Archive for category: Disease

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Yemen’s Pervasive Health Care Crisis: Diseases Impacting Yemen

Yemen’s Pervasive Health Care Crisis: Diseases Impacting Yemen It has been more than a decade since the Yemeni civil war has thrust Yemen into one of the most dire humanitarian crises in modern history. Many of Yemen’s hospitals have collapsed or are now severely damaged by the prolonged political crisis, plunging Yemen’s health care system into a complete state of distress. As a result of its current state of political, economic and overall societal turmoil, 15.3 million Yemenis have no access to clean water, sanitation systems or hygiene supplies, leaving the majority of citizens at risk of exposure to diseases like cholera, diphtheria and measles. With a decline in feasible hospital facilities, sanitation systems and hygiene supplies, the risk of disease exposure has become even more probable in Yemen. Below are statistics highlighting diseases currently impacting Yemen and efforts that can potentially alleviate its current health care crisis.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Neglected tropical diseases are diseases that stem from a combination of environmental conditions, poor sanitation infrastructure and poor health care conditions. Malaria, dengue fever, cholera and schistosomiasis are among only some of the most common NTDs. In 2022, an estimated 110,000 cases of malaria were reported in Yemen; there were more than 2.5 million suspected cases of cholera, accounting for the largest case of cholera ever reported. There have been annual reports of thousands of cases of dengue fever. These statistics cover only a fraction of NTD cases that currently taint Yemen’s health care system and are a product of its state of political strife, while simultaneously compounding Yemen’s current humanitarian crisis. 

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is one of the current prime causes of disease risk in Yemen. More than 18 million Yemenis currently struggle with food insecurity and at least 80% of its civilians currently live below the poverty line. More than 45% of children in Yemen suffer from malnutrition and the poverty crisis has left millions of Yemenis at risk of neurological, chronic and other long-term diseases like cystic fibrosis, renal failure, congenital heart disease and neuromuscular diseases.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of COVID-19 completely exacerbated Yemen’s already severe health care and economic crisis. Due to Yemen’s severed health care system, there were only six COVID-19 testing sites available, a fairly limited amount of available protective equipment and a lack of health care professionals equipped to handle the consequences of the pandemic. The disruption of COVID-19 also caused a 19.6% decline in the influx of remittances, sequentially leading to an average 20% household income reduction. While the COVID-19 crisis has since smoothed over, the economic disruption has continued to pervade civilian life, as the percentage of Yemeni civilians susceptible to acute malnutrition and long-term chronic illnesses has increased since the start of the pandemic.

Looking Forward

While tragedy still persists in Yemen, there have been many initiatives dedicated to halting its humanitarian emergency. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently providing medical aid to around 12.6 million people in Yemen, with an emphasis on alleviating acute malnutrition, improving maternal health care and improving disease surveillance, amongst many other focuses. 

UNICEF has also contributed to efforts in increasing health care services by providing primary medical care as well as vaccines, medical equipment and training. Doctors Without Borders has brought medical professionals to Yemen to support hospitals, health facilities and governorates throughout the country as well. The organization’s doctors have also been focusing on “maternal and child health, specialist and emergency care and responding to malnutrition and outbreaks of preventable diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and measles”. Through the efforts of Doctors Without Borders, medical teams in Yemen have admitted 165,200 people to hospitals, conducted 26,900 surgical interventions, enrolled 11,900 children in feeding programs and treated 12,800 patients for measles.

While many humanitarian organizations and nonprofits have contributed to alleviating diseases currently impacting Yemen, issues persist. Sustained humanitarian aid to countries like Yemen depends on continued advocacy to keep the issue a priority for lawmakers. This support is essential for achieving long-term, measurable change.

– Ava Lachini

Ava is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Poverty by Preparing for the Next Pandemic

Preparing for the Next Pandemic After the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community are trying to prepare for the next outbreak. Epidemiologists label this future pandemic as “Disease X,” likely from one of the 25 known virus families; they estimate that it could be significantly deadlier than previous pandemics. Fighting global poverty has been central to how the international community fights against disease.

Preparing for the next pandemic supports people in low- and middle-income countries in two key ways. First, addressing systemic challenges such as pollution, deforestation and limited access to sustainable health care can reduce the likelihood and impact of future outbreaks. Second, the effects of disease tend to be more severe for populations living in poverty. The international community can help by funding existing health initiatives—particularly in tropical regions of the Americas, Africa and Asia—and by supporting efforts like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations’ (CEPI) 100 Day Mission, which aims to accelerate vaccine development and save lives. 

Challenges in Pandemic Planning

Experts suggest that one of the most difficult parts of improving global public health is preparing for the next pandemic before it happens. The major challenge is getting governments to invest ahead of time, despite not knowing exactly when, where or how the next major disease will strike. Caroline Buckee, professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics (CCDD), noted,  

“One of the confirmatory lessons for me—it’s not a new lesson—was that governments and people are reactive. And it’s very hard to get significant investment in preparedness. When it comes to pandemics, or epidemics in general, one of the hardest things about preparedness is that if you’re doing it really well, no outbreak—or only a small outbreak—occurs. Proving that you have averted an epidemic is difficult, so politically, how do you justify the investment required? It’s a really hard problem.”

One of the ways epidemiologists prepare for something that is both unpredictable and inevitable is by ranking the likeliest outbreaks to become a major issue, including “another possible Disease X, a term used to describe a currently unknown pathogen with pandemic potential.” 

Tracking Zoonotic Threats

One of the ways health experts accurately prepare is through pathogen rankings like the Priority Zoonotic Disease Lists and the Research and Development Blueprint. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, in partnership with the University of California, Davis, has developed a new analytical tool called SpillOver to help predict the most likely risks.

SpillOver evaluates the likelihood of animal-to-human spillover among viruses, like the zoonotic transfer that occurred with the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. So far, the project has isolated 12 separate zoonotic diseases that are most likely to infect, ranging from Simian foamy virus to Lassa virus. SpillOver 2.0 will incorporate more data in order to more holistically analyze which diseases we need to prepare for. 

The Impact on Global Poverty

This massive effort of analyzing and preparing for the next pandemic is critical to fighting global poverty for two major reasons. First, pandemics disproportionately harm the global poor. Analysis from The Lancet found that if a pandemic of similar proportions to the 1918 influenza epidemic were to occur in 2025, there would be 62 million fatalities, 96% of which would be in lower-income countries. By contrast, investing in poverty relief helps combat disease spread through improved health systems, increased health education and more effective sanitation. 

Secondly, the fight against poverty and the effort to control pandemics are linked. The wider systemic issues that cause global poverty also increase the risk of a disease outbreak and that same outbreak developing into a full-blown pandemic. The WHO has warned that this next pandemic, labeled Disease X, “could be 20 times more lethal than COVID-19, with very high costs, possibly no vaccines and enormous social and economic impacts.” 

The most likely risk is a zoonotic disease from a tropical region, all places suffering from high poverty rates, climate change and deforestation. These three main factors increase the likelihood of a tropical animal-to-human outbreak turning into the next COVID-19. While deforestation increases the possibility of spillover, combating deforestation not only helps prevent outbreak but also can reduce poverty as well. 

Rapid Response and Vaccine Development

As daunting as this may be for the global poor, the international community and health experts are learning from the last pandemic. CEPI is leading efforts to ensure that life-saving vaccines can be made available across the developing world in as little as 100 days, compared to the traditional five-year timeline. 

Started in 2014 to help combat Ebola, CEPI also played a critical role in reducing the COVID-19 vaccine development timeline to 12 to 18 months. By focusing on increased research, development and mass production, “…CEPI has simultaneously advanced the development of 11 rapid response platforms to deploy against unknown threats, or Disease X.” Being able to predict which diseases may emerge from and affect the developing world is critical to fast-tracking vaccines, which have historically saved an estimated 154 million lives worldwide. 

Looking Ahead: A Shared Global Strategy

While preparing for the next pandemic is difficult and full of uncertainties, expert opinions suggest that focusing efforts will be critical to combating global poverty. By identifying the most likely pathogens as potential future “Disease X” threats, the international scientific community has helped concentrate resources that can be used effectively in the developing world. Hence, fighting global poverty and protecting global health appear to be essential parts of the same strategy.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Malaria Vaccine in Burundi

Malaria vaccine in BurundiBurundi boasts of two capital cities, Gitega in Burundi’s center serving as the political capital, with Bujumbura to the southwest as the economic capital. Burundi is the second poorest country in the world as of 2025, with more than 80% of the population facing the risk of contracting malaria.

Background

Malaria is an infection that mosquitoes spread to humans, and is most commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions such as South America and Southeast Asia. While a healthy person can survive the infection, the people who face the most risk are children, the elderly, people with no prior immunity to the disease, and pregnant women. Malaria can spread from mother to unborn child, causing the child to contract the disease through birth. This can result in premature births, low birth weights, stillbirths, and miscarriages. Malaria is an epidemic disease in Burundi and the leading cause of death throughout the country, but thanks to a recent vaccine initiative, life in Burundi is taking a turn for the better.

Malaria in Burundi

According to a recent study on Burundi people accepting the malaria vaccine, nearly 55% of people surveyed expressed worry about side effects from the vaccine. People being wary of the malaria vaccine in Burundi is not surprising when considering the lack of available information about the vaccine. These fears, together with an unawareness of the vaccine at all, are the reason that the vaccine was not more readily available in Burundi.

The malaria vaccine is becoming much more available in Burundi thanks to the new Vaccine Independence Initiative. Throughout an information and exchange workshop in Bujumbura, Burundimany global health organizations sent representatives to “mobilize national decision-makers around the Vaccine Independence Initiative and to develop concrete recommendations for integrating the initiative into the country’s strategic and operational plans.” With this new initiative, the malaria vaccine will become the standard vaccination for children and adults, ensuring that everyone receives protection against the disease.

The Future

The introduction of the malaria vaccine to Burundi’s standard vaccine regimen could help to lessen malaria hospitalizations and reduce symptoms of infection. The vaccine itself is only the first step, and together with other methods of malaria prevention, it helps lessen rates of infection even more drastically.  For the people of Burundi, coupling the vaccine with mosquito nets can show a much lower rate of infection and severity of symptoms. Using the vaccine with mosquito nets and anti-mosquito spray has shown to lessen rates of infection even more.

Adding the malaria vaccine to the standard regimen that children receive has shown a 13% drop in child deaths. These statistics show that the war on malaria in Burundi is beginning to slow, and the people are on the winning side.

– Zoe Felder

Zoe is based in Charlotte, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diseases Impacting Tonga

Diseases Impacting TongaTonga is a country located in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of about 171 islands and atolls. The nation has more than 100,000 people, most of whom live on the main island, Tongatapu. The country is known for its pristine beaches and whale-watching hub. However, Tonga is dealing with many diseases that are impacting the lives of its citizens.

Main Health Issues

The main health concerns impacting Tonga are noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as obesity and diabetes. Tonga has the second-highest obesity rate in the world, with more than 70% of Tongans obese. Additionally, an estimated 40% of Tonga’s population has type 2 diabetes, while 30–40% are affected by NCDs.

The leading cause of NCDs in Tonga is poor diet. Tonga is a developing country and according to the Asian Development Bank, 20% of its population lives below the poverty line. Most people cannot afford healthier food options, relying on cheap imported fat, sodium and sugar foods. Mutton flaps, in particular, are a common and affordable staple despite their extremely high-fat content. Over time, they’ve become a prominent part of Tongan cuisine, with many people developing a lifelong taste for them from childhood.

Smoking is another major contributor to the high rates of NCDs in Tonga. Tobacco use is widespread, with an estimated 30% of adults smoking and 19.5% of youths aged 10–14 also using tobacco. Cigarette use significantly increases the risk of NCDs such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Among communicable diseases, Tonga experienced a measles outbreak in 2019, with more than 500 confirmed cases but no reported deaths. The outbreak affected several Pacific island nations, including neighboring countries like Fiji and Samoa. In Tonga, the outbreak began after rugby players returned from New Zealand.

Solutions

The Tongan government has taken steps to combat the NCD epidemic in the country. It has increased taxes on unhealthy foods such as mutton flaps, turkey tails, corned beef and sugary drinks. The government also plans to make healthier options (such as fish) more available.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including the Pacific Community (SPC) and World Health Organization (WHO), are also active in Tonga. They support awareness campaigns, school-based health programs and community screenings for hypertension and diabetes.

The Tonga Health Promotion Foundation, a local NGO, collaborates with government and international agencies to promote physical activity and reduce tobacco and alcohol use. These combined efforts aim to shift dietary habits and reduce risk factors contributing to NCDs in Tonga.

Conclusion

Tonga faces a severe health crisis driven by poverty, poor diets and widespread tobacco use. NCDs like obesity and diabetes are rampant, affecting a large portion of the population. While government policies and taxes on unhealthy foods help, long-term change depends on partnerships with NGOs like WHO and SPC. These efforts aim to improve public health and secure a healthier future for Tongans through education and prevention programs.

– Samriddha Aryal

Samriddha is based in Centreville, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Expanding Somalia’s Vaccination Program

Somalia's Vaccination ProgramLack of health care accessibility has left Somalia with extremely low vaccination rates and high levels of child mortality. To combat this, the Somali administration has implemented national programs to amplify the routine vaccination of children against polio and measles. Recently, two vaccines are now also a part of the initiative’s coverage; rotavirus and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).

On the Ground

In Somalia, there is about a 10% chance that a baby of one month will not make it to the age of 5. This is largely due to low immunization rates, which are especially important for children, as they are more vulnerable to disease. High child mortality rates correlate with slow economic development, poor education and lack of government healthcare funding.

Historically, Somalia has had some of the lowest vaccination rates across the world; however, since its election in 2022, the Somali government is proving its commitment to lowering under-5 mortality rates by investing in nationwide immunization programs.

Somalia’s Vaccination Program

In 2022, the Somali government joined the U.N. and WHO to create the “Big Catch-Up” vaccination plan targeting polio and measles. The campaign achieved the vaccination of 3.2 million children under five against polio, and another 3.5 million against measles. More recently, in 2024, the Somali government implemented the Immunization and Polio Eradication Task Force (SIPE), a multi-agency initiative between the government, WHO and U.N. It also launched the Child Survival Forum to prioritize “zero dose” children, monitor progress and design action plans. An example of its success includes the nation-wide implementation of an electronic immunization registry to efficiently trace individuals’ vaccination records.

In April 2025, SIPE introduced two new vaccines to its agenda; the rotavirus vaccine and PCV. Rotavirus is deadly due to diarrheal effects which can severely dehydrate the child and cause malnutrition. Meanwhile, pneumococcal bacteria can lead to illnesses including pneumonia and meningitis, which are infections of the lungs and infections of the spinal cord and brain tissue, respectively. Together, vomiting, pneumonia and measles account for 43% of child deaths in Somalia.

Looking to the Future

Projections from 2023 suggest that by 2030, Somalia’s child mortality rate could see a decrease from 104 out of 1,000 newborns dying to approximately 91 out of 1,000. Additionally, Lives Saved Tool (LiST) projections show that accounting for both rotavirus and pneumococcal related illnesses, an estimated 28,974 lives could be saved and 1,309,326 cases could be averted between 2024 and 2030.

Government prioritization and financial investment in a robust national immunization initiative are already seeing success. Expansion since implementation, and partnerships with institutions including WHO, U.N. and Vaccine Alliance, prove Somalia’s commitment to a strong, lasting vaccination program for children. Ultimately, slow progress is better than no progress, and the impact of efforts to combat major social obstacles is best observed on a broader scale of time.

– Emily Galán

Emily is based in Edmonton, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The State of Higher Education in Haiti

Higher Education in HaitiHaiti has suffered with both environmental disasters and political chaos since 2010. As the poorest country in the western hemisphere, it is no surprise that more than half its population lives in poverty. The nation constantly struggles with food insecurity, clean water and access to quality health care. Limited job skills training exacerbated these struggles, highlighting the urgent need for better higher education in Haiti.

The State University of Haiti in Port-au-Prince, the country’s biggest university, has seen sharp fluctuations in attendance numbers. In the 2022-2023 school year, almost 30,000 students were enrolled. That number reduced by half, with fewer than 15,000 students attending the current 2024-2025 school year. This sharp drop is directly linked to the dangerous conditions in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs have taken over large parts of the city and even the countryside. This sharp drop in attendance shows the impact Haiti’s instability has had on higher education in Haiti.

How Higher Education in Haiti Impacts Poverty and Stability

  1. Brain Drain: Haitians are leaving the nation for opportunities elsewhere. When educated people leave Haiti for schools abroad and do not come back, the country loses crucial talent. The nation desperately needs nurses and doctors to help sick Haitians. Engineers are essential to fix power and repair infrastructure. Without these trained professionals, the country becomes even more unstable, leading to fewer jobs for everyone. Brain drain has contributed to the steady decline of other nations. While it is difficult to calculate the exact number of people leaving the country for university overseas, at least 1.3 million people have been internally displaced from their homes due to the violence.
  2. Clean Water: Universities educate people to become engineers and construction managers, fields that Haiti desperately needs, as they work to address issues related to clean water. Less than 1% of Haiti has proper sewer systems, which leads to contaminated water and causes deadly diseases like cholera and typhoid. Without an educated population to address this issue, Haiti will likely continue to struggle to find practical solutions for clean water and sewage, which can result in the spread of disease and illness.
  3. Disaster Management: Frequent earthquakes plague Haiti, which sometimes have disastrous effects for the nation. How Haiti responds to these disasters is dependent on educated Haitians that do the work to rebuild buildings and bridges following intense earthquakes. If Haitians do not receive training to address these complex issues the impact of earthquakes can be long lasting and result in instability as power and transportation remain unreliable. A perfect example of how universities provide important training to Haitians was the training program that the State University of Haiti launched to train students at foreign universities so they could return more prepared for disaster management.

Rebuilding Haiti: ACTIVEH

There are groups working hard to strengthen higher education in Haiti. One great example is Action Toward Initiatives & Volunteering for Education in Haiti (ACTIVEH). This nonprofit started in Port-au-Prince in 2011 and is working to improve Haiti’s higher education system by giving students real-world experience and leadership skills.

ACTIVEH runs a volunteering and community service program and an internship program. Since 2014, it has brought in more than 250 students from 10 different universities and helped more than 150 students get internships.

Haiti’s current crisis has impacted the number of students attending its universities and prevented people from getting an education so that they can contribute in a positive way. This decrease in trained professionals weakens Haiti’s ability to solve its most urgent problems, which are what cause poverty in the country.

Looking Ahead

Despite these huge roadblocks, groups like ACTIVEH show the amazing strength and potential within Haiti to rebuild its education system. By doing so, they offer a real way to bring stability and reduce poverty. Supporting these efforts is absolutely crucial for Haiti’s long-term recovery and for the well-being of its people.

– Jeff Mathwig

Jeff is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Fighting Diseases in Mozambique With an App

Diseases in MozambiqueMozambique, a country in southeastern Africa, has implemented a new digital system and app that helps community health workers in poor and rural areas fight diseases.

Community Health Workers in Mozambique

To ensure access to health care for everyone in the country, community health workers serve Mozambique’s more rural and impoverished areas. Community health workers diagnose and treat many diseases in Mozambique, including malaria, pneumonia, malnutrition and diarrhea.

They also provide family planning services, antenatal care, postpartum care and pregnancy tracking. Further, they give healthy children check-ups and follow-up care for patients with tuberculosis and HIV.

What is upSCALE?

upSCALE consists of two different applications. One is an app for supervisors of community health workers. The app allows them to monitor health care workers’ performance and monitor the stock levels of medical and health care supplies. It also allows them to schedule and follow up on supervisory visits.

The second application is designed for community health workers themselves. It features the Mozambique Ministry of Health’s official curriculum. It guides users through treatment, diagnosis, patient referrals, follow-ups, registration and routine health checks.

The program provides community health workers with mobile phones and supervisors with tablets to access the apps. Community health workers receive an initial five-day training on using the app, followed by a two-day refresher each year. Supervisors receive additional training tailored to their role. Between 2017 and 2022, the upSCALE app registered approximately 650,000 patients and supported health care services for more than 200,000.

How upSCALE Helps Fight Diseases in Mozambique

The app was originally developed to improve the quality and coverage of local health care. It aims to address community health workers’ inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines and the inadequate supply of medications and health supplies. The app has largely been successful in both of these goals. By allowing supervisors to monitor the real-time stock of medication and health supplies, they can ensure that the stock never runs out.

Both apps have also helped the Ministry of Health fight diseases in Mozambique by giving the sector accurate and up-to-date information about the spread of diseases in the country. The information is also disease-specific, allowing the government to make informed decisions about community health interventions.

On a local level, the information enables supervisors to target their interventions and allocate resources more effectively. It has also been valuable for malaria treatment, helping to fill key knowledge gaps in malaria research.

Conclusion

The upSCALE app has proven to be a game-changer in Mozambique’s fight against disease. The country has strengthened health care delivery in underserved areas by equipping community health workers and their supervisors with essential digital tools. With improved adherence to clinical guidelines, real-time data sharing and better resource allocation, upSCALE saves lives and shapes the future of public health in Mozambique.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Diseases in Hawaii

Diseases in HawaiiThough Hawaiians live next to lush nature and clear blue waters, they are vulnerable to several diseases. The state’s 21% shortage of physicians exacerbates their risk, according to the Hawaii Journal of Health & Social Welfare, and Hawaii has the third highest cost of living in the United States. Additionally, the population of 1.5 million people, 376,000 of whom are Native Hawaiians, is at the highest levels of poverty in Hawaii. These are five common diseases in Hawaii.

1. Leptospirosis

The first of the diseases in Hawaii is leptospirosis. This is a bacterial disease that commonly exists in warm climates; of the 100-200 cases identified in the United States, around 50% occur in Hawaii, as KHON2 reported. Leptospirosis can infect both humans and animals, and symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches, red eyes, vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases are mild, but extreme cases can cause both acute liver and kidney failure or even death if not treated. 

According to the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), one of the most common ways people contract Leptospirosis is by swimming in bodies of fresh water such as ponds, rivers or streams; if the urine from an infected animal seeps into a body of freshwater, it an be contaminated, and the bacterium can enter through broken skin, the mouth, the nose or eyes. 

In 2023, Hawaii Pacific University received $50,000 to research how leptospirosis grows in Hawaii’s wetlands and fishponds. To stop the spread, recommendations are that people not swim in freshwater bodies of water, drink from freshwater bodies, keep animals from accessing catchment water-collection areas from tree branches, and vaccinate farm animals and pets. Antibiotics like doxycycline or penicillin can treat the disease.

2. Oral Cancers

According to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the rate of oral cancer in Hawaii is higher when compared to the rest of the United States. Early symptoms can include a bump or sore in the mouth that has not healed in two weeks, difficulty swallowing, numbness in your mouth or face or constant earaches, and the survival rate is only 50%, according to Hawaii News Now.

One of the theorized causes of these higher rates is betel nuts. As part of cultural practices in Asia and the Pacific Islands, it is meant to be chewed sometimes with either tobacco or lime, which research suggests can cause oral cancer, according to the National Institute of Health. 

Two organizations fighting oral cancer in Hawaii are the Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) and the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center. OCF funds oral cancer research, like through their Oral Cancer Walk in Honolulu that raised more than $5,000 for oral cancer research, and connects people to free oral cancer screening events. At the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center, researchers have found new treatments for oral cancer survivors that include exercise. 

Experts encourage individuals experiencing early symptoms to get screened for oral cancer. Additionally, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, Inc. recommends performing monthly self-examinations using a light and mirror to detect any unusual changes.

3. Legionellosis

Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever are both referred to as Legionellosis. It is a disease caused by Legionella bacteria. While Pontiac fever is a milder infection similar to the flu, Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially deadly lung infection, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Hawaii News Now reported that the bacteria can be found in plumbing systems, hot water tanks, water fountains and air conditioning systems. 

In recent years, there have been high-profile incidents of Legionella bacteria being found in water systems that serve a large number of people. In May 2022, the DOH confirmed five people were infected at a hotel in Waikiki. Then, in June 2024, Hawaii News Now reported legionella bacteria were discovered in the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole federal building and courthouse in downtown Honolulu; around that same time, detectable levels of bacteria were found in six other federal buildings.

Though not specifically in Hawaii, there are organizations that provide education, conduct research and advocate among federal and state governments to prevent the spread of Legionellosis. These include Legionella.org and the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Diseases.

Those who are over the age of 50 or have a history of chronic lung disease, weakened immune system or cancer are at an increased risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease when exposed to Legionella bacteria. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath or fever.

4. Melanoma

The skin’s overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from the sun can cause melanoma, and since Hawaii receives so many UV rays, Hawaiians are often more vulnerable. In a study of melanoma cases due to UV radiation across the United States, nearly 97% came from Hawaii; this is according to a study that the International Journal of Cancer conducted. The study also found that 94% of all cases in the United States occurred in non-Hispanic whites.

Organizations in Hawaii work to educate the public on how to reduce the risk of melanoma. In 2021, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center partnered with the Hawaii Skin Cancer Coalition to educate the public on how to stay safe while in the sun. When the sun is brightest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., they recommend that you seek shade whenever possible. Additionally, they encouraged the use of UV-protecting clothes, sunglasses, and sunscreen above SPF 30 and reapplied every two hours.

Additionally, the American Cancer Society in Hawaii provides resources for those battling cancer in Hawaii. They provide both transportation to medical appointments, through the Road to Recovery Program, and housing for Hawaiians battling cancer at the T.C. Ching Hope Lodge.

5. Measles

Another of the diseases in Hawaii is measles. Measles is a highly infectious disease that causes pneumonia, brain inflammation and death; it is also highly contagious, especially in areas with low rates of vaccination. Symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes that are watery.

According to the DOH, a laboratory confirmed in April that measles infected two people, one school-age child and one adult; this came as measles cases all around the United States rose to more than 1,200. Though almost 90 people were exposed, most were either vaccinated or immune; the DOH said it is important that people in Hawaii are vaccinated to prevent outbreaks.

Looking Ahead

Though some of the diseases in Hawaii listed above are present all over the United States, it is important to consider how vulnerable Hawaiians are to these diseases. Considering the rates of poverty and income inequality in the state, especially among Native Hawaiians, those who contract these diseases will have a far harder time affording treatment and care. This underscores the importance of nonprofit work in Hawaii that fights both common diseases and financial insecurity in Hawaii.

– Seth Pintar

Seth is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Diseases Impacting New Zealand

Diseases Impacting New ZealandNew Zealand is one of the many nations across the world that is suffering from a wave of harsh diseases, diseases that unfortunately impact the most vulnerable. Here is information about the diseases impacting New Zealand.

Diseases Impacting Children in New Zealand

Children in New Zealand are facing risks of disease. In 2020, immunization coverage of children six months or younger was at a healthy 80%. However, in 2022, that number has fallen to a dangerous 67%. This decline is especially concerning because the six-month mark is when government-funded vaccines typically protect children from serious illnesses like polio, pertussis (whooping cough) and diphtheria.

In certain parts of New Zealand, there has also been a large outbreak of measles. In 2019, measles infected more than 2,000 people in Auckland, and more than 5,000 people were infected in Samoa; most of the people affected by this were young children. Many of these children also live in the most impoverished, broken areas of the country and thus do not have access to the care they need. 

It is not just children at risk of these diseases. Cardiovascular disease has impacted New Zealanders’ lives to the point where it accounts for one-third of all deaths in the country and almost one million people there live with cardiovascular disease. Other risk factors include a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Solutions

The Institute of Environmental Science and Research, known as the ESR, is a branch of government that is directly responsible for protecting the health of people across the country. It works quickly to detect diseases that are ravaging local communities and broadcast early warnings of outbreaks. They also monitor the environment around them to catch imbalances in food and water supply to make sure that resources are being given to those who need them the most.

The New Zealand government has also worked quickly to address poverty in the nation, just as quickly as they have worked to combat diseases. In 2018, the government passed the Child Poverty Reduction Act, a “goal to halve child poverty and reduce it to 10% of children (on one measure) over 10 years – ie by 2028.” This legislation mentions improving the lives of young children by providing better access to primary care, food security and better household conditions. With these incentives in place, young children living in poverty have bright futures ahead of them.

– John Menechino

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Mpox in Burundi and Global Aid Efforts

Mpox in BurundiBurundi, a small land-locked country located in East Africa, is considered one of the most impoverished countries in the world. Burundi is home to 14 million people, with more than half of the population living on less than $2.15 daily. The reason for poverty lies in many circumstances, including a slew of civil wars and political instability, limited resources and a skyrocketing population. Over the past year, Burundi and its neighbors have faced a consequential Mpox (Clade I) outbreak.

While recent numbers suggest mpox infections are decreasing, Burundi still faces other deadly diseases and infections. The leading cause of death for people living in Burundi is lower respiratory infections, with malaria close behind at number two. Access to basic health care and infrastructure is a struggle many Burundi residents face. Nine out of 10 Burundians lack access to sufficient electricity and sanitation. Despite this, Mpox in Burundi is now on a slow declining rate with the help of global organizations.

Mpox (Clade I)

Burundi first declared the Mpox (Clade I) outbreak in July 2024. A few months prior, in April, Burundi suffered from severe flooding, which impacted nearly 250,000 people and left many more susceptible to pox. As of March 2025, there are more than 3,000 confirmed Mpox (Clade I) cases in Burundi. A multitude of factors, such as an overflowing population and restricted access to clean water and essential health care, initially caused Mpox in Burundi. This left many Burundi health care facilities overwhelmed and residents struggling to access necessary treatment.

During the peak of the Mpox outbreak in Burundi, infection rates in children rose substantially. In September 2024, UNICEF reported that in almost 600 cases, two-thirds of the affected population were children and the number of cases grew by more than 40% over the previous three weeks. This caused concern for many, as UNICEF reported that 80% of Mpox-related deaths are in children.

However, since 2025, there has been a noticeable decline in Mpox cases in Burundi. There are less than 50 new cases per week, which is around a 25% average decrease compared to case numbers during the peak of the Mpox outbreak. This accomplishment became possible due to the numerous organizations providing global aid to countries such as Burundi.

Global Aid Efforts

Health care in Burundi continues to face major challenges, particularly due to limited funding for the country’s health systems. In response, several organizations have developed targeted strategies to strengthen health care infrastructure and improve access. Here’s how some are helping residents in Burundi:

  • Village Health Works (VHW) launched the Halting Outbreaks by Mobilizing Essential (HOME) resources initiative in response to the Mpox outbreak. This initiative focuses on supporting women and children, the most affected groups. It provides essential medical supplies and offers training and support to local health care workers to bolster frontline response efforts.
  • Our Children International will volunteer at a medical camp in Karuzi Province in July 2025. During last year’s mission, the organization treated more than 4,500 patients in just four days. Its services include medical and dental care, life-saving medications and nutritional support.
  • UNICEF focuses its efforts primarily on children affected by Mpox. Due to the stigma surrounding the disease, many residents were hesitant to seek treatment. To address this, UNICEF broadcast prevention messages via radio, reaching more than 800,000 residents across Burundi. The organization also supplied medical kits and essential resources to dozens of hospitals. Additionally, UNICEF is working on prevention by training school personnel to recognize early signs of Mpox and promoting community-based education.

Conclusion

Addressing the health care crisis in Burundi requires global attention, community-based support and investment. While this issue is still widespread in Burundi and other countries, organizations like Village Health Works, Our Children International and UNICEF are making meaningful strides.

– Grace Johnson

Grace is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash