RESEARCH THE IMPACT OF GENERAL SURGERY ON PUBLIC HEALTH, HEALTH DISPARITIES, OR GLOBAL SURGERY INITIATIVES.

Abstract

General surgery, often perceived as a reactive intervention, plays a profound yet frequently underestimated role in shaping public health outcomes, exacerbating or mitigating health disparities, and driving global health initiatives. This research investigates the multifaceted impact of general surgical services across these critical domains. We aim to synthesize existing evidence and identify key areas where general surgery significantly influences population health metrics, including morbidity, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years. A central focus will be on understanding how access to timely and quality general surgical care contributes to, or conversely, alleviates health disparities, particularly among vulnerable populations defined by socioeconomic status, geography, and ethnicity. This includes examining the burden of surgical diseases in underserved communities and the differential access to essential procedures. Furthermore, the study will explore the evolving landscape of global surgery initiatives, analyzing the contributions of general surgical expertise to strengthening healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. This includes assessing the efficacy of capacity-building programs, infrastructure development, and task-shifting strategies within the context of general surgical care delivery. By integrating a public health perspective, this research seeks to highlight the indispensable nature of general surgery as a cornerstone of comprehensive healthcare, advocating for its strategic integration into national and international health policies to achieve universal health coverage and promote health equity worldwide.