1. Global Health Challenge: Chronic Disease
What’s the problem?
Diabetes affects 382 million people worldwide.
The body becomes desensitized to insulin resulting in dangerous fluctuations in the blood glucose level.
Diabetes Type II  result of an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, excessive weight, race, and high blood pressure
Genetic factors
Diabetes affects pretty much anyone around the world.
Processed foods high in sugar and carbohydrates  cheaper
Glamorous Westernized diet
Diabetes is also a leading factor in the cause of Ischemic Heart Disease.
Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally.
Possible solutions?
While a lot of research is still in the beginning stages to help cure/rid the world of diabetes and IHD, there have been some solutions seeing great results.
Healthy eating – cut down on the consumption of animal products, refined carbohydrates, and sweets.
Physical activity – exercise increases sensitivity to insulin which allows for less circulating insulin to transport sugar to cells
Lower Blood Pressure – lowering your blood pressure helps to relieve the stress your body is already under
Early Diagnosis is often an issue in rural areas such as in Mumbai India. To improve diagnosis, a urine analysis test can be used to test for albumin.
Why does this problem exist?
Diabetes exists because as our lives are becoming more technologically advanced, more people are living sedentary lifestyles and eat high fat/high carbohydrate diets. Diabetes also exists because countries like China, Fiji, and India do not have a sustainable government to handle to cost of treatment. These countries’ staple foods are rice, beans, and tortillas – all of which are high in carbohydrates. China and India particularly are seeing a rise in Type II Diabetes because of the lack of necessary exercise regiments within the culture. India's recent economic surge has lead to more desk jobs which further decreases exercise.
What happens next?
With the continuous rise in diabetes, especially in developing countries who have never had this issue before, we need to start to find new alternatives.
In China, we have proposed that we start educating in the schools and showing students how to prepare healthy meals. Also in the workplace, we could give incentives to businesses that allow longer lunch breaks so employees can exercise during lunch time.
In Fiji, where Diabetes is #2 in the world, we have proposed to create a “grow local” campaign in which people are taught to utilize the healthy fruits and vegetables grown on their island.
Figure 2: Prevent Type II Diabetes
References:
Figure 3: The number of people suffering from diabetes is exponentially increasing each year, many also go undiagnosed
Jacqueline White Morgan Moore Morgan Burke Shavari Soman
NC State University, Global Public Health 425 Summer 2015
Good place for a picture or two