Running head: RX FOR SURVIVAL
RX for Survival: Delivering the Goods
Amparo Elizabeth Bayless
Northern Arizona University
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Abstract
After identifying the obstacles, geographical barriers, socio-political constraints, and economic
challenges to human health delivery, some solutions have been tried, and proven to work. The
implementation of these small solutions, at a larger scale, may be the answer to some of the
difficulties to the delivery of global health.
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Rx for Survival: Delivering the Goods
The Biggest Obstacles to Providing Care to Populations in Need
In the video assignment for this week, four barriers, or obstacles, are identified. The
greatest obstacles to providing the necessary care to populations in need are geographical
barriers, socio-economic discrepancies, difficulty in educating the populations to change risky
behaviors, and the political restraints (Willumsen & Shinefield, 2005).
The first hurdle identified was the geographic and topographic constrains to reach
individuals in need. The infrastructure of some of the third world countries is almost nonexistent, therefore no roads or forms of transportation are established. This creates a delay of
care when needed (Willumsen & Shinefield, 2005).
The second identified barrier is the difficulty in educating people to change risky
behaviors. The best example in the video was the need to eliminate the lack of communication.
When people are not informed, they do not know what the possible outcomes are. The more you
educate people, the less possible communicable diseases can run out of control (Willumsen &
Shinefield, 2005).
The third and forth identified barriers work hand in hand. The political restraints and
socio-economic factors, that limit the programs to fight diseases, provide programs for the
prevention, treatment, and resources to the affected population to become self-sufficient. Some
times governments do not see the reality of potential epidemics, and do not address the needs to
eliminate the dangers. Governments need to provide resources to aid the fight against diseases
(Willumsen & Shinefield, 2005).
How to Overcome these Obstacles
As proposed in the Delivering the Goods video, finding the appropriate modes of
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transportation to the regions in need, and training the health care workers to be self sufficient in
the maintenance of the vehicles, can save lives and save money. Providing the access between
the people in need and the health care needed is essential in the fight of diseases, and timely
health care. The solution to expand the number of caregivers, by providing education and
resources, will help the health care infrastructure, to match the need of the population.
Governments need to continue the economic support for disease prevention, testing and
treatment. Most important, governments must continue the education campaigns, to eliminate the
transmission of communicable infections, and to incorporate people with diseases as productive
part of the community (Willumsen & Shinefield, 2005).
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References
Willumsen, G., and Shinefield, J., (Producers). 2005. Rx for survival: A global health challenge:
Delivering the goods. [Videotape]. WGBJ Educational Foundation and Vulcan
Productions, Inc. Retrieved from
DVD1573_RX_FOR_SURVIVAL_PT3_DELIVERING_THE_GOODS.html