Most critical health concerns of the 21st century 

Introduction

The world has experienced drastic changes in our lives that make life difficult for us today. One such change that has been noted in the past years is globalization, which is characterized by the interaction between people from different parts of the world. Globalization, has given rise to issues regarding culture, race, ethnicity, religion and so many other factors that have affected individuals’ behaviors, health, or lifestyle and this has changed how society views each other. It also affects how societies view themselves in terms of both negative and positive aspects. Many issues concerning culture and identity have influenced what will be discussed in this paper regarding the issue of health among the world’s population. The current trend towards a more globalized society is very influential and not only changing lifestyles but bringing about new challenges to individuals who do not want to conform to the common practice within their community that is based on beliefs and values and norms. (Dobson, 2007)This paper is going to look at some of the issues that affect the general society and how they can be solved if only people in every part of the globe would try to embrace diversity. It is important to note that these issues include health matters as well as those related to security. (World Health Organization, 2008)

Some of the major issues that will be tackled in this report that pertain to health matters as well as those concerning insecurity include; terrorism, HIV, AIDS, violence, and poverty. These issues are some of the most critical threats faced by human beings today and are considered very serious issues that need urgent attention. They are considered global problems and are affecting all countries and even regions around the globe, including Africa. This is because they are some of the areas that have been dominated by certain cultures and cultures over time. (2009)

Global Issue

The effect of terrorist attacks may impact negatively businesses and industries. Businesses might fail, thereby putting unemployment numbers high in a country. People’s daily routines might be interrupted, leading to reduced productivity and a lack of morale in employees. At times, companies and industries shut down completely, resulting in layoffs. This will lead to joblessness, sicknesses, and poor-quality products with no returns. The entire system of education gets disrupted, and fewer students get the chance to learn efficiently. Another major impact of terrorism is the risk of disease transmission. Diseases increase in various ways, and they might range from direct contact to contaminated water and air. Terrorist groups in certain areas can set up camps with infected patients and infect them without their knowledge. Contamination and the spread of diseases will require massive investments by the government in hospitals and food supply. Such kind of investment cannot be made if people are afraid to take risks. Infections caused by terrorists might not give any indication of symptoms, leading to delay in diagnosis and treatment. (2009)The presence of terrorism in a particular area may even lead to destabilization of the area that is ruled by a terrorist group. A city that is controlled by a single terrorist group will mean that it has full control over other cities, and it will lead to unrest and anarchy. With less production and trade as it happens in some parts of the world, a country will see inflation being very high, resulting in a reduction in economic growth and development. Terrorism may also affect economies through illegal trafficking of goods and services and trafficking of arms and ammunition that results in losses. It is very rare for terrorists to commit crimes against human beings. Still, the possibility remains and thus governments should work closely  to ensure that all citizens of the countries’ are safe. Since people are willing to pay to stop terrorism and reduce its occurrence, they should be encouraged so that the risk can be reduced.

HIV is another global phenomenon that must be addressed by the world’s governments, religious leaders and non-government organizations. Since it is a chronic illness that weakens one’s immune system and consequently weakens the body’s natural defense mechanisms, it requires constant medical check-ups and treatment. It is said to be the most dangerous disease ever known. The disease has led to numerous deaths in several countries such as Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Research shows that 90 million people are living with HIV/ AIDS (2007)

The impact of this fatal disease has reached extreme levels, especially in developed nations. Currently, research is focusing on finding a cure to the condition that kills thousands of innocent lives yearly. Scientists are now exploring methods that can help to cure the disease. Human immunodeficiency virus is believed to have originated in West Africa. While in African countries the infected have limited immunity against HIV, the rate of infection has dramatically gone up and the population now includes millions of children who may have never been infected before. New developments that aim to find treatments are being studied and trials are being done on animals, monkeys and cells (2007).

The impact of HIV/AIDS has also resulted in the inability of HIV infected people to get jobs. Some governments have taken measures that seek to prevent these deaths by imposing lockups on places that are suspected to have the disease causing virus. Governments have also banned the sale of goods such as mobile phones and cigarettes to avoid distribution to the uninfected people. Studies are also underway trying to understand whether blood transfusion can also reduce instances of infections. Gave asserts that HIV/AIDS poses a great threat to social justice in countries, and it will require concerted efforts by everyone in the world. As one of the deadliest diseases facing mankind, some experts have argued that HIV/AIDS should be categorized as a pandemic. It is only until the last decades that researchers discovered that HIV is a contagious infectious and can mutate rapidly. Even the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) argues that the epidemic is already spreading faster in America and other wealthy nations like Britain and South Korea, where the virus is endemic. These countries are using expensive drugs to contain the disease. As technology advances, so do drugs and prevention strategies