Responding to Public Health Challenges

RESPONDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES
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RESPONDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES
Austerity measures are efforts by the government to reduce its spending and increase taxes to reduce budget deficits. In Seychelles, healthcare is free of charge for all Seychellois as per the country’s constitution. Even though austerity measures have minimal effects on healthcare in Seychelles, there are various challenges associated with these measures. For instance, patients who require going to hospitals for regular checkups or treatment may be forced to pay for their transportation which may be difficult for them
My area of practice is non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Austerity measures can have negative impacts on non-communicable diseases. Non-communicable diseases include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obstructive pulmonary disease. These diseases account for more than 70 percent of untimely death and ill health in Seychelles (Chaker et al., 2015, p. 357). Austerity measures increase the level of unemployment and poverty. It also affects the health system and the social protection system. Vulnerable populations especially the poor are at a greater risk of developing noncommunicable diseases. People who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds are likely to eat unhealthy foods including processed foods, saturated fats, oils, and rice. The poor are unable to afford fruits and vegetables which increase their risks of being overweight and developing diabetes.

According to WHO (2018), when people from low-income groups are diagnosed with diabetes, their life expectancy reduces as they are unable to adhere to the nutrition standards that diabetes or other noncommunicable diseases demand. Poverty also increases the risk of people to abuse alcohol and other substances (Muka et al., 2015). The PACE model can be utilized in Seychelles to provide unified, interdisciplinary care for adults in poor health. The model is used in the USA to offer quality services that lead to better health outcomes and condensed expenditures over time.
The economic effects of austerity measures are significant since out of pocket expenses for treating NCDs increase sharply when they are implemented. According to WHO, 2018, this situation reduces the amount of money that could be used for other activities such as investment, education, nutrition which ultimately the overall financial stability of a family and the country at large. Further, the premature deaths and disability that results from NCDs reduce the productivity of the working age group since 25 percent of all NCD deaths happen to people who are below 60 years (Kunst, Stronks and Agyemang, 2011, p. 102). Further, people who suffer from NCDs are likely to suffer from social exclusion (Commonwealthhealth.org, 2018).
Reference List
Chaker, L., Falla, A., van der Lee, S.J., Muka, T., Imo, D., Jaspers, L., Colpani, V., Mendis, S., Chowdhury, R., Bramer, W.M. and Pazoki, R., 2015. The global impact of non-communicable diseases on macro-economic productivity: a systematic review. European Journal of Epidemiology, 30(5), pp.357-395.
Commonwealthhealth.org, 2018. Non-communicable diseases in Seychelles. [online] Available at: http://www.commonwealthhealth.org/africa/seychelles/non_communicable_diseases_in_seychelles/ [Accessed 28 Oct. 2018].
Kunst, A.E., Stronks, K. and Agyemang, C., 2011. Non-communicable diseases. Migration and health in the European Union, 1, pp.101-120.
Muka, T., Imo, D., Jaspers, L., Colpani, V., Chaker, L., van der Lee, S.J., Mendis, S., Chowdhury, R., Bramer, W.M., Falla, A. and Pazoki, R., 2015. The global impact of non-communicable diseases on healthcare spending and national income: a systematic review. European Journal of Epidemiology, 30(4), pp.251-277.
Who.int, 2018. [online] Available at: http://www.who.int/nmh/countries/syc_en.pdf?ua=1 [Accessed 28 Oct. 2018].
Who.int, 2018. [online] Available at: http://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/2004_STEPS_Survey_Paper1.pdf [Accessed 28 Oct. 2018].