Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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Life Expectancy in Low-Income Countries On the Rise


The average life expectancy in low-income countries is increasing dramatically. This change can be attributed to increased access to health aid programs.

The increase in life expectancy is a global trend; technology and medical research are beginning to offer solutions to once-fatal conditions. A study by the Imperial College of London anticipates that global life expectancy will experience an overall increase by 2030.

However, the rate of improvement is particularly dramatic within low-income countries that have historically low life expectancies. While wealthy countries such as the United States are experiencing a plateau in life expectancy, sub-Saharan Africa’s average life expectancy has increased by eight years since 2002. In 1960, life expectancy in the region hovered at 40. Now, individuals can expect to reach an average of 59 years of age.

This sharp incline in life expectancy of low-income countries is attributed to a greater access to aid programs and organizations than ever before. A Stanford study found that countries receiving the most health aid gained five or more years in average life expectancy. In 140 low-income countries, access to public and private health aid programs between 1974 and 2010 rapidly increased life expectancy across the board.

Health aid has a high impact in low-income regions because many of the leading causes of death are easily preventable or treatable. Vaccines have all but wiped out the most deadly diseases in children including tetanus, polio and measles. For every billion dollars spent on health aid, around 364,800 deaths of children under five are prevented. Because child mortality rates bring down the average age of death dramatically, countries such as Brazil have gained over 33 added years of life expectancy simply by offering these vaccines. Improved sanitation methods, medical services and access to food and water can also be credited for the success of aid in increasing life expectancy in low-income countries. Malnutrition, which can lead to an array of other medical conditions, was the leading risk factor for death worldwide in 1990; it has now fallen to number eight on the list.

With the shift away from infectious diseases and malnutrition as the primary killers in low-income countries, there has been an emergence of diseases familiar to wealthier countries such as cancer and heart disease. However, because these diseases happen at a much lower rate and tend to develop later in life, life expectancy in low-income countries continues to rise.

Since life expectancy is a reliable indicator of health levels in a particular region, the success of health aid in recent years is remarkable. Aid programs continue to improve life expectancy in low-income countries by allowing greater access to health resources.

– Kailey Dubinsky

Photo: Flickr

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The Most Common Diseases in Malawi


With a population of around 17 million, the small African state of Malawi has substantially high rates of diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and diarrheal diseases. AIDS has consistently been prevalent in Malawi, with 27 percent of the population currently either infected with HIV or diagnosed with AIDS.

The people of Malawi have not lost hope to these common diseases in Malawi, as numbers are declining and life-saving treatments are becoming readily accessible. AIDS has historically been a disease that not many come back from, but with innovative antiretroviral treatments (ART) the virus (HIV) has become manageable.

In 2011, about 67 percent of all children and adults diagnosed with AIDS or infected with HIV in Malawi were receiving ART. The World Health Organization (WHO) helped with the foundation of 716 clinics in the country. As of December 2015, these clinics were administering the treatment to over 870,000 people.

In addition to AIDS, malaria has an association with the entire continent of Africa. An estimated 3.3 million inhabitants living in Malawi have contracted malaria. This statistic is astonishing considering the population in Malawi is only around 17 million. Due to its extreme prevalence, doctors and health care professionals are always searching to find solutions to this problem.

According to UNICEF, an African child dies every 30 seconds as a result of malaria. To combat the situation, UNICEF has partnered with the government of Malawi and various other international organizations. One way they have found a solution is through subsidizing mosquito nets. At one hospital, purchasing mosquito nets only costs a mere 20 cents.

Although children across the continent are being killed by this deadly disease every few seconds, it is pregnant mothers who are the most concerning. In their case, both the mother and baby can contract the disease. Thankfully the fix is easy, requiring pregnant mothers to take anti-malaria pills only twice during their pregnancy. This medicine fights various side effects of malaria in both the mother and the baby.

Fighting common diseases in Malawi cannot be done solely by taking medications and receiving vaccines. Diarrheal deaths are among the most common disease deaths in Malawi. However, a healthy lifestyle is essential to fighting this epidemic. Nutritious food and an unpolluted environment are necessary for lowering the number of people affected by diarrheal deaths. Around 10 million people in Malawi still do not have access to purified water, which exacerbates the problem of diarrheal disease-induced mortality.

These common diseases in Malawi are manageable in various ways. With the help of organizations such as the WHO and numerous nonprofits, Malawi has hope for the future in eradicating these diseases. Services such as subsidizing mosquito nets and offering ART across Malawi have already made substantial improvements in the lives of millions.

– Sophie Casimes

Photo: Flickr

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The Most Common Diseases in Ghana and Their Prevention


Ghana is a relatively small country located in western Africa, with a population of about 28 million people. Of these 28 million people, tens of thousands die every year from common diseases in Ghana. In recent years, Ghana has made improvements in its national health, such as the reduction of infant mortality. While the health of its people continues to improve, there are still many serious illnesses that affect the people of Ghana. Here are some of the most common diseases in Ghana:

Lower-Respiratory Infections

The leading cause of death in the country in 2012, lower-respiratory infections affected more than 22,000 people in Ghana. Lower respiratory infections are not uniform in how they affect people, but these infections are normally diagnosed as acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis, influenza and pneumonia. These infections are now being linked to the quality of air both indoors and outdoors in Ghana. Air pollution, as a result of a number of deaths due to lower-respiratory infections, is now considered one of the leading causes of death in Ghana.

Malaria

Malaria is a disease of the blood which is transmitted through mosquitos. In Ghana, malaria affects thousands of people every year. In 2012, over 17,000 people in Ghana died from malaria. While malaria is a disease that can be prevented, many people in Ghana do not have access to preventative drugs. In April of this year, The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Ghana, along with Malawi and Kenya, will participate in a WHO-developed program that will provide the world’s first malaria vaccine beginning in 2018.

HIV/AIDS

As of 2015, about 270,000 people in Ghana were living with HIV/AIDS. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a disease that can lead to the development of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency virus). This disease attacks the body’s immune system, killing cells that help the body fight off infections. While there is no cure for the disease, it can be managed with different types of medical care. Despite the care available, many people in Ghana do not have access to these treatments. As a result, HIV/AIDS was the cause of death for over 13,000 people in Ghana and the orphanage about 160,000 children.

These common diseases in Ghana still have a significant effect on the population. While these issues can be fixed or managed more easily in other countries, Ghana still struggles to keep these ailments from causing serious harm, or even death, to their people. The country continues to fight against these diseases with actions such as the distribution of the first malaria vaccine, providing a vision of progress and providing hope for the future.

– Olivia Hayes

Photo: Flickr

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5 of the Most Common Diseases in Aruba


Aruba is a 70 square mile island situated in the southern Caribbean Sea. A frequent travel destination for vacationers, Aruba is known for its blue waters, white sands and diverse culture. However, aside from its beautiful beaches, Aruba is also home to many infectious diseases. Here are 5 of the most common diseases in Aruba.

5 of the Most Common Diseases in Aruba

1. Zika

Although Zika is not a prevalent disease in Aruba, there have been a few cases and “public health officials have reported that mosquitoes in Aruba are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people.”

Zika could potentially become one of the most common diseases in Aruba because of the island’s mosquito population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that there is no medicine or vaccine to prevent Zika, so the easiest way to avoid getting the disease is by using precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

2. Hepatitis A and E

Travelers to Aruba are encouraged to receive vaccinations for both Hepatitis A and E. These similar diseases are mostly spread through the intake of unclean food or water. Hepatitis A and E are serious diseases that “interfere with the functioning of the liver” and can be a burden to the body for up to a year.

3. Circulatory diseases

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) stated that “diseases of the circulatory system are the leading cause of death in Aruba.” Ailments such as ischemic heart disease and stroke were the top sources of mortality and relatively common diseases in Aruba.

4. Diarrhea

“Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment” according to Red Planet Travel. Caused by consumption of impure food or water, diarrhea can also be associated with nausea, vomiting and fever. To prevent diarrhea, travelers and locals are advised to stay away from eating raw or unpeeled foods and unpasteurized milk or dairy.

Doctors and health professionals recommend bringing an antibiotic to cure diarrhea if it does occur while traveling.

5. Diabetes

The PAHO shared in their Aruba health report that “there is a high prevalence of diabetes in Aruba.” This disease may be common for residents of the island but is not infectious or particularly a concern for visitors.

– Sydney Missigman

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in Comoros

Diseases in ComorosComoros is a small island in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa. The nation only has a population of only 826,539. Although their population is modest, the health-related problems afflicting Comoros are immense. The average life expectancy is 63.5. Malaria, tuberculosis and other common infectious diseases inflict the most harm overall. The level of poverty plays a large role in the advancement of these diseases. Here are the top diseases in Comoros and how poverty is progressing them:

Malaria

In Comoros, malaria is one of the more prevalent health issues. Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease. Symptoms include chills, high fever, headaches, nausea, anemia and more. If patients do not receive treatment, the disease is fatal. Many of the cases of malaria are in tropical and subtropical places where Anopheles mosquitoes can survive and multiply effectively. Consequently, the highest number of cases is found in Africa, south of the Sahara. Comoros is a poor country, ranking 169 out of 187 on the Human Development Index. The poverty level in Comoros largely explains why malaria is still an issue. Additionally, mortality rates associated with malaria do affect the poorest people the most, as they can often not afford the preventative measures capable of curing the disease. Malaria and other tropical diseases account for 5.5 percent of the mortality in Comoros.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that affects the lungs. Symptoms include cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss. Unfortunately, the disease is fatal without proper treatment. HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined account for 7.9 percent of the mortality in Comoros. Top diseases in Comoros have similarities. Tuberculosis, like malaria, is also a curable disease when given the proper treatment. Both malaria and tuberculosis are diseases are no longer problematic in wealthier countries. The wealth disparity is an explanation as to why these diseases have not been eradicated in poorer countries, like Comoros. People do not have access to preventative measures, nor have they received education on how to avoid these diseases.

The top diseases in Comoros show little development compared to the rest of the world. However, health experts in Comoros say that they are making progress. In 2004, malaria had infected nearly 40 percent of the population. After 10 years, that number has fallen drastically. Most of this progress is due to the government of Comoros, which “launched its first five-year anti-malaria drive in 2005 with initial funding of $2.4 million from the Global Fund against malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS” (Seychelles News Agency). As malaria and tuberculosis are both curable diseases, the prevalence of these illnesses is falling. As with most epidemics, education and funding are the most important factors in ending the longevity of both malaria and tuberculosis.

– Lucy Voegeli

Photo: Flickr

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The Top 5 Diseases in Canada


As of 2015, Canadians have a life expectancy of 82 years. However, the nation still struggles with various diseases. Here are the five most common diseases in Canada:

Cancer (Malignant neoplasms)

Cancer is currently one of the top diseases in Canada. In 2013, the latest available year for such information, Statistic Canada’s website reported that cancer was responsible for 75,112 deaths for both men and women. Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer for Canadians. According to the World Atlas, this is due to Canadians’ high tobacco/alcohol use and high-fat diets (which also increase the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer).

On June 20, the Canadian Cancer Society reported that nearly 50 percent of Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. The report goes on to say that, “excluding non-melanoma skin cancer,” approximately 206,200 Canadians are expected to face a cancer diagnosis.

Heart Disease

Heart disease killed 49,891 Canadians in 2013. In addition to poor diet, little exercise and the popularity of consuming tobacco, income is also a factor. On a scale from 0-10 percent, lower-income Canadians were 4.9 percent more likely to suffer from heart disease than those making the most income.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular diseases)

In 2013, strokes also claimed 13,400 Canadian lives. Strokes are caused by an inconsistent blood flow to the brain. A large amount of sodium in instant meals and fast food brings about hypertension, high blood pressure and, eventually, a stroke. Due to the average Canadian’s diet, this explains why strokes are one of the top diseases in Canada.

Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (CLRDs)

CLRDs caused 11,976 deaths in 2013. These diseases restrict the flow of oxygen to the lungs (asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, etc.). Bad air quality and smoking leads to the development of some CLRDs.

Diabetes (Diabetes mellitus)

Finally, diabetes brings up the rear in the list of top diseases in Canada. It caused 7,045 deaths in 2013 alone. Consuming a large amount of sugar from sodas, sugary beverages and various prepackaged foods can lead to diabetes. Income also heavily influences this disease. Using the same 0-10 percent scale from earlier, those who belong to lower-income groups were found to be 5.1 percent more likely to be living with diabetes than those in the highest income bracket.

Considering all of these factors, there are some steps Canadians can take to prevent developing some of these detrimental diseases. Universal health care and private clinics provide convenient, government-funded medical help. In fact, the country’s healthcare system updates the wait times one should expect if they need to visit any health care facility. However, lifestyle changes are also necessary to treat and prevent these diseases.

– Jada Haynes

Photo: Flickr

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Top Diseases in the Marshall Islands

Top Diseases in the Marshall IslandsThe Marshall Islands consist of two strings of 29 coral atolls and five islands in the North Pacific between Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. Due to a lack of natural resources and high unemployment rates, the island struggles with poverty and accompanying diseases.

For tourists, the top diseases in the Marshall Islands are Zika virus and typhoid. However, far more diseases inhibit and threaten the lives of those who live on the islands year-round.

Every day, the inhabitants of these islands struggle to remain healthy due to both communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

Communicable Diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) are some of the top diseases in the Marshall Islands. They are a group of viral, parasitic and bacterial diseases that typically affect impoverished communities that lack proper sanitation.

According to the CDC, NTDs impair physical and cognitive development and can create a cycle of disease and poverty. Examples of neglected tropical diseases include dengue fever, leprosy, rabies and hookworm infection.

Other communicable diseases include Hepatitis, schistosomiasis, meningitis, and Lassa fever. These diseases are hard to control due to poor water supplies, personal hygiene issues, overcrowding and a lack of good medical facilities.

Noncommunicable Diseases

Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the Marshall Islands. Diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and urogenital, blood and endocrine diseases often develop as a result of reduced mobility and obesity.

In 2011, Pacific health ministers declared that noncommunicable diseases were an urgent crisis in the Pacific Islands. Additionally, the Republic of the Marshall Islands Embassy asserts that the influence of Western culture has led to an increase in consumption of unhealthy food, alcohol and tobacco.

Additionally, the government has recognized the increase in heart conditions and diabetes and is working on ways to influence lifestyle changes and increase access to healthcare.

According to the World Health Organization Country Cooperation Strategy for Marshall Islands (2013-2017), “because of the unique situation of Pacific countries with their limited systems and human resource capacities, it is essential to have modest, realistic and cost effective plans.”

The Marshall Islands have already succeeded in eradicating some vaccine-preventable diseases from the country. A large-scale mass drug administration campaign eliminated lymphatic filariasis in the Marshall Islands on March 30, 2017. Consequently, there is hope for the eradication of even more disease with the necessary cooperation between the government and citizens of the Marshall Islands.

– Madeline Boeding

Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About MERS-CoV and its Impact On Travelers


Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which was first identified in the Middle East in 2012, is caused by the Coronavirus (therefore called Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus or MERS-CoV). While MERS-CoV has been categorized as low-risk in the U.S., these 10 facts about MERS-CoV will help travelers in making informed judgments about travel and general precautions:

  1. Between 2012 and December 2016, 1,841 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 percent of which have been from Saudi Arabia.
  2. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Alert, signifying “Practice Enhanced Precautions,” for people traveling to the Arabian Peninsula.
  3. MERS-CoV is communicable in nature. However, it does not easily pass from human to human unless there is close contact, such as in a healthcare setting. Though we still do not know of the virus’s exact communication method, it is thought to be transmitted through an infected person’s respiratory secretions such as coughing.
  4. MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus, which means that it is transmitted between animals and humans. Studies have shown that the virus has been transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with infected dromedary camels.
  5. The WHO recommends that people traveling to the Arabian Peninsula avoid contact with camels and are advised against drinking camel milk or raw camel urine and eating undercooked meat of any kind, especially camel meat.
  6. Once infected, a person shows symptoms like fever and cough with initial clinical features symptomatic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
  7. Outside of the Arabian Peninsula, the largest known outbreak of MERS occurred in the Republic of Korea in 2015. The patient zero for this outbreak was identified as a traveler returning from the Arabian Peninsula.
  8. MERS has been categorized as a very low-risk illness in the U.S. Only two positive cases have ever been reported in the U.S., and both of these cases were among healthcare providers who had worked in the Arabic peninsula.
  9. The mortality rate for MERS-CoV patients is around 35 percent. However, those that died have been known to have an underlying medical condition. Some of the reported pre-existing conditions included cancer, diabetes and chronic lung, heart and kidney disease. In addition, people with weakened immune systems are more likely to be infected or have a severe case of the disease.
  10. Most patients without any underlying pre-existing conditions exhibited mild or no symptoms and made a full recovery.

Since its first reported occurrence in 2012, epidemiologists have been trying to understand the patterns of the virus’s transmission from animals to humans. According to the WHO, the most urgent need is to understand better and identify the risk factors for the virus’s transmission so healthcare environments can be better equipped in case of another outbreak. Regardless, educating communities regarding these facts about MERS-CoV will help in establishing better surveillance and quarantines in the future.

– Jagriti Misra

Photo: Flickr

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Economic Turmoil Brings Back Common Diseases in Venezuela


As Venezuela’s street crime rates rose throughout the Chávez presidency — and as they have continued to do so under President Maduro — its citizens began to fall prey to disease. The spread of common diseases in Venezuela such as hepatitis A and B, typhoid, malaria, rabies and yellow fever echo the rise of corruption in the nation. These diseases are the new normal alongside Venezuela’s crumbling economy.

Over the years, these diseases have waxed and waned in Venezuela. As new vaccinations came out, smaller outbreaks would occur.

Under the Chávez regime — February 2, 1999 to March 5, 2013 — Venezuela suffered a degrading economic collapse. As a result, President Maduro’s administration inherited the damage alongside the leadership.

Venezuela is home to one of the largest oil reserves in the world, and its primary source of export revenue is oil. During Chávez’s presidency, his goal was to use oil revenues to finance a social revolution that would benefit low-income families in Venezuela.

Nevertheless, the country’s corrupt leaders shifted the oil revenue into their personal coffers rather than investing in the poor. Economic chaos rules today’s Venezuela, and a product of this 10-year disarray is the world’s highest rate of inflation. Citizens must line up every morning to obtain such basic goods as rice, beans, cooking oil, toilet paper and toothpaste. These lines mark the streets of Caracas and are known to be the focus of international media.

As of late, the flow of imports has all but stopped. The government, struggling with corruption, cannot pay for imports due to their extreme debt. Venezuela imported everything but oil; now, the country lacks everyday products, including medicines and vaccinations. Consequently, common diseases in Venezuela have returned.

According to the New York Times, the prevalence of malaria in the country is at its highest level in 75 years. Venezuela’s child mortality rate is increasing, presenting a physical manifestation of the nation’s lack of resources.

Diseases once thought to be eliminated (and entirely preventable), such as malaria and diphtheria, are reappearing at alarming rates. These rises in prevalence particularly threaten the health of mothers and newborns during delivery and post-natal care.

There are individuals willing to make a difference in the fight against common diseases in Venezuela. Humanitarian activist Lilian Tintori, for example, has dedicated her life to a revolt against the Chávez regime. She wants to establish a humanitarian channel between the world’s nations and Venezuela to help deliver food, medicine and other necessary products.

Unfortunately, President Nicolas Maduro refuses to address the issue of scarcity and the preventable tropical diseases making a comeback in Venezuela. More emphasis needs to be placed on the government’s assistance in reducing the harm done by the most common diseases in Venezuela.

– Francis Hurtado

Photo: Flickr

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Nine Important Facts About the Highly Fatal Marburg Virus


The Marburg virus disease (MVD) is severe and highly fatal. Albeit rare, MVD is an extremely contagious disease that causes outbreaks with a large number of fatalities. The disease is known have to spread in both in Europe and Africa, affecting a large swathe of different populations. The following nine facts provide details on MVD, one of the most dangerous viruses in the world.

  1. The Marburg virus is named after Marburg, a small town in central Germany, where the disease was first detected in 1967. Traces of the disease were also found in Frankfurt, Germany and Belgrade, in what was formerly Yugoslavia.
  2. However, the disease actually originates from Uganda. German workers at a laboratory in Marburg caught the disease from infected monkeys, which were imported from the African nation.
  3. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or tissue, or the handling of ill or dead infected animals, usually wild.
  4. Fatality rates fluctuate. In the outbreaks between 1998 and 2000 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in 2005 in Angola, the fatality rate was as high as 90 percent. The initial outbreak in 1967 had only a 25 percent fatality rate.
  5. The initial symptoms of the illness — mainly severe headaches and malaise — come on very suddenly. Patients can develop eye and nerve problems as well as severe hemorrhages as the illness progresses.
  6. Treatment of the disease is mostly limited to supportive care.
  7. The Marburg virus is classified as a Category A bio-warfare agent by the Center for Disease Control.
  8. The Soviet Union experimented with MVD toward the end of the Cold War, in the 1980s and 1990s, in an attempt to develop a potent biological weapon. Reports claim that Soviet scientists were hoping to load the disease onto a warhead.
  9. Roughly 80 nanometers to 800 nanometers long, the virus can be killed with heat, ultra-violet light and disinfectants such as bleach and Glutaral.

Although there have been no recent outbreaks of the disease, it warrants great caution, particularly in nations with underdeveloped infrastructures for health and treatment. As the statistics of the last outbreaks in Africa evince, fatality rates have proven to be extremely high. The Marburg virus is extremely dangerous and highly contagious, which gives it the potential to do irreparable damage to the population. The international community must be attentive to this disease and ready to help nations who detect the MVD within their borders.

– Alan Garcia-Ramos

Photo: Flickr