FROM NEGLECTED TO CENTRAL: RE-EVALUATING GENERAL SURGERY'S PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT ON A GLOBAL SCALE.

Abstract

General surgery, historically marginalized in global health discourse, is increasingly recognized as a vital cornerstone of public health. This review critically re-evaluates general surgery's profound impact on global health outcomes, arguing for its central role in achieving health equity worldwide. Conditions amenable to surgical intervention account for a substantial, yet often underestimated, global burden of disease, leading to millions of preventable deaths and disabilities annually, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We highlight how the pervasive lack of access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care exacerbates health disparities, pushing vulnerable populations deeper into poverty and hindering national development. The review synthesizes evidence demonstrating general surgery's integral contributions to health systems strengthening, emergency preparedness, maternal and child health, and the management of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. It underscores the high cost-effectiveness of investing in surgical capacity and its critical linkage to achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. By shifting the perception of surgery from a specialized luxury to an essential public health good, this review advocates for its prioritized integration into global health policies and resource allocation strategies, asserting its indispensable role in fostering a more equitable and healthier world.