayfair, we care.