Prevention of Health Epidemics Research Paper Essay Assignment Paper
Prevention of Health Epidemics Research Paper Essay Assignment Paper
Abstract
Ebola, as well as other health epidemics have always been put under control through the use of technology. In West Africa, information communication technology (ICT) played a significant role in the prevention and control of the virus. However, this technology was not fully utilized given the potential that it has. This paper will therefore expound on how ICT can be used in West Africa and the whole world in general to control future outbreaks of Ebola and other diseases by using approaches such as mapping and geomapping, digital training and data collection, wireless communication, and social media.
Introduction
Developing nations face a number of health challenges, including failure to control preventable diseases that result in premature deaths. In West Africa, for instance, the eruption of the Ebola virus resulted in the death of thousands of people before it could be put under control (Chetley, 2006). This high level of casualty is a result of inequality in the access to health care services, poor service delivery in the health care industry due to underfinancing, poor allocation of health care resources that tend to be scarce in these regions and the lack of proper coordination among key stakeholders in the process of identifying and controlling preventable diseases (Chetley, 2006).
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Application of ICT in Health Care
The 20th century saw the introduction of ICT. However, it is in the 21st century, this technology has grown through innovative and creative advances. Technologies such as mobile communications, computing and broadband internet have made it possible to devise various epidemic and response strategies (Chetley, 2006). As asserted earlier, the health care industry has highly relied on technology to control and prevent health predicaments. However, the recent outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa showed the potential that ICT has in controlling and preventing predicaments. As asserted by Chetley (2006), the application of ICT cannot curb the spread or cure diseases, however, if it can be used effectively to educate, warn, and empower individuals regarding a specific disease, hence significantly reducing its spread and overall impact in a given society. This paper will cover five areas in which ICT can be used to achieve the above goals. Prevention of Health Epidemics Research Paper
Mapping and Geolocation
The main challenge in previous health outbreaks has been the process of identifying patient zero, the places where infected individuals have visited and the individuals they have been in contact with. This was the case with the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This is where geographical information systems techniques can be effectively applied. Through the use of mapping and geolocation, it is possible to get data with regards to the places and individuals whom infected individuals have been in contact with. This information is important in isolating individuals to safe environments, hence controlling the spread of an infectious disease (Luege, 2014). Prevention of Health Epidemics Research Paper
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