Health Threats as Nontraditional Security Challenges for Bangladesh

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

MAIN FINDINGS

• The health scenario of Bangladesh has improved in terms of increased life expectancy, immunization success, fertility rate reduction, and a reduced proportion of severe undernutrition among children.
• Maternal health is a notable health security concern because Bangladesh has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia.
• There have been significant advancements in the prevention and treatment of communicable diseases in Bangladesh. However, influenza outbreaks and the increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis have the potential to become health security challenges in the future.
• It is estimated that two-thirds of Bangladesh’s groundwater is contaminated by arsenic. This poses a major health security challenge since many people still consume arsenic-contaminated water.
• Increased life expectancy is causing a demographic change as a larger percentage of the population is aging. Due to this trend, non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes will likely continue to rise.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

• Bangladesh needs effective programs to improve access to healthcare facilities and skilled delivery care.
• Awareness should be raised within communities, especially among the marginalized and the poor, about health challenges and effective measures for the prevention and management of emerging health threats.
• Policymakers in Bangladesh should mitigate the conditions favoring the emergence and spread of new infectious diseases by enacting measures to curb opportunities for transmission.
• The population’s vulnerability to emerging health threats can be diminished through renewed public health efforts that involve social movements and collaborations on global health promotion.