Archive for category: Global Health

Information and stories about global health.

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3 Diseases Impacting Kenya

Diseases Impacting KenyaThree of the main diseases impacting Kenya are HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. While these remain public health concerns, Kenya has made great strides in addressing them.

HIV/AIDS

As of 2026, roughly 1.5 million people in Kenya are living with HIV, making it one of the world’s largest HIV epidemics. However, HIV testing has improved significantly in recent years, largely due to community-based approaches and the use of new technology. In collaboration with the CDC, Kenya’s Ministry of Health has decentralized HIV testing by moving laboratories closer to their patients. This shift has resulted in faster delivery of test results. While it used to take two weeks for viral load test results, it now only takes a few days.

The Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health (SEARCH) study, led by a group of Kenyan, American and Ugandan researchers, used a similar method to reduce new infections. Instead of having patients travel to a clinic, SEARCH employed a team of health workers to deliver tests and preventative medications directly to patients’ homes. From there, the workers used a smartphone app to keep track and inform clinics.

The SEARCH trial involved 16 rural communities, with eight in Kenya and eight in Uganda. In these areas, it led to a 70% decline in new cases. Out of its 80,000 participants, 95% were put on treatment and nearly 95% achieved undetectable levels of HIV.

Tuberculosis

HIV and TB in Kenya are directly connected. Dr. Gabriel Chamie, one of SEARCH’s co-investigators, notes that “the immune suppression caused by HIV dramatically increases the risk of tuberculosis.”

In October 2025, Kenya’s government announced the deployment of 80 portable X-ray machines to help fight TB. Battery-powered and weighing only 11 pounds, the machines use computer-aided detection software to flag early signs of TB. In remote areas where medical professionals are scarce, this offers a vital tool for fighting TB.

More recently, Kenya became part of an early-adopter initiative to improve TB testing. Following WHO recommendations, the country has introduced rapid, swab-based tests as the first line in TB diagnostics. Like the X-ray machines, they are battery-powered, allowing them to operate in places without consistent electricity. The swab tests will complement traditional sputum tests, which remain important for identifying drug-resistant TB.

Despite social stigma, logistics and other challenges, Kenya continues to fight against TB. Since 2015, the country has seen a 45% decline in TB incidence, as well as a 58% decline in TB-related deaths.

Malaria

The CDC estimates that every year there are more than 3 million malaria cases in Kenya, resulting in more than 11,000 deaths. Young children are at especially high risk.

In 2019, Kenya was one of several countries that the WHO selected to receive doses of RTS,S, the world’s first malaria vaccine. The rollout began in western counties along Lake Victoria, where transmission rates are highest. In Homa Bay County, on Lake Victoria, malaria infection rates fell from 27% to just 3.6% in the span of five years.

Nationwide, 400,000 children have received at least one dose of the four-dose vaccine. The vaccines, along with existing measures like mosquito nets and insecticides, have helped reduce Kenya’s malaria incidence. Between 2004 and 2024, the cases per 1,000 population fell from 184 to 74.

These diseases are closely linked to poverty in Kenya. For example, a 2024 study found that food insecurity made access to care more difficult for people living with HIV. Furthermore, Kenyans still pay about a quarter of their health expenses out of pocket, and for those already near the poverty line, this can be disastrous. In 2018, around one million people were pushed into poverty by out-of-pocket payments.

HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are only a handful of the diseases impacting Kenya. Yet by meeting these challenges head-on, and continually testing new strategies and technologies, the country is working toward a healthier and more prosperous future.

– Harland Pusey-Nazzaro

Harland is based in Brunswick, ME, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Honduras

Poverty in HondurasFor Evelyn Suárez, getting her daughter Alexa healthy required more than medical care. It required finding a way to afford food, transportation and medicine while her daughter struggled with malnutrition. Doctors said Alexa had moderate acute malnutrition and was not gaining weight. After she received care at a UNICEF-backed clinic in El Progreso, Alexa started to bounce back. “Today she walks, runs and has an appetite,” Evelyn said in 2024. Alexa’s experience demonstrates how poverty in Honduras affects health even before families see a doctor. Not having enough money, food or access to transportation can keep families from living a healthy life. Groups like the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) are teaming up with Honduras to tackle these problems. Their efforts focus on nutrition, basic healthcare and social support.

Poverty and Malnutrition Are Closely Connected

WFP says 63% of the population lives in poverty in Honduras, while one in four children under five suffers from chronic malnutrition. The cost of malnutrition is huge – about $618 million a year, or 2.7% of the country’s GDP. For children, not getting enough to eat causes more than hunger. Nearly 19% of children under five in Honduras experience developmental delays due to malnutrition, according to WFP. Families in rural areas have an even harder time getting healthy food and medical help. WFP points to factors like lack of services, inequality, violence, displacement and climate problems as reasons so many people have food insecurity. WFP is helping the Honduran government run nutrition programs, support small farmers and build stronger food systems. These efforts meet urgent needs and help communities prepare for tough times ahead.

Children Often Experience the Impact First

Children growing up in poverty are hit hardest when there is not enough food or healthcare. UNICEF says at least 338,000 children enduring poverty in Honduras need help with nutrition. In just 2023 and 2024, more than 45,000 children under five received support that included food, clean water, hygiene, child protection and cash assistance for families. Alexa was among those children who got help. Her family received cash support, which helped pay for food, bus rides and other basics. Evelyn explained that her husband worked in sugar cane seasonally, so sometimes the family could not afford enough food. The extra money also helped them get Alexa to the clinic. Alexa’s story shows that improving health is not just about building more clinics. Families need the money and support to get to these clinics and keep their kids healthy at home.

Strengthening Healthcare Can Save Lives

Poverty in Honduras often makes it hard to get medical help quickly. For rural families, the nearest health center might be hours away – and travel costs money. PAHO says improving basic healthcare and connecting services are key steps Honduras is taking to boost health for everyone. There is already progress. Between 2023 and 2025, Honduras’ maternal mortality rate fell from 65 to 38 deaths per 100,000 live births, a reduction of 41.5%. PAHO reports that this progress was driven by an integrated territorial response that strengthened the clinical, operational and logistical capacity of the health system, particularly in higher-risk settings. This success shows what is possible when health services reach communities that once had limited access. Investing more in primary care means risks are caught sooner and families get help faster.

Social Protection Can Improve Health Outcomes

Health and money go hand in hand. If families cannot regularly pay for food, buses or basics, even simple medical care becomes a challenge. To help, the Inter-American Development Bank gave Honduras a $75.9 million boost. The program is designed to provide cash to 50,000 of the poorest households and support nutrition and early childhood services for 165,000 children. The program also aims to protect household income from climate, economic and health-related shocks while strengthening services for vulnerable families. By combining cash aid with nutrition and child services, the initiative breaks down many barriers that keep low-income families from getting care.

Building a Healthier Future

Poverty in Honduras remains a major obstacle for families. But programs focusing on food, healthcare and social support are starting to make a real difference. Alexa’s recovery demonstrates these efforts go beyond numbers. With the right treatment and support to buy food and get to the clinic, she went from barely crawling to running and eating on her own. Her story reminds us that health and poverty are intertwined. Fixing one without the other means families might face the same problems all over again. If Honduras continues investing in primary care, nutrition and social support, more families will get what they need – before a health scare turns into a crisis. The country’s progress so far shows that when these services reach people in need, health improves for everyone.

– Mia Lomonaco

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

Photo: Pixabay

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Fish Could Help Reduce Schistosomiasis in Senegal

Schistosomiasis in SenegalIn a study with implications that could change the fight against poverty in rural Senegal, researchers working along the northern Senegal River basin found an unexpected solution to schistosomiasis in Senegal. The parasite, which disproportionately affects those facing extreme poverty, may be reduced through native fish.

Schistosomiasis, a snail-borne disease, spreads when parasite larvae released by freshwater snails penetrate the skin during contact with infested water. The resulting symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, liver enlargement and kidney damage. In children, schistosomiasis can cause anemia and affect health and school attendance. An affordable solution to schistosomiasis in Senegal was found close to home, or more accurately, in rice fields. This shows researchers that when examining causes and effects of global poverty, they may not need to look far for a solution.

Neglected Tropical Disease in Senegal

Schistosomiasis is a type of neglected tropical disease, or NTD. More well-known NTDs include leprosy and rabies, but these diseases share one important fact: they disproportionately affect those in poverty. It is estimated that NTDs affect more than a billion people, with schistosomiasis prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas.

Those more likely to be infected include children who swim or play in infested water and farmers and fishers whose work brings them into regular contact with freshwater. Control of schistosomiasis relies on prevention and treatment, including preventive chemotherapy, access to safe water, improved sanitation, behavior change and snail control.

Solution of Native Fish

Researchers working along the northern Senegal River basin studied how releasing native freshwater fish in rice paddy fields could reduce the risk of schistosomiasis. The two fish, African bonytongue and Nile tilapia, thrived in the fields, even without researchers actively feeding them. Eating infected snails and competing with them for resources naturally decreased the snail population. After the release of native fish, researchers observed that paddy fields with fish carried fewer parasite-hosting snails. This could reduce the risk of infection for farmers and their families.

The effects of African bonytongue and Nile tilapia are threefold: reducing the risk of infection; improving soil nutrients and increasing rice yields by more than 25 percent; and providing farmers with an additional potential source of income through fishing.

Final Thoughts

The causes and effects of poverty are often cyclical. A health condition can create financial pressure that contributes to poverty, while poverty can increase vulnerability to health conditions. Addressing multiple elements of global poverty is necessary to find a solution. A cost-effective approach such as releasing native fish into rice paddy fields could have wide-reaching, multidimensional effects. While it does not replace serious funding, treatment and infrastructure changes, finding simple, affordable and effective solutions can make a difference.

Researchers are now exploring how rice-fish farming can be expanded across more farms in Senegal.

– Madalyn Youngbauer

Madalyn is based in Worcester, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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2 Organizations Fighting Poverty in the Philippines

Poverty in the PhilippinesIn the Philippines, in the heart of Tondo, Manila, The GUIDON reports that roughly 12,000 people live in a community surrounded by garbage. This community, Barangay 105, better known as Happyland, is often described as one of Manila’s poorest informal settlements. Homes are built close together, many using makeshift materials, while piles of waste surround the neighborhood.

Origin of Happyland

Happyland’s name comes from “Hapilan,” a word from a local Visayan dialect meaning “smelly trash.” The name reflects the community’s history: families settled around a dumpsite as they came to Tondo looking for work or after being displaced from other communities. For many, the city offered the possibility of employment but not necessarily affordable housing or reliable access to basic services.

Tondo is Manila’s largest district by population, with 654,220 residents in the 2020 census. Across Tondo, informal communities have grown alongside the city’s economic activity, while residents continue to face inadequate water access, sanitation, waste disposal and housing.

Poverty in the Philippines

Poverty in the Philippines fell to its lowest level in 2025. About 1.9 million families, or 6.4% of all families in the country, did not earn enough to afford their basic food and other needs. This was the first time the family poverty rate fell below 10%. The decrease was partly because people’s incomes increased faster than the cost of basic needs. Between 2023 and 2025, the average income per person increased by 22%, while the amount of money needed to cover basic needs increased by 5.5%.

While the numbers show real progress, millions of Filipinos still struggle to afford basic necessities, indicating that poverty in the Philippines remains a serious problem. In 2025, about 11.08 million Filipinos, or 9.7% of the population, lived below the national poverty threshold.

Factors Contributing to Poverty

Several factors make it difficult for people to escape poverty in the Philippines. Limited access to education can leave people without the skills needed to qualify for better-paying jobs, keeping them in low-wage or unstable work.

Limited access to healthcare can make the situation even harder. When people cannot afford medical care, an illness can prevent them from working and create additional expenses for their families.  Furthermore, unequal distribution of wealth and resources also contributes to poverty, as economic opportunities and resources are not shared equally across the population. Additionally, corruption can weaken efforts to reduce poverty in the Philippines when public funds intended for services such as education, healthcare and housing are misused or poorly managed.

Despite these challenges, organizations work to create more opportunities for families in Happyland and improve their living conditions. Among them are Project PEARLS and odoVita.

Project PEARLS

Project PEARLS is a nonprofit that helps children and families living in poverty in the Philippines. Melissa Villa and her family started it in 2010 after Villa learned about families living and working in Ulingan, a community where people were exposed to toxic smoke from charcoal production.

In Tondo, since 2013 the organization has provided meals, learning activities and scholarships to families in the community. PEARLS has also helped move families from Ulingan to a safer community in Bulacan. Today, the organization serves thousands of meals each week and helps children stay in school and have more opportunities for their future.

Project PEARLS focuses on these main programs:

  • Education & Literacy: The organization provides scholarships to students. It provides school supplies, transportation money, food, project materials, tutoring and other support that can make it easier for children to stay in school. The program has grown from its first group of 40 preschool students in 2010 to more than 700 students from preschool through college.
  • Healthcare and Nutrition: Its Hunger Relief Program serves more than 9,000 meals each week across three communities, including Tondo. The organization also runs a free health clinic in Tondo that provides medicines, vitamins and other medical support.
  • Empowerment through Skills Development: PEARLS focuses on helping children, young people and women gain practical skills that can give them more opportunities in the future. The organization holds workshops, training sessions, mentoring programs and educational trips where children and young people can learn outside of the traditional classroom. For women, its G.R.O.W. (Giving Resources and Opportunities to Women) program provides training in skills that can help them find work or start small sources of income.

odoVita

odoVita is a nonprofit organization working to improve health and access to medical care in underserved communities, including Happyland. Some of odoVita’s work in Tondo includes:

  • Care for pregnant women: odoVita provides health services during pregnancy and after childbirth, helping mothers identify and address health problems that could affect them or their babies.
  • Healthcare for children: The organization helps prevent and treat common childhood illnesses while providing guidance on nutrition, feeding and malnutrition.
  • Treatment for chronic illnesses: Residents can receive support for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and other long-term illnesses, with an emphasis on early detection and ongoing care.
  • Adolescent health: The organization provides teenagers with health information and services, including support around preventing unwanted pregnancies and making informed decisions about their health.

The organization has also opened a clinic in Barangay 105 to bring care closer to families in the community.

Conclusion

Together, these organizations help families address both their immediate needs, such as food and medicine, and the longer-term challenges that can make it difficult to escape poverty in the Philippines, including limited access to education, employment and other resources. Their work shows that breaking the cycle of poverty is possible when families have access to the support and opportunities they need to build more secure futures.

– Daniela Escobar

Daniela is based in Huntington, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Spearheading the Fight Against Mycetoma in Ethiopia

Mycetoma in EthiopiaMycetoma, a neglected tropical disease, results from bacterial or fungal infections. Symptoms typically begin with swelling under the skin and can progress to deformities in skin and tissues. The disease disproportionately affects poor, rural communities, where involvement in agricultural and pastoral activities increases contact with contaminated soil. Although a 2022 national survey reported that mycetoma is present in virtually every region in Ethiopia, where about a third of the population lives below the poverty line, the exact prevalence and severity of the disease is unknown due to lack of data and access to diagnosis. Since the disease does not heal on its own, raising awareness of mycetoma in Ethiopia and researching treatment options are crucial. Medical professionals and research organizations like the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) have made significant efforts to ensure the health of Ethiopians.

Dermatovenerologist Speaks Out

Professor Wendemagegn Enbiale, an influential dermatovenerologist serving on the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases, has drawn attention to the difficulties in tackling mycetoma in Ethiopia. In an interview with Capital Ethiopia, he explains that relative painlessness in the initial stages of mycetoma and the long journeys to reach dermatology services deter patients from seeking help. Furthermore, the cost of medicine and lack of knowledge of the best course of treatment prevent patients from making a full recovery.

Addressing these challenges, Enbiale speaks on the need to wear shoes to limit exposure to the soil and the symptoms of mycetoma, including wounds that fail to heal and pus containing black, white, yellow or red grains. This educates Ethiopians on preventive measures and enables them to seek medical assistance before the disease worsens, which could ultimately result in amputation. Enbiale has advocated for mycetoma care to be incorporated into Ethiopia’s Health Extension Program and primary health care system, laying the groundwork for a targeted government strategy against mycetoma.

Training Program for Medical Professionals

Medical professionals have strengthened their response to mycetoma in Ethiopia in recent years. The training program arranged by universities and research organizations in 2025 was vital in equipping radiologists and dermatologists from various regions in Ethiopia with the expertise to diagnose mycetoma through ultrasound. Dr. Mustafa Elnour Bahar, consultant radiologist at the University of Khartoum, presented the complexities of mycetoma before teaching participants how to operate the ultrasound machines in a hands-on session, examining 35 patients. This was an important step in empowering Ethiopia’s health care system to diagnose mycetoma swiftly and effectively.

Mycetoma Open Source Project

DNDi, a not-for-profit research organization dedicated to developing new treatments, has initiated numerous projects to help those suffering from mycetoma. Partnering with the University of Sydney and Erasmus University Medical Center, DNDi launched the Mycetoma Open Source Project (MycetOS) in 2018. MycetOS seeks to discover new drug candidates for fungal mycetoma (eumycetoma) through a transparent, collaborative online platform where researchers and scientists can share their ideas and results.

As the development of drugs for neglected tropical diseases is rarely successful in the commercial market, this approach facilitates large-scale and efficient research. In 2025, the evaluation of Series 1 fenarimols determined the potency of the fenarimol analogue EPL-BS1246 against eumycetoma. DNDi’s continual efforts in drug discovery lay the foundation for more effective treatments for mycetoma.

Clinical Trial Promotes Drug Registration

Additionally, DNDi performed a Phase II clinical trial in Sudan examining fosravuconazole and itraconazole for eumycetoma. Fosravuconazole was not superior to itraconazole in the trial, but it offered practical advantages including weekly dosing and fewer drug-interaction concerns. In 2025, DNDi and Eisai initiated an early access cohort protocol in Kassala, Sudan. Partners also finalized a regulatory dossier for submission in Sudan and advanced wider regulatory engagement for fosravuconazole in eumycetoma-endemic regions.

Collecting Data in Ethiopia

To tackle the lack of epidemiological data, DNDi conducted a community-based survey across Afar, Amhara, Southern Nations and Tigray, screening households and referring people with suspected eumycetoma for diagnosis and care. The field surveys concluded in 2025 and are intended to help establish more robust estimates of the disease burden in Ethiopia, informing future prevention, treatment and clinical research.

Looking Ahead

Medical professionals and DNDi have made significant strides in establishing an initial framework for the fight against mycetoma in Ethiopia. Advancements in medical knowledge and growing visibility and community awareness not only encourage patients to seek help earlier, but also improve the quality of care they receive. This solid foundation in mycetoma care promotes more comprehensive prevention and control strategies in the future, offering hope for containing the disease.

– Katy Wong

Katy is based in Hong Kong and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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TB Testing in Low-Income Communities

TB Testing in Low-Income CommunitiesTuberculosis (TB) remains a serious health challenge for many low-income communities. Testing can be difficult for those living far from laboratories or health facilities, delaying diagnosis and treatment. More than 80% of TB cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Better access to rapid TB testing could facilitate earlier diagnosis.

TB also imposes financial pressure on families with limited incomes. For families already struggling financially, travel, testing and time away from work add up quickly. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that about half of people with TB and their households face serious financial costs. Easier access to diagnosis could reduce some barriers these families face.

Bringing Testing Closer to Communities

New rapid TB tests make it possible to bring testing closer to low-income communities with limited laboratory access. Tests are portable, easy to use and can run on battery power. They provide results in less than an hour, helping people get diagnosed and start treatment sooner.

These tests are also affordable. The WHO reports they cost less than half as much as many molecular tests. Another option is using a tongue swab, which assists those who have difficulty providing a sputum sample, making it easier for more people to get tested for TB.

In 2026, the Global Fund initiated an effort to bring rapid TB testing to 13 countries. Nearly 3 million tests will be provided to countries including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia. This effort is crucial, as an estimated 10.8 million people became ill with TB in 2024, and millions were still not diagnosed or officially reported. This initiative could help identify more TB cases earlier. The Global Fund is collaborating with the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Aurum Institute on this program. They will assist countries in training health workers and implementing the new tests, facilitating broader reach.

Introducing new TB tests requires preparing health systems. The Stop TB Partnership collaborates with countries to improve their TB testing networks and optimize new tools. This includes assessing where tests are needed, how they can be integrated into health services and how they are used. This work can make rapid TB testing more widely available.

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Early detection of TB is crucial. Starting treatment sooner aids recovery and reduces the spread of TB to others. Without treatment, TB can become severe and lead to death. Easier access to testing helps individuals learn about their TB status earlier and receive necessary care. For those with limited health care access, early testing is challenging due to travel distances, costs and limited options. Faster, more accessible testing could reduce these delays and provide more opportunities for early treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The expansion of rapid TB testing offers hope in low-income communities where testing has been difficult. As new tests become faster, more affordable and easier to use, more people could receive earlier diagnoses. As more countries adopt these tests, they could play a significant role in improving access to TB care and ensuring more people receive necessary treatment.

– Mert Sungur

Mert is based in Bursa, Turkey and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Combating Dengue in Brazil

Dengue in BrazilWhen many people think of mosquito-borne diseases, often the name that first comes to mind is malaria. Some may recall the Zika virus outbreak of 2016, or have a relative who returned from travels with a case of West Nile virus; however, it may be surprising to hear that in the Americas alone, over 1.2 million cases have been reported in 2026 of another mosquito-borne illness—and many have never heard of it.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is one of the most prevalent diseases faced by nations south of the equator, with up to 400 million cases reported every year. It is characterized by rashes, aches and nausea; targeted medicine has yet to be developed. In 2026, dengue has continued to make headlines, but Brazil is also expanding several approaches to prevention and control. These include disease forecasting, mosquito-control methods and a new single-dose vaccine.

A State of Emergency

The regions most susceptible to dengue are South and Central America. In the first 12 weeks of 2026, 62 cases were reported per 100,000 people throughout the Americas. Dengue in Brazil reached a peak in 2024 with a record-breaking 6 million cases, including 5,000 deaths. Dengue has become the fastest-spreading disease on the continent, leading several countries across the Americas to declare a state of emergency. In response, the Americas Health Foundation held a summit in Bogotá, Colombia, to create a plan of attack.

Experts discovered that some of the primary factors leading to a dengue outbreak are direct results of poverty. One was the spread of information and underreporting: in areas like Brazil, where 20.9% of the population lives below the poverty line, diagnostic testing is often inaccessible, causing cases to be underreported until epidemics have arisen. Another is the increased breeding of mosquitoes, which thrive on the stagnant water and waste endemic to big cities. Research has linked inadequate water, sanitation and waste management with conditions that can increase exposure to Aedes mosquitoes. However, experts found that areas of Brazil have already begun combating these factors.

Scientific Solutions

Since dengue spreads faster than word of its coming, one group of scientists, in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Health, developed Infodengue, a sophisticated forecasting system that predicts the spread of dengue in Brazil. The first and second rounds of research succeeded, helping support public health systems by providing information ahead of the outbreaks. Another edition of the software is being developed as of 2026, with forecasts expected to be released in September. This way, Brazilians can combat underreporting with the help of a free service.

Meanwhile, Brazilian biologists have succeeded at the source level. Mosquitoes carrying the naturally occurring bacterium Wolbachia have been released as part of Brazil’s vector-control efforts. Wolbachia can reduce Aedes aegypti mosquitoes’ ability to transmit dengue and other viruses. Studies of Wolbachia deployments have reported substantial reductions in dengue in some locations. Brazil’s Ministry of Health treats Wolbachia as a complementary vector-control method rather than a standalone solution.

No attempt at disease control would be complete without the circulation of a vaccine. In April 2026, after 25 years of research and development, the National Institute of Health announced that a brand-new, single-dose vaccine would be released to the Brazilian public for dengue. The vaccine, called Butantan-DV, is administered as a single dose. A five-year phase 3 follow-up found 65% overall efficacy against symptomatic dengue. In June 2026, however, Brazil temporarily paused the vaccination strategy while health authorities investigated rare adverse events reported after rollout. Dengue has four serotypes. The five-year efficacy study recorded cases caused by DENV-1 and DENV-2, so efficacy against DENV-3 and DENV-4 could not be estimated from that trial. The vaccine had entered Brazil’s National Immunization Program, but the June 2026 pause means the rollout is under reassessment.

Results

The year 2026 has thus far proven to be a year of crisis regarding dengue; many countries in the Americas, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East have been struggling to keep up with the influx of cases, possibly due to rising heat levels across the globe. However, in Brazil, the results of science speak for themselves. Brazil recorded a substantial decline in dengue cases in 2025 compared with 2024, and the Ministry of Health reported a further 73% year-on-year decline by June 20, 2026. The new vaccine, alongside surveillance and mosquito-control measures, provides Brazil with additional tools to reduce the burden of dengue.

– Madison Hoar

Madison is based in Birmingham, AL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Battling West Africa’s Kush Crisis

West Africa’s Kush CrisisKush is a synthetic smokable drug composed of nitazenes, potent synthetic opioids, and synthetic cannabinoids. Laboratory testing has found that one of the nitazene compounds detected in kush is 25 times more potent than fentanyl. Kush has long been rumored to contain tramadol and powdered human bones, but chemical analysis conducted for a 2025 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and the Clingendael Institute did not find evidence of either. The synthetic drug leaves users with headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, aggressive outbursts and a feeling of mental and physical numbness that makes them crave more. Its dependency and inexpensive sale price offer a temporary emotional escape and source of income for many impoverished and young people across the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. These countries have 34% to 41% of their citizens living on less than $3 a day.

Health Problems

Kush’s physical effects include lethargy, swollen feet, organ failure, and death, currently putting immense labor, spatial and economic strain on West Africa’s health care system. Kush-related admissions have increased 4,000% between 2020 and 2023 and are now overwhelming Sierra Leone’s only psychiatric hospital. The sole rehab drug care clinic in the country is ill-equipped with only 100 beds to care for kush patients who comprise 63% of Sierra Leone’s current physical and mental health hospital patients.

Social Problems

Young West Africans addicted to kush neglect daily responsibilities of school, home, and community, instead becoming zogos (locally meaning street-dweller), which worsens regional poverty. Regarding crime, West African government authorities’ failures to convict at all levels of the international drug trade have resulted in a rate of one conviction for every 146 arrests in Liberia. Crime at a local and individual level stemming from kush’s psychiatric impact is evident in widespread public disorder conduct reports, and many kush abusers are stealing everyday items to help afford their addiction.

Economic Problems

According to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, average kush users report purchasing two to six kush joints a day ($0.80 to $2.40 a day/$292 to $876 a year), with quantities increasing as individual addictions worsen. The relatively inexpensive production cost and purchasing price of kush help national production profits double annually. Cartel owners can make $3,000 a week ($156,000) profit through selling between one to two kilograms of kush, with small retailers even stating $20 a week profits ($240 a year). The income opportunities worsen West Africa’s kush crisis by offering appealing outlets for the 60% of Sierra Leonean youth in unemployment who reside in a country whose average per capita income is under £400 ($539.92).

Local Solutions

SAJED-Guinée provides free health care attention and medicines to its many poverty-stricken kush patients, funded by private donors’ financial grants and the $0 pay its staff willingly receive in their fight against West Africa’s kush crisis. In Liberia, many local community leaders help local authorities identify drug hotspots and ghettos in their efforts to mitigate kush’s pressing challenge.

National Solutions

The Five Key Pillar Plan implemented by the Sierra Leone government addresses West Africa’s kush crisis by focusing on “Treatment and Care, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, Community Engagement, Prevention and Awareness, and Law Enforcement.” The plan has engaged health care and local communities by providing specialized training to 1,400 health care workers in drug treatment and medical health care, alongside producing public education materials on the harms of kush. Infrastructure developments supported by the plan have established three new national rehab centers with an additional facility currently under construction, coinciding with the launch of 52 local advisory groups in communities nationwide.

Stricter law enforcement has resulted in the incursion of 90 drug hotspots. The BBC found that the Sierra Leone government’s declaration of a national emergency against kush has resulted in the assembly of the National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse. The force’s powers allow them to supply a stricter security presence at cemeteries to address community concerns about the digging-up of human bones, along with investigative and conviction authority to help break down the kush supply chain.

International Solutions

Partners in Health, an international nongovernmental organization, is currently delivering extensive physical and mental health care for kush addicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia, training programs for nurses, and hospital discharge services that help recovering addicts rebuild skills and family relationships once discharged, which is vital for community integration. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the United States International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs bureau and the African Union to bolster law enforcement that advances West African police and justice systems. Efforts are helping eradicate international crimes supporting the soliciting of illegal drugs that damage economic growth and development opportunities in West Africa. In the plan’s first month, Sierra Leone saw more than 100 kush dealers convicted and dozens of cartels closed down, while along the Guinean border numerous trafficking vehicles and kush hotspots were infiltrated by the elevated police presence.

Current local, national, and international resistance against West Africa’s kush crisis is at its strongest since kush’s regional prevalence soared in 2020. However, present efforts and policies need to maintain strength and continue to strengthen efforts to diminish kush’s destructive role in the region’s poverty and hardships.

– Oliver Jones

Oliver is based in Cheshire, UK and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Grenada Continue

HIV/AIDs in GrenadaGrenada has struggled to combat human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) due to social and political issues, including social stigma and political sanctions, according to a study published in the journal Medicine. This has led to fear among Grenadians about reporting their HIV status.

Since HIV/AIDS targets the immune system, this fear can result in loss of life and increase the chances of the disease spreading further.

The 2018 study, conducted by researchers at St. George’s University, indicates that HIV/AIDS prevalence in Grenada has been rising steadily since national surveillance began in 1984.

Geographic Location and Societal Structure

Grenada is a Caribbean country located south of the United States. English is the official language, and the majority ethnic group is Euro-Africans. According to Britannica, most Grenadians follow Christianity, primarily Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, with Roman Catholics in the majority.

Due to these dominant sects, Grenada’s society and government tend to be conservative, particularly in the capital, St. George’s.

Findings on HIV/AIDS in Grenada

Researchers at St. George’s University surveyed 49 Grenadians through online surveys and in-person interviews to examine HIV-related behavior and sexual health. The online surveys were self-administered, while a nongovernmental organization in Grenada, the Grenadian Chapter of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Partnership (Gren CHAP), facilitated the in-person interviews.

Researchers considered participants’ age, residence, sexuality and gender. The study found that age and residence were significant factors, since conservatism varies by location and younger individuals reported less education about sex.

The study found that homosexual and bisexual participants were less likely to test positive for HIV and more likely to use condoms. Conversely, participants who engaged in genital sex and lived in St. George were more likely to test positive.

Participants who visited Gren CHAP in person did so mainly seeking condoms or sexual health information, the study found.

Gren CHAP’s Role in Grenada

The 2018 study noted that Gren CHAP has collaborated with the United Nations and the Grenadian government and has the opportunity to advocate to the Ministry of Health for expanded HIV prevention, testing and outreach. Antiretroviral therapy in Grenada is provided at no charge through community clinics under the country’s National Infectious Disease Control Unit, according to the study.

A separate study published in 2014 in the Journal of Family Medicine and Community Health found that Gren CHAP assisted researchers in recruiting participants to study how stigma affects men who have sex with men (MSM) and their treatment experiences.

The study surveyed 47 Grenadian MSM, with an average age of 28, and divided participants into two groups: Group A, who attended Gren CHAP’s Men’s Forum, and Group B, who did not. The Men’s Forum, a biweekly meeting Gren CHAP has run since 2007, provided a space for MSM to discuss stigma, relationships and HIV prevention.

The study found no significant differences in HIV knowledge or stigma experiences between the two groups. However, Group A was significantly more likely to get tested for HIV every 10 to 12 months.

The researchers noted limitations, including a narrow age range among participants. They suggested that more diverse studies could provide further insight into how stigma affects attitudes and treatment-seeking behavior among MSM.

Though conducted in 2014, the concern about stigma remains relevant, as highlighted by Grenada’s Ministry of Health in 2025.

Ministry of Health’s Stance on HIV/AIDS

Dr. Shawn Charles, Chief Medical Officer, said in an article covering his remarks that Grenada plans to integrate HIV testing, counseling, and treatment into routine primary care to reduce “stigma and discriminatory behaviour” toward people living with HIV. He said the country records between 20 and 30 new HIV diagnoses annually, and more than 400 people were living with HIV in Grenada as of 2023.

While Grenada has taken steps to improve access to HIV/AIDS care, public attitudes toward the disease and those affected remain largely unmeasured.

Gren CHAP continues to provide information about HIV risks facing the MSM community and to advocate against discrimination toward people affected by HIV/AIDS in Grenada.

– Hafsa Hussain

Hafsa is based in Aurora, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Cancer Screening in Uganda Can Reduce Poverty

Cancer Screening in UgandaThe Uganda Cancer Institute, founded in 1967, is a public medical care and research facility based in Kampala, Uganda. UCI provides specialized treatment, including radiotherapy and surgery, while also pioneering cancer solutions and expanding outreach and early detection programs. In April 2026, UCI performed Uganda’s first bone marrow transplant, marking a major advancement in the country’s cancer care capabilities. UCI also works to expand cancer screening in Uganda, particularly through specialized screenings such as cervical testing.

This focus on early detection is critical because many patients still arrive at health facilities with late-stage disease, limiting treatment options and increasing medical costs. Routine screening can identify abnormal cells before they develop or spread, allowing patients to connect with treatment plans earlier. The expansion of UCI’s screening programs also addresses barriers that prevent Ugandans from seeking care, including limited awareness, fear and lack of accessibility.

Limited Cancer Screening Impacts Poverty

  • Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Health insurance coverage in Uganda remains very low. UNICEF reported coverage of about 1.1% of the household population in its 2025–26 health-sector budget brief. This means many Ugandans pay directly for consultations, medicines, travel and treatment, leaving less money available for food, housing and other basic needs.
  • Asset Liquidation: Research on patients receiving surgical care in rural Uganda illustrates how serious illness can affect household finances. One study found that 53% of households borrowed money to pay for care and 21% sold possessions. Other research has also found that households may use savings, borrow money or sell assets to meet medical costs, pushing financially vulnerable families further into hardship.
  • Inability to Work and the Caregiver Burden: Severe and unmanaged cancer symptoms can force patients to reduce or stop work, creating significant financial consequences for households. Caregivers may also lose income when they need to spend long periods away from work to support family members through treatment. These pressures can be particularly damaging for families already living close to the poverty line.

UCI Fights Back with Cancer Screening in Uganda

Early treatment is critical. UCI has expertise in surgical oncology, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and various forms of palliative care. These services can all benefit from early screening. Earlier detection can widen treatment options and, in some cases, reduce the need for more intensive late-stage care.

Uganda continues to face shortages of specialized cancer professionals. UCI combats this deficit through specialized training programs and educational initiatives, including oncology fellowships, regional upskilling and targeted screening courses. In 2025, 28 cancer specialists graduated through programs connected to Uganda’s cancer-care system. These efforts can make treatment more accessible locally and reduce some of the costs associated with traveling for care.

UCI focuses on decentralizing care and reducing patient overcrowding, which are major barriers to cancer treatment. Gulu is operational, while regional centers in Mbarara, Arua and Mbale are under development. Bringing services closer to communities can reduce the travel and accommodation costs faced by patients who would otherwise need to make repeated journeys to Kampala.

Final Thoughts

Expanding cancer screening in Uganda gives patients a better chance of catching cancer early while reducing some of the financial strain associated with late-stage treatment. By decentralizing care, training specialists and bringing screening closer to communities, the Uganda Cancer Institute is helping make cancer care more accessible. As UCI continues expanding its reach, early detection can become both a public health tool and part of a broader effort to reduce the financial burden of serious illness.

– Julia M Kozin

Julia is based in Livemore, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons