One feature of globalization that I think is important is trade. Countries around the world
trade many products with each other from essentials to manufactured goods. the The
World Trade Organization (WTO) states that global trade has multiplied by a factor of 14
from 1950 to 1997 .WTO has a place on the world stage in regards to health related
policies. One of the ways that they influence health is that they have recently began trying
to get dangerous products banned from being traded. For example, they were able to ban
any products containing asbestos from being traded to France. They are also working on
banning hormone treated meat being traded to Europe (Martens Pim, Huynen Maud
MTE, & Hilderink Henk BM., 2005).
Another feature of globalization that I think is important in influencing health is
technology. Thanks to the Internet, people all around the world are able to search whatever
is on their mind, read news from different countries, listen to radio from different
countries, and order goods from other countries. The internet also allows for people from
different countries to meet each other and build friendships through social media. An
example of how technology has influenced health is by increasing the amount of knowledge
that a person can gain from things like the internet. For example, Universities in different
countries are able to work together and students can learn about new developments or
treatments in an hour from their homes rather than flying to a different country (Martens
Pim, Huynen Maud MTE, & Hilderink Henk BM., 2005).
One emerging health threat is e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury
(EVALI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all 50 states
and the District of Columbia have seen cases of EVALI. There have been 68 deaths as of
February 18, 2020. Symptoms include: respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness
of breath, or chest pain; gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, stomach
pain or diarrhea; and other nonspecific symptoms, like fever, chills, or weight loss. The
onset of symptoms has been reported to be a few days to several weeks (Outbreak of Lung
Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products, 2020). 82% of patients
treated in the emergency room for EVALI reported using products containing
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Vitamin E acetate is an additive in the THC products
smoked with e-cigarettes and/or vaping products. Vitamin E acetate is strongly linked to
the outbreak (Krishnasamy VP, Hallowell BD, Ko JY, et al., 2020). To prepare for this
threat, countries should be monitoring online sales of e-cigarettes or vape pens, especially
claiming to contain THC. Young adults may be drawn to these products because different
flavors may be advertised specifically to them and they may be specifically targeted. These
pens can come from anywhere or anyone online. Countries could also increase public
awareness regarding the dangers of using a e-cigarette or vape pen containing THC
(Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products,
2020).
References:
Krishnasamy VP, Hallowell BD, Ko JY, et al. (2020). Update: Characteristics of a
Nationwide Outbreak of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung Injury —
United States. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:90–94.
RESPONSE TO POST 2
Martens Pim, Huynen Maud MTE, & Hilderink Henk BM. (2005). The health impacts of
globalisation: a conceptual framework. Globalization and Health, 1(1), 14.
Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products.
(2020). The centers for disease control and prevention.
Response to Post
Hello Welch,
I read your post, and it was very illuminating and insightful. I was particularly interested
in your discussion about the use of e-cigarettes. The use of e-cigarettes and vaping is on the rise
among middle school students. This is a concerning trend as studies are increasingly showing
that e-cigarettes are leading to poor health outcomes. Although vaping is believed to be less risky
and safer than regular cigarettes, its use is harmful to a person’s health and can lead to addiction
in young people; therefore, it is essential to teach them about these risks by using various
strategies. In their article, Peterson and colleagues (2018) state that the barriers to learning
adolescents about the dangers of e-cigarettes include the lack of medical knowledge, lack of
time, and lack of insight about the things that motivate as adolescents and the use of slang.
RESPONSE TO POST 3
References
Peterson, E. B., Fisher, C. L., & Zhao, X. (2018). Pediatric primary healthcare providers’
preferences, experiences, and perceived barriers to discussing electronic cigarettes with
adolescent patients. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 11(4), 245-251.