In this assignment my goal was to better understand my topic of Poverty specifically the top diseases caused by poverty, the complications of the health crisis, the targeted communities and why they are considered to be the targeted communities, and if somehow there could possibly be a solution to this epidemic. I will provide much statistical proof to show that the numbers that are given are not made up.
Abstract
According to RESULTS
Too many people still die everyday from illnesses that can often be prevented, treated, and/ or cured. Health is intricately related to poverty in a painful cycle- poor housing and sanitation, malnutrition, and lack of access to medicine lead to poor health
Under close analysis and strong understanding, this Literature Review will provide a clear definition of the term Third World Countries and how they might be the targeted communities for poverty, the top major diseases resulted in poverty, their complications and a general idea of complications of the health crises, and if the health risks of poverty something that could possibly be fixed.
Malaria – caused by a parasitic protozoan that is transferred to the human bloodstream by a mosquito where it then occupies and destroys red blood cells, Tuberculosis – an infectious disease that affects almost any tissue of the body, especially lungs, and HIV/AIDS – human immunodeficiency virus/ a disease of the immune system, caused by a retrovirus and transmitted through blood or blood products that enter the body’s bloodstream (RESULTS, n.d.); are the major cause and as well as consequence of poverty in the Developing Countries (Poverty Related Diseases, November 2002). The yearly global death rate for the three diseases combined comes anywhere near six million people, and in some African countries HIV alone has infected forty percent of the entire population (Poverty Related Diseases, November 2002). In order to clearly view how important and serious these diseases are in third world countries the audience must consider four important questions:
- What is considered a third world country and how might they be the targeted communities?
- What are the top major diseases in Third World countries caused by poverty?
- What are some complications of the health crises?
- Are the health risks of poverty something that could possibly be fixed?
Yes, children, young adults, and adults go through diseases, malnutrition, and horrible conditions on regular bases; but the question is does the United States know exactly to the point of the percentage of how many human beings die and suffer in result of these conditions?
What is considered a third world country and how are they the targeted communities?
According to Freedom House (2007) after World War II the world dramatically split into “two large geopolitical blocs and spheres of influence with contrary views on government and the politically correct society”. One bloc was democratic-industrial countries otherwise known as First World, the eastern bloc is communist-socialist states known as the Second World, and the remaining three-quarters of the world’s population were known as the Third World. In the year of 2011 the term “Third World Countries” is describe to be the countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Third World Countries are classified by their Political Rights, Civil Liberties, Gross National Income, Poverty, the Human Development, and the Freedom of Information within a country; who tend to be the worse of the three worlds. On average, Third World countries can spend anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 a day to make a living while citizens in the United States can spend anywhere up to $114.00 daily(IMF—International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database, April 2005). The following diagram displays the globe divided into the First World, Second World, and the Third World.
Based on UN Human Development Report (2004) a study of 20 countries with the lowest Human Development the average life expected rate at birth is 42, an adult literacy rate of 46, and a combined gross enrolment of 39. In terms of Poverty, countries are categorized into a group of the least developed countries (LDCs) which are countries that have been identified by the UN as the “least developed”. In order for countries to fall into this category the United Nations use three points:
1. A low-income estimate of the gross national income per capita
2. Their weak human assets
3. Their high degree of economic vulnerability.
In result of those points there are 50 countries in the United Nations, 34 African countries, 10 Asian countries, 5 Pacific Island Nations, and 1 Caribbean Nation. Third World Countries are known to be the targeted communities due to their vulnerability and a lack of attention from other countries in need of help. Studies shown by Avril Minott, from Memorial Association “Of the around six billion people in the world, at least 1.2 billion do not have access to safe drinking water…More than 2.4 billion people do not have proper sanitation facilities, and more than 2.2 million people die each year from diseases caused by polluted water and filthy sanitation conditions”
What are the top major diseases caused by World Poverty?
The top major diseases caused by World Poverty are Cholera, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and diseases due to parasites. Due to polluted water, more than 50% of Africans suffer from Cholera which is a water-related disease (Facts on Poverty, n.d.). Malaria is approximately infected in 300 to 500 million people throughout Africa, and as a result of the infected population 3 million people die. With more than one million child deaths a year, almost every 30 seconds an African child dies due to Malaria. Everyday of the year, of the population of Africa HIV/AIDS kills 6 thousand people and another 8,200 people are infected with HIV/AIDS.
TB, otherwise known as tuberculosis is the leading AIDS-related killer. Throughout some parts of Africa over 75 percent of the population that are infected with HIV are also infected by Tuberculosis (Diseases due to Malnutrition, n.d.). Besides obvious diseases earlier listed, other diseases such as those that live in the human bodies are known as parasites worms. Parasite worms invade those bodies through food and water intake, which are already unsanitary. Those that are invested with parasite infections are usually malnourished and weak, and could possibly be any age or gender. There is a possible 3200 varieties of parasites in four major categories of Protozoa, Trematoda, Cestoda, and Nematoda. The well known parasite worms affect both the outside and inside of the human body. Those that are infected fell tired, hungry, bloated, being to have allergies, asthma, gas, digestive disorders, unclear thinking and or feel toxic. While it is affecting the outside of the body the worms are causing physical pain to the intestines and circulatory system, lungs, and liver. The worms can also damage and block organs that result in cancer tumors that result in the brain, heart and lungs. Last but not least the parasites give off toxic waste that poison they’re bodies (Diseases due to Malnutrition,n.d.).
What are some complications of the health crises?
Some of the top complications of the health crisis are the fact of overpopulation, welfare systems, followed by HIV and AIDS. The issue of overpopulation is a major part in the complication of the health crises, according to B. Dicks team member of the Food4Africa organization (March 17,2011) there are too many people and not enough food and resources to go around, therefore the number of poor will naturally rise. Not only can overpopulation result in poor conditions, but it can also result in poor environments. Polluted waterways, dead soil, and chemical pollution cut resources down by the second. Welfare on the other hand has been a major issue and complication. One point given by B. Dicks was “welfare systems actually encourage people to avoid getting jobs and then rely on the Charities to feed, clothe, and educate their children.” HIV and AIDS are transmitted through any sexual action, and according to Facts on Poverty in the World (n.d.) HIV and AIDS being one of the top diseases in poverty, it covers nearly more than half of Africa’s population. Being that more than half of the population of Africa is infected by HIV and AIDS, there is a lack of medical supervision and assistance to help cure and treat. From the lack of doctors, nurses, and pediatrics results in the second major complication of the health crisis. Another complication
Are the health risks of poverty something that could possibly be fixed?
Recently stated in the New York Times, President Obama has started an “ambitious global health initiative” that will urgently need medicine and preventative care to hundreds of millions of people in poor countries (Peter J.Hotez, May 2010). Later on in the article the author stated there has to be a change, especially because many of the disease that are known to be throughout known areas such as the United States, the Caribbean, West Africa, and South Asia can be cured or prevented at very low cost with inexpensive generic drugs and or drugs that can be donated by pharmaceutical companies. The author makes it more realistic that the health crisis could be controlled in the Caribbean due to the fact that the estimated cost would be $20 million per year for five years, which he connected the cost to being a dollar for every tourist who visits each year. Though trying to fix the crisis in the Caribbean sounds realistic, there is much doubt for Africa, Asia, and Haiti due to the United States Agency for International Development finances being greatly neglecting topical disease control programs in those areas and being it would cost more due to our expensive health care system. One solution the author Professor Peter J. Hotez of George Washington University and the president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, is the United States should invest in researching new cures and vaccines (Peter J.Hotez, May2010). In connection to helping those in need according to The Issue (2011), sanitizing water in all areas will start to help all issues of health. Their End Water Poverty campaign believes:
Ø Your individual actions create public pressure
Ø Public pressure creates political will
Ø Where there is political will there is action
Another report made by a group of Ontario doctors points out the possible ways where poverty affects the role health-care professionals can play some kind of role in reducing the impact of poverty (Doctors Point to Poverty, July). B. Dicks, a team member of Food4Africa (personal communication, March 17,2011) claims building national capacities for primary health care is necessary. According to Dicks, out of the 270 million children throughout poverty countries, only 14 percent of all children in developing countries have no access to health care services. Improving the health of children is one of the responsibilities among those who fight against poverty. Dicks clearly stated “healthy children become health adults: people who create better lives for themselves, create better lives for their communities and their countries.” Later in the interview she made five clear points that would be the first step as to helping those in poverty:
- Getting girls to school and educate them on sage sex and birth control.
- Supporting good nutrition
- Assisting in water and sanitation improvement
- Creating a protective child environment
- Advocating, raising awareness and helping effect policies for children’s well being.
Diseases caused by poverty are a serious problem that could soon be fixed with time, patience, and a lot of willing help. Why see children and adults suffer when there could possibly be a quick solution. Although there might not be a total wipeout of World Poverty and its’ consequences, there is always a starting point and the first step of helping the problem. There is no need to take advantage of what Americans have, but what shall be taken advantage of is the ability to help those in need.
Reference
Bloom,B.(2000-2001). Tackling the Diseases of Poverty through Red Biotechnology.
http://www.uneca.org/harnessing/chapters/ . 4,127-132
End Water Poverty: Sanitation and Water For All. (n.d.). The issue.
Food 4 Africa. (n.d.) Facts on poverty in the world. www.food4africa.com
Food 4 Africa. (n.d.). Diseases due to malnutrition, Marasmus Kwashiorkor, scabies and
Parasites. www.food4africa.com.
Freedom House. (2007). Countries of the Third World. www.nationsonline.org
Gicquel, B. Norrby, S. Liljestrom, P. Trilla, A. (2002). Poverty Related Diseases. European
Hotez,P.J. (May 2010). Parasites in Paradise. http://www.nytimes.com
Stevens,P. (April 2005). Diseases of poverty and the 10/90 gap. International Monetary Fund
World Economic Outlook Database
RESULTS: the power to end poverty. (n.d.). Health.
Toronto News. July. Doctors Point to Poverty as Major Cause of Illness.
