Page 41 - GHES-2-4

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability

PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE
Navigating the global health seas: A personal

odyssey through the depths of COVID-19

Divya Chadha*
Department of Health and Human Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Southeastern
Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana, United States of America

Abstract
This study offers an extensive perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic through
a unique lens, blending personal narratives with informative analysis. Owing to
strained public health systems, individuals faced emblematic struggles – such as
awaiting medical attention in overwhelmed emergency rooms and securing testing
appointments–which symbolized universal experiences. Through depersonalized
yet interconnected stories, this study elucidates systemic vulnerabilities in global
health infrastructures. An examination of socioeconomic disparities through third-
person narratives reveals communities grappling with layoffs and limited health-
care access. This study seeks to offer an analytical yet empathetic exploration of the
broader socioeconomic impact of COVID-19. The objective portrayal of the pursuit
for equitable vaccine access mirrors global challenges in scheduling and supply
Academic editor: shortages. Furthermore, the personal narratives highlight the connections forged, the
Mihajlo Jakovljevic M.D. Ph.D. MAE information shared, and the resources pooled, emphasizing a shared commitment
*Corresponding author: to overcoming challenges together. This study concludes with a collective call
Divya Chadha for adopting a resilient, equitable, and united approach to global health in which
(divya.chadha@selu.edu) informed perspectives of collective struggle converge for a better future.
Citation: Chadha, D. (2024).
Navigating the global health seas:
A personal odyssey through the Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Global experience; Personal narratives; Public health
depths of COVID-19. Global Health systems; Socioeconomic disparities; Equitable vaccine access
Econ Sustain, 2(4):3028.
https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3028
Received: February 27, 2024
Accepted: May 13, 2024 1. Strained foundations: A journey through the frailty of public
Published Online: October 17, health systems
2024
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals found themselves navigating a
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). health-care landscape characterized by uncertainty and strain. Individuals experienced
This is an Open Access article challenges in receiving medical attention in overwhelmed emergency rooms and
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution securing timely testing appointments, which were part of a broader global struggle
License, permitting distribution, (Mallah et al., 2021). This section adopts a third-person lens to assess firsthand accounts
and reproduction in any medium, of the complexities and vulnerabilities of public health systems during the global health
provided the original work is
properly cited. crisis.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience Many individuals have experienced the frailty of public health systems firsthand
Publishing remains neutral with during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of this global health crisis, the cracks
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional in the system became palpable, affecting each individual on an intimate level (Bosland
affiliations. et al., 2021).

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2024) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3028