Archive for category: Global Health

Information and stories about global health.

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WOBA: Addressing Period Poverty in Vietnam

Period Poverty in VietnamThe 2018-2022 Vietnamese program, Women-led Output-Based Aid (WOBA), aimed to tackle poor water sanitation, reducing period poverty in Vietnam and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation. First established by the key Vietnamese network East Meets West (EMW), the female-led force wished to tackle gender inequality and attitudes to menstruation in Vietnam’s poorest communities.   

With the help of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VMU), an organization with more than 13 million members nationwide, EMW’s program WOBA has expanded to the most marginalized households and women. Their collaboration has continued to make positive changes to period poverty in Vietnam. 

Vietnam’s Stigma Towards Menstruation

Medical News Today defines period poverty as the political, cultural and socio-economic “barriers to menstrual products, education and sanitation.” Period poverty in Vietnam may have harmful impacts on women’s lives. This includes their mental health, health and hygiene, work balance and education. Further, lacking access to menstrual products may result in dangerous infections and an increase in possible toxic shock syndrome. The stigma surrounding menstruation often results in women’s exclusion from the community. 

WOBA’s Support

WOBA sought to decrease the gender inequalities that have disproportionately disadvantaged women’s access to sanitary water. The program’s primary objectives include increasing access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in marginalized communities and reducing menstrual stigma and exclusion targeted at women. Its fight against period poverty in Vietnam focused on the poorest areas, including Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Ben Tre.

By 2022, WOBA had set several crucial objectives to enhance water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. These goals encompassed reinforcing governmental efforts in implementing WASH policies, improving accessibility and utilization of WASH facilities in marginalized communities, empowering women and advocating for hygienic practices. A significant focus was also placed on delivering clean water to female-led households. 

Noteworthy accomplishments of the program included assisting 52,580 women and girls in managing menstrual hygiene challenges. Additionally, installing hygienic latrines for 18,000 marginalized households and establishing new water connections benefiting 8,000 households facing economic hardship. 

Truong Thi Hoa’s Story

Truong Thi Hoa is the “President of the Tan Xuan Commune Women’s Union in Nghe An province.” She fights to tackle harmful taboos and empower women to engage with menstruation hygiene safely in her Vietnamese communities. In a conversation with Water for Women in 2023, she opened up about her experience with menstrual stigma. She recalls feeling “ashamed and afraid to meet others or go to school during her period.”

Truong Thi Hoa wishes to bring dignity to women affected by period poverty in Vietnam. Her training sessions educate women on the appropriate use of sanctuary products. In the same conversation with Water for Women, she believes inviting men into the conversation “is an efficient way to support, understand and share the health care burden with women and girls.”

Truong Thi Hoa feels that an essential step in breaking cultural taboo is for women to invite their husbands to her organized training sessions. For Truong Thi Hoa, men are vital allies who help bring gender equality to Vietnam’s attitudes toward menstrual hygiene.

Long-Term Improvements

Period poverty in Vietnam has dramatically improved with the aid of the  WOBA program. During the program, EMW collaborated with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which funded “national consultants on menstrual health and hygiene.” Its educational sessions continue the work of individuals like Truong Thi Hoa, providing informative conversations and practices with women about their “hygiene and sanitation needs” and menstrual health.

Furthermore, EMW’s WASH program has continued to aid schools in Vietnam. Due to challenging weather conditions, families are often deprived of clean water. In response, the initiative “installs water filtration systems and hand washing basins” in rural and mountainous schools where access to clean water may be a daily struggle. Additionally, the program’s educational initiative continues to raise awareness about the importance of personal hygiene in schools. Its conduction of “a behavior change campaign promoting hand washing” continues to reduce period poverty in Vietnam.

UNICEF’s Report on Menstrual Health in East Asia

In 2023, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a regional progress review on Menstrual Health in East Asia. UNICEF commended the positive observance of Menstrual Hygiene Day by Thrive Networks/East Meets West Foundation Vietnam as an ongoing effort to combat period poverty in Vietnam. The report underscored that the foundation’s work “contributed to increasing menstrual health awareness.” As well as helped “gain attention from one of the high-ranking government officials.”

Looking Forward

While many women struggle with period poverty in Vietnam, integral organizations such as EMW and its projects, such as WOBA, have successfully aided the improvements of menstrual hygiene for many women.

– Kasia Flisiuk
Photo: Unsplash

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How ActionAid International Is Improving Public Health in Kenya

ActionAidDespite Kenya being one of the largest and most developed countries in Eastern and Central Africa, it still grapples with significant challenges, particularly regarding food security, access to clean water, health care and education. The country is currently reported to have made strides in economic development. Still, persistent issues such as poverty, inequality and corruption continue to hinder progress, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach involving government intervention and collaboration with important organizations such as the ActionAid International nonprofit.

ActionAid: An Overview

ActionAid is a global movement working toward improving public health in Kenya. It also aims to eradicate poverty and injustice by supporting people and communities to claim their rights and achieve sustainable change. The organization was founded in 1972 and focused on empowering developing communities and marginalized groups to advocate for access to health care resources. At the heart of the group’s approach is the belief that poverty is not simply based on lack of income but is also about community marginalization. The organization works in various Kenyan locations to address the root causes of poverty, including unequal distribution of resources, discrimination and lack of access to education and health care.

ActionAid’s methods and programs differ from the standard nonprofit approach, encompassing many overlooked issues, including women’s health rights, climate justice, humanitarian responses and economic justice. Through grassroots mobilization, advocacy campaigns and partnerships with other impactful organizations, the nonprofit is improving public health in Kenya. This society seeks to amplify the voices of affected populations by creating community-led initiatives and providing essential resources to influence policy changes that address the systemic inequalities faced by marginalized communities in the country. The organization focuses on three critical areas for improving public health in Kenya: empowerment, solidarity and campaigning for social justice.

The Response to Poverty and Rights

In addition to its programmatic work, ActionAid also conducts research plans, policy analysis and public awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the fundamental causes of poverty and advocate for changes at the national and international levels. One of these impactful plans, labeled “Strategic Objective 2,” involves facilitating young people and communities living in poverty and exclusion to advocate for their rights with democratic governance for access to the advancement of economic opportunities for young people. This plan aims to build capacity among youth and marginalized communities, providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to effectively engage with policymakers, demand accountability and participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

The organization also works with various impoverished communities to provide them with essential resources, capacity-building initiatives and support to address specific needs and challenges. One of these impactful plans, labeled “Strategic Objective 3,” involves:

  • Implementing sustainable development projects.
  • Facilitating access to education and health care services.
  • Promoting economic empowerment through livelihood programs.
  • Advocating for policy changes that advance the rights and well-being of marginalized populations.

Through these collaborative efforts, the organization strives to foster resilience, self-reliance and dignity among communities facing poverty and exclusion. Furthermore, ActionAid is committed to maintaining long-term partnerships with local organizations such as the Foreign Ministry of Affairs of Denmark to ensure that interventions are culturally sensitive, contextually appropriate and sustainable in improving public health in Kenya.

Addressing Food Insecurity and Access To Clean Water

ActionAid, recognizing the critical importance of addressing food insecurity and lack of clean water access, has implemented several initiatives across Kenya to tackle these pressing issues. The organization aims to empower communities to secure their right to food and clean water through grassroots mobilization, advocacy campaigns and educational strategies. The organization has implemented these sustainable solutions in multiple locations nationwide, including Turkana, Garissa and Baringo.

In addition to addressing the immediate need for resource accessibility, ActionAid also recognizes the importance of education in influencing communities to break the cycle of poverty and achieve sustainable development. One of the most notable programs developed to address this issue is the “Education For Life Project (EFL),” which equips marginalized youth and adults with the essential skills and knowledge for personal and developmental growth.

The EFL project goes beyond traditional classroom education by incorporating practical, hands-on learning experiences tailored to participants’ and their communities’ specific needs and aspirations. The initiative is currently implemented in five regions of Kenya (Kisumu, Garissa, Kilifi, Migori and Isiolo) in partnership with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and Leonard Cheshire (LC) to influence positive school and life skills for the most marginalized populations.

– Caleb Ilayan
Photo: Unsplash

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How LFAM in Sierra Leone is Reducing Maternal Mortality

LFAM in Sierra LeoneSierra Leone has one of the highest global rates of maternal mortality and an overwhelming number of these maternal deaths are due to preventable factors. In 2020, the maternal mortality ratio was 443 women’s deaths per 100,000 live births. Although this is incredibly lower than the rate in 2000, where 1,682 women died per 100,000 live births, there is still a way to go in reducing this number.

The Life for African Mothers Charity (LFAM) has been actively working on reducing the maternal mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa since 2005. LFAM is helping Sierra Leone through its essential programs and projects to lower the maternal mortality ratio.

What LFAM Does

In 2020, nearly 800 preventable maternal deaths occurred daily worldwide. A maternal death took place every two minutes; a further 95% of these deaths took place in low and lower-middle-income countries. LFAM provides tailored training to midwives in Sub-Saharan Africa through various means, such as skill-sharing workshops and medication distribution. The nonprofit has trained around 1,000 midwives and shipped five million tablets to date, contributing to the approximately one million women saved by the organization.

LFAM’s 15-Year Journey in Sierra Leone

In 2008, LFAM was called by the United Nations Population Fund to assist Sierra Leone and Liberia in reducing their Maternal Mortality Ratio. The U.N. had designated Sierra Leone as one of the most dangerous places on earth to have a baby. In 2009, LFAM started helping; medications to treat and prevent hemorrhages were sent to Sierra Leone and U.K.-based midwives traveled to share their skills and complete training programs.

LFAM is helping in Sierra Leone through its contribution to the resilience of the communities by empowering midwives and preventing post-partum hemorrhage. The initiative is positively impacting the country’s maternal health care.

LFAM’s Recent Workshop in Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, less than half of pregnant women receive care from experienced birth attendants. In response, the program has been helping the nation through several methods, including midwifery workshops. LFAM held a two-day event in January 2024, for midwives to attend. The event occurred at Kailahun District Hospital and 20 midwives and nurses participated in the workshop. This intense training event covered postpartum hemorrhage management, resuscitation scenarios and labor care guidance. The focus of these workshops is empowering individual midwives to save lives in low-resource settings.

Enhancing Service Reach

LFAM is helping Sierra Leoneans by distributing life-saving medications such as Misoprostol. However, this has been challenging. The nonprofit encountered challenges when ensuring these medications’ timely and safe delivery. Additionally, transporting supplies from the airport to the hospital and distributing them across the country posed logistical hurdles for several reasons, such as the state of the roads.

In a positive turn of events in January 2024, the organization received a contribution from a U.K. foundation for a new vehicle. This donation has allowed LFAM to revolutionize the way it transports medication and midwives as distribution efforts are simplified and accessibility is increased. This donation will hopefully lead to a further reduction in Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate as the effectiveness of LFAM’s work continually increases.

– Arabella Wood-Collins
Photo: Flickr

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The Silent Health Issue: Period Poverty in Panama 

Period Poverty in PanamaPeriod poverty is an overlooked global health issue that directly interrelates with global poverty. Worldwide, 500 million girls lack menstrual products and/or proper sanitary conditions. With 2.2 million women in Panama, period poverty in Panama is a real threat to the nation’s national health.

Four key indicators monitor a country’s menstrual health:

  1. Awareness and education. Girls who are unprepared for their menstrual cycles are more likely to feel a sense of shame and social isolation.
  2. Regular access to menstrual products. Tampons, pads and cups are crucial for women’s health. Without access to these products, many women and girls resort to unsanitary practices, which result in dangerous health issues.
  3. A sanitary space for females to change and dispose of their products, which helps them avoid shame and maintain proper menstrual hygiene.
  4. The ability to continue with education and other important social/cultural activities despite menstruating, which is crucial to women’s well-being.

When assessing Panama’s limited data regarding menstrual health through the lens of these four indicators, the results are disappointing. Kelly Hernandez, a Panamanian advocate for ending period poverty, estimates that more than 150,000 Panamanian girls do not meet these four indicators.

The Enemy? Poverty.

Panama’s overall poverty is continuing to exacerbate these health issues, particularly in rural and indigenous communities. In 2019, the poverty rate was only $6.85 a day in 2017 PPP and primarily impacted indigenous communities such as Ngäbe-Buglé. Children and adolescents are also primary victims of the enemy of poverty, with an estimated 32.8% living in poverty, 25% of which live on Indigenous land.

In a world of increasing natural disasters and pandemics, the instability of equitable health care only gets worse. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was quoted that “women have to choose between buying a pound of rice or a pack of feminine sanitary pads.”

Days for Girls in Panama

Ending poverty in Panama is not simple; there needs to be major changes in education, governance, distribution and more. While these facts and figures may seem overwhelming, one can begin to help put a stop to period poverty in Panama.

The aforementioned Kelly Hernandez is a women’s health ambassador for an organization called Days for Girls. Days for Girls is a global nonprofit that seeks to “eliminate the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation so that women and girls have improved health, education and livelihoods.” Its work spans 145 countries where it introduces and donates reusable and sanitary pads, provides health education services, and encourages local leadership and community programs. The organization also advocates for better policy and health research. Because Days for Girls is a nonprofit, it depends on donor support for money and supplies. Evidently, Days for Girls is not a permanent solution, but it is a promising start.

Endeavors for a Bright Future

While there is no overnight solution to combating period poverty in Panama, one can help make a difference by learning more about powerful organizations like Days for Girls, as well as educating oneself and others and staying updated with the latest developments. By sharing information, we can encourage others to learn more about powerful NGOs like Days for Girls and help boost their outreach. 

Poverty is the number one enemy of Panama, but to go to war with poverty, humans need to first examine who is primarily being affected and how poverty is being inflicted on the 4.4 million Panamanians who call it home. Women and girls in Panama struggle to gain and maintain access to quality health care. This lack of necessary care exacerbated other existing issues relating to poverty, such as discrimination toward Indigenous people and a decline in school attendance. Period poverty in Panama is deserving of global attention. Regardless of one’s identity or background, everyone deserves basic human rights, including access to menstrual products and sanitary services. 

– Piper Jenkins
Photo: Flickr

Strategies for Eradicating Global Health Threats

Global Health ThreatsInfectious diseases cast a shadow over the health and well-being of communities around the world. The intersection of poverty and infectious diseases is a challenge that demands attention. Significant strides have been made in medical science to address this issue. This article will delve into the intricate relationship between poverty and global health threats while offering insight into strategies to combat them.

The Link Between Poverty and Global Health Threats

The connection between poverty and infectious diseases presents a vicious cycle. People in impoverished communities are susceptible to infectious diseases, exacerbating poverty. Poor communities often lack clean water, sanitation facilities and nutritious food. This lack weakens the immune system and makes individuals more susceptible to infection. 

Overcrowded living conditions are often common among poorer communities, and they can foster the spread of diseases. Limited access to health care is another reason disease can spread among a community. Many diseases, like malaria, HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, disproportionately affect low-income communities. 

Among the poor, communicable diseases cause the most deaths and disabilities. Each year, approximately 1.5 million people die from tuberculosis. 77% of malaria deaths involve children, and 36 million people have died from HIV/AIDS globally. 

On average, low-income countries spend about $23 per year per person on health. Health services and medicines are too expensive for many people in low-income countries, with 35% of the expenses handled by donors. 

How to Address Global Health Threats

Addressing the cycle of poverty and infectious diseases requires a multi-pronged approach. This approach should not only target infectious diseases but should also address social and economic disparities. The following strategies include methods for addressing poverty and infectious diseases.

  1. Create Access to Clean Water and Sanitation – Access to clean drinking water and improved sanitation facilities is foundational to disease prevention. Waterborne diseases like cholera can be significantly reduced by ensuring access to safe water sources and proper sanitation. In 2022, the Water Project rehabilitated a well in Santiguiya Forie in Sierra Leone. This rehabilitation improved the drinking water for the community, and occurrences of waterborne diseases like typhoid and cholera were diminished.
  1. Introduce Vaccination Programs – Vaccination has been one of the most effective tools in controlling infectious diseases. The International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) has helped provide vaccines to low- and middle-income communities around the world. IVAC helped establish vaccine knowledge hubs that educated communities in India about the importance of vaccination and helped train health workers in immunization advocacy. Widespread immunization campaigns can curb the transmission of diseases like measles, polio and hepatitis, even in resource-limited settings.
  1. Build Health Care Infrastructure – Strengthening health care systems in impoverished regions is crucial. This strengthening includes building clinics, training health care workers and ensuring the availability of essential medicines and diagnostic tools. Doctors Without Borders has delivered medical care in Gaza for 20 years. In addition to medical treatment, the organization has arranged for medical equipment to be delivered to clinics in Gaza.
  1. Provide Health Education – Empowering communities with knowledge about disease prevention and hygiene practices is pivotal. Educational initiatives can promote behaviors that reduce the risk of infection. Through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative, the United Nations emphasizes health education as a fundamental component of global development. Various U.N. agencies and local partners collaborate to empower communities with knowledge about disease prevention and hygiene practices. These educational initiatives, conducted worldwide, promote behaviors that significantly reduce the risk of infection, contributing to improved public health outcomes
  1. Conduct Research and Development – Investment in research to develop vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tools tailored to the needs of impoverished regions is vital. Multiple entities engage in research and development initiatives tailored to the needs of impoverished regions. Institutions like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation allocate resources to research new vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tools. Their efforts are focused on addressing diseases prevalent in low-income areas, ensuring that health care solutions are specifically designed to cater to the unique challenges faced by impoverished communities.

Although poverty and infectious diseases are inextricably linked, it is possible to overcome them. With concerted effort, governments and communities can address the root causes of disease and poverty to help create a world where impoverished communities no longer have to suffer from either issue. Access to clean water, sanitation, health care and education are basic human rights that can help eradicate poverty and infectious diseases. By investing in these areas, countries can collectively work towards improving the lives of millions of people and creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.

– Joy Loving
Photo: Flickr

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The USAID Budget for 2024

The USAID Budget for 2024
In March 2023, the President released a Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, reserving $63.1 billion for foreign aid, as well as $32 billion specifically for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The USAID Budget for 2024 is an important step up, with an increase of $3 billion, or roughly 10% from the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. This allows the agency to further address the important development goals that it has set, bettering the lives of those globally and domestically.

The Budget

The USAID Budget for 2024 addresses a wide range of topics with regard to global poverty and quality of life. The largest portion of this budget is reserved for food security and humanitarian aid, $10.5 billion to address rising crises and natural disasters around the world as well as $1.11 billion to Feed the Future to address food insecurity throughout the world, specifically Ukraine.

With the war in Ukraine, more than 14 million families have had to flee their homes and cities from February 2022 to February 2023. This has had an increasingly detrimental effect on Ukraine’s economy, which shrunk by roughly 30% last year, forcing millions into food and economic insecurity. The USAID budget reserves an additional $522 million to address the food and economic insecurity in Ukraine. 

Additionally, the budget aims to address health insecurity, which is an important part of addressing global poverty, with $4.1 billion for USAID programs aimed at addressing health issues around the globe, where vaccines and prenatal care may be difficult to find. 

Implementation

This money is deployed in a variety of ways, and implementation is an important aspect of the USAID Budget for 2024. Feed the Future, which is administered by USAID, works to reduce food security in 20 countries throughout the world. In many of the world’s developing countries, agriculture is integral to food security as well as the economy, and resiliency is imperative to feed rural communities. Feed the Future’s efforts in Mali, where 80% of the country relies on agriculture in some form, including improving resiliency through supplying better seeds for farmers as well as improved water conservation, can make sure that farmers can continue to earn a living, feed their families and feed the community. These efforts have been extremely successful, and in 2021, more than 2 million children under 5 were helped through Feed the Future’s efforts in Mali.

Since the beginning of the war, USAID has spent more than $1.4 billion on humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people. One of these ongoing efforts is the AGRI-Ukraine initiative. AGRI-Ukraine is meant to provide assistance to farmers, who may have difficulty growing, storing and transporting their crops due to the war. This will help maintain an important sector of the economy, as well as assist in feeding millions of Ukrainians. An additional, often overlooked, impact of the war is access to important, life-saving medications for Ukrainian citizens. USAID efforts have helped to ensure that Ukrainians still have access to those medicines. 

Outlook

USAID’s efforts throughout the world have been imperative in helping many efforts to eliminate global poverty. It has addressed food, health and economic insecurity throughout the world, ensuring that millions of the world’s poor have access to lifesaving medications, inventions and technologies. This helps to reduce poverty globally, while also working towards U.S. interests around the world. The USAID Budget for 2024 will ensure that these efforts are able to continue in full.

– John Rooney
Photo: Flickr

Reducing Cancer-Related Deaths in Infants

Cancer-Related Deaths in InfantsOut of the 7 million cancer-related deaths worldwide, 5 million occur in low and middle-income countries (LMCs), according to a National Library of Medicine study. Cancer accounts for 10% of the yearly death toll in LMCs. Yet, it is not acknowledged as a grave threat because diseases such as AIDS, Malaria and other infectious diseases run rampant in these countries and pull the focus away from the crucial problem of cancer-related deaths in infants.

Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases

Due to an increase in awareness of diseases, especially in infants, there have been significant strides in the development of vaccinations against childhood infections. Other initiatives have helped provide antibiotics to fight bacterial infections in LMCs, and with heightened awareness, the general cleanliness of places of residence has also improved in many areas. All these factors have lowered the infant mortality rate from infectious childhood diseases, but in turn, have increased the mortality rate for cancer and cardiovascular-related deaths in infants.

LMCs Lead in Cancer-Related Deaths

According to The Cancer Atlas, “The childhood cancer burden is strongly related to the level of development.” Better-developed countries have lower cancer-related deaths in infants. According to a dataset that measured the frequency by which infants undergo cancer tests, North America ranked highest at 97.2%, while Asia and Africa scored 6.3% and 5.3% respectively. Unfortunately, this factor contributes greatly to the growing threat of cancer in Africa.

The Lancet Global Health conducted a study on cancer mortality in LMCs and found that sub-Saharan African countries are the most vulnerable to cancer-related deaths in infants. The study also revealed the following:

  • “Significant associations between childhood cancer mortality and numbers of hospital beds per capita, external beam radiotherapy units, nuclear medicine physicians, pathology services and transplantation services.” Most of these resources and facilities were not sufficient in most places.

  • An increase in resources and money led to an increase in diagnosis and treatment as well.

  • Other factors such as maternal education and lowered health care costs also boosted the frequency of cancer diagnosis and treatment in infants.

Poverty and a lack of education and some of the leading factors that contribute to the increasing ‘cancer burden’ in LMCs. Focusing on educating individuals and alleviating poverty, along with providing access to medical facilities is a crucial step toward increasing successful diagnosis and treatment of cancer in infants.

Cancer Preventions

Between 30% and 50% of cancers are preventable by avoiding risk factors such as tobacco, ultraviolet radiation and pollution, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, 1 million cases of cancer are preventable through vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis B. Early diagnosis, before the cancer spreads, is essential to the treatment process according to WHO. “In [the] absence of early diagnosis, patients get their diagnoses at late stages when curative treatment may no longer be an option.”

Advanced Initiatives

Among initiatives that aim to improve the frequency of testing in LMCs and for the overall benefit of patients, are the following:

  • Specialized medical training: Providing specialized medical training and increased resources can improve patient outlook, as cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma in children have a high cure rate with effective treatment.

  • Palliative care: This is a treatment that focuses on relieving symptoms of cancer. It is an imperative aspect of cancer-related treatments. Palliative care serves to reduce the suffering of cancer patients and improve their quality of life. Due to the low diagnosis rate in sub-Saharan Africa, many individuals get their cancer diagnosis when curative treatments are no longer viable, and have to rely solely on palliative care.

These advanced initiatives are carried out by WHO, along with the Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and other U.N. Organizations under the banner of ‘the U.N. Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases.’

This task force aims to reduce premature mortality from cancer and other non-communicable diseases by 25%. It was established in 2013 by the U.N. Secretary-General and over 40 U.N. agencies, encompassing developmental banks and intergovernmental agencies, are a part of it. The task force provides direct medical aid to LMCs by mobilizing resources to inaccessible areas. It also advocates for the necessary global governmental aid required to fight cancer and other non-communicable diseases.

Looking Ahead

Through various avenues such as monitoring the global “cancer burden,” conducting detailed research on causes of cancer and providing technical assistance in LMCs, WHO and the U.N. hopes to significantly reduce cancer-related deaths in infants. Success in this endeavor will help many more children enjoy good health and long life.

– Vahisté Sinor
Photo: Flickr

3 Video Games That Aid Global Health

When it comes to health care, video games do not typically come to mind. There has been some research about the positive impacts on the brain, or scientists developing smaller research games. While this suggests positive signs, the overlap between video games and science is not well-known. Nevertheless, here are three video games that aid global health.

Borderlands 3

In recent years, Borderlands 3 made an impact on the science community with the introduction of Borderlands Science in 2020. An arcade cabinet in the comedic first-person shooter game allows players to try out Borderlands Science. Each level has a target score and players get rewards as in-game accessories if they achieve this score or higher.

The minigame works to map out the microbiome of the human gut. It does this by translating each strand of DNA as a color or block, then players solve puzzles involving these blocks and colors. The goal is to use this data to combat disease, as some microbes in the human gut are associated with diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and much more. Scientists may be able to treat these diseases with more insights about which microbes are the underlying factors. This could save scientists many hours of research and also assists genomic sequencing. Player behavior demonstrates the most effective way to solve these puzzles, which is being studied for its ability to help the task of genomic sequencing.

In developing countries, there is much difficulty with accessing health care for the aforementioned diseases. There is a combination of poor access to care and high rates of disease. For example, there were 309,000 prevalent cases of Parkison’s in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019. This was alongside 80% of diabetics and 58% of people with dementia living in developing countries. Diseases like Parkinson’s have no known cure, whereas the risk for Alzheimer’s is highest in countries with challenges in access to education.

Finding treatments for these diseases could lead to better health globally, especially in countries with difficulties accessing health care. For this reason, Borderlands 3 has become a popular example of video game that can aid global health efforts.

World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft is a multiplayer online roleplaying game, where players are given free will in an immersive setting. A 2005 update introduced an infectious status debuff known as Corrupted Blood which caused players to lose health over time. Originally, this debuff only existed in one area of the game and would be deleted when players left the area. The problem was that players could have pets and they would retain the debuff, infecting players outside of that area.

This situation has drawn the eye of many scientists as a way to study human behavior, as every player reacted organically. Since gamers are invested in the world, which John Kirkland described as an “economy,” it created pandemonium. While this specific instance was uncontrolled, many scientists investigating video games that aid global health still use it as a reference.

Professor Jodie McVernon noted the similarities between how players reacted to Corrupted Blood and how people reacted to COVID-19; some ran, some went to densely populated areas and some tried to help others. Ran Balicer considers it a place to study the spread of disease and others related it to Avian flu. National Science Foundation (NSF) believes the behaviors exhibited during the Corrupted Blood pandemic will be similar to real-life scenarios.

Epidemiologist Nina Fefferman believes partnering with video games to simulate real human behavior is an excellent idea since it reveals factors not initially considered in epidemiological modeling such as empathy or curiosity. She continues to study similar virtual spaces to model infectious diseases in her lab.

Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go is an augmented reality game that encourages players to go outside to capture Pokemon and battle each other. It quickly became one of the most popular mobile phone games. People were quick to ask if it had a positive impact on health.

From a review, 76% of tweets suggested that the app had a positive effect. It benefitted physical health with players increasing their step count by 25% to 35% and they were more likely to engage in physical activity like walking their dog. The social health benefits include players strengthening bonds with friends and reducing their anxiety. Mental health benefits were considered more neutral, though still skewed positive as it reduced anxiety and improved cognitive performance.

Looking Ahead

As video games continue to become a popular form of entertainment, there are growing questions about the global health implications. Institutions like McGill University see the value of using video games to collect difficult-to-gather data. Scientists find value in its ability to model human behavior. These trends suggest that video games carry the potential to advance global health efforts. 

– Lachlan Griffiths

Photo: Flickr

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Polio Outbreak in Burundi

Polio Outbreak in BurundiHealth authorities declared a polio outbreak in Burundi after confirming three cases and finding the virus after wastewater surveillance in the country. After three decades of no documented cases, in the Isale district in western Burundi, a four-year-old boy and two children he was in contact with tested positive for poliovirus type 2. In places where poverty rates are high, polio tends to spread easily due to sanitary water scarcity and limited access to health care. Unfortunately, those with polio frequently find themselves in a vicious cycle of poverty with no social or financial support. With the most recent statistics showing Burundi having a poverty rate greater than 65%, the polio outbreak in Burundi presents major concerns.

Public Health Emergency

The polio outbreak in Burundi constitutes a national health emergency, as poliovirus is extremely contagious. Since its first detection, health authorities have also confirmed five environmental samples of poliovirus type 2 in the wastewater.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, praises Burundi health authorities’ fast virus detection in a WHO press release. “The detection of the circulating poliovirus type 2 shows the effectiveness of the country’s disease surveillance. Polio is highly infectious and timely action is critical in protecting children through effective vaccination,” said Dr. Moeti.

How It Started

Poliovirus is transmitted through contaminated water and food. The virus lives in a person’s throat and intestines and spreads through fecal contamination. Early detection of cases is imperative to prevent the viral disease from spreading, as it is extremely contagious.

There are three types of wild poliovirus (WPV): types 1, 2 and 3. The symptoms of poliovirus often look similar to the flu and usually, last two to five days, though symptoms can be worse. Paralysis is associated with the most severe cases.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and echoed in the WHO’s press release, the cases detected from the polio outbreak in Burundi are “circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).”

The GPEI explains cVDPVs as variants of the poliovirus that can occur as a result of low vaccination rates among children. GPEI informs that areas with poor sanitation and low immunization rates can develop cVDPVs.

According to GPEI, the prevention of cVDPVs outbreaks is possible through immunization campaigns and the immunization of all eligible children. Previous efficient vaccination campaigns have alleviated the outbreak. The GPEI states “the vaccine continues to be a safe, effective tool for outbreak response across the continent.”

Addressing the Outbreak

Since the Burundian government declared a state of public health emergency on March 17, they’re aiming to provide and administer vaccines to as many children under age seven as possible. The vaccine campaign is a necessary step in stopping the outbreak.

According to the CDC, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) prevent poliovirus infections. OPV contains a weakened version of one of the three types of poliovirus: IPV protects against all three poliovirus types, and contains no live virus.

Both the WHO and GPEI are assisting the Burundi health authorities in contact tracing and risk assessment to prevent a further outbreak in Burundi and nearby nations. Early detection of the virus is essential in containing the illness before it can spread. Burundi health authorities’ quick detection of the outbreak allowed the WHO and GPEI to begin contact tracing and rolling out vaccines efficiently. This efficiency since its first detection means that Burundi, the WHO and GPEI are in a great position to address the outbreak before it worsens.

Curbing the outbreak of polio before it spreads could save the lives of countless people in the country. And with the help of vaccines and other organizations intent on mitigating polio’s effects, those experiencing poverty in Burundi can look to the future with hope.

– Maya Steele
Photo: Flickr

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Cholera Outbreak in Mozambique

cholera outbreak in MozambiqueOn Feb. 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report documenting the current cholera outbreak in Mozambique. Since the first cholera case in this particular outbreak on Sept. 14, 2022, concerns have grown as the WHO fears the outbreak will worsen due to recent heavy rainfalls, which increase the risk of cholera. The number of cases started to pick up in December 2022. All provinces affected by the cholera outbreak in Mozambique are areas susceptible to flooding. As of Feb. 19, Mozambique records 5,237 possible cases of cholera and 37 deaths in six of 11 provinces.

Concerns Over the Situation

Mozambique is currently in its rainy season and the WHO’s report expresses concern over the possibility of heavy rainfalls only worsening the situation. The peak of the rainy season typically occurs in February, but the rainy season still continues through April.

Mozambique reports cholera cases during the rainy season (October through April) every year, but the WHO reports that the current cholera outbreak in Mozambique has impacted more geographical locations than in recent years. In the past few years, cholera impacted up to three provinces yearly; however, this season, the geographical locations impacted have doubled. The Niassa province is reporting its first cases in more than five years.

Heavy rainfalls and flooding increase the risk of cholera because flooding can lead to inadequate access to clean water and sewage treatments, causing bacteria to spread.

Another concern is that one of Mozambique’s neighboring countries, Malawi, is grappling with the most fatal outbreak ever experienced. Even with the outbreak in Malawi, there continues to be a lot of movement across the borders of the two countries.

Cholera and How it Spreads

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by ingesting food or water infected by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. After exposure to contaminated food or water, cholera incubates between 12 hours and five days. The most common symptoms include diarrhea, dehydration and vomiting.

According to the WHO, the bacteria remains in a person’s feces for one to 10 days. The stool produced by sick individuals can affect others if not disposed of properly. Others can ingest the bacteria if the patient or caretaker does not thoroughly wash their hands. Both children and adults can get cholera. Though it is a preventable disease, it can be fatal if untreated.

Response to the Outbreak

The government and the WHO are working together to address the cholera outbreak in Mozambique efficiently. When the outbreak first began, a national cholera task force formed. The WHO and national cholera task force are combining forces to create preventive and remedial responses, such as handing out brochures in local languages to residences and placing educational posters all over towns and treatment centers in affected districts. If communities do not understand the risks associated with treating patients and ingesting unsanitary food or water, the spread of the disease will only continue. Education and communication of potential contamination are necessary to control an outbreak.

The response also included distributing rapid test kits in areas most impacted. National Rapid Response Teams (RRT) are overseeing the investigation of cases in affected provinces. The teams aim to record data and track family members or friends of patients who are exposed or vulnerable to exposure.

The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision responded to a request for 700,000 doses of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) to address the cholera outbreak in Mozambique. Health workers began administering the oral vaccines on February 27, 2023.

Mozambique’s government along with support from the WHO and other global communities is working toward administering vaccines, treatment and contamination protocols while also educating locals on how the disease spreads. A critical preventative measure that the WHO mentions in its report is the establishment of lasting infrastructure for safe drinking water. It is not likely that rainy seasons will cease in Mozambique and neighboring nations, but ensuring sanitary water for citizens can prevent further outbreaks.

– Maya Steele
Photo: Flickr