Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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TB in the Philippines: A Persistent Public Health Crisis

TB in the PhilippinesTuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that about 10 million people contract the illness each year. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause TB, is currently latent in an estimated 2 billion people worldwide, more than 25% of the global population. While TB affects people globally, the disease has an outsized impact on lower-middle-income countries like the Philippines, where socioeconomic challenges hinder access to treatment and prevention.

The Burden in the Philippines

The Philippines has one of the highest TB incidence rates in Southeast Asia. In 2023, approximately 37,000 people in the country died from TB out of the 739,000 who were diagnosed. This places the national incidence rate more than six times the regional average. The WHO classifies the Philippines as a “high burden” country for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and TB/HIV co-infection. Despite recent economic growth, the Philippines remains classified as a lower-middle-income country by the World Bank, with a poverty rate of 15.5% in 2023. TB-related mortality and infection remain elevated, particularly in urban slums, prisons and overcrowded housing environments that allow the bacteria to spread quickly through close human contact.

Link Between Poverty and Infection

TB transmission in the Philippines is not strongly correlated with national wealth, as countries with smaller economies like Cambodia and Laos report fewer cases. Instead, population density, limited health infrastructure and barriers to treatment access help explain the high infection rate. Many patients cannot afford to miss work to complete the full six-month treatment regimen. A 2016–2017 national survey found that 42.4% of TB-affected households spent more than 20% of their annual income on treatment. TB is preventable and curable, but treatment gaps continue to affect the poorest populations most. Patients who cannot access affordable health care risk worsening infections and higher transmission rates. The burden is particularly severe for those with MDR-TB, which requires longer, more expensive treatment courses. TB/HIV co-infection further complicates recovery, especially in vulnerable communities.

Addressing Social Determinants

According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “TB is the definitive disease of deprivation.” In this context, tackling TB in the Philippines means improving access to nutrition, housing, education and affordable health care—factors that directly influence disease outcomes.

The Filipino government provides public TB treatment programs, but implementation remains challenging. Many affected individuals cannot afford to complete treatment. In 2024, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) committed $10 million to TB testing and prevention efforts in the Philippines. NGOs like the Global Fund and Doctors Without Borders continue to support screening, awareness and treatment in high-risk communities.

Drug Resistance and the Need for Global Action

Treatment success rates in the Philippines remain below 60%, largely due to the rising prevalence of drug-resistant TB. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, emerging TB strains that resist standard antibiotics threaten to undo decades of progress in global TB control. Without sustained investment, the spread of MDR-TB could escalate, placing additional pressure on health care systems.

Looking Ahead

Addressing tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines necessitates a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes early detection, affordable treatment and community-based care. Enhancing surveillance systems, deploying mobile clinics and integrating TB programs into primary health care networks could improve treatment adherence. Expanding support for individuals living in poverty is also crucial.

According to the World Bank, the treatment success rate for new and relapse TB cases in the Philippines was 78% in 2022, which is below the global average of 88% reported by the World Health Organization. This underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve treatment outcomes.

International partnerships, combined with sustained political commitment, offer an opportunity to reduce TB-related deaths and transmission in the Philippines. While challenges remain, comprehensive efforts focused on health care and poverty reduction could improve outcomes for thousands of Filipinos each year.

– Maxwell Marcello

Maxwell is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How USAID Programs in Russia Have Addressed HIV/AIDS and TB

USAID Programs in RussiaAs the U.S. government considers further cuts to international assistance, USAID programs in Russia can show what the U.S. can accomplish when it comes to combating disease and poverty. However, it also can be a cautionary tale of what can happen to a country’s most vulnerable when USAID programs are suddenly cut without an adequate replacement. 

Starting in 1992, after the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States began a robust program of assistance to the new Russian Federation starting with the Freedom Support Act authorizing USAID to begin work in Russia. USAID programs in Russia included initiatives to assist with democratic reform, market assistance, anti-corruption programs, but mostly important disease eradication.

USAID’s Fight Against TB and HIV/AIDS in Russia

USAID programs in Russia fought both tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Starting in 1999, USAID began to focus specifically on drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), which had become a major issue in the former Soviet Union, especially in Russia. According to William B. Taylor, coordinator of U.S. assistance to Newly Independent States, in 1999, USAID was critical to coordinating between Russian authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross to combat TB, starting in three provinces and then the rest of Russia. Additionally, USAID also helped provide more than $200 million in critical medical supplies.

By 1999, the spike of TB incidence finally ended and began to decline through the early 2010s. TB mortality rates also declined and experts attributed much of this progress to early detection and prevention programs in Russia. 

Additionally, USAID was instrumental in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia on several levels; increasing coordination between Russian and American biomedical researchers, assisting with vaccine development, infection prevention, treatment and increasing awareness among Russian business and civic leaders. In 2010, USAID funded the HIV Prevention for At-Risk Populations in Russia program, which treated thousands in the city of Kazan alone.

The Current Situation

According to former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, “Over the last twenty years, the USAID Mission in Russia has worked with Russian government officials and Russian non-governmental organizations to achieve a remarkable record of success.” However, in 2012, due to rising tensions between the Russian and U.S. governments, Vladimir Putin ordered USAID to cease its operations in Russia.

The Russian government argued that Russian society had moved past the need for external aid. In reality, living conditions in Russia have continued to be extremely difficult. By 2018, Russia became the third-highest country for TB infection, largely due to its inability to follow WHO guidelines.

The Russian Red Cross had to end five different programs dedicated to fighting TB since it received funding from USAID. That being said, thanks to continued funding and cooperation with other international organizations, TB mortality and incidence rate continues to modestly decline, despite setbacks. However, much of the progress in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia has suffered major reversals. By 2017, Russia had the largest number of HIV-positive individuals in Europe. As of 2024, 30,000 Russians annually are estimated to have died from HIV/AIDS.

Looking Ahead

The history of USAID programs in Russia highlights the danger of suddenly turning off humanitarian aid. In 2025, freezes of USAID funding in places like Ukraine have threatened HIV treatment, endangering more than 116,000 people. However, that history also serves as an encouragement of what is possible with U.S. support.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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WHO and Africa CDC Work To Curb the Spread of Mpox in Africa

Mpox in AfricaIn August 2024, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared that Mpox infections had become a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). To combat the spread, the Africa CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) created a Joint Continental Preparedness and Response plan.

The original plan garnered positive results but not at the rate required to diminish the growth of the infection fully. Together, the Africa CDC and WHO are reworking the plan, hoping to accomplish the goals laid out.

Mpox in Africa

When the original plan was created in 2024, the spread of the disease occurred rapidly from sexual or close contact. It began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and quickly traveled to Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Today, Mpox is present in 28 countries worldwide. However, outside of Africa, the cases are travel-related and rare.

Inside Africa, it is reported to have spread to the Republic of the Congo, South Africa, South Sudan, the Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. Prior to the PCEHS declaration, Mpox vaccines were not available in underdeveloped or developing countries despite originating in the DRC.

The Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan

The Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan, in its original efforts, focused on 10 key pillars in its efforts: coordination, risk communication and community engagement, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, clinical management, infection prevention and control, vaccination, research, logistics and maintaining essential health services.

These pillars have managed to get more than 650,000 people vaccinated within the six countries at the highest risk. Of the vaccinations, 90% were administered in the DRC. Overall, more than one million vaccines were administered over the 10 listed countries and efforts to reduce the spread of Mpox in Africa through the implementation of the vaccination plan have not ceased.

The New Plan

The new plan, which still includes these pillars, intensifies the focus on controlling outbreaks and implementing Mpox prevention into routine health services. After the emergency period ends in August of 2025, the WHO and Africa CDC want the health services to continue. The aim is to prevent the further spread of Mpox in Africa.

To ensure this, the organizations agreed to continue to support countries in continuing the PHECS strategies. Beyond this, they aim to expand community engagement to strengthen the effectiveness of health strategies. Essentially, they will enhance and optimize each pillar, intending to finish the changes by the end of May 2025.

Final Remarks

With the reworking of the Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan, the WHO and African CDC hope to garner even more success in curbing and eradicating the spread of Mpox in Africa. Combating Mpox is not just a regional issue; it’s a test of our global commitment to health equity.

– Abby Buchan

Abby is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Vulnerable Communities: Yellow Fever in Peru

Yellow Fever in PeruThe Amazon rainforest offers amazing natural landscapes, but the dangers of diseases transmitted by tiny mosquitoes, like yellow fever, lie within them. Since early April 2025, Peru has seen an increase in yellow fever cases, mostly in vulnerable populations in the depths of the jungle and agricultural areas.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a disease transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes. It is considered a “High-threat disease” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Yellow fever does not have a specific antiviral drug to fight it once the virus is in the body. The best way to fight it is by preventing it with vaccination.

In early April, Peruvian authorities reported an outbreak of yellow fever cases in the regions of Amazonas, San Martín and Loreto. Yellow fever could reach a high 60% mortality rate in these regions because only a few people have been vaccinated in the past years.

The reach of vaccination campaigns shrank and vulnerable populations in less accessible areas like the jungle were affected. Twelve people died by the end of the month, all of them from vulnerable areas and without any records of previous vaccinations.

Effects on Vulnerable Populations in Peru

Mortality rates are higher among vulnerable populations, with 37 people already infected. Further, the U.S. Embassy in Peru and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued health alerts about the yellow fever outbreak, advising people to avoid areas affected by the disease. These warnings could result in reduced tourism, leading to a loss of income for many businesses that rely on it for their livelihood.

One of the biggest challenges preventing the disease is the logistical difficulty of distributing vaccines to remote areas. Vast distances and difficulty maintaining the cold chain in hard-to-reach regions significantly hinder vaccination coverage.

What Is the Government Doing?

The Peruvian government is trying to reactivate its vaccination campaigns, making resources available for people to find the closest vaccination centers. Peru’s Ministry of Health has announced a free vaccination campaign throughout the summer of 2025.

The Ministry of Health also sent 30,000 vaccines to the Amazon region in the past month, while volunteers are going town by town to vaccinate communities far from the few existing vaccination centers. However, Peru is not fighting the outbreak alone.

Since yellow fever also affects neighboring countries like Colombia and Ecuador, the Peruvian Ministry of Health joined forces in late April to launch a joint vaccination campaign along the border to prevent the disease from spreading between countries.

Final Remarks

Even though yellow fever has already claimed some lives in Peru, the government is taking action to prevent further spread and protect more people. Certain regions will inevitably face the consequences of this outbreak and the full economic impact, especially on families and businesses affected by the drop in tourism, remains uncertain until the epidemic is under control. 

– Luis Felipe Rios

Luis is based in New York, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pxhere

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Diseases Impacting Sri Lanka

Diseases Impacting Sri LankaDiseases impacting Sri Lanka are divided into three categories: endemic, epidemic and pandemic. Notifiable diseases include cholera, diphtheria, yellow fever, malaria and tetanus. Below are some diseases impacting Sri Lanka.

Dengue

One example of an endemic disease that impacts Sri Lanka is dengue. Mosquitos transmit dengue. The same type of mosquito also transmits the viruses that cause zika and chikungunya. It exists in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heavy monsoon rains, piles of damp garbage, standing pools of water and other breeding grounds that attract mosquitoes all cause dengue. 

“Dengue tends to seek out the poor who live in densely populated places where sanitation is inadequate, rubbish piles up, water pools and mosquitoes thrive,” says Gerhard Tauscher, the operations manager of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Two of the largest dengue epidemics occurred in 2002 and 2004. During these epidemics, 8,931 cases and 15,463 cases were reported.

Rabies 

Sri Lanka is on the list of high-risk countries for rabies. The bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin of an infected animal is what spreads rabies. Rabies thrives from contact with warm-blooded animals because it is a viral infection. It is a serious and frightening disease, and once developed in humans, it is fatal.

Fever, headache, weakness and paralysis are all symptoms of rabies. People travelling through remote regions are especially at risk. The symptoms can take 5 days to 25 years to develop.

Infected dogs are one reason why 20 to 30 deaths occur annually due to rabies. The main reasons for these deaths are not vaccinating dogs and not getting post exposure treatments.

Chikungunya 

Chikungunya is another virus that mosquitoes spread. In the 1960s, Sri Lanka reports its first chikungunya epidemic. This happened again in November 2006. This virus is spread through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, which also infect their victims with dengue. Symptoms of chikungunya usually appear 4-8 days after a bite from a female mosquito.

“The main symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headache, nausea, fatigue, and skin rashes. While most patients recover within a week, joint pain can persist for months or even years in some cases, particularly among older individuals,” says Consultant Physician Dr. Achalya Balasuriya.

In 2007, more than 5,000 people were infected with chikungunya in Sri Lanka’s far north. During that time, residents were living off of aid supplies coming in from abroad.

Diabetes

Of the diseases impacting Sri Lanka, diabetes is prevalent because Sri Lanka has the highest rate of diabetes in Asia. According to a national survey conducted in 2019, nearly one in four Sri Lankan adults had diabetes, and another one in three had high blood sugar.  

Dr. Ravi Ranniyan-Eliya, lead investigator for the study and Executive Director of the IHP (the Institute for Health Policy) explains that “These findings indicate that Sri Lanka has the highest rate of diabetes in Asia, and in fact one of the highest in the world, since there are only a few countries – some small Pacific Islands and places like Egypt and the Gulf States – with higher rates.”

It is hard to reverse diabetes once it develops, but being diagnosed early and getting treatment can minimize outcomes, like heart and kidney disease. The research showed that more than 1 million Sri Lankans do not know that they have diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes rose in 2011 from 7.6% to 11.3% in 2021, signaling a 68.3% rise. The rate of diabetes has risen sharply over the decades.

The Sri Lanka Government’s Efforts

The Sri Lankan government is working to reduce the transmission of diseases in Sri Lanka. In 2017, the Sri Lankan military increased the number of hospital beds for dengue patients as the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Sri Lanka requested. Army, police and health staff monitored the high risk areas, visiting house-to-house. They were involved in mobilizing communities for garbage disposal, cleaning mosquito breeding sites and health education.

To target rabies, Sri Lanka has increased dog vaccination, enforced responsible dog ownership, strengthened surveillance for animals and humans and conducted mass awareness programs.

Other Initiatives

In 2006, the International Medical Corps (IMC) set up mobile clinics, supported an information campaign and gave syringes to help fight Chikungunya in Sri Lanka.

The World Diabetes Foundation has organized workshops to strengthen the connection between maternal and child health services, primary health centers and government-established healthy lifestyle clinics in detecting and managing diabetes, diabetic foot and GDM. Sri Lanka has built new health care facilities and facilitated the training of health care professionals. This helps to improve the impact of diabetic care. It has also implemented awareness and prevention activities in schools and workplaces.

Looking Ahead

In 2022, during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the shortage of medicine and essential equipment became life-threatening. This has challenged Sri Lanka’s health care system. According to Amnesty International, “From shortages of gauze, intravenous antibiotics and insulin to requests to re-use catheters or endotracheal tubes, the last few months have brought shocking challenges to Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.”

Sri Lanka’s rich ecosystems, biodiversity and close human-animal interactions create an environment in which zoonotic diseases can be dispersed widely. Many diseases in Sri Lanka have their origins in animal populations. Sri Lanka has unique environmental and agricultural practices, which make it challenging to manage diseases. The government is taking steps to ensure that human, animal, and environmental health are managed and maintained.

– Abirame Shanthakumar

Abirame is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Norovirus in India Pushes New Public Health Plan

Norovirus Impact in India Pushes New Public Health PlanNorovirus, a highly contagious virus causing acute gastroenteritis, has seen a notable increase in India in recent years. This virus primarily affects the gastrointestinal system, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. In December 2024, the Indian government reported more than 1,000 cases of diarrhea-related diseases, coinciding with a global rise in gastrointestinal illnesses. Poor sanitation of food and water sources has significantly contributed to the spread of norovirus in India.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, these symptoms can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. Children under 5 and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. As pandemic-related restrictions have eased, increased person-to-person contact has led to higher transmission rates of various infectious diseases.

Norovirus Transmission and Prevention

Norovirus spreads through direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth. Unlike some other pathogens, norovirus is resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasize that proper handwashing with soap and water is more effective in preventing norovirus infection than using alcohol-based hand sanitizers. ​

Government Response: National Health Mission

In response to the rising burden of infectious diseases like norovirus, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched initiatives to improve public health outcomes through the National Health Mission (NHM). The NHM outlines development strategies for improving sanitation, food and water safety and health infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. The mission uses a performance-based framework. States that meet health benchmarks receive increased funding, promoting both accountability and innovation. The 2018–2019 Health System Strengthening Conditionality Report details how these benchmarks are designed to reflect the diverse health needs of India’s states.

Guiding Indicators for Public Health Improvements

To monitor and encourage improvements in health outcomes, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and technical assistance from the World Bank, developed the State Health Index. This index assesses states and union territories based on health outcomes, governance and key inputs or processes. The index aims to nudge states toward transformative action in the health sector. ​The NHM uses various key indicators to evaluate state-level progress:

  • Incremental performance based on the NITI Aayog Health Index

  • Operationalization of health and wellness centers

  • Implementation of human resource information systems

  • Grading of district hospitals

  • Mental health service expansion

  • Screening of individuals aged 30 and older for noncommunicable diseases

  • Performance ratings of urban and rural primary health centers

These indicators aim to identify specific needs across states and tailor support accordingly. The goal is to encourage cooperation while allowing state governments to focus on the communities ’ most urgent health issues.

Looking Ahead

India’s public health efforts are being shaped by both long-term planning and immediate challenges. The recent increase in norovirus cases has highlighted existing gaps in sanitation and preventive care. Government-led initiatives such as the National Health Mission offer targeted approaches to address these ongoing issues while promoting systemic improvement. Continued implementation of state-specific strategies may help reduce disease incidence and improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

– Jonathan Joseph

Jonathan is based in Milwaukee, WI, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diseases Impacting Peru

Diseases Impacting PeruPeru is a Latin American country well known for its gastronomy and fantastic tourist destinations. However, the fact that so many people want to travel to Peru is one of the reasons why so many countries have started evaluating the risks for their nationals. For instance, the CDC in the U.S. emitted an alert and report on several diseases impacting Peru that someone might get when visiting. In that report, they ask people to be careful about where they stay and what they eat.

Some of the diseases listed are strongly rooted in poverty and lack of resources. This means that with proper help, information and resources could be minimized and stop being a threat to Peruvians and tourists. Here is information about the diseases impacting Peru.

Dengue

One of the most known diseases impacting Peru is dengue. According to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), Peru is the Latin American country with the highest fatality rate. Before 2024, Peru had between 4,698 and 68,290 cases per year. However, in 2024, Peru experienced a sudden increase of dengue cases, rising to 273,847 people infected according to the Peruvian Ministry of Health. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through mosquito bites. Not all mosquitos bring dengue, but it is impossible to identify when one does. Dengue is highly present in communities with fewer resources. The lack of clean water distributed through pipelines makes people store it in open containers, which according to the Peruvian government, is the environment where the Aedes Aegypti mosquito lays down its eggs. Towns with heavy rain are even more vulnerable to dengue outbreaks.

Malaria 

Another mosquito-borne disease, malaria, while not as deadly as dengue, is still a problem the country is trying to tackle as fast as possible. The Peruvian Health Ministry declared malaria as an endemic disease impacting Peru, especially in certain areas of the jungle because of the presence of still water combined with biological materials. Peru has around 17,000 cases of malaria per year, closing 2023 with more than 22,000 reported cases.

According to the UNDP, malaria and poverty correlate; globally, malaria affects lower-income tropical towns and agricultural areas, especially if they do not have the proper resources to prevent the mosquitos from laying eggs, which requires the purchase of certain pesticides to prevent those mosquitos from growing up. Low-income households, especially farmers, do not have the budget for the right pesticides, insecticides or even the protective clothes necessary to prevent malaria. On the other hand, the United Nations Development Program explains how malaria not only is barely impossible to prevent for low-income households, but the treatment from the sickness drives families into poverty.

The Peruvian government already started implementing and funding programs to accomplish its objectives of reducing malaria by 90% by 2030. The “Eliminemos la malaria” plan started in 2022, and since then, the government allocated resources to take the following actions:

  • Capacitate and educate medics and nurses in the furthest regions of the country
  • Provide proper equipment and tests 
  • Provide treatment medicines
  • Monitor constantly the use of these resources

The Peruvian government reported a decrease in the number of cases of malaria in six regions of the Latin American country, all happening in just the first years of the program. Certain regions like Junín reported a decrease of 84%, while others like Amazonas decreased by 24%.

Typhoid 

Typhoid is a type of infectious disease that people catch when ingesting contaminated foods or water. It is mostly present in places without access to clean water and proper sanitation when handling foods. The Peruvian government reported that more than 3 million Peruvians do not have access to drinkable water and more than 6 million to not have access to sewers.

Typhoid is a disease impacting Peru that is directly related to poverty and the Peruvian government is working to address it by providing proper information on how to handle foods. The Peruvian government does not prepare a report solely on typhoid, but it includes it in a report for intense diarrheic disease, in which it had reported approximately 2,345 cases per year.

Tuberculosis

A disease that according to the Peruvian newspaper Peru21, is considered “the sickness of the poor.” Tuberculosis is mainly spread when people spend a lot of time in an indoor space. In Peru, approximately 30,000 people get tuberculosis every year. Thankfully the Peruvian government is taking measures to increase the early detection and avoid it from spreading. Peru is doubling the number of molecular detection equipment nationwide, which will speed the process for labs. The executive director of the tuberculosis department announced at the same time that her department will be conducting regular checkups in vulnerable areas, focusing on markets, to detect early tuberculosis outbreaks in towns far from cities.

The Bright Side

Since several of these diseases impacting Peru are strongly related to poverty, fighting them also means improving the living conditions for vulnerable towns. Several nonprofits are already trying to improve sanitation and bring freshwater to towns. The nonprofit Prisma, which originated in 1986, dedicates its existence to fighting inequality in vulnerable towns. It has implemented several projects to fight diseases that mosquitos transmit.

Water for People is another big nonprofit that has been working to bring fresh water to rural towns since 2008. So far, it has worked with regional governments to bring almost 100% fresh running water to three districts: Cascas, Asunsión and Reque. Lastly, Water.org has been working hard in Peru since 2013, it focuses on lending money through partner institutions so that several communities can access toilets, sanitary installations and water tanks. So far, it has been able to improve sanitation for more than 5 million Peruvians in addition to providing clean water.

Government Investments

At the same time, the Peruvian government is working hard to prevent the spread of several diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid and dengue, by informing people on how to avoid them and with early detection tests. By investing in equipment that is being brought to different clinics around the country, the idea is to decentralize the testing process of detection, making results available at a faster rate for local governments to react. The Peruvian health ministry is launching several campaigns, bringing volunteers and medics to markets around the country for regular tests on vulnerable populations, hoping that the early detection and training of communities will reduce the spread of these diseases impacting Peru.

Helping improve the living conditions of towns will not only save lives but at the same time improve the security for tourists from everywhere and reduce the chances of these diseases impacting Peru to impact other countries that never faced them.

– Luis Felipe Rios

Luis is based in Miami, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Sickle Cell Disease in Tanzania

sickle cell disease in TanzaniaSickle cell disease has been a part of life in sub-Saharan Africa for more than 8,000 years, accounting for approximately 6.4% of under-five mortality, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Sickle cell disease affects between 8,000 and 11,000 infants in Tanzania each year, with six out of every 1,000 children born carrying this genetic “time bomb”.

Without early diagnosis and consistent treatment, up to 90% of these children may not survive past their fifth birthday. To address this, Texas Children’s Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE) and Baylor College of Medicine Global Health have launched a low-cost program to combat sickle cell disease in Tanzania.

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sickle cell disease is a genetically inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein that binds with oxygen in red blood cells as they travel throughout the body. Generally, red blood cells resemble crimson frisbees, gliding through the blood vessels to various organs and tissues. Upon arrival, they distribute oxygen and carry carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs for exhalation.

When a person has sickle cell disease, their red blood cells morph into a crescent shape, resembling a traditional farming tool called a sickle. As they become crescent-shaped, the hemoglobin often hardens, causing the blood cells to turn rigid. The sickled cells can then get caught in the vessels, blocking blood flow and causing severe pain.

Causes and Symptoms

These malformed cells are caused by a gene mutation inherited from parents who are both carriers of the recessive gene. According to the NIH, symptoms can develop as early as five or six months. These symptoms usually include yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, often called jaundice and icterus, respectively, extreme tiredness or fussiness and painful swelling of the hands and feet.

As the affected children age, the symptoms begin to intensify exponentially. The NIH states that common symptoms found in sickle cell patients are severe pain events often referred to as “pain crises” or “vaso-occlusive crises,” fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat and chest pain, among other abnormalities. Many of these occur when the sickled cells block the blood flow and restrict oxygen delivery to the rest of the body. Most commonly, this is the catalyst for the pain crises, which occur sporadically and can continue for multiple hours or even days.

Global HOPE and Baylor College of Medicine

Texas Children’s developed the Global HOPE program in 2017 to improve the survival of children with cancer and blood diseases in Africa. Its mission is to accomplish this by leading patient care, education and research to equate survival rates to those of the United States (U.S.). Through its Global Health collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, the organization has become one of the largest distributors of pediatric HIV care on the planet. Its global programs aim to decrease health disparities and provide creative, forward-thinking solutions for improved care and survival rates.

In January of 2025, with the support of Bristol Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical charitable organization, Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine announced that they would be tackling the devastating threat of sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa. The program will begin by rolling out interventions and treatments for sickle cell disease in Tanzania and Uganda. According to the Texas Children’s website, the interventions it has planned are economically advisable and have proven histories of success. They have been implemented in Western countries, often known for leading medical innovation, since the 1980s, with initial pilot trials also returning impressively positive results in Africa. The interventions are just as simple and effective in controlling sickle cell disease in Tanzania.

Prevention and Treatment

For infants, screening and immunizations will be administered. Screening is often done in newborns by pricking the infant’s heel and recovering a blood sample on a lab card. A lab then uses tests such as high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing to separate and identify the components of the sample and attempt to detect the presence of abnormal hemoglobin proteins. Once a sickle cell has been identified in a child, Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine plan to provide a daily penicillin pill for five years due to the increased susceptibility to bacterial infections such as pneumococcus. This will be administered orally until the child is five years old and should prevent the development of bloodstream bacterial infections.

Finally, they also plan to administer a daily dose of hydroxyurea, an oral medicine approved in 1998 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating sickle cell disease. Hydroxyurea has been found to prevent pain crises and hospitalizations for children. It does so by maintaining the circular flexibility of the red blood cells, allowing easier flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body. This will come as a big win in a country such as Tanzania, where access to health care, especially for children, is extremely limited due to high rates of multidimensional poverty, an unequipped infrastructure and a lack of access for rural populations.

Conclusion

The work of Texas Children’s Global HOPE and Baylor College of Medicine’s alliance has already proven to be successful in the work they have done in HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment. Their work to detect, educate, treat and research has lofty goals of emulating their success in the U.S. With the determination they have brought to the medical world thus far, their initiative provides a hopeful future for all children struggling with sickle cell disease in Tanzania.

– Jacob Christopher

Jacob is based in Granite Falls, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Diseases Impacting Vietnam

Diseases Impacting VietnamVietnam is known for its beautiful landscapes, rich culture and an unfortunate, challenging history. After years of war, Vietnam has become one of the fastest-growing economies and has seen the poverty rate decrease to below 4% in 2023. With one of the most successful implementations of universal healthcare in Asia, Vietnam hopes to see more than 95% of its population covered by health care by the end of this year.

The government has also committed itself to increasing the coverage of low-income and marginalized groups in the country’s more rural and mountainous regions. These areas, which are higher in poverty than the larger cities, see the biggest impact when it comes to diseases, as many in these rural areas see lower income rates, which cause people to have health care bills they cannot afford. However, Vietnam continues to make improvements to the health care system and now boasts a life expectancy rate of 2.4 years higher than the world average. However, due to lifestyle changes and limited health care access in some regions, there are still many diseases impacting Vietnam, including communicable diseases like dengue fever, measles and influenza, as well as rising rates of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Infectious Diseases 

With a tropical climate, diseases impacting Vietnam include many communicable diseases, such as dengue fever, which the country has had continued struggles with over the years. There were more than 114,000 reported cases of dengue fever in 2024, which is less than half of previous years, such as 2019 and 2022, when the country saw epidemics of dengue fever. In September of 2024, the country rolled out a dengue fever vaccine, Qdenga, which was dispersed in a vaccine drive in more than 200 health centers, in the hopes of slowing future breakouts of the disease.

Vietnam has also experienced several measles outbreaks over the years, which has affected mostly younger children, including an outbreak in 2024, where there were more than 7,500 confirmed cases. These cases have been mostly concentrated in the southern part of the country and attributed to a lack of children being vaccinated in these regions. The government continues to push for greater measles vaccination campaigns to curb outbreaks in these susceptible areas. The VNVC or Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company donated 500,000 doses of the vaccine to be distributed throughout the country. These vaccination campaigns originally targeted for young unvaccinated children ages 1-10 but was expanded to include 6-9 month old children in early 2025. In total, 45 provinces have deployed vaccination campaigns with 28 of them having already completed the first phase.

Noncommunicable Diseases 

As the country sees an increase in urbanization and lifestyle changes, it is also seeing an increase in noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. NCDs are still the leading cause of death in Vietnam, with these diseases causing 77% of deaths. The rise in these NCDs is primarily due to an aging population and an increase in unhealthy diets and a lack of exercise. The country has seen a steep rise in inactivity in adolescence, and records show that more than 50% of the female population are overweight. These factors have contributed to a steep rise in diabetes in Vietnam, especially undiagnosed diabetes. With larger cities and more sedentary lifestyles, if not appropriately addressed with methods such as prescreening, and a push for healthier communities, the increase of diabetes could pose a significant risk to the population. 

Looking Forward 

The government has made a lot of progress over the years concerning its population’s health. With more access to health care than ever before, the country’s health should continue improving. However, diseases impacting Vietnam remain a challenge, especially as the rate of urbanization increases dramatically in Vietnam. This brings along accompanying problems, like air pollution, environmental changes and lifestyle changes. If not properly addressed, these issues can lead to the continued rise of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes rates. However, the government plans to expand universal health care and reform health care centers across the country.

A new law concerning health care in the country is set to start July 1, 2025, which will expand the number of health care facilities that citizens can use, along with other changes, such as moving patients with rare or advanced diseases to higher-level facilities without prior approval. The country still has a ways to go, but currently, it is on a steady path to improving public health by reducing the rate of infectious diseases and providing more people nationwide with health care. 

– Collier Simpson

Collier is based in Savannah, GA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mystery Illness Sparks Public Health Crisis in the DRC

Mystery Illness Sparks Public Health Crisis in the DRCA public health crisis is unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as health officials investigate a mystery illness that has claimed at least 60 lives and infected approximately 1,000 people. The disease first appeared in the village of Boloko in the Équateur Province on Jan. 21 and has since spread across the northwestern region. The illness presents hemorrhagic fever symptoms, including vomiting, nosebleeds and internal bleeding, resembling Ebola and yellow fever. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) ruled out these diseases after conducting initial tests on patient samples. Health officials are examining multiple potential causes, including malaria, waterborne pathogens and exposure to contaminated food sources.

Investigating the Source of the Outbreak

Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s director of emergencies, suggested the outbreak may be linked to poisoning, though investigations remain ongoing. The African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also considered malaria as a possible factor, given its high prevalence in the country. Researchers traced the first reported deaths to three young children who had consumed a bat carcass before falling ill. While zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans—are common in the region, scientists have not confirmed a direct link. Health authorities are also assessing whether contaminated water sources or food poisoning contributed to the outbreak. The Congolese government has deployed health experts to affected areas to conduct research and assist local health care workers. However, limited resources and a fragile health care system pose challenges to an effective response.

Public Health Crisis: Food Insecurity and Disease Risk

Congo, the second-largest country in Africa by landmass, has a population of 105.8 million, with 73% of people living on less than $2.15 per day. The DRC ranks among the poorest in the world, with widespread food insecurity, displacement and malnutrition. More than 6.9 million people are displaced and 3.7 million children and women suffer from acute malnutrition.

Agriculture remains Congo’s largest economic sector, but it struggles to meet food demands due to climate change, conflict and underdeveloped infrastructure. Production growth slowed to 2.2% in 2023, further limiting access to food. Many rural communities rely on subsistence farming, but disruptions in crop yields and market access leave millions vulnerable to hunger. Deforestation and land degradation further impact food production, driving many Congolese to rely on bushmeat for survival.

Health experts warn that extreme poverty and food shortages create conditions where people turn to wild animals as a food source, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission—infections that jump from animals to humans. Over the last decade, Africa has seen a 60% rise in rare disease outbreaks linked to wild animal consumption. Congo’s vast tropical forests harbor numerous pathogens, making human- wildlife interactions a continuous public health risk.

Dr. Gabriel Nsakala, a public health professor at Congo’s National Pedagogical University, emphasized that as long as poverty, deforestation and food insecurity persist, epidemics will continue to emerge and evolve. Poor sanitation, limited access to clean water and weak health care infrastructure further increase the likelihood of disease outbreaks spreading rapidly in vulnerable communities.

International Response and Humanitarian Assistance

Congo’s public health system lacks sufficient personnel and resources to contain large-scale outbreaks. Fewer than 10 employees work at the country’s national public health agency, making it heavily reliant on the WHO and other international partners.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently reduced funding for foreign health initiatives, limiting the resources available for emergency responses in the DRC. Without international aid, the country struggles to conduct laboratory testing, deploy medical personnel and provide essential treatments. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) remains one of the largest humanitarian organizations operating in the DRC. The WFP provides nutrition assistance, cash transfers and food security programs, reaching more than 5.3 million people in 2023. The organization also funds long-term agricultural initiatives, literacy programs and infrastructure projects to improve economic stability.

Looking Ahead

The public health crisis in the DRC coincides with a worsening humanitarian crisis in the country, where ongoing conflict between the Congolese military and the M23 rebel group has displaced thousands. With limited health care infrastructure, high poverty rates and persistent violence, controlling disease outbreaks remains a significant challenge. As investigations continue, health officials emphasize the urgent need for increased funding, stronger health care infrastructure and international support to prevent future epidemics and strengthen public health responses in the region.

– Mackenzie Inman

Mackenzie is based in Washington, D.C., USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr