International public health is concerned with taking many of the same principles and practices developed in our own communities and applying them to the global arena. Although many of us take clean drinking water, clean air, and modern vaccines for granted, there are many countries that do not have these basic necessities. International public health experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and from various Non-Governmental Organizations attempt to inform, educate, and guide other countries on how to best handle their own respective public health issues.
The spread of disease is a topic of particular interest in international public health. With recent outbreaks in West Africa of the deadly Ebola virus, international public health has been thrust into the spotlight. Increasing globalization can potentially facilitate the spread of what would otherwise be an isolated incident. Topics include fighting epidemic disease, malnutrition, child sex trafficking, and ensuring potable water.