Analyse global health patterns and conduct a structured health inquiry into an issue

What this dot point is asking

This dot point asks you to analyse patterns of health across the world and to plan and carry out a structured inquiry into a health issue. You need to explain why health differs between countries and to demonstrate the research skills that underpin the personal or group investigation in the course.

Patterns of global health

Health is unevenly distributed across the world. Life expectancy, child mortality and the main causes of death vary sharply between high and low income countries. Wealthier nations have largely controlled infectious disease and now face chronic conditions linked to ageing and lifestyle. Many lower income countries still face high rates of infectious disease, maternal and child mortality and undernutrition, while increasingly also developing chronic disease, a situation described as a double burden.

Determinants of global health

The same logic of determinants applies at the global scale. Poverty limits food, clean water and care. Education, especially of women and girls, improves child survival. Conflict, displacement and weak health systems worsen outcomes. Environmental factors such as sanitation, climate and infectious disease control matter enormously. Global trade, aid and governance shape the resources available to act. Understanding these determinants explains why patterns persist and where action can help.

Global responses

Action is coordinated by international bodies. The World Health Organization sets standards, monitors disease and leads responses to emergencies. Global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals include targets for health, water, education and poverty that influence national priorities. Non government organisations and aid programs deliver services and build capacity. Evaluating these responses asks whether they reduce inequity and strengthen local systems rather than creating dependence.

Conducting a health inquiry

The course requires you to investigate a health issue, so you must know the inquiry process. A structured inquiry moves through clear stages.

• Define a focused, researchable question about a specific issue and population.
• Gather information from reliable sources such as health agencies, peer reviewed material and official statistics.
• Analyse the data, identifying patterns, determinants and affected groups.
• Evaluate responses and their effectiveness against criteria such as equity and measurable change.
• Communicate findings clearly, with referencing and acknowledgement of limitations.

Judging source reliability

Strong inquiry depends on good sources. Check who produced the information, whether it is current, whether it is supported by evidence, and whether it has a bias or agenda. Official agencies and peer reviewed research are generally more reliable than opinion pieces or promotional material. Triangulating across several sources strengthens your conclusions.

Applying this in assessment

In responses and investigations, describe global patterns with data, explain them through determinants, and evaluate responses against equity. For the inquiry task, show each stage of the process, justify your sources, and acknowledge limitations. Examiners reward analysis and evaluation supported by evidence rather than unsupported general statements.

Global health and the inquiry process bring the course together, asking you to apply determinants, the social model, the Ottawa Charter and social justice to real issues and to investigate them with rigour.