Global health entails the approaches towards promoting, improving and sustaining health among people across the globe. The global health issue of concern includes stroke. Stroke entails disruption of blood supply to the brain tissue, resulting in ischemic necrosis, which later manifests as paralysis, weakness, and neurological deficits (Avan et al., 2019). Stroke is divided into hemorrhagic and ischemic, whereby the majority of the cases belong to the ischemic group( 80 per cent) and hemorrhagic stroke about 20% (fan et al., 2023). Some of the factors associated with hemorrhagic stroke include hypertension, excessive alcohol intake, overweight and atherosclerosis (fan et al., 2023). There have been increased cases of stroke across the globe over the years. For instance, every year, there are about 12 million cases of stroke recorded globally as newly diagnosed patients. Additionally, there have been descriptive studies that indicate that one in every four persons aged twenty-five years and above experience stroke in their lifetime (Feigin et al., 2022). Therefore, stroke is a critical global health issue of concern.
Stroke, depending on whether timely intervention was done, is likely to result in significant impairment of body functions. Stroke was also found to be the third key factor/etiological cause of disability as of 2019 (Feigin et al., 2022). The incidence of deaths arising from stroke globally ranges between five to six million people. Another descriptive study regarding the incidence of stroke also indicates that over the last three decades, prevalence has significantly increased and also mortality. Due to such increases cases of stroke, it has resulted in increased global expenditure in addressing strokes (Rochmah et al., 2021). For instance, as of 2022, it was estimated that about USD 721 billion was used in addressing stroke incidences, including preventive measures and treatment for stroke. There was later an increase up to $891 billion, which accounts for almost 1.24% of the global GDP (Feigin et al., 2022). There continues to increase the expenditure in address of stroke.
Stroke is now a result of globalization. Initially, stroke was attributed to more developed regions/high-income countries, but now it involves both low/middle-income and high-income countries (Ding et al., 2021). For instance, through globalization, there has been influencing/adoption of poor dietary habits, such as increased consumption of processed foods and a high-fat diet, which is among the contributing factors to the occurrence of stroke (Gorelick, 2019). Additionally, the adoption of sedentary lifestyles leads to an increased incidence of overweight/obesity, leading to an increased predisposition to stroke. Globalization has also resulted in an increased gap regarding access to healthcare among countries, whereby high-income countries tend to experience better access to healthcare services and preventive measures against stroke, while low or middle-income regions have poor access to such services (George, 2020). This has contributed to high cases of stroke in low- or middle-income regions.
Stroke is a subject of global health governance in various ways. For instance, following the increased incidence of strokes across the globe, there has been increased research or surveillance on stroke (Phipps & Cronin, 2020). Some global organizations such as the World Health Organization have fostered research on etiological factors resulting in strokes, such as poor dietary habits, hypertension and other factors and then developed preventive measures such as educating people on factors such as exercising, avoiding cigarettes or excessive alcohol intake. WHO has also engaged in policy development through the Global Action Plan for Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, which regulates etiological factors of stroke, such as regulation of tobacco use or alcohol use (Frieden et al., 2020). There is also increased global collaboration in which some states, such as high-income states, support other nations in combating strokes by providing financial support and organizing screening services against stroke and. such collaborative practices provide global data for monitoring the progress of stroke management across the globe (Mead et al., 2023).
Social, economic en,vironmental and political factors have a significant impact on stroke. Low socioeconomic regions tend to experience high incidences of strokes. Such incidences are attributed to poor access to preventive measures or healthcare services for the management of stroke (Feigin et al., 2022). Additionally, a low level of knowledge on the importance of physical exercise or consuming a diet of vegetables rather than a fatty diet has resulted in an increased incidence of strokes globally. Political factors also influence policies regarding healthcare acess in addressing strokes (Saini, Guada and Yavagal, 2021). Poor political practices or poor international results in some regions experiencing poor healthcare services or even no access to health services, resulting in increased cases of strokes. Environmental factors such as cigarette smoking or consumption of high fatty diet translate to overweight, increased risk of atherosclerosis and hypertension, which in turn result in strokes (Feigin et al., 2022).
In conclusion, global health involves strategies aimed at promoting, improving and sustaining health. The global health issue of concern includes stroke, which is characterized by impaired blood flow to the brain tissue, resulting in neurological disturbances. There is an increased incidence of strokes across the globe. Strokes are attributed to be a result of globalization due to the adoption of poor lifestyle habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and increased consumption of a diet high in fats. Stroke is a subject of global health governance as it has resulted in increased research and surveillance on addressing the risk factors/aetiology associated with it. There is also increased global collaboration through WHO as it tries to manage stroke through the management of risk factors. There is also increased support from other countries in the management of stroke through financial support, screening services on stroke and other services.
References
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