Challenges Confronting Global Public Health

Abstract

Among the challenges confronting global public health the author focuses, first, on pandemics and, to propose a solution, he discusses the Global Health Security Agenda platform that allows the international community to collaborate and prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks. Second, he highlights how the gravity of non-communicable diseases (i.e., cardiovascular disease, cancers, respiratory diseases, diabetes, mental health, and injuries) should be addressed by comprehensive public health programs targeting the social determinants of health. Third, he considers environmental threats and climate change. Finally, more issues require significant commitments: from adequate financing for public health programs to political governance at the service of the citizen’s needs, from avoiding corruption to fostering women’s health and healthy nutrition.