Unit VIII Essay Instructions Reflect on ethical and legal issues surrounding world health. Consider what our responsibilities are as global citizens, future health care professionals, and future leade

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Introduction:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is an international organization that works collaboratively with countries and partners to promote health and wellness worldwide. The organization is responsible for coordinating and directing international health within the United Nations system. As a medical professor and a global citizen, it is important to reflect on the ethical and legal issues surrounding world health and understand our roles and responsibilities in advocating for universal health care.

1. In your introduction, discuss what the World Health Organization (WHO) is. What is the purpose and mission of the WHO? What are some of the areas of health and health care that they advocate for and advance? What are some of the challenges identified by the WHO in bringing universal health care to countries around the world?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was established in 1948. The purpose and mission of the WHO is to build a better, healthier future for people all over the world. The organization emphasizes the importance of health as a fundamental human right and aims to ensure that all people can access the health care they need, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.

The WHO advocates for and advances a wide range of health issues. These include communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and various health emergencies such as outbreaks and natural disasters. They also work to improve maternal and child health, mental health, and environmental health.

The challenges in bringing universal health care to countries around the world are vast and complex. Lack of funding, inadequate health care infrastructure, and insufficient numbers of health care professionals are just a few of the many obstacles that prevent individuals from accessing the care they need. Additionally, war, conflict, and political instability can create challenges when providing care in certain parts of the world.

2. As a leader in the medical community, do you believe that having universal health care is a basic human right and that you should advocate for universal medical care? Support your position with an example based on legal or ethical perspectives.

As a medical professional and a responsible global citizen, I firmly believe that access to basic health care is a fundamental human right. Access to health care is vital to individuals’ physical and mental well-being, and it is a key determinant of a country’s economic and social development. I also believe that healthcare should not just be available to those able to pay or those who are fortunate enough to live in affluent countries.

From an ethical perspective, universal health care is justified under the principle of distributive justice, which states that health care resources should be allocated fairly and equitably, so that all individuals have access to care. Moreover, from a legal perspective, universal health care is guaranteed under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, which recognizes the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of health.

Due to the positive impact of universal health care, some countries have already implemented policies that provide healthcare to all their citizens, regardless of their financial capacity, while others still struggle with providing equal health care to their citizens.

3. What roles and responsibilities do future leaders have as they relate to universal health care? What leadership styles do you believe are most effective for making changes in health care?

Future leaders, including healthcare professionals and policymakers, have a crucial role to play in advocating for universal health care. As leaders in their respective fields, it is essential that they work towards eliminating barriers to equal access to health care, promoting health equity and reduce health inequalities, and enhancing health systems’ capacity to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality care to all.

Effective leadership styles for making changes in health care include transformational leadership, servant leadership, and participatory leadership. In transformational leadership, leaders inspire and motivate people with a vision of a better future, whereas in servant leadership, leaders prioritize the needs of others over their own interests. Participatory leadership involves encouraging and promoting collaboration, partnership and sharing of responsibility among all stakeholders.

Conclusion:
Universal health care remains an important global issue that requires collective action from all stakeholders, including current and future leaders. As medical professionals or leaders, we have a moral obligation to advocate for equitable access to healthcare for all. This essay has explored the ethical, legal and leadership roles and responsibilities in bringing about universal health care. By implementing effective policies, collaborative efforts, and innovative leadership styles, it is possible to address the global health disparities and improve the health and wellbeing of all individuals.