Globalization | Medical tourism |
Often, there is a lower quality of care in treatment provided abroad Upon receiving treatment abroad, patients might return to local communities with complications
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Global food trade |
Contaminated produce with origins outside of the local community can appear in local grocery markets and restaurants Upon consuming contaminated produce, patients might present to local community clinics with symptoms of food-borne illness
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Transnational risk | AMR |
AMR, caused by misuse of antibiotics, is not contained to one region, as resistant pathogens travel freely Patients might seek prescriptions from family physicians in the local community and their improper use facilitates AMR
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Health misinformation |
Social media and traditional media have made it easier to spread health misinformation across large geographic distances Patients might use health misconceptions spread by media to shape unhealthy behaviour (eg, antivaccination movements, certain diets)
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Climate change and environmental restructuring |
Environmental restructuring is caused by environment-damaging activities in a geographic area that has effects in other areas (eg, extreme weather events like floods and droughts) Patients might show symptoms of illness caused by the conditions of environmental restructuring (eg, respiratory illnesses caused by droughts and poor air quality, eco-anxiety)
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Health equity | Indigenous populations |
Indigenous populations around the world face disproportionately higher burden of disease (eg, obesity and alcohol use disorder) Patients in this population will seek care for these health issues from local physicians
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Advocate for health-promoting interventions in practice populations Reflect on global determinants of health and the way in which they are locally manifested as unique social, cultural, and economic circumstances facing each patient
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Migrant populations |
Migrant populations have often been exposed to different microorganisms, living conditions, and migration trajectories, and have geographically influenced genetic predispositions that can shape disease patterns Patients in this population will seek care from local physicians at various stages in their lives
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Practice according to the unique needs of different populations, including migrants Stay informed about the global circumstances patients are emigrating and fleeing from
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Neglected conditions | WHO’s list of 20 neglected diseases7 |
Canadians can bring neglected conditions to local communities through situations they might encounter while traveling (eg, dengue and rabies) Patients in this population will seek care from local physicians before their departure and upon their return
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