Although it is a small country wedged between Ghana and Benin, the most common diseases in Togo can have a major impact on many.
The World Health Organization reported that in 2014, a little over five percent of the country’s GDP expenses went toward health. The organization also listed a 2015 data finding that males and females between 15 and 60 had slightly different death rates: 309 out of 1,000 people for men versus 266 out of 1,000 people for women.
HealthGrove further put this into perspective, highlighting that out of 100,00 people, 1,266 die yearly in Togo, and listed the country’s life expectancy at 60 years.
Of the common diseases in Togo, those that can be transferred (communicable diseases) are some of the most prevalent.
Diarrhea, lower respiratory and other common infectious diseases
These accounted for a little less than 20 percent of deaths overall and slightly over 30 percent of communicable diseases specifically. Compared to 1990, in 2013 lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases and meningitis all posed much lower threats of mortality.
HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis
These diseases led to between 14 and 15 percent of deaths overall and over 22 percent of communicable disease-related deaths. While tuberculosis’s threat of death has decreased since 1990, HIV/AIDS has increased substantially—by 1,038 percent.
Neglected tropical diseases and malaria
These made up 12 percent of deaths in general and almost 19 percent of deaths from communicable diseases.
Malaria, rabies and schistosomiasis death rates all fell from 1990.
Neonatal disorders
These accounted for 10 to 11 percent of deaths total and over 16 percent of mortality rates due to communicable disease.
Nutritional deficiencies
These led to about four percent of deaths in general and between 6 to 7 percent of deaths for communicable diseases.
In addition, diseases that cannot be transferred—non-communicable diseases—are among some of the common diseases in Togo.
Cardiovascular diseases
As the most common of the non-communicable diseases, these accounted for a little less than 11 percent of deaths overall and over 35 percent of NCD-related deaths. Stroke, ischemic heart disease and other cardiovascular/circulatory disease rates all fell from 1990.
Diabetes, urogenital, blood and endocrine diseases
In total, these only made up slightly more than five percent of deaths, but in terms of NCDs specifically, these increased to over 17 percent. While hemoglobinopathies and hemolytic anemias, as well as chronic kidney disease, both fell since 1990 (the latter only by one percent), diabetes mellitus actually increased by about 13 percent.
Cancer
Cancer led to over four percent of deaths in general and over 14 percent of NCD-related deaths. Liver, cervical and stomach cancers all fell by over 30 percent from 1990.
There are still a number of improvements that can be made. For 2015, Togo qualified as a low-income food-deficit country and only slightly less than 12 percent of its citizens used improved sanitation facilities that year.
However, about 63 percent of the population in the same year utilized improved water drinking sources, 85 percent of one-year old children had measles immunizations and the mortality rate of children below five years old fell from about 108 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004 to 78.4 in 2015.
The WHO released a report in February of this year detailing a meningococcal disease outbreak, but listed methods undertaken to address the matter, including requests for vaccinations, support for management and surveillance and the training of health personnel.
Applying these same tactics to the communicable diseases listed may be beneficial. Other methods, like increasing knowledge on how to reduce the spread of disease, as well as improving access to clean water and other nutritional sources could also be key.
Furthermore, for non-communicable diseases—though some may be genetic—tactics like increased exercise and diet changes may yield a reduction in their prevalence.
The nation must still make specific improvements to ensure that its population is healthy. But judging by the fluctuations of common diseases in Togo, there is great hope for a decrease in their pervasiveness.
– Maleeha Syed
Photo: Flickr
Common Diseases in Norway
Norway, a country in northern Europe, is known for its beautiful landscapes and happy population. While the country is commonly mentioned as one of the happiest countries in the world, it too faces the plight of disease just like the rest of the world. Here are some of the most common diseases in Norway.
1. Ischemic Heart Disease
Known as the most common cause of death in the Western world, ischemic heart disease is a shortage of blood supply. In its less severe form it is felt as angina, but as the disease gets worse, plaque begins to cover the wall of the artery, leading to a heart attack.
2. Alzheimer’s Disease
A type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior, Alzheimer’s disease is the second most common cause of death in Norway. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and begins to affect adults around the age of 65. In the early stages of the disease, those inflicted experience memory loss, but as it continues on it becomes difficult for them to keep up with a conversation or respond to the environment around them.
3. Cerebrovascular Disease
Encompassing different types of afflictions, cerebrovascular disease refers to any disorder in which the brain is affected by bleeding. The various conditions include stroke, carotid stenosis, vertebral stenosis and other diseases.
4. COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a disease that affects millions of people all around the world. This term is one that describes several conditions including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma and forms of bronchiectasis. While many people have subtle symptoms such as breathlessness and coughing that are a normal part of aging, these can be the first signs of more serious pulmonary issues.
5. Lung Cancer
One of the most common cancers in the world, lung cancer is a leading cause of death in Norway. Most of the time, lung cancer is caused by behavior choices, such as smoking. Other risk factors include high levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure.
While many of the most common diseases in Norway are ones that come naturally as we get older, some of them, such as lung cancer, are ones most commonly brought about by behavioral and environmental choices.
– Olivia Hayes
Photo: Flickr
Why Certain Regions Have Such High Life Expectancies
Research conducted in countries such as Singapore and Spain has shown that these regions share characteristics that contribute to their incredibly high life expectancy, proving that there are ways to be proactive about enhancing the length of life around the world.
Here are five critical factors that scientists attribute to why certain regions have such high life expectancies:
1. Healthy diet
Researchers have shown that the Japanese nutrient-rich diet full of sweet potatoes and seafood contributes to their average lifespan of 83 years. South Korea, the first country expected to break 90 years in life expectancy, is home to a variety of healthy, fermented foods that promote longevity.
2. Exercise
Even a small amount of exercise has incredible effects in improving life expectancy. Most people don’t even need a regimen to have good health—simply choosing to move more on a daily basis while going through their regular routine can make the difference. For example, in crowded Spanish cities, people often prefer biking or walking, which is part of the reason why their average lifespan is just under 83 years.
3. Community
A large part of the reason why certain regions have such high life expectancies relates to a strong sense of community. Collectivist cultures that value social connections and relationships lead to healthier, happier individuals. This is especially true in East Asian cultures, specifically Japan and South Korea.
4. Low levels of stress
Stress has a strong correlation with many non-communicable health issues, such as high blood pressure or stroke. It also can take as many as sixteen years off a person’s life. However, high life expectancy countries take the effects of stress seriously and provide helpful resources. Singapore ranks at the top of the list for longevity, and for good reason—citizens have many outlets to reduce stress, including therapeutic parks and Buddhist meditation practices.
5. Healthcare
Areas with advanced medicine and doctors tend to have higher life expectancies. Singapore’s healthcare system has been described as a “miracle”, and is part of the reason why their average citizen lives to see 83 years of age.
By examining what these countries are doing right, policy makers are gaining a better understanding why certain regions have such high life expectancies and what they can do to improve life quality in their countries. Based on these facts, the approach for regions with lower life expectancies should include holistic health programs that stress relationship building and mindfulness.
– Kailey Dubinsky
Photo: Flickr
Human Rights in Fiji
The island nation of Fiji is considered to be one of the most developed economies in the Pacific. The celestial archipelago is rich in resources such as minerals, fishes and forests that contribute to the flourishing economy. Fiji also is home to an array of cultures that add to the unique feel of the country. Despite its level of development, there are still human rights in Fiji that are being violated and that need to be addressed.
Some human rights in Fiji that are not up to par include violence against women and prison overcrowding. Although in comparison to other countries Fiji has higher standards, these issue are still a problem.
Prison overcrowding results in human rights violations due to a lack of sanitation and infrastructure. One prison in particular had 1,423 inmates when the capacity was set at 1,000. This causes problems because there are only so many cells and beds, which leads to prisoners being cramped in small spaces. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for officers to rape detainees, particularly the female ones.
One of the most prominent human rights violations is violence and discrimination against women. Despite stringent domestic violence and rape laws, perpetrators are often not brought to justice. For instance, there is a “no drop” policy for domestic violence cases that states that under no circumstance can the case be put away.
However, many women’s rights organizations have brought light to the fact that the police are not always consistent with this policy. Moreover, courts often either dismiss or give the minimum sentence in these cases even if they go to trial. Cases involving violence against women are often taken very lightly by the courts. Some even release the offender without a conviction on the basis that they do not repeat the crime.
Regardless of the situation, progress has been made to educate and support women, especially in rural areas. There are currently four women’s centers available that offer counseling. Also, 43 percent of women of reproductive age are employing modern contraceptives as of 2015. These contraceptives are offered for free at public hospitals and clinics, increasing their usage.
Although rural areas still have plenty of advancements to make in the upcoming years, Fiji is on the right path towards modernization and equality for women.
– Tanvi Wattal
Photo: Flickr
Nine Facts About Human Rights in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy. A range of political parties participate in free and fair elections. Freedom of the press and human rights are, generally, constitutionally guaranteed and respected in practice.
However, in the recent past, reports on human rights in the United Kingdom show the development of some disturbing practices. Such trends were further complicated by Brexit U.K.’s vote out of the European Union (EU) and the victory of conservatives in the general election of June 2017, which changed the state of human rights in the country.
Here are nine of the most troubling facts about human rights in the United Kingdom that have gone unaddressed by the authorities.
– Aslam Kakar
Photo: Flickr
Facts About the Yemen Poverty Rate
This unrest has taken a toll on the Yemen poverty rate. Before 2015, nearly half of Yemenis lived below the poverty line. As of 2017, the World Bank estimates that number has increased to 62 percent. Nearly 60 percent of Yemenis are food insecure. Since 2015, malnutrition has increased by 57 percent. About 14.4 million Yemenis do not have access to safe drinking water or sanitation.
As of early 2017, seven million people in Yemen were on the brink of famine. About 90 percent of Yemen’s food is imported, but it is difficult to get food into the country because there are few commercial importers willing to face the financial difficulties of doing so. The food crisis and increased Yemen poverty rate are partially driven by rising food prices and reduction in purchasing power.
Cholera is on the rise in Yemen. Cholera is a bacterial infection spread by water contaminated by feces – for most of the world, a disease that ended with modern sanitation. Today, it is still easily treatable with rehydration solutions and antibiotics. However, the government stopped paying civil servants in 2016, and sanitation strikes led to septic backups and garbage pileups that allowed the disease to spread in Yemen. The governmental healthcare system disbanded. Now, cholera has spread to 21 out of 22 of Yemen’s provinces. As of July 2017, the disease has infected at least 269,608 people and killed at least 1,614.
In January 2017, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced the death toll in the Yemen conflict had surpassed 10,000. The OCHA’s Jamie McGoldrick released another statement saying that up to 10 million people need “urgent assistance to protect their safety, dignity, and basic rights.”
With continuing violence and infrastructure breaking down, prospects for the Yemen poverty rate are grim. More than 70 humanitarian organizations have been working to help but are facing challenges due to lack of accessibility and poor infrastructure within the country. Lack of funds is also an issue; the U.N. appealed for $2.1 billion to assist people in Yemen, but only 7 percent of that appeal was met. For those who want to donate to humanitarian efforts, organizations like UNICEF, UNHCR, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam and Save the Children are also doing essential work for the people of Yemen.
– Hannah Seitz
Photo: Flickr
Common Diseases in Togo
The World Health Organization reported that in 2014, a little over five percent of the country’s GDP expenses went toward health. The organization also listed a 2015 data finding that males and females between 15 and 60 had slightly different death rates: 309 out of 1,000 people for men versus 266 out of 1,000 people for women.
HealthGrove further put this into perspective, highlighting that out of 100,00 people, 1,266 die yearly in Togo, and listed the country’s life expectancy at 60 years.
Of the common diseases in Togo, those that can be transferred (communicable diseases) are some of the most prevalent.
Diarrhea, lower respiratory and other common infectious diseases
These accounted for a little less than 20 percent of deaths overall and slightly over 30 percent of communicable diseases specifically. Compared to 1990, in 2013 lower respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases and meningitis all posed much lower threats of mortality.
HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis
These diseases led to between 14 and 15 percent of deaths overall and over 22 percent of communicable disease-related deaths. While tuberculosis’s threat of death has decreased since 1990, HIV/AIDS has increased substantially—by 1,038 percent.
Neglected tropical diseases and malaria
These made up 12 percent of deaths in general and almost 19 percent of deaths from communicable diseases.
Malaria, rabies and schistosomiasis death rates all fell from 1990.
Neonatal disorders
These accounted for 10 to 11 percent of deaths total and over 16 percent of mortality rates due to communicable disease.
Nutritional deficiencies
These led to about four percent of deaths in general and between 6 to 7 percent of deaths for communicable diseases.
In addition, diseases that cannot be transferred—non-communicable diseases—are among some of the common diseases in Togo.
Cardiovascular diseases
As the most common of the non-communicable diseases, these accounted for a little less than 11 percent of deaths overall and over 35 percent of NCD-related deaths. Stroke, ischemic heart disease and other cardiovascular/circulatory disease rates all fell from 1990.
Diabetes, urogenital, blood and endocrine diseases
In total, these only made up slightly more than five percent of deaths, but in terms of NCDs specifically, these increased to over 17 percent. While hemoglobinopathies and hemolytic anemias, as well as chronic kidney disease, both fell since 1990 (the latter only by one percent), diabetes mellitus actually increased by about 13 percent.
Cancer
Cancer led to over four percent of deaths in general and over 14 percent of NCD-related deaths. Liver, cervical and stomach cancers all fell by over 30 percent from 1990.
There are still a number of improvements that can be made. For 2015, Togo qualified as a low-income food-deficit country and only slightly less than 12 percent of its citizens used improved sanitation facilities that year.
However, about 63 percent of the population in the same year utilized improved water drinking sources, 85 percent of one-year old children had measles immunizations and the mortality rate of children below five years old fell from about 108 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004 to 78.4 in 2015.
The WHO released a report in February of this year detailing a meningococcal disease outbreak, but listed methods undertaken to address the matter, including requests for vaccinations, support for management and surveillance and the training of health personnel.
Applying these same tactics to the communicable diseases listed may be beneficial. Other methods, like increasing knowledge on how to reduce the spread of disease, as well as improving access to clean water and other nutritional sources could also be key.
Furthermore, for non-communicable diseases—though some may be genetic—tactics like increased exercise and diet changes may yield a reduction in their prevalence.
The nation must still make specific improvements to ensure that its population is healthy. But judging by the fluctuations of common diseases in Togo, there is great hope for a decrease in their pervasiveness.
– Maleeha Syed
Photo: Flickr
Common Diseases in Sweden
1. Cardiovascular Diseases
Ischemic heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in Sweden. The annual mortality rate from the diseases is 241.1 deaths per 100,000 people. A major contributor to ischemic heart diseases and other cardiovascular diseases is diabetes. About 6.9 percent of the population has diabetes. If current rates continue, 10.3 percent of Swedes will have diabetes by 2050. Major risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases include high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoking, stress, lack of exercise, poor eating habits and unhealthy weight. An estimated 31.1 percent of Swedes are physically inactive. Additionally, 59.2 percent are overweight and 22 percent are obese.
2. Respiratory Diseases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common form of respiratory disease and frequently undiagnosed. About 500,000 people in Sweden have the disease. Every year, about 3,000 people die from COPD. Age is a contributor to the disease as well as smoking. Despite a COPD diagnosis, many people continue to smoke until death. Studies have found that of those who die from COPD, 40 percent of women and 33 percent of men are still smokers.
3. Neoplasms
In 2011, the most common cancer sites in men were prostate (32.2 percent), skin excluding melanoma (10.8 percent), colon (6.9 percent), lung (6.5 percent) and urinary organs (6.5 percent). In women, the most frequent sites are breast (30.3 percent), skin excluding melanoma (9.1 percent), colon (7.6 percent), lung (6.5 percent) and melanoma (5.9 percent). Despite these rates, recent developments have shown that cancer patients living in Sweden are less likely to die of cancer compared to those living in other European countries. Cancer survival rates in Sweden are 64.7 percent. In northern Europe, the rate is 59.6 percent.
4. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
In 2012, an estimated 173,135 people in Sweden had dementia, accounting for 1.82 percent of the population. This is higher than the 1.55 percent average in the European Union. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia contribute to 69.1 deaths per 100,000 people every year. Dementia is more common with increasing age. Rarely are people below 65 diagnosed with dementia.
5. Sexually Transmitted Infections
People in Sweden are more likely to be treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea than in other European countries. A major contributor to this problem is the lack of contraception use. Studies show that 50 percent of young adults in Sweden do not use condoms with new partners and 30 percent do not use any contraception.
Acknowledging and understanding these common diseases in Sweden is important for public health policy efforts in the country.
– Francesca Montalto
Photo: Flickr
Global Need Through Graphic Novels
Their first collaboration was “Living Level-3: Iraq” in February 2016, which followed Khaled Bushar, an Iraqi refugee, as he tries to survive in the country during the rise of the Islamic State. In 2017, their second graphic novel, “Living Level-3: South Sudan”, follows members of a Sudanese family who have to leave their home for a more dangerous place because of famine. Both graphic novels also revolve around Leila Helal, an aid worker for the WFP.
Before working on either graphic novel, Dysert spent time in both countries, classified by the United Nations as level 3 emergencies due to extreme humanitarian crises, interviewing the citizens and studying the area. He then worked with the rest of the creative team to devise graphic novels that present an honest and compelling picture of the situation in each country.
One of the benefits of illustrating global need through graphic novels is the ability to create an engaging story while informing the public about the country’s humanitarian situation. In an interview with Humanosphere, Dysert discussed how he wanted to present facts about what was going on in Iraq, but not in a dry medium like many documentaries. Graphic novels provide him with that opportunity, using illustrations and storytelling.
Another opportunity that results from highlighting global need through graphic novels is the scope that graphic novels can cover compared to other mediums. WFP’s head of television communications Jonathan Dumont and head of graphic design and publishing Cristina Ascone have talked about how graphic novels provide an overall picture of everything involved with the crisis, from the citizens to the governments to the aid organizations and beyond. Details like these are harder to notice when looking at a photograph or watching a short video.
Illustrating global need through graphic novels also provides more opportunities for empathy. As discussed by Mashable, the readers get to know the characters, their personalities and their relationships. Therefore, the readers are more invested in what happens to those characters when the hardships of living in their communities occur. They wish for a better life for those characters and praise the efforts of the aid organizations. A final benefit that comes from describing global aid through graphic novels is that it promotes global advocacy to a new audience.
WFP is already working on a third “Living Level-3” graphic novel. Their dedication to explaining global need through graphic novels will hopefully spark an interest in global issues in others.
– Cortney Rowe
Photo: Flickr
The READ Act Passes into Law
The bill was first introduced in the House back in January by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY). After much consideration, the READ Act finally passed the Senate on Aug. 1. The bill, originally titled the Education for All Act, was first introduced in 2004 by Congresswoman Lowey and then-Senator Hillary Clinton.
The READ Act was the legislative vehicle to allow rapid expansion of federal spending for the disaster-relief fund. The READ Act was ideal for this alteration. It had already passed both legislative bodies, making it exempt from the customary back-and-forth procedures to which bill amendments are subjected. Considering the recent catastrophic hurricanes and other natural disasters, there has been a desperate need for accelerated assistance to be enacted. Thanks to the expedited amendments made to the READ Act, an additional $7.4 billion has been allocated for disaster relief.
Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), authors of companion legislation, praised the bipartisan legislation. Not only will the bill improve learning conditions for the 260 million out-school-children, but also counter-terrorism efforts. Indeed, countries in which education is poorest breed the kind of conditions in which extremist threats are most likely to fester. It is not coincidence that nations with the worst economic conditions and education systems are where the greatest threats of terrorism are witnessed. Sen. Durbin said of the bill, “this bipartisan achievement will help unleash the potential of children across the globe and arm them with the necessary tools to break the cycles of poverty, violence and extremism.”
Likewise, both Senators applaud the aspects of the READ Act that particularly address the needs of school-aged girls. Struggling, impoverished countries often face high levels of gender inequality, leaving many girls excluded from the classroom. Studies have shown that for every year girls remain in the classroom their potential future earnings increase by 15 to 25 percent. This staggering statistic demonstrates the power and necessity of providing children with the opportunities inherent with access to basic education.
The Borgen Project has advocated tirelessly for the READ Act since its introduction in the House. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA), member of the Borgen Project’s board of directors, was the first Member of Congress to co-sponsor the bill. The Borgen Project has mobilized more than 5,300 emails from constituents to congressional leaders in support of the bill. Furthermore, supporters of The Borgen Project held 138 lobbying meetings with congressional offices in efforts to pass the bill. Now, months of diligent activism have paid off in this exciting achievement for the world’s poor. With the READ Act passed into law, the U.S. is one step closer to achieving sustainable global economic growth.
– Micaela Fischer
Some of the Most Common Diseases in Hungary
Although most Hungarians are not drastically poor, 14.6 percent of the population is living below the poverty line. Compared to the European Union average rate of 17.2 percent, Hungarians are faring slightly better. However, 44 percent of Hungarians cannot afford to pay for all of their basic resources, well above the EU average of 19.5 percent.
The life expectancy from birth in Hungary is 76 years, a relatively high number when taking into consideration that a large portion of the population is deprived of some of the basic necessities for life.
Here are some examples of the most common diseases in Hungary that affect its residents.
1. Cardiovascular diseases
Diseases related to the heart are among the most common causes of death in Hungary. Approximately 60,000 people die from cardiovascular illnesses annually. It is not surprising that high systolic blood pressure and cholesterol are also high-risk factors in Hungary.
The most common of the various cardiovascular diseases in Hungary is ischemic heart disease. Strokes, myocarditis and other cardiovascular diseases have been decreasing within the past few years, though.
2. Cancer
As in America, cancer is one of the most common diseases in Hungary. This chronic illness makes up about 27 percent of the non-communicable diseases in Hungary, just behind cardiovascular issues.
The most prevalent type of cancers for Hungarians are those in the respiratory system: tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer. Deaths caused by pancreatic cancer have risen 32 percent since 1990 and kill about 20 people out of 100,000 annually.
3. Diarrhea and lower respiratory diseases
The most common and fatal communicable diseases in Hungary are diarrhea and lower respiratory illnesses. These infections account for about 68% of the total communicable diseases in Hungary.
Although diarrheal diseases have only taken the lives of 1.2 people out of 100,000 annually, the problem is still significant and should be solved. Many other infectious diseases like meningitis and tetanus have decreased dramatically.
– Sydney Missigman
Photo: Google