Disease Spread
Communicable disease that was chosen for the scientific report is Hepatitis C, which represents a global healthcare concern. The danger of this disease stands in the fact that for some patients, it can occur for a short time, and for someone, it can become a severe threat to health in the absence of proper care and treatment. One of the main factors that contribute to the spread of the disease is the use of non-sterile needles (Manns et al., 2017). As a result of this action, an infection enters the blood of a healthy person and affects the liver. Thus, the transmission of hepatitis C occurs directly through the blood.
The spread of the disease is influenced by multiple factors, and the study of it is necessary to develop the most effective measures to combat it. Sources emphasize that “more than 2 million adults in the United States are estimated to be currently infected” (Bradley et al., 2020, p. 355). Thus, the unique characteristics of the virus are an obstacle to the development of a full-fledged vaccine for humans, even though the disease was detected more than thirty years ago. This contributes to the lack of vaccination of the population, access to antibiotics and insecurity from hepatitis C. Moreover, in many cases, improper sanitation and the reuse of medical equipment causes serious illness in people. Such sociodemographic variable as a lack of education about the ways of acquiring hepatitis and the consequences also contributes to an increase in the number of infected. Low income, poor housing, and access to care and education lead to the faster spread of the disease. environmental hazards do not have such a great influence on the amount of the infected patients.
Regarding globalization, processes such as international travel, migration, and opportunities to freely enter any country are becoming the cause of infection of the global population. Since most often, the transmission of infection occurs in drug users, with the expansion of the influence of this industry, there may be an increase in infected people. When borders are opened, individuals with hepatitis C get greater access to travel to other countries where, in the absence of reasonable restrictions, the transmission of the disease can occur.
Impact
Therefore, such a communicable disease as hepatitis C significantly contributes to public health, economics, and global health security. The disease poses a threat to the public health of global populations and health security due to the increase in the number of international travel and the economic growth of countries. These circumstances appeared due to the strengthening of the process of globalization. In close connection with this factor is the use of injection drugs and irresponsible sexual behavior of individuals (Globalization may be fueling new epidemics of hepatitis C, 2017). Thus, the less attention is paid to this problem by the states’ governments, the more its negative impact increases.
Hepatitis C remarkably affects the quality of life of infected patients. Thus, the source states that “a 2014 study showed that patients infected with hepatitis C virus died on average 15 years sooner than people who did not have the illness.” (Cunha, n.d., para. 3). Moreover, it is emphasized that every year the mortality rate of this disease is declining and represents 3.94 in 2018, which represents a positive trend (National progress report 2025 goal, 2020). Regarding medical expenses, hepatitis infects globally spend a large amount of money on treatment and medications. The same can be attributed to countries and medical institutions that, in addition to purchasing equipment and medicines, are developing suitable ways to combat the disease.
As already mentioned, globalization has seriously impacted a country’s health security related to the spread of disease. This is especially true for such aspects as economic growth, productivity, and the workforce across the globe. At the same time, some infected people may lead a relatively normal lifestyle, which will not affect the mentioned indicators so much. However, seriously ill individuals can become a disadvantage for companies that may lose employees and reduce efficiency. The economic impact has a more significant influence on developing countries than on developed countries. This is due to the fact that deloped regions have greater access and opportunities to reduce the negative impact of hepatitis C and its treatment methods.
Prevention
Taking into account the previously given information, this work can come to the conclusion that global efforts taken to prevent the spread of communicable diseases are becoming critical. This is due to benefits both for public health and quality of life, as well as for economic development and productivity of regions. Lim et al. (2021) emphasize that despite the fact that finding and developing the most effective way to treat hepatitis C may require high costs, this will be a severe advantage for economic development. One of the most effective and cost-effective ways to prevent the spread of hepatitis C is the introduction of educational measures. They consist of the creation and implementation of programs to spread awareness about the dangers of the disease, ways of infection, and the importance of observing hygiene rules and avoiding the use of narcotic substances.
Other measures may require the availability of resources, such as economic resources, personnel, access to healthcare, and means of communication across the globe. They are crucial for increasing resistance and reducing the occurrence of cases of infection in individuals. Therefore, greater access to medical services helps to achieve less spread of diseases. Similarly, improving communication methods and introducing more economic resources will help reduce the number of patients. Globalization, in addition to expanding migration and travel opportunities, can contribute to faster and more effective dissemination of the necessary information about hepatitis C.
International health regulatory efforts have been implemented, such as trade monitoring, screening, and quarantines. They are necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. These actions help to identify ways of infection in order to form the most effective strategies to reduce the occurrence of the disease. In addition, many countries have policies to combat the problems that cause hepatitis C, such as combating the spread of injection drugs. These preparedness efforts and infrastructure are necessary for a country’s ability to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Various kinds of laboratories and medical institutions will help to provide timely assistance and provide valuable data on hepatitis C.
Reference List
Bradley, H. et al. (2020) ‘Hepatitis C virus prevalence in 50 US states and DC by sex, birth cohort, and race: 2013‐2016,’ Hepatology Communications, 4(3), pp. 355-370.
Cunha, J.P. (n.d.) How long can a person live after being diagnosed with hepatitis C?. Web.
Globalization may be fueling new epidemics of hepatitis C infection in China (2017) Web.
Lim, A.G. et al. (2021) ‘Health and economic benefits of achieving hepatitis C virus elimination in Pakistan: A modelling study and economic analysis,’ PLoS Medicine, 18(10).
Manns, M.P. et al. (2017) ‘Hepatitis C virus infection,’ Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 3(1), pp. 1-19.
National progress report 2025 goal: Reduce reported rate* of hepatitis C-related deaths by ≥20%(2020) Web.