Running head: GLOBALIZATION AND DIVERSITY IMPACT ON HEALTHCARE

Globalization and Diversity Impact on Healthcare Organizations
LaWanda D. Williams
Kaplan University

Health-care is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and international trade in health services has created economic and diplomatic opportunities for both medical personnel and countries especially those that are low- or middle-income. The Infectious Disease Threat and Implications for the United States, health threats and issues have continued to have significant impacts on the world stage. Highly publicized virulent infectious diseases---- including HIV/AIDS, a potential influenza pandemic, and “mystery” illnesses such as the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) –remain the most direct health-related threats to the United States, but are not the only health indicators with strategic significance. Chronic, non-communicable diseases; neglected tropical diseases; maternal and child mortality; malnutrition; sanitation and access to clean water; and availability of basic healthcare also affect the US national interest through their impacts on the economies, governments, and militaries of key countries and regions. The greatest infectious disease challenge for the US since the beginning of the decade has been the potential emergence of a severe influenza pandemic. Although the H5N1 avian influenza virus remains primarily a threat to poultry, it and other such viruses continue to evolve and expand their geographic range. The timing and magnitude of the next influenza pandemic is difficult to predict. Given the increase in worldwide travel and commerce over the last several decades, however, one similar in magnitude to that of 1918 would disrupt the global economy, impair military readiness, and undermine global security and diplomacy. Instability in other parts of the world