Access+to+Health+Care

** Access to Health Care **


 * // Access to health care for a country's citizens is often related to additional factors, such as access to education, clean water, and nutritious food. Though external help (such as money and provisions from donor nations) can improve health care for a while, it does not offer the country the necessary tools to sustain good health. Citizens need access to good nutrition and food; they need to be educated on proper food handling and overall health; and they need to have access to affordable health care. If the citizens are missing one element of this, they cannot be independent in securing good health for their country. //

**Research Questions/Areas:** 1. In light of issues impacting health care, such as hunger and lack of education, that will only worsen with **economic decline**, how can countries create long-term planning (investments and savings) to address access to health care? (Copenhagen Group) 2. a) Has the situation of 100 million missing **women** changed since 1990? b) Identify why the inequality in female mortality rates exists in India, with certain regions in the south and east having much higher rates than the rest of India. What cultural and religious factors play a role in this situation? c)Recently, certain countries have made great improvements in terms of improving and achieving expected male-female ratios. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Macao have all been recognized for progress. What are these countries doing right? In other words, what government policies and/or help from specific organizations are making a difference? (London group) 3. a) Define what a **last mile community** is. b) what organizations, specifically VillageReach, are doing to help these impoverished places? (Atlanta group) 4. a) What is water quality? (What is good water quality and what is bad water quality?) b)How does water quality affect a community? c) What is santitation? (What does it mean to have good sanitation and bad sanitiation?) d) How does sanitation affect a community? e) What diseases are spread by poor water quality and sanitation? f) How can the water quality and sanitation of a community be improved? (Tel Aviv group) 5.. Examine the **impact** cities or individuals can actually have on the health of their communities with a focus on **World Health Day**. (Pskov group)


 * Research Area 1: Financial Crisis and Global Health (Copenhagen group) **
 * The current global economic crisis is adversely affecting many factors relevant to good health care, which makes it more difficult for already struggling countries, communities, and individuals. Access to health care becomes an even more important issue in times of economic crisis since financial problems can negatively impact things like access to food, medicine, and doctors. As globalization increases, the issues of health care become more interconnected as well, so the response to global health care issues could benefit from a unified strategy. This research project uses a framework for action presented by a consultation on financial crisis and global health that was held by the World Health Organization to discuss some aspects of health care access. (Copied from Copenhagen group wiki homepage)

//[|The Financial Crisis and Global Health Report] // is from a [|consultation] convened by the World Health Organization held in Geneva, Switzerland on January 19, 2009. The consultation discussed how the global financial crisis is affecting populations around the world and discussed what should be done. They suggested a five-point framework for action that included the following areas: The consultation focused on the impact of the financial crisis on global health and how governments and organizations could work to mitigate the impact.
 * 1) Leadership - Local districts, national governments, regional organizations, and global agencies
 * 2) Monitoring and analysis - Early warning signs, financial support for health care, and availability of medicines and services
 * 3) Pro-poor and pro-health public spending - Positive and ethical impact on health
 * 4) Policies for the health sector - Importance of primary health care and universal coverage in times of financial crisis
 * 5) New ways of doing business in international health - Strategies to ensure progress with efficiency and effectiveness

Not only did we use the report to help us answer our inquiry question, we also chose three poor nations (Haiti, Uganda, and India) to highlight in order to reflect one their health crisis and ways to encourage access to health care in these country. We included a page that described and explained acronyms and global health funds and organizations.

Group project - http://globalissue-worldhealth.wikispaces.com/

Reflections about Responsibilities


 * The question of who should be responsible is often tied to financial responsibility, especially how much financial responsibility governments should have. The World Health Organization and CNN presented an [|interactive map]showing factors for health care for different nations: amount governments spend per person vs. overall amount spent on health care; longevity and infant mortality.

We created a "Think Global, Act Local" page that would allow us to reflect on our responsibilities as global citizens. It was also used as a forum to address responsibilities of a community and country.
 * Individual -

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt;">To any extent, each individual is responsible for his/her actions. Understanding that poor living conditions exist in India, Uganda, Haiti, and many countries and communities around the world, accessible and appropriate health care is not an option in these areas. Lack of education, intervention programs, and hunger impact the culture of people. This does not mean that people should not strive to better their conditions in some capacities. Individuals should educate themselves about health care issues that have worldwide impact, and consider how their actions impact the forces that in turn impact health care issues. Learning about health care issues can result in individuals being more proactive in addressing the issues as opposed to waiting until the issue becomes a crisis. The vicious cycle of poverty and heath crisis has to stop. Therefore, what is the responsibility of global citizens? individuals in the poor countries need educational interventions and appropriate funding. These programs and finances come from global citizens reaching out to their global neighbors. Once health services and education begins to improve in a nation, those citizens must become strive to become a healthy body and independent nation.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> As I think about community responsibility, I think about regional obligations. Neighboring countries helping each other after natural disasters, health epidemic, and economic instability. When the earthquake hit Haiti, the US quickly responded to the need for supplies, food, monetary support and volunteers. As Greece suffers a economic meltdown, Germany vows to help the banks and financially help them. Within regions of the world, nations trade with one another to help their economy, create alliances to encourage cooperation and assistance in time of need. This is essential for the health of a nation and global health. Within countries, communities organized based on culture and heritage are formed. The groups care for one another's needs and advocate for each other.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Community -

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Earmarking taxes can promote public health. Nations that have earmarked tobacco and alcohol have seen a decrease in the use of those products, as well as have been able to increase the funding for health promotions. Political lawmakers must be committed to a healthy lifestyle for their nation. Also, the WHO is urging countries to provide universal health care coverage. This would address the needs for all citizens. Countries receiving funding through GHIs, NGOs, and other global health resources, must use the revenue wisely in a way that impacts the health of the nation for a long-term. The health system of a country needs to be built to sustain itself without relying on the global funding; and as we now, currently the global economy is not providing an abundance of wealth and resources to the countries struggling the most.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Country -


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Research Question 2: Women (London group) **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">We referred to the UC Atlas of Global Inequality website ( [] ) and considered two sections in particular—“100 Million Women Are Missing” and “India and Gender Mortality.” The first article refers to Amartya Sen’s assertion that, due to inequality in gender access to health care, 100 million women who should be alive in China, South Asia, and North Africa are not. We wanted to investigate why certain areas have higher female mortality rates and what, if anything, is being done to improve the situation.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The authors reexamine Sen’s assertion from 1990 that 100 million women are missing due to inequal access to health care. They first consider whether Sen’s estimate was accurate. In looking at a number of statistical methods that could be used, Klasen and Wink report a variety of figures, most less than Sen’s figure but all demonstrating that a large group of women who should be here are not. They refer to Coale’s estimate from 1991 of 60 million, Klasen’s 1994 estimate of 89 million, and a more recent estimates of 101 million and 113 million (2003).

They found that there has been an //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">increase //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> in the absolute number of women who can be considered missing, yet a //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">decrease //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> in the share of women who are missing compared to women who are alive. The relative number of missing women has fallen in recent years. Overall, 5.7% of the female population in affected areas, where gender ratios are imbalanced, are missing.

Klasen and Wink explain that “Most studies have shown that the most important process driving excess female mortality is inequal access to healthcare which leads to higher mortality of young girls” (p. 280). They report that the situation is worse in rural areas and for later-born girls and girls with older sisters. Higher female education and employment are positively associated with lower excess female mortality. On the other hand, lower economic opportunities for women correspond with higher relative female mortality rates.

Klasen and Wink note that it is important to consider the process by which women have gone missing. Absolute numbers have increased in China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors note that sex-selective abortions in China, South Korea, and India and cultural practices that hurt women are reasons for the continuing increase. Sex-selective abortions cause certain death for the fetus and increased health risks for the mothers. However, if fewer girls are born, then theoretically fewer girls will be neglected. On the other hand, female neglect, due to what one culture considers too many females, creates increased chances of female mortality. Interestingly, both India and China have largely unenforced bans on prenatal sex determination.

In China, overall conditions for women in terms of health, education, and employment are improving, yet the nation’s strict one-child policy and a reduction in public services in terms of food and healthcare ,have led to a rising overall sex ratio favoring men/lower female mortality.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Identify why inequalities in female mortality rates exist in India, with certain regions in the south and east having much higher rates than the rest of India. What cultural and religious factors play a role in this situation?

In recent years, there is mixed evidence about India’s progress in reducing the number of missing women. While there have been better female survival rates in older age groups, over the past twenty years females’ relative survival has gone down while there has been a rise in the sex ratio at birth favoring males. There is large regional variation in India, as a result of state policies, cultural practices (such as marriage arrangements), and sex-selective abortions. Other cultural practices which may play a role include marriage patterns where the wife lives with or near her husband’s father’s family, ancestor worship being led by sons, and high dowry costs for brides. There has been a sharp increase in literacy rates for women and, as a result, more workforce participation. These advances, though, appear to be off set by other practices.

Recently, certain countries have made great strides in terms of improving and achieving expected male-female ratios. Pakistan, Banglades, and Sri Lanka have all been recognized for progress. What are these countries doing right? What government policies are making a difference?

In general, countries that have seen a reduction in the number of women who can be considered missing have state policies that support access to free healthcare and nutrition (the need to ration these resources within a household and its members, male and female, no longer exists) and that encourage female education and employment.

Pakistan has made progress, due to better enumeration (literally being able to count them) of females as well as improved educational and employment opportunities for them. However, the authors note that females continue to have higher post-neonatal and child mortality rates than males and that they suffer discrimination when it comes to health care access.

Bangladesh has also reduced its number of missing women, thanks to increased education for females and reduced maternal mortality rates.

Sri Lanka is commended for its dramatic turnaround. It no longer has a high excess female mortality rate. The country now provides free health care and food and has made investments in education and employment for females.

Reflections about Responsibilities
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Country’s responsibility: A country is responsible for the well being of its citizens. Some countries have instituted policies (such as being allowed to have only one child in China) that have led to excess female mortality rates as a result of sex-selective abortions. Other countries (Haiti, both before and after the earthquake, comes to mind) simply do not have the financial and medical resources to provide healthcare for their citizens. Certainly, the research above shows that countries that are able to provide free healthcare and nutrition for their citizens and that invest in education and employment opportunities for females have made the most progress in reducing excess female mortality rates and providing equal access to healthcare.


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">individual’s responsibility: Individuals have the responsibility to learn and to know as much as possible about their own health--risks to it, resources for prevention, and avenues of access to care. Individuals who do have access to healthcare bear the additional responsibility of advocating for those who do not.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Research Question 3: Last mile community (Atlanta group)** Our research topic focused on health care in “last mile communities.” There are organizations that focus specifically on these communities. Our questions aimed to define what a last mile community is, and what organizations, specifically VillageReach, are doing to help these impoverished places. We also researched what individuals living in these communities are doing to help, and what the government is doing to help. Our first inquiry question was to actually define what a last mile community is. The term “Last Mile Community” is used predominately by VillageReach, a non-profit organization. Last mile communities are usually very rural, and are located far from urban areas. These communities do not have access to basic needs and necessities, and are generally very isolated. There are very few economic opportunities for citizens living in these communities as they have poor infrastructure, and little to no means of transportation. VillageReach works in last mile communities in Malawi, Senegal, and Mozambique. VillageReach work to improve access to health care in these communities. The VillageReach model is two-fold and the model includes a social business platform, and a logistics and management platform.

Reflections about Responsibilities


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Country’s Responsibility- We that each country should be responsible for the healthcare of its citizens. The research we have done has opend our eyes to the astounding mortality rates, disease prevalence rates, and lack of medical care in Malawi, Senegal, and Mozambique. Many citizens living in these communities simply do not have access to transportation, and cannot reach a medical facility. These last mile communities are very isolated and have little to no available technology, and poor roads that make traveling risky. These communities are also located near rivers or lakes which increases the chance of being affected by malaria. The government should help to improve means of transportation, and also provide medical assistance to those in need. The government should also work to provide health education to prevent diseases and illnesses.


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">An Individual’s Responsibility- An individual citizen must also do their part to prevent the spread of disease, and assist the government in improving traveling conditions. There are many organizations working in Malawi to provide treatment to these rural communities. Citizens must reach out and use these organizations to save themselves, and their families. They must seek education and educate others to prevent future outbreaks of diseases and illnesses.

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 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Research Question 4: Access to Clean Water (Tel Aviv) **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">View our [|Access to Clean Water] Glog.



<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">
 * Notes on Water Quality** (contributed by Angela Woods):
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">Water quality describes the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water and its suitability for a specific purpose . Water quality may be good for washing your car but not for drinking.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">The U.S. has one of the safest water supplies in the world.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">1.1 billion people in the world do not have safe drinking water
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">In developing countries sometimes the only source of water is a watering hole that is probably contaminated by animals and parasites
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">4 million people die every year as a result of poor water quality and contamination
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">4,000 children worldwide die every day as result of waterborne diseases
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">Water contamination comes from many sources. This image shows several ways water can be contaminated.



<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">**Methods for Improving Water Quality** (contributed by Angela Woods): <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;">
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Build latrines to avoid contaminating water
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;">Wash hands before handling food or water
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;">Use safe water storage techniques and clean water containers
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;">Use chlorine-based water purification products
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;">Drill community wells and install hand pumps in villages without access to clean water in developing countries
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;">Build rainwater collection containers in villages without access to clean water in developing countries
 * Methods for Preserving Water Quality:** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> (contributed by Angela Woods)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Conserve water
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Don't flush pollutants down the toilet or sink
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Dispose of chemicals properly
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Use "green" household products
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Don't use pesticides or fertilizers
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Plant responsibly (don't plant flowers and grass that requires a lot of watering)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**An Individual's Responsibility for Improving Water Quality in Developing Countries:** (contributed by Angela Woods) An individual living in a developing country has a responsibility to: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> An individual living in a developed country has a responsibility to: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Wash their hands
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Use clean storage containers
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Purify water with chlorine-based products
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Purify water by boiling it
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Support the efforts of nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving water quality
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Buy from companies who have committed to improving access to clean water
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Push national governments to provide assistance to developing countries
 * Governments' Responsibility for Improving Water Quality in Developing Countries:** (contributed by Angela Woods)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Support the [|International Federation Global Water and Sanitation Initiative]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Support and dedicate funding to the [|World Health Organization]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Commit resources to bring access to clean water to developing nations


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Nonprofit Organizations Dedicated to Improving Water Quality: ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(contributed by Angela Woods)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|International Federation Global Water and Sanitation Initiative]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|World Health Organization]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|The United States EPA]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|UNICEF]

> In third world countries and developing countries, there is not much than can be done by an individual or by the community alone to improve water quality. Most of the time they lack the resources to accomplish such a task. Whether it be money, or man power, or even the availability of water. Most communities who struggle with providing people with fresh water simply aren't capable of helping themselves. They have limited money or limited water so they are forced to use the same water for washing, bathing, drinking, etc. It is up to the communities larger government or global health organizations such as Unicef to help.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px;">Reflections about Responsibilities: ** <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(contributed by Zachary Honeycutt)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">What is a country's responsibility to improving water quality and sanitation?

> A government has a huge responsibility to provide its citizens with safe drinking water. However, much like the communities, many governments lack the resources necessary to help their citizens. Many countries are over populated, or under developed, or the central government isn't very strong so they are unable to tackle such a huge issue. Global health organizations are the ones who have to step up and take on the responsiblity by teaming with the governments of countries that can't afford to help their citizens. So I think that governments due carry the majority of the responsibility when it comes to providing its citizens with safe drinking water, but most of the time they cannot do it without the help of major global health organizations.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">What is an individual's responsibility to improving water quality and sanitation?

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Research Question 5: Impact of World Health Day (Pskov)** Since WHO is such a major player in global health, I thought this was a great place to start. It turns out that World Health Day, an annual WHO event since 1948, is just around the corner - April 7th. This year's theme, 1000 Cities - 1000 Lives, links very well to our questions about the responsibility of individuals and countries. This year WHO is aiming to involve 1000 cities in World Health Day events in addition to profiling 1000 urban health pioneers. (http://1000cities.who.int/).

**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: normal;">World Health Day Celebration in Maasin, Phillipines **
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The city of Maasin’s leader in urban health is its Mayor Maloney Samaco. The city nominated him to be part of the 1000 cities, 1000 lives campaign. The city of Maasin has a “Healthy City Initiative.” This department nominated Mayor Samaco. Samaco supports a 13-point agenda “consisting of market and business improvement, agriculture production, livelihood assistance, orderliness and peace promotion, nutrition and health services. Education for the masses, youth development, sports excellence, anti-illegal drug campaign, mangrove and forest protection, advertisement for tourism, concreting and maintenance of roads and overall barangay development”

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Ciclo Recreo Via program in Chile Ciclo Recreo Via is a progam in Santiago, Chile that creates an urban park each Sunday by closing roads to vehicular traffic. It is modeled after the Ciclovia, which began in Bogota, Columbia and has spread to other Latin American countries. The program has several aims: to provide all citizens with access to safe recreational sites, to provide citizens with opportunities for free and safe physical exercise, and to provide a space where citizens can interact with each other and form community bonds.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Mayor Samaco organized the first Maasin Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MICAA). This organized all of the local colleges. As a result of these organized sports, young adults are being protected from the influence of drugs. Mayor Samaco also reinstated the Citizens Anti-Drug Narcotics Unit (CANU) to prevent drug addiction.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Maasin City enforces a no smoking policy. Smoking is not allowed in public places.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In coordination with World Health Day 2010, the Mayor is going to be closing a portion of a major Boulevard on Sundays to give the people a “smoke and traffic-free” road. A “hataw” has been scheduled every Friday afternoon for an hour. Participants include city hall employees, students, the army, and the Philippine National Police, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Finally, the mayor has reiterated the importance of scouting in order to instill the importance of the care of the environment.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> World Health Day in Melbourne, Australia Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria, a state in Australia. It is the center for business, culture, and recreation in the state of Victoria. It is noted for its vast area dedicated to parklands and beautiful gardens. It is one of the safest, healthiest, and cleanist cities. Melbourne hosts over one million international visitors a year. It is constantly changing. It manages 500 hectares of open space including more than 60 parks and gardens. Melbourne's approach to World Health Day is through having conferences that invite others from around the world as well as its citizens. One conference, AMRED, brings together students, researchers, practioners, policy makers, government and non-government agencies to exchange ideas and discuss relevant current issues pertaining to global health. Also, Melbourne has planned events in one of its parks, Albert Park. The event includes a 5K run, yoga, tai chi, warm up exercises, prizes, gourmet health snacks, music and dance from around the world, and sailing. For the kids, there is a treasure hunt, musical entertainment, a petting zoo and face painting. Melbourne has also created an International Congress, Healthy Parks Healthy People. Their statement is that parks provide a place for physical activity, stress relief, a connection to nature, havens for children, and provide a sence of place and cultural identity.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Air pollution is a recognized health concern in Chile and encouraging citizens to travel by bike or foot has in indirect impact on their health due to its impact on the environment.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Despite the fact that physical and mental health were on the country's radar as major issues and the fact that the lack of green space in Chile's comunas was acknowledged by the public and political officials, the organizers of CicloRecreoVia had to fight for five years to get the project off the ground.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">They relied heavily on the example set by previous organizers to determine security, organizational, and logistical needs. The main obstacle came from municipal authorities who were unwilling to support the closure of streets.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Finally, the organizers received permission from one comuna, La Reina, where the program has been in place since 2005. They are in the process of bringing the program to 12 other comunas.

Reflections about Responsibilities: Maasin - <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Chile -
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I feel that the responsibility of a country is to provide opportunities for its citizens to be healthy. Just like the mayor of Maasin closing streets so people can use them to be active. I also think that the no smoking policy is imperative as well. The fact that the Mayor has organized the collegiate sports is also huge.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I think it is the responsibility of the individual to participate in these activities. I think a major part of health care costs are caring for the sick, so I think preventative measures and programs that promote wellness can do a lot. I think it is also the job of the citizens to demand what they want/need from the government. In a place that has democratic processes, people should be voting for representatives that are going to provide opportunities to be healthy. I think each town/city needs to base their needs on what the citizens in that particular region need. I know that Cary, NC has miles and miles of walking trails. Simple things like that as well as local parks etc. can go a long way in keeping citizens healthy.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Melbourne-
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">CicloRecreoVia has benefits outside improved health and physical fitness. The organizers state that it strengthens and unifies communities, creates safe and secure public places, offers a free recreational space to everyone, revitalizes urban spaces, creates job opportunities, facilitates awareness and educational campaigns, integrates individuals who are often excluded from society, and encourages bicycle use. I think it is interesting that so much emphasis is placed on combating social isolation, as mental health is not an issue commonly on the public radar. It is also amazing that it has taken nearly a decade to get this program to its current state, which is still quite small.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I think this program fully illustrates the importance of people taking responsibility for the health of their communities. An individual must identify problems, design solutions, and work towards those solutions. It is not enough to merely talk about how important an issue is. This problem is also illustrated by the fact that even though WHO is a huge organization with a lot of awareness globally, they are not even close to meeting their goal of having 1000 cities participate in this year's World Health Day. People may talk about World Health Day and what a great idea it is, but they wait for someone else to organize something, rather than working on it themselves.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The struggle to get CicloRecreoVia off the ground also illustrates how important it is for countries and cities to support their citizens efforts towards improved health. The organizers of CicloRecreoVia had to fight for YEARS to get permission to close a few streets for a few hours each Sunday. They were willing to organize the program and put it on, but they needed permission from municipalities. I think governments must make it easier for citizens to get their programs off the ground. The establishment of local health organizations who can help individuals maneuver through the political avenues necessary for permission would do a great deal towards meeting this need.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I feel the responsibility of the country is to help raise awareness for public health in urban environments not just with its citizens but worldwide. It should allow opportunity for its people. An opportunity where all citizens are given a chance to participate and have a say. Another responsibility of the country is to provide a place for its citizens to receive help. Another is to maintain and protect the parklands.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I feel the responsibility of the individual is to participate. They should take advantage of the parks to relax and getaway. Also individuals should let their country know how much theyt value thier health and the parklands available to them.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I think the government in Melbourne should continue identifying and monitoring public health issues. They should do more research and continue to deliver health promoting programs and strategies. It should also protect and enhane its open spaces including parks. It should plan for use and access and prioritize issues and resources. The citizens should always make suggestions. They should suggest any issues that limit thier current use of the parks or access to health care. Both the government and the citizens shoul understand the benefits of nature through all eyes.

"Nations of the World." Nationmaster.com <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[] This website provides statistics and information on all of the aspects of every country.
 * Annotated Resources - Copenhagen Group**

"Countries." Worldbank. [] By using this website, you can click on the provided list of countries and find tons of information that explains the economy, health, and well-being of a country.

"World Fact Book." Cia.gov. [] The CIA World fact book provides information on every single countries well-being, economy, and people. It also gives statistics of their health systems.

"Health Care System." Wikipedia. [] This article explains about the different health care systems around the world. It also compares and contrasts the sufficiency of countries health systems.

Shah, Anup. "Health Issues." Global Issues. [] Gives an overview of cause and effects of health issues. It also gives examples and things we can do to help prevent these issues.

"Poverty Stats and Facts." Global Issues. [] This website gives all the stats and facts that you need to know about poverty in our world today. It gives reasons on why poverty, lack of education, and little health care access are building up in our world.

Global Health Glossary - <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Kaiser Family Foundation has a [|Global Health Glossary]that provides definitions for global health terms.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">" <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt;">World Health Organization." [] This website gives you a lot of information and an extensive overall summery of world health and the affects of it and which countries have huge issues relating to health.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">"Acronyms in International Health." [] This website provides useful organizations(in acronyms) that specialize in world health that help you in your research.

"Aetna Global Benefits." [] This organization gives help around the world to countries that are in need of medical care. It also provides info on countries that don't have any access to health facilities.

"List of Acronyms of Organizations." [|www.humanitarianinfo.org] This website provides the major organizations throughout the world that deal with humanitarian affairs. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 19px;"> Information about the WHO consultation - []

WHO Report - []

[|Consultation Video -][]

//<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Bulletin of the World Health Organizations //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> articles - "The positive contributions of global health initiatives" - [|http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/11/07-049361/en/] - "The case for public intervention in financing health and medical services" - [] - "Devolved power: key for health care in India. An overview with Michael Tharakan" - [|http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2649569/] - "Can earmarking mobilize and sustain resources to the health sector?" - [|http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?pid=S0042-96862008001100025&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en] - "Sharing the burden of sickness: mutual health insurance in Rwanda" - [|http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/bwho/v86n11/a06v8611.pdf] - "Exploring the features of universal coverage" - [|http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/11/08-060137/en/] The Financial Crisis and Global Health Report - [] Monitoring Global Health - [] Global Health Conference - [] Monitoring Achievement - [] Global Health Monitor - [|http://biocaster.nii.ac.jp/index.php?page=tracking] [|Article: Global Health Monitor -][]

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: This is a summary report of the U.S. Global Health Policy []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: The full report on the U.S. Global Policy and other pertinent information are found here. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">[]

Another source for the U.S. Government. This book offers recommendations for the U.S. approach toward Global Health. [] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">

This is a report put out by CSIS and it is a report on Global Health policy. [|**http://csis.org/files/publication/100316_Hecht_InnovativeFinancing_Web.pdf**]

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">This website is dedicated to a group of people who are setting out to create Smart Global Health and policies therein. []

Put out by the WHO, this is a crude chart giving different information about global health. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;">[] <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">

This is a spreadsheet from Kaiser that lists the U.S. budget for global health. []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">
 * Annotated Resources - London group**

Klasen, S., & Wink, C. (2003). 'Missing Women:' Revisiting the debate. //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Feminist Economics //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">, 2-3 (9), 263-299.

[] This website is about the ranking of the world’s most healthy countries. It was last updated in year 2000 so it can be that France is not on first place anymore.

[] This website is about the health care around the world.

[] This website gives the definition for “health care” and health care is the treatment and management of illness.

[] This website talks about health care in the United States og America.

[] This website talks about the problems and possible solutions to health care in Unites States of America.

http://knol.google.com/k/us-economic-and-healthcare-crisis-possible-solutions-and-role-of-medical-tourism# This website is about the financial crisis and ailing businesses that are affecting health care.

[] This talks about heart failure regimen is becoming more complicated, especially for elderly patients with co-morbid diseases.

[] This website talks about the health care crisis and what to do about it.

__[]__ This website talks about the health care and about who is at risk.

[] This website talks about how government solved the health care crisis. They write that United States of America is facing a health care crisis.

@http://ucatlas.ucsc.edu/gender/gender_mortality.php We’ve learned that 100 million women may be missing; in other words, women who should still be alive in certain parts of the world—specifically China, South Asia (India), and North Africa—are not. The same site offers an article on gender inequality and its effects on health care in India.

@http://ucatlas.ucsc.edu/gender/gender_india.php The UC Atlas identifies several reasons, including cultural preference for boys and sex-selective abortions.

@http://www.yespakistan.com/people/missing_women.asp This website explains about the many missing women in Pakistan, and how more women in low-income families suffer malnutrition than men in low-income families, which leads to gender inequalities

@http://www.javno.com/en-world/asia-missing-96-million-women/296993 This website explains how the gender imbalance problem is worsening in Asia.

@http://www.azadindia.org/social-issues/GenderInequality.html This website tells how because men are taken care of better in India, it leads to gender inequalities.

@http://www.globalissues.org/article/774/health-care-around-the-world This website is about the health care around the world.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Annotated Resources - Atlanta Group:**

VillageReach [|http://villagereach.org] VillageReach is an organization that tries to improve the daily life of citizens living in impoverished communities around the world. They work in three countries to help improve access to health care.

World Health Organization [] WHO is an organization that directs health and health care within the United Nations. WHO provides data, statistics, and detailed reports focusing on health in all countries.

U.S. Department of State [] Provides a detailed background on Malawi. This includes geographical features, and details about Malawi’s economy, population, and government.

Medic Malawi [] Organization providing health care to citizens of Malawi.

Friends of Malawi [] Organization formed my previous Peace Corps members. They provide health clinics and health education to individuals in Malawi. Institute for Healthcare Improvement

[] Organization working to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate. They are trying to provide sustainable improvements to communities in Malawi.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Annotated Websites (Tel Aviv Group)** __Contributed by Angela Woods__


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Drinking water and health: what you need to know. (2009, July 10)//. United States Environmental Protection Agency//. Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The United States Environmental Protection Agency web site has a great deal of information on the quality of ground water and drinking water in America. Drinking water standards, contaminants, and regulations are easy to locate on the tabs on the left side of the page. Information is arranged logically and is fairly easy to understand.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The International Federation's web page on the Global Water and Sanitation Initiative provides an introduction to the crisis of limited access to water experienced around the world. There is detailed information on their water and sanitation goals and hygiene promotion as well as their disaster management programs.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Global water and sanitation initiative. (2010). //International Federation of Red Cross Red// //Crescent Societies//. Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The Stockholm International Water Institute web site offers basic information about global water quality and poor access to safe water. The Institute focuses on research, development and international training.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Water--A necessity of life. (2010). //Stockholm International Water Institute//. Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> //The Water Pollution Guide// is part of //The Guides Network//, a network of free, unbiased guides developed by researchers in the United Kingdom. This site offers easy to read and understand information about water quality and water pollution as well as tips for preventing and treating water pollution.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//Water Pollution Guide//. (2008). Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The Water Project web site is a site that raises money to help bring clean water to developing countries. There is general information about the lack of safe water experienced by developing nations around the world.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">//The Water Project//. (2010). Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The World Health Organization web site has a dense section devoted to water, sanitation, and health. There is a plethora of data and research on water quality, water resources, water supplies, and water-related diseases. The information is so vast that the site is often difficult to navigate, but the research and data are valid, reliable resources. Water, sanitation and hygiene. (2009, August 18). //UNICEF//. Retrieved from [] The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene section of the UNICEF web site offers data and information on the global water challenge. The site is dense and the information is sometimes difficult to locate, but the data and research are easy to understand. Information on water quality, access to water and the effects of limited water on a community are just a few of the topics of interest on this site.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Water, sanitation and health. (2010). //The World Health Organization//. Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The United States Geological Survey's web site Water Science for Schools is a detailed site filled with easy to understand information about water. Geared for educators and students, it provides knowledgeable information in a user-friendly format. The diagrams and Activity Center help users understand more about the water cycle, water sources and quality of water.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Water science for schools. (2010, April 29). //United States Geological Survey.// Retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Williams, A. (2010, March 22). Businesses confront the water quality challenge. //Business Ethics//. Retrieved from

This article provides a brief description of global water conditions and an overview of World Water Day. It also describes various business endeavors to help combat degrading water quality globally.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> The IRC World Water Day web site provides general information about international water challenges. The focus on this site is promoting World Water Day events that are held every March 22.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">World water day. (2010). //IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre//. Retrieved from []

__Contributed by Thales Chanikian:__

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This website is a UNICEF site (a trusted donation society). It talks about all the diseases you can obtain from drinking unsanitary water.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.unicef.org/wash/index_wes_related.html

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is a site that talks about being careful and what to do to prevent these diseases
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.unwater.org/wwd08/docs/10Things.pdf

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This site is about public health and the measurements of good and bad water.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/ViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/H003061/1

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This site is similar e to the UNICEF site but it includes housing problems too.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.pih.org/issues/foodwaterhousing.html

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This site is all about how to take care of yourself and understand how to be hygienic.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/technical-briefs/51-water-san...

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This site talks all about how water is a necessity of life. It also talks about why we should protect it.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.siwi.org/water

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is a podcast that talks about sanitation and how it effects many things. A large disease caused by unsanitary places is diarrhea.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=8520

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This website talks more about how important water is to people. Over 1.7 million people die a year of disease caused by uncleanly water.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TCN-...

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This web site has a lot of good info on water and sanitation. An extra feature it you can take a quiz to see how much you know
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.learnwell.org/water.htm

__Contributed by Zachary Honeycutt__:

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is the World Health Organization website and it gives you some quick statistics that show how many people are affected by usafe water throughout the world. It also gives you links that discuss different plans and projects they are involved in to help.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/hygiene/en/

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is a website that discusses some of the legal issues that affect water quality control such as proper regulations or assitance from corporations.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://web.mit.edu/urbanupgrading/waterandsanitation/policies/estab...

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is the International Water and Sanitation Centre's website. The main goal of this organization is to team with other organizations such as the WHO or Unicef to bring safe drinking and bathing water to developing or third world countries.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.irc.nl/

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is a website for the department Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries. This group is designed to perform research into new, more efficient ways of making water sanitized so that is is readily available for the public.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://www.eawag.ch/organisation/abteilungen/sandec/schwerpunkte/ws...

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is Unicef's website and Unicef is a global organization that teams up with other groups and countries governments to tackle health issues around the world.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">@http://www.unicef.org/wash/index_3951.html

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">This is an article discussing the importance of fresh water in developing countries. It also discusses the United Nations naming March 22nd World Water Day.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">http://www1.voanews.com/policy/editorials/The-Importance-Of-Fresh-W...

__Contributed by Daven Shitabata:__

> Describes different qualities of water.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">www.crcwater.org/onalaska/waterquality.html
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[]This website describes water quality and different kinds of bacteria that could get into it.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[]This site states what things could happen if their were poor water quality.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px;">Annotated Resources - Pskov group <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1. World Health Organization (2010). //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">1000 Cities, 1000 Lives. //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Retrieved from: [] This website provides information to cities and individuals participating in the 2010 World Health Day. It includes an interactive map of the cities participating, videos made by individuals and cities, visual representations of health efforts, and a group forum for individuals to discuss their plans for World Health Day. 2. Ciclo Recreo Via (2010). //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">CicloRecreoVia. //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Retrieved from: http://www.ciclorecreovia.cl/what-is-it/ This website describes the history of the CicloRecreoVia program in Santiago, Chile. In addition to describing the project and how it got off the ground, it includes the philosophy of the program, photos of the program in action, and descriptions of linked programs in other Latin American countries. The website is available in English and in Spanish. 3. Bambs, C., Cerda, J., & Escalona, A. (2008). Morbid obesity in a developing country: The Chilean experience. //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Bulletin of the World Health Organization //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">, //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">86 //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(10), 737-816. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/10/07-048785/en/ This article describes the growing obesity epidemic in Chile. Causes, treatment, and policy changes are addressed.

(1) World Health Day 2010 (2010). Retrieved from: [] This website provides info to individuals of Melbourne, Australia about World Health Day. It contains various articles that answer questions about the focus of World Health Day, urbanization and health, who will be performing, how to participate, what activities will be happening and other info about the event. (2) Healthy Parks Healthy People (2010). Retrieved from: [] This website provides information about the International Healty Parks Healthy People congress of Melbourne, Australia. It lists the efforts the group is making in conjuction with World Health Day. It lists speakers, social events and their goals to explore how nature contributes to culturally and broader societal benefits. (3) AMREP, World Health Day Conference 2010 (2010). //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Health and the City. //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Retrieved from: [] This website provides a detailed event associated with World Health Day. Its theme is "Health and City." THe site gives a detailed itinerary of the event and a list of speakers.

1. From the video: Thhttp: //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">globalissuesactivity.wikispaces.com/page/edit/home?responseToken=05836902d50ed006281596a2665069936e city of Maasin, Phillipines participated in World Health Day. The city seemed to focus on the fitness aspect of health. The video showed citizens of this city participating in a variety of activities. The video showed citizens riding bikes, running, Tae Kwon Do, Group Fitness activities like stretching, cardiovascular, and dancing. There were also people participating in boxing. There were health professionals doing blood pressure checkups. The mayor of the city also explained that he would be closing that particular part of town to motorized vehicle traffic so the citizens could use that part of the city for fitness. 2. UN Web Services Sections (2008). //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> United Nations Millennium Development Goals. //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Retrieved from: [] The World Health Organization is a United Nations Project. They have put forth Millennium Development Goals that all participating states must meet by the year 2015. The goals are: End poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, Environmental Sustainability, and Global Partnership. The secretary general put out a report that is titled “Keeping the Promise” which serves as somewhat of an action plan. He feels that these goals are achievable and that anything less than success “would be an unacceptable failure, moral and practical.” There will be a summit in September in New York to help boost progress towards the goals listed above. I think these goals are one of the reasons for the World Health Day. It can help participants meet the goals of the Millennium Development. 3. Climate-L (2010). //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> WHO to Celebrate World Heath Day by Focusing on Urbanization and Health. //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Retrieved from: []. This website brings up a point I had not thought about before. Climate-L.org reiterates the fact that World Health Day will be focusing on urbanization and health. They make note that "road transportation has significant effects on human health because greenhouse gas emissions result in climate change." World Heath Day 2010 is focusing on opening public spaces for various healthy activities. Just think how much cleaner our world would be if people decided to ride their bikes or walk to work vs. driving. 4. PIA Information Services-Philippine Information Agency (2010). //<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> Maasin City nominates Mayor Samaco as Urban Health Champion: 1000 Cities, 1000 Lives Program.// Retrieved from: []. This website outlines what the Mayor of Maasin City has done to make his city a more healthy place to live. The city nominated the Mayor as a candidate for the 100- Cities, 1000 lives Program.