Hungary is a relatively large country with just under 10 million people within the borders. The large majority of the people are in the upper income bracket. Life expectancy in Hungary is 75 years, just above the world average. The majority of the population — 69 percent– live in urban areas. The top diseases in Hungary are the same as many other countries around the world.
The majority of the country has easy access to medical care and treated, if needed. There are no fees to pay for services. It is covered by the health insurance companies available to people.
The mortality rate of the country for every 100,000 people is 756 people. A very low rate compared to other places around the globe. Utilizing healthcare provided to the citizens is one of the major reasons why.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Number one on the list of top diseases in Hungary, much like the rest of the world, are various cardiovascular diseases. This category of diseases is responsible for 49 percent of the deaths in Hungary.
A higher percentage of death occur in males as opposed to females, approximately about 10,000 more deaths.
Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Other non-communicable diseases, which result in death among the Hungarian population, include injuries and chronic respiratory diseases. Similar to cardiovascular diseases, the percentage of fatal cases in males are higher than females.
The risk factors include many items that are within an individual’s control. The top current risk factor in Hungary is elevated blood pressure sitting at 41 percent, followed closely by smoking tobacco, obesity, alcohol and drug abuse. The majority of these issues can be discounted through making healthy lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise.
In regards to healthcare, Hungary is better off than many countries around the world. Even though the majority of the top diseases in Hungary are similar to others on a global scale, it is their healthcare that gives them an edge in dealing with these diseases.
– Brendin Axtman
Photo: Flickr
Global Feminism Emerges to Combat Gender Inequality
Over the past few months, countless feminists have taken to the streets to protest gender inequality. On Jan. 21, women’s marches took place everywhere from Canada to Kenya to bring awareness to such issues as women’s healthcare, female representation in government and ignorance of sexual assault. Advocates of gender equality have begun to recognize similarities in gender disparity from nation to nation, and a new brand of global feminism has entered its nascent stages.
Elif Shafak, a Turkish novelist, notes the ways in which outcry from women in the U.S. echoes that of women in the Middle East. She attributes it to Western surges in populism, a type of appeal that often caters more closely to men than it does to women. This development may explain why women’s healthcare has been trivialized under the current U.S. administration while resources for men have remained untouched.
Shafak encourages women to continue the conversation about these issues and warns them against complacency, insisting that “the future is not necessarily more developed than the present, and sometimes countries can go backward.”
Shafak makes a good point. Indeed, feminist efforts have garnered the attention of leaders around the world. At the 54th Africa Day anniversary event last week, Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama called for keener gender equality efforts, highlighting the issue of girls’ education. New French President Emmanuel Macron made headlines earlier this month when he appointed 11 women to his 22-seat cabinet.
Though many advocates of gender equality are eager to band together and create opportunities for women, others have reservations about the movement and about the word “feminist” itself. When German Chancellor Angela Merkel was asked if she is a feminist at a panel last month, she answered that she would opt for a different label altogether, as there are certain aspects of the movement that she rejects.
In addition, Shafak prefers the term “sisterhood” to feminism, as she believes it to be more accessible to Middle Eastern women.
Whether the movement is called global feminism, sisterhood or something else, its supporters are undoubtedly making progress in drawing attention to issues of gender equality. Regardless of varying preferences among leaders and advocates around the world, persistent conversations about widespread injustice can only serve to forge a more equitable world.
– Madeline Forwerck
Photo: Flickr
What Are Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as “Transforming Our World”, are part of a U.N. initiative adopted in September 2015. The SDGs are designed to build on the Millennium Development Goals.
As former U.N. Development Program (UNDP) administrator Helen Clark explained, the goals “provide us with a common plan and agenda to tackle some of the pressing challenges facing our world such as poverty, climate change and conflict.” The 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals includes 17 global goals, which are as follows.
17 Sustainable Development Goals
These 17 SDGs are bold and will require continued strong leadership to achieve. Many countries succeeded in achieving their Millennium Development Goals, so while there is a difficult road ahead it is not an impossible task to create a more prosperous and sustainable world for all.
– Mary Barringer
Photo: Flickr
Top Diseases in Mauritania
Situated off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in West Africa, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania lies between the Maghreb and western sub-Saharan Africa. Though it is rich in natural resources, Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 151st out of 191 countries in gross domestic product, according to the International Monetary Fund. Weak health infrastructure and poor human development have contributed to a life expectancy of just over 63 years. Here are the top diseases in Mauritania:
Tuberculosis
A dangerous infectious disease spread by coughing and sneezing, tuberculosis is the deadliest disease in Mauritania, accounting for more than 12 percent of the total deaths in 2014. The first studies examining tuberculosis in Mauritania were conducted in 1987. Since then, government-directed anti-tuberculosis programs have had some success, even reducing the incidence of tuberculosis by almost eight percent from 1995 to 2001.
Malaria
Endemic in many regions across the country, malaria is another one of the top diseases in Mauritania. According to the World Health Organization, malaria made up almost seven percent of deaths in 2014. Since 1990, the number of reported cases of malaria have increased, with an average of 181,000 cases per year. Frequent epidemics often overwhelm understaffed health clinics and lead to the spread of the disease.
Through the National Malaria Control Programme, the Mauritanian Ministry of Health has developed a plan to lower malaria-related fatalities. The plan aims to improve methods of detecting and treating malaria.
HIV/AIDS
Like some of its neighbors, Mauritania has been greatly impacted by the spread of HIV. HIV/AIDS accounted for almost three percent of total deaths in 2014. In 2014, as chair of the African Union, Mauritanian President Abdel Aziz pledged to step up efforts across the continent to fight AIDS. A primary component of the renewed efforts will be shifting production of treatment to the continent.
Clearly, Mauritania is committed to financing its health programs without relying on international support. Yet until the country improves its health infrastructure, continued foreign aid will be key in fighting the top diseases in Mauritania.
– Yosef Gross
Photo: Flickr
The Successes of Education in Trinidad and Tobago
The education system in Trinidad and Tobago is one of the government’s highest priorities, and the country has an outstanding reputation in this regard. As of 2015, the country had a literacy rate of 96.9 percent according to UNESCO statistics and has steadily grown since the early nineties.
Education in Trinidad and Tobago is free and compulsory but accessible from the preschool age of three which is considered non-mandatory. After the completion of secondary school, students are given the option of staying on for an additional two years of high school which can lead to an advanced proficiency certificate and entry into a tertiary institution.
University in Trinidad and Tobago is free at the undergraduate degree and only approved at the University of the West Indies, the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the University of the Southern Caribbean. The government of Trinidad and Tobago also provides subsidies for some master’s programs making education in Trinidad and Tobago the best in the Caribbean.
In 2007, Trinidad and Tobago commenced a pilot study to focus on children with special needs outside of partnering with private preschools to develop four models that address childhood education.
Education in Trinidad and Tobago is considered one of the country’s greatest strengths and is very multi-faceted. Trinidad’s education sector stands out among emerging markets and ranks on the global competitiveness report. According to the OECD PISA score of Trinidad and Tobago, girls perform significantly better than boys statistically. A lot of students has also repeated a grade compared to other countries and economies also participating in PISA.
While education in Trinidad and Tobago has seen great improvement, particularly in curriculum design and strategic policy, the Ministry of Education and major stakeholders continue to be more innovative in their efforts to create a highly skilled, knowledgeable workforce.
Education is Trinidad and Tobago is considered one the most important development tools for the country.
– Rochelle R. Dean
Photo: Flickr
Top Diseases in Hungary
Hungary is a relatively large country with just under 10 million people within the borders. The large majority of the people are in the upper income bracket. Life expectancy in Hungary is 75 years, just above the world average. The majority of the population — 69 percent– live in urban areas. The top diseases in Hungary are the same as many other countries around the world.
The majority of the country has easy access to medical care and treated, if needed. There are no fees to pay for services. It is covered by the health insurance companies available to people.
The mortality rate of the country for every 100,000 people is 756 people. A very low rate compared to other places around the globe. Utilizing healthcare provided to the citizens is one of the major reasons why.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Number one on the list of top diseases in Hungary, much like the rest of the world, are various cardiovascular diseases. This category of diseases is responsible for 49 percent of the deaths in Hungary.
A higher percentage of death occur in males as opposed to females, approximately about 10,000 more deaths.
Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Other non-communicable diseases, which result in death among the Hungarian population, include injuries and chronic respiratory diseases. Similar to cardiovascular diseases, the percentage of fatal cases in males are higher than females.
The risk factors include many items that are within an individual’s control. The top current risk factor in Hungary is elevated blood pressure sitting at 41 percent, followed closely by smoking tobacco, obesity, alcohol and drug abuse. The majority of these issues can be discounted through making healthy lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise.
In regards to healthcare, Hungary is better off than many countries around the world. Even though the majority of the top diseases in Hungary are similar to others on a global scale, it is their healthcare that gives them an edge in dealing with these diseases.
– Brendin Axtman
Photo: Flickr
5 Ways Technology Reduces Food Waste in Developing Countries
A third of all food produced globally is wasted. Up to 40 percent of that food waste is produced by developing countries. Great quantities of food are lost for various reasons such as inadequate harvest techniques, poor post-harvest management and lack of suitable infrastructure and marketing. However, the waste is mainly due to inadequate cooling facilities as well as lack of efficient transportation equipment. Modern technology has allowed solutions to fix these problems and decrease the amount of food being wasted. Listed below are five ways technology reduces food waste in developing countries.
5 Ways Technology Reduces Food Waste in Developing Countries
There are many ways technology reduces food waste in developing countries. Implementing such technologies can not only reduce waste but give developing countries an opportunity to flourish and thrive.
– Taylor Elgarten
Photo: Flickr
Former Bon Jovi Guitarist Launches Csnaps App
Richie Sambora is not just known as the guitarist of the band Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013, but he is also known for his humanitarian work, now including being the co-founder of Csnaps, the new humanitarian app that allows celebrities to take pictures with fans and raise money for a charity of the celebrity’s choice.
“Fans are always going to ask their favorite celebrities to take pictures with them,” Sambora said in an interview with People Music. “By using Csnaps, you get a picture with your favorite star and money goes to help good causes and those in need, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”
Charities must register with Csnaps.org to be eligible for donation. Among the registered charities are The Humane Society, PETA, Smile Train, and the ALS Association.
The app also benefits publicists and celebrities, who can break news about their clients on Csnaps and have the media purchase it. Not only does this raise money for a charity their clients care about, but it allows the publicist to control what is said about their client, and the client gets new followers and good publicity.
So how does it work? A fan approaches a celebrity and asks for a selfie. Using the catchphrase, “Csnaps only please,” the celebrity will take a selfie with the fan through the app, and for a minimum of three dollars, 80 percent of which goes to a charity of the celebrity’s choice, the fan has their picture and a sense of contentment knowing that they have helped save a life, or make someone’s life better.
Csnaps is available on iTunes now, but no plans have been announced for it to be on any other platforms. Hopefully after witnessing Csnaps’ impact, other charities and platforms will join in on the goodwill.
– Kelsey Alexis Jackson
Photo: Flickr
Attacks in Syria Targeting Syrian Healthcare Workers
The Geneva Convention declared in 1949 that targeting healthcare workers and hospitals is a violation of international humanitarian law. Yet in the past six years of conflict, more than 800 Syrian healthcare workers have been killed. More than half were due to bombings or shelling; at least 160 of these deaths were due to either torture or execution. The Syrian government and its allied forces are held responsible for 92 percent of these healthcare worker killings.
An analysis of attacks on healthcare facilities indicates that certain facilities are targeted to cut off access to care and potentially force civilian displacement. Repeated attacks on facilities are noted, with one specialty hospital built in a cave bombed six times already in 2017 and 33 times in the past three years. In 2016, there were almost 200 reported attacks on healthcare facilities.
Not only are healthcare workers in danger, but the attacks on healthcare facilities and the overall destruction due to conflict leaves many facilities without electricity, water or necessary equipment to treat and diagnose patients. In 2016, 95 percent of the doctors who had once worked in Aleppo, formerly the most populous city in Syria, had fled. Current estimates are that only 42 percent of the Syrian population lives in an area with a sufficient proportion of healthcare workers, while almost one-third live in an area where there are no healthcare workers at all.
Conflicts between Syrian healthcare workers and the government have been ongoing since 2011, when healthcare workers were arrested during protests. In 2012, the Syrian government declared that it was a crime to provide medical care to any persons injured in anti-government protests. Current targeting patterns indicates that the Syrian government views any facilities in opposition-controlled areas as terrorist affiliates and therefore legitimate targets.
Because of the low number of Syrian healthcare workers and the dangers they face, many healthcare professionals are trying to find innovative ways to help from outside of the country. A network of underground hospitals has been established, and cameras are being installed in facilities so that doctors can monitor patients and provide consultations remotely. Phone lights are used in underground hospitals that do not have access to electricity.
These solutions are beneficial, but until there is an end to the violence, Syrian healthcare workers are likely to continue to be targeted and care for victims of the conflict will suffer.
– Nicole Toomey
Photo: Flickr
How to Improve Health in Developing Countries
Despite the modern advancements of this era, developing countries still have poor access to quality, cost-effective healthcare. Attempting to close the socioeconomic gap created by poverty, there are three initiatives that governments and national organizations can take to improve health in developing countries.
3 Ways to Improve Health in Developing Countries
These are not the only ways to improving health in developing countries. Governments and organizations have taken many different initiatives to closing the socioeconomic gap. With the Sustainable Development Goals, there should be a significant increase of developed countries contributing to establishing safe, quality healthcare systems.
– Taylor Elgarten
Photo: Flickr
6 Types of Modern Day Slavery That Cannot Be Ignored
Though we often associate slavery with the past, it is still widely practiced throughout the world today. Estimates put the number of currently enslaved people at almost 21 million. Modern day slavery, otherwise known as human trafficking, occurs when individuals are exploited through coercion or deception and typically involves restricted freedom of movement. It can take many forms that we often do not think of as slavery. Below are six specific forms of modern day slavery.
6 Types of Modern Day Slavery That Cannot Be Ignored
These are six of the most common types of modern day slavery, but the practice is not limited to just these forms. Slavery still occurs throughout the world in practices that are not always easily recognizable. Governments and organizations must remain informed about the occurrence of modern day slavery to be able to stop it in its tracks.
– Lindsay Harris
Photo: Flickr