Gapminder World: Identify an indicator of global concern and discuss why you feel it is globally important?

The health and wealth of nations are important indicators of global concern (eg. for international development - Gapminder 2012).  This map clearly shows that many African countries have the lowest per capita income per person and as a consequence, they also have the lowest life expectancy (mainly due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is prevalent throughout the continent). I have personally witnessed the devastation of this disease while visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe last summer. Sadly, many international aid organizations were attempting to set up orphanages for hundreds of children in these countries who were now without parents or other adult relatives to care for them. 

Higher income usually gives greater access to the goods and services that promote health such as better nutrition, access to safe water, sanitation and good health services. I have read recently, however, that another possibility has emerged. The causal link between income and health may run the other way from health to income (Science 18 Feb 2000).  Healthier populations can work more and attend school longer, thus an increase in education levels results in higher incomes and alleviates poverty.  Health status (measured by life expectancy) can be a significant predictor of economic growth as well. Health improvements can elevate an impoverished disease prone country into one that offers its people a much higher quality of life (eg. East Asia).