4 Upcoming Health Crises and How You Can Prevent Them

“It is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of silver and gold.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

Health crises have been on the rise among all age groups. Everyday we are being greatly affected by the changing environmental and social factors. And the lack of proper healthcare systems in most economies, especially the developing nations, doesn’t help.

We are not the only ones concerned.

In 2015, the United Nations set 17 Goals to achieve Sustainable Development in the world. One of them is Good Health and Well-Being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all, at all ages.

In total, 13 targets have been set out by the UN to promote and execute the same. They include achieving universal health coverage, improving early warning systems for global health risks, etc.

health doctor measuring blood pressure

Youth have a big role to play here. Not only we are the leaders of tomorrow, but we can undertake these targets and make a difference today. It’s our chance to act as catalysts to the current scenario, towards a healthier and sustainable future.

So, do you agree that it’s time to start caring for a healthier world? Then check these  4 upcoming Health Crises and some preventive measures you can take to deal with them!

1. Cardiovascular Diseases

Due to the changing lifestyle and environmental conditions, cardiovascular diseases and heart issues are one of the major threats to good health and wellbeing among young people. These are triggered by high blood pressure and a stagnant lifestyle, apart from genetic causes.

Stress also plays a crucial factor in contributing to the build-up of several heart diseases.

The best way to prevent these diseases is to introduce a change in the hectic lifestyle, with regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

health women jogging

2. Obesity

Obesity is a form of malnutrition which has serious consequences, influencing the health and well-being of individuals.

You can think that obesity is caused by consuming more calorific energy than you burn. However, it is a much more complex and deep-rooted condition. It is triggered not only just by one’s eating habits, but also by genetic disorders, and even due to environmental and lifestyle factors.

In a way, the world is making us obese, and it’s up to us to fight it!

The long working hours which are common nowadays, the availability of junk food at a cheaper price when compared to healthy food, the comfort of getting an Uber everywhere, instead of walking a bit. All of this contributes to obesity.

woman stressed at work - health

High stress level, for instance, leads to the release of stress hormone Cortisol, which in turn triggers the release of fatty acids, relocating them and increasing the appetite.

Changing your habits to live a healthier routine – with a balanced diet and exercises – will help. However, preventing obesity can be a challenge for people who have medical and genetic conditions. Hence, seeking medical advice from certified doctors at the initial stage, to rule out the possibility of any medical risk is also very recommended.

3. Mental Health

Mental Health has been a taboo in the society since time immemorial, but it’s past time to address it. Young people’s mental health is a worsening health crisis, according to Mary O’Hara, an awards winning social issues writer and author.

It has been termed as a ‘silent catastrophe’, because of the stigma associated with it. According to the NHS’ report of 2018, almost 400,000 children and young people aged 18 and under are in contact with health service for mental health problems.

Anxiety and depression have been prevalent in people under 25 years of age due to innumerable reasons, and the lack of effective treatment has made suicide one of the major causes of death in the age group.

girl sad - mental health

Seeking medical help and talking about it are ways through which the mental health of the youth can be nurtured carefully. But we can all play a role.

Noticing warning signs and behavioral changes in the people around us can help in acknowledging and addressing a problem before it’s too late.

4. Environmental Quality

The levels of pollution and deteriorating conditions of living rise every day, especially in developing countries like India. For that, it has made Environmental Quality one of the biggest upcoming health crisis in the world.

In fact, today roughly a quarter of all human disease and death in the world can be attributed to something that the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines as environmental factors, broadly.

They include not just environmental pollution, but also unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene, workplace hazards, industrial accidents, climate change, poor land use practices, and poor natural resource management.

air pollution - bad for health

Innovating and inventing sustainable and renewable sources of energy can reduce environmental pollution. Developing the health sectors of economies globally can help in reducing the risk factors associated with the diminishing environmental quality of the 21st century.

The youth of the world is taking initiative by promoting healthy environmental practices that promote sustainable development.

A healthier world can only be achieved if the youth takes initiative to acknowledge these upcoming health crises.

“Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time”
– Bill Gates

The points you just read about threaten the health and well-being of the masses, and it’s time we all carry out effective measures to ensure that they are being adequately addressed and managed.

It’s no longer just about our health, but about the health of generations to come.

If you want to contribute to a healthier world, you can check for a position in one our Global Volunteer projects!


Written by

Malawika is a Mass Communication student from Delhi. She is an astrophile, passionate about Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, and loves to listen to the Arctic Monkeys, her favorite band. Find her at her happiest while exploring new cities and justifying her love for the color orange!

3 Incredible Uses Of Cryptocurrency That Are Changing The World

Moldova is a small, landlocked country in Eastern Europe that has witnessed a consistent rise in energy prices over the past five years, and imports three-quarters of its energy. However, that could soon change, as the United Nations Development Programme is trying to power a Moldovan university with a cryptocurrency funded solar energy, an innovative step on their part.

Over the past few years, cryptocurrencies have grown magnificently, and because of its versatility, people are looking at it as an alternative currency.

One of the most unique things about them is that they are decentralized, and not controlled by any government or bank. They work on a unique system called ‘Blockchain’ that facilitates transactions easily and accurately.

So far, it has been used mainly for business and monetary transactions, but now, with changing trends, it has alternative uses that not other existing monetary systems allow!

Here are three ways in which cryptocurrencies’ alternative uses are making the world a better place!

1. Going Green

Solar Based Energy Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency can help people access solar-based energy and shift from carbon-based energy, which is a huge step towards sustainable development.

For example, thanks to a project called the Brooklyn Microgrid, people who already have their own solar panels are able to sell environmental credits to residents who don’t. And guess what, they can do that using a phone app!.

Environmentalist or not, everyone will be happy to hear that cryptocurrency can be used to make the world greener, too!

2. Making Travel Easier

Making Travel Easier Cryptocurrency

With cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin becoming more and more known and accepted by retailers worldwide, they have the potential to be used for basic transactions everywhere.

This may make travel easier as it eliminates the need to exchange currencies when people travel from country to country. It calls for a shift from traditional monetary systems to a more unified and widely acceptable cryptocurrency, facilitated by digital transactions!

Hence, your next international trip might be more simplified with the use of cryptocurrencies!

3. Accountability of institutions

Rodrigo Duterte cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency can be used to encourage accountable business and governmental practices. The key lies in its technology itself- the blockchain. The blockchain is a digital ledger-like system that ensures and enables tracking of every transaction with complete transparency.

Surprisingly, it can also be used to battle ethical issues such as electoral frauds, and other frauds that involve money. All of this according to Santiago Siri, the founder of Democratic Earth, which is a non-profit that is designing an app to combine voting with blockchain.

Hence, cryptocurrency can help ensure fair elections and much more stable governments than before!

These are only a few ways in which cryptocurrency can change and impact the lives of millions and be a stepping stone towards a more sustainable environment.

The avenues of innovation widen as people are exposed to better technology and provided with adequate requirements that foster growth and development.

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight.

We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all”

– Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General, UN

Do you also know other technologies which are changing the world for the better? Let us know in the comments!

If you liked this, you may also be interested in 4 Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing The World!


Written by

Malawika is a Mass Communication student from Delhi. She is an astrophile, passionate about Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, and loves to listen to the Arctic Monkeys, her favorite band. Find her at her happiest while exploring new cities and justifying her love for the color orange!

17 Reasons to Celebrate the United Nations Day

The United Nations, as an organization, is well known for its contribution to just about everyone across the world. They work ranges from assistance in times of disaster – be it natural disasters or those caused by the wages of war- to helping people enjoy some of the basic rights and privileges.

Recently, access to the internet was declared a basic human right, a declaration which ensures that everyone has access to the worldwide information and communication network. While this doesn’t guarantee that everyone will have the ability to access the internet, it does ensure that everyone has the right to.

The UN has been seen both as hero and villain, depending on which movie or show you wind up watching.

United Nations Day celebrates the foundation of this great organization and is a great opportunity for you to learn the truth about its past, its present, and what its plans are for the future.

UJnited NAtions agents providing help to kids

History of the United Nations and its celebration

Celebrated on October 24, UN’s Day marks the anniversary of the ratification of the  Charter of the United Nations, by which the UN officially came into being.

Coming into effect after the two world wars and the cold war, the United Nations attempted to salvage humanity from the scourge of war and the wrath of destruction.

Aside from World Peace, its role has grown to include protecting human rights, promoting social and economic development, and providing aid around the world in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.

United Nations Day Celebrates the original enactment of the foundational charter for the UN.

This day marks the essential celebration of the values which this organization spells forth – the principles of humanity, unity, and world peace.  It’s also a date to increase awareness of the UN’s aims, projects and contribution to the world.

17 Reasons Why We Support the United Nations

On September 25th, 2015, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 70/1 “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

It was agreed that all its 193 member countries will adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) to secure a sustainable future for our people and planet.

The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.

“We can be the first generation to end extreme poverty, the most determined generation in history to end injustice and inequality, and the last generation to be threatened by climate change.”

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

African woman - United Nations

AIESEC and the United Nations

AIESEC  firmly believes that young people need to be at the center of the global development process.  Therefore, AIESEC and the United Nations have been working together to ensure that the world that we create tomorrow is aligned with the needs of youth today.

In December 2015, AIESECers from 120+ countries gathered at the UN Headquarters to participate in the achievement of SDGs.

Being the biggest youth-run organization, with a goal to engage every young person in the world to achieve peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential, AIESEC  was declared the official ambassador of the SDGs for youth.

Since the past 3 years, AIESEC has been working without a pause to promote awareness for the SDGs, and to create projects that directly contribute for achieving the goals. The SDGs are a roadmap to the future we all long for, and AIESEC believes that the youth has the power to change the world.

Let’s not leave it up to anyone else. It’s time to get our hands dirty and work for the world we want to live in. The intention is not enough. We must ACT.

Crowd from AIESEC holding symbols of United Nation's SDGs

National flags are a mark of pride and patriotism in every country around the world.  But there is only one flag that belongs to all of us. That blue flag of the United Nations was a banner of hope for me growing up in wartime Korea.

Seven decades after its founding, the United Nations remains a beacon for all humanity.”

 Secretary-General  of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon

 Wondering how can you make these goals relevant in your country? What can you do to bring people together to contribute to its accomplishment?

Here’s your chance! Find a project for yourself and make a change for the world.


Written by

Studying bachelor’s in biotechnology, Aayushi is a really passionate person, who loves to read and travel. She believes people, places, and stories have the power to change anyone and help them understand the purpose of life.