Archive for category: Disease

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Common Diseases in Pakistan

Common Diseases in PakistanPakistan, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is located in South Asia. Pakistan is the sixth-most populous country in the world, with about 201 million people. High population, unfavorable climatic conditions and the lack of educational and economic development put Pakistani citizens in an unhealthy environment.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan ranks 122 out of 190 countries in terms of healthcare standards. Here are some of the most common diseases in Pakistan:

  1. Dengue Fever
    Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with the dengue virus. It cannot be spread directly from person to person. Some of the disease’s symptoms include high fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and skin rash. Dengue fever may be mistaken for the flu or other viral infections. However, dengue fever is a severe form of the virus and may cause serious diseases including enlargement of the liver and failure of the circulatory system if not treated in time.In 2011, there was a dengue outbreak in Pakistan, and more than 250,000 suspected cases of dengue fever were reported. Between 2009 to 2011, dengue fever caused 348 deaths in Pakistan. In order to prevent outbreaks of dengue fever from happening again in the future, Pakistan’s government strengthened surveillance and general preventive measures, improved clinical management of patients and implemented targeted vector control activities, according to the WHO. In addition, the government also organized public awareness campaigns for risk mitigation.
  2. Tuberculosis
    Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that affects the lungs, which can be spread by coughing and sneezing. The WHO claims that without proper treatment, up to two-thirds of people that are infected with tuberculosis will die. Tuberculosis is one of the common diseases in Pakistan that can have irreversible consequences. Symptoms of tuberculosis include coughing, fever, fatigue, chills and loss of appetite. According to the WHO, Pakistan was ranked eighth out of the 22 countries in the world that are most highly prone to tuberculosis. About 420,000 new tuberculosis cases are reported every year in Pakistan.The government of Pakistan set up the National TB Control Program (NTP) to help reduce the risk of getting tuberculosis. According to the NTP official website, it provides skill training for medics, paramedics and lab technicians. In addition, the program offers a free supply of anti-TB medicines to all diagnosed cases.
  3. Diabetes
    Pakistan has the highest diabetes rates in all of South Asia, as about seven million people are affected by the disease. Diabetes is a disease that affects the patient’s body’s ability to respond to the hormone insulin, which then causes unusual metabolism of carbohydrates and high levels of glucose in the blood and urine. If not treated, the high glucose levels can cause damage to blood vessels and parts of the body.The high diabetes rate may be a result of the unhealthy food industry in Pakistan. The Diabetic’s Institute of Pakistan (DIP) has been fighting against diabetes since it was founded in 1996. DIP offers diabetes awareness programs to provide useful knowledge to the patients and the public, as well as pharmacy services for patients.
  4. Cancer
    Representing 8 percent of all deaths in Pakistan, cancer is a major health problem for Pakistanis. Lung cancer and breast cancer are the most common forms in Pakistan. A recent study shows that about one in every nine women in Pakistan has breast cancer. Pakistan also has the highest consumption of tobacco in South Asia. A large number of the patients are not aware that they have cancer until they are in critical stages of cancer, and they usually do not have the access to proper treatment.In 2013, Pakistan established a cancer registry that compiles data on cancer patients from across the country, which is an important step in cancer prevention and control in Pakistan. In 2016, 18 cancer hospitals in Pakistan were working on hospital-based registries. These hospitals provide about 80 percent of the cancer treatment in Pakistan.
  5. Hepatitis A and E
    Even though there are vaccines available for hepatitis, hepatitis A and E are still common diseases in Pakistan. Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease which is transmitted through contaminated water or unhealthy food. In addition to the vaccine, safe water supply, healthy food, improved sanitation and handwashing are all effective ways to fight the disease.Hepatitis E is a liver disease that is usually self-limiting. However, it may cause acute liver failure. According to the WHO, East and South Asia have the highest prevalence of hepatitis in the world. According to Pakistan’s health department, the government is using all channels of communication to increase awareness of hepatitis among the public. The government also provides medicine and vaccines for the patients.

These common diseases in Pakistan are a major health problem for the country’s citizens. The Pakistan government and many other organizations, including the WHO, are working on increasing public awareness and providing medical programs to train more doctors. However, the Pakistan government still needs to provide access to more hospitals, as well as better healthcare, that can make proper treatment affordable for the public.

– Mike Liu

Photo: Flickr

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An Uphill Battle: Common Diseases in Ethiopia

Common Diseases in Ethiopia

With a population of more than 98 million people, Ethiopia has a depth of history and diversity that has captivated the world for centuries. It has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, yet common diseases in Ethiopia are still a pressing problem.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that more than half the population of Ethiopia doesn’t have access to healthcare, cases being more prominent in rural areas. An estimated 42 percent of people living in rural areas are within walking distance of health facilities, while 75 percent of people living in urban areas are within walking distance. Furthermore, many of the healthcare facilities lack adequate medicines and supplies and are staffed by under-qualified workers.

As reported by the WHO, the most common diseases in Ethiopia, responsible for 74 percent of all deaths and 81 percent of disabilities per year, are malaria, prenatal and maternal death, nutrition deficiency, diarrhea, acute respiratory infection and HIV/AIDS.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), consisting of a large group of parasitic diseases, are also a prominent problem throughout Ethiopia. Ethiopia has the highest number of NTD cases in sub-Saharan Africa, including trachoma, podoconiosos and cutaneous leishmaniasis.

However, progress has been made to combat common diseases in Ethiopia. As reported by the World Bank, between 2005 and 2013, “the number of small health posts or clinics nearly quadrupled from 4,211 to 14,416, the number of health centers increased from 519 to 3,245, and the number of public hospitals grew from 79 to 127.” Furthermore, with World Bank-funded programs promoting citizen participation in helping to improve living conditions, NGOs, communities and civil society organizations are increasingly communicating and developing plans to address common diseases in Ethiopia.

Yet, there is still much work to be done. The country still reels from recent protests that killed hundreds of people and battles entrenched ethnic divisions perpetuated under the current government. As Ethiopia fights to end inadequate and inaccessible healthcare, there must be increased communication between citizens and all governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations.

With repressive anti-terror laws, this is a daunting task, yet one that must be addressed if common diseases in Ethiopia are to be eradicated. The entire population depends on international and national pressure to increase funding and expand infrastructure that will be accessible to all people no matter their ethnicity, religion, geographic location, gender and many other factors that divide the country.

– Joseph Dover

Photo: Flickr

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Rise in Non-Communicable Common Diseases in India

Common Diseases in IndiaNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 60 percent of deaths in India. In recent years, most common diseases in India are non-communicable, as opposed to the communicable diseases that dominated the charts in previous decades.

In a 2015 report, the World Health Organization stated that common non-communicable diseases in India are the overwhelming leading cause of death across all classes and regions. At this time, one in four Indians risk death due to an NCD before the age of 70.

India has undergone rapid development and growth in the last three decades. In 2015 its GDP growth was 7.6 percent, making India the fastest major growing economy in the world. Furthermore, India is set to overcome China as the most populous state as early as 2022.

India’s transition from a developing nation to an emerging power is marked by its rapid growth. It is also transitioning from a state vulnerable to communicable diseases to one plagued by lifestyle diseases, particularly heart disease. Currently, Indian citizens are twice as likely to die from a non-communicable disease than from a communicable one.

The decline of communicable diseases in India speaks to the dramatically positive impact development has on water quality, health services, sanitation and general health. The decrease of communicable diseases is certainly worth celebrating, yet India faces new challenges.

Heart disease, diabetes and cancer are among the leading causes of death in India today. Factors that contribute to the rise in these diseases include poor diet, pollution, tobacco use and alcohol use.

In light of the health issues emerging powers such as India and China face, the health community has established that the links between health and development go both ways. Improved health notoriously encourages development in countries just as poor health hinders development; a population’s health directly correlates to its productivity.

India is in a particularly vulnerable position. While communicable diseases have been overtaken by non-infectious diseases, they remain a problem. This creates a dual burden of diseases in the state, one that needs to be addressed through policy and action. If either communicable diseases or noncommunicable diseases become too burdensome, it will risk India’s development and further potential.

Fortunately, India is tackling NCDs as fervently as it tackled communicable diseases decades ago. General Electric India, for example, is making significant progress in developing cheap and effective diagnostic devices to battle the heart disease epidemic.

While communicable diseases are decreasing and noncommunicable diseases are increasing significantly, the list of common diseases in India still has a mixture of both communicable and non-communicable ailments. Going forward, continued investment in health and access to health centers are essential to India’s development.

– Catherine Fredette

Photo: UN Multimedia

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Yellow Fever and Other Common Diseases in Brazil

An epidemic of yellow fever has recently emerged in rural areas of Brazil, with over 3,192 suspected cases reported, 758 cases confirmed and 426 deaths from the disease. The fatality rate for confirmed cases has risen to 35 percent as of May 18. Although it is not normally among the common diseases in Brazil, yellow fever poses a growing threat to Brazilian public health.

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease that includes symptoms such as black vomit and bleeding from the naval cavities. The Aedes aegypti species of mosquito currently transmits the disease, mainly in rural areas of the country.

However, Brazil could face an even greater problem if the mosquito species that live in densely populated cities, such as Rio de Janeiro, contracts the disease and begins to spread it. Already Brazil has had to request 3.5 million doses of the yellow fever vaccine from the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision. Only six million doses currently exist in the emergency stockpile for the vaccine; for perspective, Rio de Janeiro had an estimated 12 million residents in and around the city in 2016.

While country officials deal with the yellow fever endemic, there are several other diseases which continue to affect its citizens, especially those living in poverty. Other common diseases in Brazil include:

Ischemic Heart Disease
Ischemic heart disease ranks the highest among common diseases in Brazil. In 2015, it was the leading cause of death in Brazil at 18.8 percent, and it has frequently been the leading cause of death globally. Ischemic heart disease is especially prevalent among low- and middle-income countries, as living in poverty often correlates with some of the most common behavioral risk factors. These factors include an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. Due to the success of Brazil’s universal public health system, however, the mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases decreased by 24 percent between 2000 and 2011.

Diabetes
Diabetes was the fifth leading cause of death in Brazil in 2015, which was a rise from its previous position at seventh in 2005. Approximately 12 million Brazilians suffered from diabetes in 2015. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body struggles to produce or respond to the insulin hormone. One way that the Brazilian Ministry of Health attempts to combat the increasing prevalence of diabetes is by offering free drugs to all people with diabetes and related conditions. They also support education and awareness activities.

Diarrheal Disease
Diarrheal disease is both preventable and treatable, and yet globally it is the second leading cause of premature death in children under five. In Brazil, it was the seventh leading cause of death in 2013. The greatest risk factors for deaths related to diarrheal disease are child and maternal malnutrition. As malnutrition generally plagues impoverished populations the most, the poor in Brazil are the most likely to suffer from the diarrheal disease. Fortunately, a rotavirus vaccination for infants has resulted in a decline in under-five-year-old diarrhea-related mortality and a decrease in hospital admissions in Brazil after the vaccine’s introduction in 2006.

With the threat of yellow fever and the constant presence of other common diseases in Brazil, the Brazilian government faces a great deal of work to improve and ensure the health of its citizens, especially those living in high-risk areas due to poverty. For now, the universal public health system strives to make current advances in preventing these common diseases accessible to all people.

– Lauren McBride

Photo: Pixabay

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Common Diseases in Ecuador: A Reflection of Socioeconomic Disparity

The instability of the Ecuadorian economy carries broader implications on the health of citizens nationwide.

Ecuador is a developing country highly dependent on the export of petroleum and agricultural products for economic growth. Although the country has seen improvements in its health care system through the efforts of President Rafael Correa since 2007, many public hospitals are in poor condition and often lack necessary supplies to tend to the high demand of patients. Private hospitals and clinics, on the other hand, are well equipped but too expensive for a large part of the population.

Mumps and Tetanus

Several common diseases in Ecuador continue to take a toll on the population. Mumps and tetanus are just two examples. According to the World Health Organization, the number of reported mumps cases in Ecuador has increased and remained relatively constant since 1980. While 799 cases were reported in 2012, approximately 1,400 cases have been reported on average from 2013 to 2016. The number of tetanus cases has also increased since 2012, from 27 to 52 last year. These, however, are the least of the country’s problems.

Communicable Diseases

Many common diseases in Ecuador are communicable diseases. The World Health Organization reports that 18 percent of all 81,000 deaths in 2016 resulted from communicable diseases and nutritional conditions. Due to environmental conditions, smoking habits and malnutrition, tuberculosis is one of the most common health problems in Ecuador.

The World Health Organization documents approximately 14,000 cases annually. Hepatitis A and typhoid fever are the most common diseases transmitted through food and water. Yellow fever, dengue and malaria are the most common diseases transmitted by insects, especially mosquitos. Dengue fever is particularly common in all regions of the country, as no immunization or specific treatment currently exists.

Non-communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease also negatively affect Ecuador’s population. The World Bank found that the mortality rate per 100,000 people from non-communicable diseases increased an average of 1.5 percent each year since 1990. The World Health Organization reported that in 2016, cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular disease accounted for 46 percent of all deaths.

Smoking and alcohol were the two most prevalent risk factors, alongside dietary issues caused by high intakes of sodium and low intakes of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and proteins.

Nutrition

Indeed, nutrition or rather, lack thereof, is another one of Ecuador’s major health issues and is often a root cause of many common diseases in Ecuador. In 2006, roughly 25.8 percent of children under 5 years old suffered from chronic malnutrition, and in 2013, government data showed the rate of chronic malnutrition in children under 5 years old remained at approximately 26 percent. This trend most directly relates to Ecuador’s ongoing socioeconomic disparities and status as a developing nation.

Today, a decade after Correa took office, Ecuador’s public health care system is ranked as one of the best in South America. Since Correa’s health care policies have been implemented, the government has constructed over 46 health centers and 12 hospitals throughout the country. The number of free consultations has also increased from 20.3 million in 2007 to 39 million in 2015.

Visiting a general practitioner costs only $25 to $35 while visiting a specialist costs as low as $30 to $40, and a thirty-minute session with a psychiatrist costs just $30 to $50. Outpatient surgeries cost around $125.

Given the prevalence of certain non-communicable and communicable diseases. However, much still needs to be done before citizens are guaranteed equal standards of health care across all socioeconomic barriers.

– Katherine Wang

Photo: Flickr

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Common Diseases in South Sudan

Common Diseases in South SudanThe people of South Sudan are currently dealing with a long list of hardships. In addition to living in a civil war, they also suffer from high rates of poverty. Due to the environment that they live in, the South Sudanese are victims to both violence and food shortage. Another complication is the threat of many different common diseases in South Sudan.

Visceral leishmaniasis, also called kala-azar, travels through a sandfly’s bite. The disease swells the spleen and liver, damaging the two organs. It is crucial to seek medical help as soon as possible because this disease can be fatal if not treated properly. In 2016, 42 individuals died from kala-azar, though that includes only reported deaths.

Measles is another of the more common diseases in South Sudan. In the first five months of this year, there have been 573 suspected cases. Measles is very contagious: a sick individual could spread the disease with a single cough.

The living conditions of the country mean these diseases leave a significant impact on the South Sudanese. Some areas in South Sudan are immune to visceral leishmaniasis. Unfortunately, their immunity is useless due to the amount of stress the South Sudanese live in. As a result, the disease continues to spread. According to the WHO, people are more vulnerable to diseases if they are placed in conflict situations.

Not only are many South Sudanese unable to afford food, but some also live in areas that are suffering from famine. Due to this food shortage, they are malnourished. The consequential lack of nutrients makes them even more susceptible to diseases.

With measles vaccination campaigns going around the country, there are several efforts to fight these common diseases in South Sudan. Groups such as the WHO are working toward providing the people of South Sudan the health care that they need.

– Raven Rentas

Photo: Flickr

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6 of the Most Common Diseases in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s tropical weather and lush scenery attract many tourists from all around the globe. Last year, the country broke its record for tourists by reaching just shy of three million arrivals. However, that same equatorial climate also brings still water and multiple mosquito-borne illnesses. Below are some of the most common diseases in Costa Rica.

  1. Malaria
    Malaria is a disease spread by the parasites living in certain mosquitoes. The initial symptoms — chills, headaches and fever — typically take around 10-15 days to make themselves apparent. Even though it can be life-threatening if left untreated, it is both preventable and curable. Chloroquine is a popular prescription for it in Costa Rica.
  2. Dengue Fever and Chikungunya Virus
    Two more common diseases in Costa Rica are dengue fever and chikungunya virus. During 2016’s first five weeks, these infections skyrocketed 600 percent from the same time the preceding year. They are both transferred via mosquito bites and share a few symptoms: headaches, joint and muscle pain and rashes. Fortunately, dengue and chikungunya are rarely fatal.
  3. Zika
    Zika, another mosquito-borne illness, can be found in Costa Rica. Once someone is infected, they are also at risk of spreading the disease through sex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend either using condoms or avoiding sexual contact with an infected individual. Additionally, not everyone who has Zika gets sick. This is a problem especially for pregnant women, as they may not know they are infected and can pass the disease along to their child which would result in serious birth defects.As of now, the CDC states that Zika has no vaccine or medicine. However, it recommends staying above 6,500 feet (where Zika-carrying mosquitoes are unlikely to be found due to unfavorable environmental conditions) and has a guide for preventing mosquito bites altogether.
  4. Chagas Disease
    Chagas disease is spread via parasites in the Reduviid bug and mostly affects people living in rural Costa Rica. One of the methods of infections is particularly repulsive. While the bug bites someone, it defecates on them. The parasites rely on the person to swat the bug as this will grind the feces into the new bite wound.According to Mayo Clinic, the symptoms — loss of appetite, fatigue, eyelid swelling, nausea and others — are typically mild and may not even occur until the disease reaches the chronic stage. Current treatments for Chagas disease focus on eliminating the parasite, but these medications won’t work if the disease becomes chronic.
  5. Leptospirosis
    Lastly, there is leptospirosis. It is a bacterial disease spread through the infected urine of animals. People with scrapes or open wounds who come into contact with contaminated water are at risk. The symptoms can be mistaken for a multitude of other diseases and take anywhere from two days to four weeks to surface.However, prevention is fairly easy. Avoiding contact with water that may be infected (including puddles) and wearing protective clothing when engaging in water sports greatly reduce the chances of infection.

While some of the most common diseases in Costa Rica may not have cures as of now, prevention is key. There are many resources widely available to help locals and tourists alike maintain their health in a climate that can foster such illnesses.

– Jada Haynes

Photo: Flickr

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Common Diseases in Nicaragua

The most common diseases in Nicaragua include bacterial diarrhea, Hepatitis A, typhoid fever, dengue fever and malaria. Recently, countries in this region of the world have also seen a rise in Zika transmission. Common diseases in Nicaragua are food and waterborne diseases and vector-borne diseases.

The food and waterborne diseases seen in Nicaragua are bacterial diarrhea, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid fever. These can be contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A attacks the liver, resulting in fever, jaundice and diarrhea. About 15 percent of infected individuals will have these symptoms for more than six months. Typhoid fever leads to extremely high fevers, and when left untreated it has a mortality rate of 20 percent.

Dengue fever and malaria are spread by vectors, just like the Zika virus. Dengue fever is transferred through mosquito bites and has a death rate of 5 percent caused by shock or hemorrhage. Malaria is also spread through mosquitoes.

The CDC is most concerned with the prevalence of the Zika virus, because of the lasting effects it has on a population. Although the virus does not usually lead to death, it is an issue for pregnant women, who transfer the disease to their unborn children. When infected, these children will suffer from a lack of development in their skulls, which will cause major problems throughout their lives.

The good news is that the common diseases in Nicaragua are fairly easy to prevent with vaccination and proper hygiene. By avoiding contact with animals and bodily fluids, as well as preventing the spread of germs, the likelihood of contracting these diseases lessens greatly.

– Helen Barker

Photo: Flickr

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Working to Fight Common Diseases in South Africa

South Africa has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the world. The disease has continued to be the leading cause of death since 1997. Responsible for around 38,000 deaths annually, it remains one of the most common diseases in South Africa, especially in poorer areas where people are not properly vaccinated, cannot afford medical care and do not have access to decent healthcare services.

Tuberculosis is easily spread through the air, and those with a compromised immune system, such as those with HIV/AIDS, are especially susceptible. This puts a large portion of the population at heightened risk as an estimated seven million South Africans have HIV.

A tuberculosis vaccine is available but is usually only for children or young adults at risk. For those who have the disease, a strict antibiotic routine for a minimum of six months is necessary to completely eradicate the bacteria. If the treatment is not followed correctly or completed in full, then the bacteria may become resistant to the drug and even more difficult to treat. It is necessary to educate patients on the importance of finishing treatment and to limit the spread of the disease.

In a recently published study conducted by Dr. Nazir Ismail, the head of the Centre for Tuberculosis at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, results showed that TB has been on the decline. During the last three years of the 12-year period, the number of new TB cases had dropped between four to six percent annually.

Influenza and pneumonia are other common diseases in South Africa. Together these diseases account for around 22,000 deaths each year, the second highest cause of death in South Africa. Influenza, also known as the flu, is highly contagious from person to person and is a common cause of pneumonia. People infected with HIV are also far more likely to develop pneumonia when they contract influenza.

There are vaccines available for both influenza and some types of pneumonia that are not completely protective. Flu vaccinations change seasonally. Pneumonia vaccines are necessary only once or with a booster. Actual treatment depends on the variation and severity of the disease. Rest and fluids may be enough, but some cases may require antibiotics.

Statistics show that heart disease is a leading cause of death amongst the middle and upper-class populations in South Africa. Gastric diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera and others caused by contaminated water, are more common among impoverished populations.

Even though the death rate from these common diseases in South Africa seems high, the overall mortality rate is decreasing. The country seeks to lower the rate even further through better medical care and treatment of these diseases.

– Hannah Kaiser

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in Haiti


Before the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, 80% of Haitians already lived below the poverty line, and 54% of the natives lived in poverty. Already an economically struggling country, the earthquake shattered what little financial support it had by creating $8.5 billion in destruction. According to the Inter-American Development Bank, Haiti’s gross domestic product decreased to 5.1% and destroyed 106,000 homes while damaging another 188,383 homes.

While the effects of the earthquake still linger, diseases in Haiti are still one of the most prominent causes of death in the nation. Tuberculosis has proven to be one of the most detrimental diseases in Haiti, with two million people dying each year due to the disease, and another 8.4 million contracting the disease. USAID notes that Haiti is among the highest per capita recipients of tuberculosis in the Latin America and Caribbean region, and has become one of the most infectious causes of mortality in both children and young adults with a recorded 6,814 deaths in 2007. EMBO reports that fewer than half of the tuberculosis cases are diagnosed, and of those diagnosed, only 30% have access to treatable care.

USAID notes that Haiti is among the highest per capita recipients of tuberculosis in the Latin America and Caribbean region, and has become one of the most infectious causes of mortality in both children and young adults with a recorded 6,814 deaths in 2007. The European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) reports that fewer than half of the tuberculosis cases are diagnosed, and of those diagnosed, only 30% have access to treatable care. EMBO suggests that the rate of tuberculosis in Haiti is largely in part of the expansion of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. HIV/AIDS has also been one of the deadly diseases in Haiti, proving to be the cause of death for three million residents of Haiti per year. Of those who are diagnosed with HIV/Aids, one-third died of tuberculosis.

EMBO suggests that the rate of tuberculosis in Haiti is largely in part of the expansion of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. HIV/AIDS has also been one of the deadly diseases in Haiti, proving to be the cause of death for three million residents of Haiti per year. Of those who are diagnosed with HIV/Aids, one-third died of tuberculosis.

Diseases in Haiti are also highly contracted from mosquito bites that in turn become vector-borne diseases. One of the most common vector-borne diseases is malaria, which impacts 1,278 residents out every 100,000 people annually. Another disease in Haiti that is notably less common is Chikungunya. The virus transmission was first reported in Haiti in May 2014, and infects 627 Haitians per 100,000. Cholera is the last example of vector-borne diseases in Haiti. It severely broke out following the earthquake in 2010, causing 700,000 cases of illness and 8,500 deaths last year. In 2014, 27,750 residents of Haiti reported having cholera, 296 deaths resulted from the disease.

Cholera is the last example of vector-borne diseases in Haiti. It severely broke out following the earthquake in 2010, causing 700,000 cases of illness and 8,500 deaths last year. In 2014, 27,750 residents of Haiti reported having cholera, 296 deaths resulted from the disease.

There are strong efforts to reduce diseases in Haiti through a variety of health programs. One of the health programs in Haiti is Partners in Health, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Partners in Health has made significant strides in integrating a “four pillars of health” system. This includes voluntary HIV counseling and testing in primary healthcare, maternal health services and tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment while providing healthcare from a humans rights approach and using paid community health workers to accompany patients with their chronic disease.

The work of Partners for Health has made a drastic and positive impact on HIV/AIDS prevention. Through the Partners for Health, a survey conducted off treatment approaches proved that 59 of 60 patients responded favorably to the treatment, providing hope for the future.

Overall, diseases in Haiti are still very prominent and remain a global issue for humanitarians. That said, programs such as Partners for Health are making a tremendous effort in reducing the rise of diseases in Haiti.

– Patrick Greeley

Photo: Flickr