Global Health and Security

   

     In medicine, we manage symptoms as best as we can, but the ultimate goal is always to address the underlying pathology.  When you fail to address the root cause of the problem, the side effects are destined to return.  So what is the underlying pathology of the worst Ebola Outbreak in history?  And what can we do to make sure that outbreaks of this size and scale become a thing of the past?

     Take a look at this map of Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks, noting that the western countries were all able to nearly instantaneously detect the presence of Ebola infected animals due to robust surveillance systems and infrastructure:

     Now compare it to this very familiar map which charts the various military interventions between the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of the War on Terror.  You might note that contrary to popular belief, not all of these places have vast proven oil reserves:

     How are Health and Security interconnected?  The same things that cause a particular region to be susceptible to ethnic violence, religious extremism, and international terrorism also make that particular region poorly equipped to deal with natural disaster and disease.  Poor governance and a lack of reliable institutions combine with geography and post-colonial legacies to stifle economic, cultural, and social development.  Is a person living in West Africa more likely to get Ebola Virus Disease?  Of course.  But that infection is more likely to become an epidemic in a place with a poor public health infrastructure, a government too corrupt to care, and an economy that can't support the levels of funding needed to adequately address the problem.  Focusing on improving institutions, fighting corruption, and encouraging foreign direct investment treats the root cause of the problem, and makes managing the symptoms cheaper in the long run.