discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted its importance or impact on TWO of the following: global health as public health…

Given what you learned about global health in this class and your understanding of the COVID-19 global pandemic over the past few years, discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted its importance or impact on TWO of the following:
global health as public health
global burden of disease
health equity
mental health
global collaborations evidence-based action
policies
You do NOT have to discuss all options: just choose any TWO to discuss. Please clearly state which TWO options you have chosen at the top of your assignment. The short response should be at least 300 words and should cite at least 2 peer-reviewed sources. Make sure to reference articles in the text using the APA 7th (Links to an external site.) referencing style. You may also use additional articles as references as you see appropriate. You also need to provide a reference list at the end of your submission. You can, but are not required to, consider using the following two articles as a springboard for your thinking.
Cash, R., & Patel, V. (2020). Has COVID-19 subverted global health? The Lancet, 305, 10238, P1687-1688. links to an external site.
Else, N. (2022). The pandemic’s true health cost: how much of our lives has COVID stolen? Nature 605, 410-413.
Please note completing the extra credit short-response does not necessarily mean you will receive all 10 points. Extra credit points will be awarded based on quality of responses. ANSWER
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on various aspects of global health, highlighting the importance and implications in the domains of global health as public health and health equity.
**Global Health as Public Health**
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the critical role of global health as public health. It has demonstrated that infectious diseases do not respect borders and can rapidly evolve into global crises. The pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in public health systems worldwide, prompting a reevaluation of preparedness and response strategies. It underscored the need for international cooperation and a coordinated approach to address emerging infectious diseases effectively (Cash & Patel, 2020).
The pandemic has also showcased the significance of surveillance, early detection, and data sharing as crucial components of global public health. Countries with robust surveillance systems and effective public health responses have generally fared better in managing the pandemic. The global community witnessed the importance of timely and transparent information sharing to prevent the spread of misinformation and to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
**Health Equity**
COVID-19 has illuminated the stark disparities in health equity on a global scale. Vulnerable populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, lower-income communities, and marginalized groups, have experienced a disproportionate burden of the disease. These disparities reflect deep-rooted social determinants of health, such as income inequality, access to healthcare, and systemic racism.
The pandemic has prompted discussions about the need to address health equity as an integral part of public health responses. It has led to calls for targeted interventions to reduce disparities in healthcare access, testing, vaccination, and treatment. Health equity has become a central theme in the global response to COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs of marginalized communities to achieve a more equitable distribution of resources and healthcare services.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role of global health as public health and has shed light on the pressing issue of health equity. It has served as a stark reminder that addressing global health challenges requires collaboration, preparedness, and a commitment to reducing disparities to ensure a more resilient and equitable world.
**References:**
1. Cash, R., & Patel, V. (2020). Has COVID-19 subverted global health? The Lancet, 305(10238), 1687-1688.
2. Else, N. (2022). The pandemic’s true health cost: how much of our lives has COVID stolen? Nature, 605, 410-413.