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Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Peace and quality health is entrepreneurship

2 Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty the Medical and Scientific Research Centre, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra,
Greater Accra Region, Ghana
3 Department of Peadiatrics, Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, Ghana
4 Health Tutors/Staffs, College of Health, Yamfo, Ahafo Region, Ghana
5 Ghana Health Service, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
6 Disease Control Unit, Karaga Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Karaga, Northern Region, Ghana

1. Introduction health experts identified gatherings as key routes for
SARS-CoV-2 transmission (Ksinan Jiskrova et al., 2021;
1.1. Understanding microbiology and sports- Posel et al., 2021), highlighting the need for lockdowns and
accidental infections
social distancing measures. Despite these guidelines, some
Most infections acquired during sports activities are religious leaders, believing in the omnipotence of their
accidental and are referred to as sports-accidental or faith, continued to meet secretly for prayers, resulting in
sports-associated infections (DeNizio & Hewitt, 2019). SARS-CoV-2 infections among many of them (Barbaros,
Athletes need to maintain good health to excel in their 2022; Bartkowski, 2023; Nrenzah & Okyerefo, 2021).
profession; however, infectious diseases and injuries While faith plays a crucial role in providing hope, it is
that lead to infections can significantly impair athletic important not to conflate spiritual beliefs with scientific
performances (Bennett et al., 2022). The interaction findings. For example, actions such as watching or
between communicable and non-communicable participating in pornography may be viewed as sinful by
diseases is complex; for example, non-communicable some Christians and Muslims, whereas others, such as
diseases such as diabetes can exacerbate the spread of traditionalists or sex workers, may not share this perspective
communicable diseases (Baker et al., 2022; Boehme et al., (Olocha, 2022). Although these beliefs may have limited
2023; Trojian et al., 2022), while communicable diseases immediate consequences, infectious pathogens and violence
such as schistosomiasis can also promote the onset of do not discriminate based on religion, race, tribe, political
non-communicable diseases (Chiari & Gojanovic, 2023; affiliations, or social status. Embracing interpersonal
Nincevic et al., 2023; Tetteh-Quarcoo et al., 2022). differences, much like players in a football team working
Sports, such as football, offer insights into how together, can foster peace, health, and productivity.
individuals interact with their environment (Papagiannis Avoiding outdated behaviors that promote division or the
et al., 2022). Neglecting environmental factors in disease spread of infections, such as those witnessed during the
prevention is counterproductive, akin to a pig muddying COVID-19 pandemic (Barbaros, 2022; Bartkowski, 2023;
itself while claiming to bathe (McInerney, 2023; Nannoni Nrenzah & Okyerefo, 2021; Perry & Grubbs, 2022), aligns
et al., 2020). To effectively combat diseases, it is crucial with the principles taught in sports.
to address environmental factors that contribute to both The “One Health approach,” comprising various
infectious and non-communicable diseases.
definitions and strategies, emphasizes addressing health
The spread of infectious diseases is often influenced by problems through a multidisciplinary perspective (Ghai
non-communicable factors, as seen during the COVID-19 et al., 2022; Mackenzie & Jeggo, 2019). It is an effective
pandemic (Mackenzie & Smith, 2020; Papagiannis et al., method for tackling many interconnected challenges of the
2022) and other outbreaks (Buckee et al., 2021; Qiu et al., 21 century, beyond just infectious diseases. Addressing
st
2021). This underscores the importance of the One Health one problem while neglecting others is like pouring water
approach, which promotes disease prevention and quality on a rock – ineffective and unsustainable. This is why the
healthcare delivery through a multifaced perspective. One Health approach, advocated for many years, remains
Life experiences can be subjective, akin to viewing essential (Mackenzie & Jeggo, 2019). It aligns with the
the numbers “6” or “9,” “16” or “91,” and “19” or “61” – World Health Organization (WHO)’s comprehensive
what appears as one figure to some may look entirely definition of health (Armitage, 2023; Oleribe et al., 2018;
different to others based on religious, cultural, or personal Schramme, 2023).
beliefs (Pulle, 2021; Olocha, 2022). Such differences can The concept of One Health has evolved over time,
contribute to the spread of pathogens. During the peak of known by various names such as “One Medicine, One
the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during lockdowns, World, or One Health,” dating back approximately

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 15 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2904