One of the major challenges faced at the regional and global level is the emergence and spread of diseases. Therefore, medical geography assumes a new significance as it focuses on the geographical distribution of diseases worldwide. This also has a tremendous impact on the socio-economic environment. The effects of environmental pollution have been really devastating and alarming-more than 4.2 million deaths occur globally due to air-pollution out of which 1.1 million are attributed to India alone!
It is important to understand the global pattern of diseases to analyze the risk factors, mortality and disability rates. This helps in assessing the effectiveness of the public health systems. The statistical data results aid concerned the health authorities to determine the focus of their actions and adopt relevant measures accordingly. Such steps are particularly crucial for the developing and the under-developed countries for improving population health and reducing preventable deaths.
Types of Diseases
Based on the economic status of countries, the inferences on disease patterns are as follows-
Low-Income Countries
- 1. More than fifty per cent of deaths happen due to Communicable Diseases (CD), maternal conditions including complications arising due to childbirth and pregnancy and malnutrition.
- 2. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) caused about forty per cent deaths in these nations.
- 3. Injuries were also a major cause. Specifically, road accidents had the highest mortality rates and were among the leading reasons for fatality.
Middle and High Income Countries
- 1. CD caused less than ten per cent of population deaths.
- 2. NCD caused nearly eighty per cent deaths here.
Lower respiratory infections are also one of the major reasons of mortality across both the country-groups.
Common Global Diseases
It is surprising that nearly seventy per cent of deaths in global population are due to slow progressing diseases. Most of these are partially preventable. The risk factors may be attributed to the patient’s location of stay, accessibility to preventive healthcare and quality of clinical services available.
The most common diseases in the global scenario are entailed below-
(Source: World Health Organization (WHO))
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (also called Ischemic Heart Disease)-CAD happens to be the most prevalent and dangerous disease in the world. It may be attributed to modified lifestyles, longer life-spans and changes in socio-economic factors.
- Stroke-Stroke is known to result in mortality and long-term disabilities which may be reduced if patients receive treatment in less than three hours after the attack. Family history, high blood pressure and unhealthy habits cause a stroke. It is preventable by lifestyle changes, medications and preventive healthcare measures.
- Lower Respiratory Infections –These may be caused by flu, pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza. Left untreated, it causes breathing difficulties leading to death. It is largely preventable by immunization.
- Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (COPD)-COPD is a long-lasting, progressive disease of the lungs. Since it has no permanent cure, early medical intervention is recommended for slowing down its progression.
- Respiratory Cancers-These include cancers in the lungs, trachea and bronchus. It is primarily caused by smoking, tobacco usage or environmental pollutants which can be avoided.
- Diabetes Mellitus-This disease group and its related complications result in a substantial number of deaths. The symptoms can be controlled by regular exercise and balanced nutrition.
- Dementia-Alzheimer and other forms of dementia mostly attack the senior population. Risks can be reduced by healthy diets and brain exercises.
1. Besides the above, other major diseases include
- 2. Dehydration due to Diarrhoea
- 3. Tuberculosis
- 4. Cirrhosis (Liver Disease)
Therefore, Medical Tourism (MT) is gaining more prominence worldwide due to the exorbitant rise in NCD and preventable diseases. Medical treatment in India offers quality care with customized services at affordable rates. Cardiovascular disease treatment, particularly, happens to be highly sought in Indian MT thanks to very high success rates and low costs.
