Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

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Telehealth: An Initiative To End Maternal Mortality in Honduras

Maternal Mortality in HondurasThe historic site of Cópan, located in the western highlands of Honduras, is world-renowned for its magnificent ancient Mayan ruins, but behind the famous carved stone monuments and hieroglyphic stairs, the region suffers from extremely high maternal mortality rates and a lack of access to health care services. This development reflects a greater trend of inequality and misinformation, which presents a life-threatening problem for Honduran mothers and their infants.

Maternal Mortality in Honduras: A Grave Problem

As of 2024, the maternal mortality rate in Honduras clocked in at 58 per 100,000 live births. One significant contributing factor to these alarmingly high rates is a widespread lack of access to health care, especially in rural areas. Honduras ranks among the nations with the lowest physician density in Latin America. However, approximately 57% of live births occur in rural regions. Consequently, a dangerous shortage of medical assistance and knowledge exists in highland regions like Cópan, which is a five-hour drive away from Guatemala City, the nearest metropolitan area.

Even though Honduras has taken strides in reducing maternal deaths in the past few years, its rates still surpass those of comparable countries such as Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The statistics are grim. Approximately 4.2% of all deaths in women ages 15-49 are due to maternal complications, more than double that in the United States. The majority of these deaths are the result of severe bleeding and infections, which could be prevented if not for the lack of quality health care in rural areas.

Misconceptions Impacting Infant Health

The neonatal mortality rate in Honduras is correspondingly high, at an average of nine deaths for every 1,000 live births. Without their mothers, many infants are subject to neglect and other potentially harmful practices, which include feeding the infant with a damp, honeyed cloth and wrapping a band around its umbilical cord. In villages where the nearest medical facility is hundreds of miles away, it’s easy for dangerous misconceptions like these to spread.

However, researchers theorized that educating community members could bridge the knowledge gap and increase awareness of healthy postpartum practices. A health care intervention system was implemented in more than 5,000 households in the Cópan region to test this notion. During this period, families were regularly visited by community health care workers who instructed them on birth-related topics such as infant care, illness prevention and reproductive health.

Along with increasing parents’ likelihood to visit a health facility and breastfeed the infant shortly after birth, the intervention also decreased potentially dangerous practices. The study showed that providing health care services can significantly increase maternal and infant health, demonstrating an urgent need to implement medical services in rural areas.

The Pan American Health Organization

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency comprising 35 member countries in North, Central and South America. Since its founding in 1902, it has collaborated with governments and other organizations to address key problems in Latin American health care. Its achievements are lengthy and include extending the hemisphere’s life expectancy, eliminating numerous fatal diseases and spearheading the world’s first global immunization week. However, the organization’s work is far from over.

An interview with PAHO director Jarbas Barbosa illustrates exactly how the organization’s innovative solutions propel it into a new era of health and connection. Barbosa is no stranger to hard work; soon after obtaining his master’s degree and PhD from the University of Campinas in São Paulo, he embarked on a decades-long journey in public health.

Upon interviewing him about the PAHO’s vision for the future, his passion for improving the lives of others is clear in his promise that, “as director, I am committed to expanding our engagement to improve the health and well-being of all people in the Americas.” He believes that by investing in solutions that address common health problems, PAHO can address the root causes of other prevalent issues affecting Latin America, from political corruption to climate instability.

However, he emphasizes that the PAHO can’t expect to do this independently; instead, “Successfully meeting all these challenges requires effective coordination across sectors.” To do this, PAHO collaborates with influential groups like the World Bank and invests in new research and technology to best address the needs of the Latin American population.

PAHO’s Maternal Telehealth Initiative

So, what do scientific studies on rural health care intervention and the PAHO’s goal of technological collaboration mean for maternal health in Honduras? The answer is a groundbreaking telehealth initiative that enables essential medical assistance for pregnant women living in rural areas.

In collaboration with the Latin American Center for Perinatology, the PAHO has established a teleconsultation pilot, in which women are provided with routine blood-pressure testing and virtual check-ins throughout their pregnancy. As a result, potential maternal complications can be addressed before they become life-threatening.

The program also utilizes the help of community volunteers, who are trained to take vital readings and spread information about immunizations and healthy habits to their community. Bremen de Mucio, a Regional Maternal Health Advisor at PAHO, calls the initiative “a standout example of collaborating to address health care challenges and improve health equality.” While it is too early to observe its long-term effects, telehealth is undoubtedly a significant step in identifying warning signs and reducing pregnancy-related deaths.

– Grace Gonzalez

Grace is based in Oakton, VA, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Taking Action Against Yellow Fever in Colombia

Yellow Fever in ColumbiaAfter the mysterious deaths of three monkeys of different species in Putumayo, Colombia, health teams quickly determined the cause. They identified that the deaths were not random or coincidental, but the beginning of what could have been a yellow fever outbreak in Colombia. It is a highly contagious virus mainly transmitted by mosquito bites.

However, it can be prevented by vaccines, which are relatively affordable and easily accessible. Nonetheless, depending on the region, it can be harder to access or afford. In 2025, five countries reported an increasing presence of yellow fever. In Colombia (as of June 28, 2025), there have been 114 confirmed human yellow fever cases, 49 confirmed deaths and case fatality rate of 43%.

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) offered training to health teams through the PROTECT initiative in Colombia. It educated health workers on taking preventative measures quickly and efficiently against outbreaks of viral diseases such as yellow fever.

Education From Health Professionals

Following the deaths of the monkeys, several immediate preventative measures were taken. These included vaccinating environmental workers, conducting entomological studies and analyzing the affected area. Due to the training offered by PAHO, health teams were taught how to take samples from wildlife safely and the importance of integrated surveillance.

Integrated surveillance showed health workers the importance of monitoring primates and mosquitoes in the area and shared many tools to take preventative action and control outbreaks. Due to strong surveillance of the area, Colombian professionals were able to identify the presence of yellow fever in Putumayo, Colombia and control further spread of the virus.

Maintaining high vaccination levels and continued wildlife surveillance will help catch future outbreaks before they become too severe. Colombia has issued regulations and laws to help contain the spread of yellow fever and increase preparedness for future situations where swift action is needed.

PAHO has urged countries to “maintain active surveillance, vaccinate at-risk populations and ensure rapid responses to early warning signs — such as unexplained monkey deaths.” This is extremely important because our health depends on the health of our environment and the wildlife inside it. Monkeys are extremely similar to humans, so we won’t be far behind if they are affected.

The Future of PAHO’s Health Initiative

PAHO has made guidance documents publicly available on the regional level, which include instructions on safe sample collection, guidelines for managing control endeavors and maps of high-risk areas. It continues to conduct in-person training on surveillance and entomology of yellow fever for vulnerable countries.

Colombia has also issued circulars that establish transitional measures for yellow fever vaccinations. The criteria of these letters extend from ages 9 months to 59 years of age. The public health risk of yellow fever is extremely high.

However, with these measures implemented by PAHO/WHO, such as increasing vaccination levels, people have been successfully learning to save lives and contain outbreaks of yellow fever in Colombia.

– Bowie Aldrich

Bowie is based in North Syracuse, NY, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Elderly Poverty in the Solomon Islands

Addressing Elderly Poverty in the Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands, a group of 992 islands in the South Pacific near New Guinea and Australia, has a population of more than 800,000. The Solomon Islands and Australia share a long history that has resulted in economic, infrastructural and developmental progress. The island country is vulnerable to natural disasters such as tropical storms, tsunamis and earthquakes, and the region also has active volcanic activity. The islands face food insecurity and malnutrition, with main exports including copra, cocoa and timber. Elderly poverty in the Solomon Islands is an issue that receives little discussion within the country. The country’s poverty rate is 25%, and 80% of the Solomon Islands’ population lives in rural areas.

Nonprofit organizations such as the West ‘Are’ Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) work to reduce poverty and uplift the social status of women in the Solomon Islands. The government of Australia works closely with the Solomon Islands through Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, aiming to improve the quality of life, boost the economy and strengthen the country’s resilience. With elderly Solomon Islanders being the most vulnerable, assistance from the neighboring country supports healthier outcomes against elderly poverty.

Elderly Population

The elderly population of the Solomon Islands over the age of 65 is 5%. As they are the most vulnerable population, the elderly need as much assistance as possible to continue living their lives with friends and family. Many elderly people are susceptible to noncommunicable diseases such as strokes, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes. The elderly Solomon Islanders in poverty suffer from the lack of basic health care needs, food insecurity, malnutrition and hunger. With a majority of the population living in rural areas in general, the elderly suffer without access to transportation, food or clean water.

Transportation and Health Care

Many Solomon Islanders travel via boat to different islands for work or other necessities. Without access to transportation, the elderly island people have difficulty getting the care they need. In the capital city of Honira, 75% of the doctors work in the National Referral Hospital (NRH), while a majority of the nation’s population lives in rural areas.

NRH is known to be the best hospital in the country because of its access to resources, quality care and accessible location on the main island, Guadalcanal. NRH connects with organizations such as the Australian Volunteer Program to work alongside local hospitals and clinics to provide care to young and elderly patients. Education programs such as the Postgraduate Diploma of Rural Medicine enable provincial doctors to work in rural hospitals and clinics as specialists.

Australia’s Official Development Assistance Program

Australia’s goal in its partnership with the Solomon Islands is to make the country more stable and prosperous. To make this goal possible, the ODA has three objectives. The first objective is creating more job opportunities, building economic growth and infrastructure. The second objective is investing in the Solomon Islands people and communities. Finally, the third objective is improving stability and resilience in the Solomon Islands.

Reducing the Poverty Rate

The Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy (NDS) is a government-led plan to improve the Solomon Islands’ economy, infrastructure, workforce and bring poverty down to 5% by 2035. This long-term plan focuses on “improving the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.” In reducing the poverty rate, the government of the Solomon Islands plans to focus on the basic needs of the native people, such as sanitation, transportation, clean water and food security, increasing employment and job security and resolving gender inequality for women and people with disabilities.

Looking Ahead

Through surrounding countries and island nations, the resources needed to improve elderly poverty in the Solomon Islands are available, though progress comes in steps. Australia’s government provides support through ODA, along with branches of government organizations and nonprofits working alongside the Solomon Islands. The country’s own government has long-term plans to address poverty and is actively taking steps to support even the most vulnerable people, including the elderly. Together, these efforts look to create a path toward lasting progress and a stronger future for the Solomon Islands.

Gene A. Lambey, Jr.

Gene is based in Washington, D.C., USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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In-Home Health Care Strategy: Reducing Elderly Poverty in Norway

Elderly Poverty in NorwayThe Norwegian health care system is often cited as one of the most efficient, accessible and patient-oriented nationwide health services available. In 2024, the Scandinavian country’s universal health care structure earned a number five ranking in the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, a measure the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity uses to assess health care quality for 32 high-income nations.

With world-class infrastructure and prestigious credentials, Norway’s exemplary health care system offers a template for socialized coverage that neighboring countries often look to adopt. Despite its strengths, Norway’s health care system faces challenges that could leave its aging population in the margins. Fortunately, Norway’s ever-advancing welfare technology offers promising solutions. Here are the upcoming challenges older Norwegians face in securing adequate health care and how this relates to old-age poverty in Norway. 

How Norway’s Health Care System Works

Norway’s decentralized health care system allows for a higher degree of municipal management, providing a regionally tailored experience for patients across the country. National and municipal taxes fund Norway’s health care infrastructure: a system of four Regional Health Authorities that cover residents’ health insurance and oversee the country’s 20 hospital trusts.

In 2023, 11% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) accounted for health care spending. As of 2025, around one in 10 Norwegians receives private health insurance. The 2012 Public Health Act reflects Norway’s policy-forward approach to health care by making health a priority in all public service management. A well-integrated blend of national and local oversight for health care services leaves Norwegian residents with a considerable social safety net; however, recent concerns have arisen surrounding the rising costs of sustaining such a system. In particular, elderly poverty in Norway will disproportionately affect the elderly who face low socioeconomic status. 

Strained Health Care Services

As in many other developed countries, Norway’s increasing life expectancy places a significant strain on assisted living facilities that are already understaffed. From 2007 to 2017 alone, demand for nursing services jumped by 18% Per projections, demand could increase in the coming years, as 250,000 more Norwegians older than 80 will add to the country’s population in the next two decades.

Notably, the past decade saw a 37.9% increase in the number of Norwegians ages 67 to 79, a landmark figure. All the while, in the short span from 2015 to 2018, the country’s nursing home availability decreased by 2%. Old age often brings increased vulnerability to isolation and stigma, which can deter individuals from seeking care—heightening risks to both health and financial stability. Unfortunately, discrepancies exist in which Norwegians are most likely to experience these injustices as they age. 

Access to Health Care

Older Norwegians with differing educational attainment and income levels, which are often interdependent, see notable discrepancies in available health care. For example, a difference in life expectancy of up to seven years exists between Oslo’s districts. A 2024 study, highlighting higher mortality rates for elderly patients discharged to under-resourced municipalities, speaks to the social gradient that Norwegian elderly experience. Rural municipalities with populations of 10,000 or fewer, where 17% of Norwegians live, are particularly underserved. Furthermore, a higher educational degree can add four years to the life expectancy of Norwegians 65 or older, compared to those with a lower degree.

Norwegians without a high socioeconomic status may lack the financial stability to afford the costs of living in municipalities with more abundant health care services. Even when they can, only two in five patients living in municipalities with populations of 50,000 or more register for a nursing home within 15 days of requesting one. Clearly, intra-municipality competition for aging services exacerbates regional inequalities in nursing home availability. With such sparse resources, the existing social safety net may not sufficiently protect the country’s aging population from old-age poverty. 

What Elderly Poverty Means for Aging Norwegians

With current levels of competition for nursing home services, elderly poverty in Norway is at risk of increasing in the coming years. As older Norwegians are discharged early from hospitals to underserved municipalities, they may be more likely to require future care. Consistent transitions in and out of hospitals can accumulate costs over time, while the proactive care nursing homes could provide often remains out of reach for elderly people without the means to finance it.

A 2022 study also noted cases in which Norwegian employees took sick leave to care for their elderly parents. Thus, elderly poverty can become generational if aging parents depend on their children to provide the services that municipal health care doesn’t have the bandwidth to. While Norway’s nursing home services are not at a capacity to sustain current and future demand, technological advances in in-home care have the potential to address this shortcoming.

The Path Forward

The future of equal health care and prevention of old-age poverty in Norway is complex, with elderly health care needs differing between rural and urban municipalities. With 38.5% of Norway’s elderly aged 65 and older living alone, local health care services are looking to welfare technology to sustain in-home care as an alternative to nursing homes. Home installments designed to detect signs of distress and enhance autonomy enable older Norwegians to maintain a sense of independence and forgo the transition to a nursing home environment as they age.

While relieving pressure on crowded, assisted living facilities, Norwegian elderly will be able to preserve their financial resources and social networks, promoting personal resilience to otherwise life-disrupting events. In-home aging technology may still be out of reach for some older Norwegians due to socioeconomic discrepancies, but this innovation will play a central role in reducing current and future elderly poverty in Norway.

– Isla Hansen

Isla is based in Spokane, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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9 Initiatives Boosting Progress on SDG 17 in Brazil

SDG 17 in BrazilIn the midst of an arid rural environment, many Brazilians who once struggled with poverty and lack of opportunity are now having support through Brazil’s progress in achieving SDG 17 in Brazil. Communities that were once overlooked are not only gaining access to a steady income but also receiving the long-deserved recognition they deserve.

Brazil’s Sustainable Development Goals

This success story shows Brazil’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global aims that the United Nations created in 2015  to create a more equitable and sustainable future. This drive emerged as countries around the world faced growing global issues of poverty, changing weather patterns and ecological damage internationally. Each goal addresses a specific priority.

SDG 17 specifically aims for the implementation of “partnerships to achieve objectives.” The government, civilians and the private sector work together to bring economic stability, improve international trading and advance sustainable initiatives for resource allocation. By examining the nine ways that Brazil is advancing SDG 17, one can clearly see its commitments to the cause. 

1. FAO-IDB Brasília Action for Rural Resilience 

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) partnered with Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to launch the Brasília Action for Rural Resilience.

Environmental Ministries from nine Latin American and Caribbean countries, along with civilians, development banks and multilateral organization specialists, joined the effort. They focused on strengthening social protections and promoting policies that improve rural lives and address climate justice. 

By coordinating economic, social and environmental sectors more efficiently, this partnership advances the goals of the SDGs. Two of its major successes include the Sustainable and Inclusive Piauí Project, which enhanced the lives of 210,000 rural families by increasing farmers’ income, expanding access to basic services like water and sanitation, and reducing food insecurity, and the Planting Climate Resilience in Rural Communities of the Northeast project, which boosted rural families’ climate resilience by installing solar-powered irrigation and pushing for low-emission agricultural technique. 

2. The Bolsa Verde Programme

The Bolsa Verde programme combined sustainability and economic development by providing technical training and generating income for rural civilians living in environmentally protected areas. In exchange, civilians actively maintained efforts to protect the surrounding nature. 

Brazil achieved astonishing progress on SDG 17 in this initiative, reducing CO2 emissions by 415 million UAS, four times the program’s cost. Additionally, 51,000 rural families gained proper knowledge on how to sustainably make agricultural practices. 

This example demonstrates how Brazil has turned SDG 17 in Brazil from theory into concrete actions that deliver both environmental and economic benefits to local communities. 

3. Together for Health

Brazil’s national bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) launched the Together for Health initiative, and the Institute for the Development of Social Investment (IDIS) coordinated its efforts. It aims to fundraise to strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) in Brazil’s North and Northeastern regions. 

Through match-funding, the initiative plans to allocate BRL 200 million to health projects in the region by 2026. So far, the program has issued BRL 96 million and reached 300 cities. 

Brazil faces considerable challenges, especially in the North and Northeastern regions, where hospitals struggle with understaffing and high disease burdens leave many communities underserved due to limited infrastructure. This initiative is aimed at bridging these gaps through funding projects and expanding access to essential services, creating  a more equitable and effective health care system for those who need it most.

4. Catalyst 2030 

Brazil advanced SDG 17 through the “Catalyzing Fund Challenge,” which implements projects to expand clean water access for Brazil’s Munduruku Indigenous people. The initiative installs water filters, educates communities on safe water practices and boosts collective action by tackling the critical lack of clean drinking water that affects many Indigenous households. 

Additionally, three Brazilian B-Corps including MagikJC, Gaia Group and Din4mo jointly created the Organized System for Affordable Housing, a nonprofit that provides social housing to marginalized urban populations. This collaboration raised BRL 15 million through real estate receivables certificates (CRI) on São Paulo’s Stock Exchange. The project clearly demonstrates how SDG 17 in Brazil boosts innovation and tangible solutions to serve both rural and urban communities.

5. IFAD’s 13th Replenishment

This UN fund supports farmers and helps them achieve sustainable, productive capacities. Under Brazil’s leadership, G20 leaders committed to fighting global poverty and starvation to advance social inclusion. So far, Brazil has pledged $13 million USD to IFAD in its three-year work program.

The newest reports confirm that Brazil has successfully reduced hunger, according to the UN Hunger Map, demonstrating solid results from both international and domestic partnerships.

6. Caatinga Restoration Through PPI

Brazil formed a partnership to oversee the regions of Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco. The government aimed to boost sustainable food production and generate income for nearly 5,000 rural families. 

This collaboration was done as a way of tackling food insecurity in the region, due to the limited resources and degraded land that threaten proper nutrition and the livelihood of rural families. Brazil’s advanced SDG 17 in this case by actively bringing together the private sector, government and local communities, while empowering women in rural businesses in the Caatinga. 

The partnership implemented the Production, Protection and Inclusion (PPI) mechanism, which provided rural families with access to credit, created market opportunities for women in farming, promoted environmental protection and supported sustainable agriculture. 

7. Envision Energy

Brazil and China jointly announced a $1 billion investment from China’s Envision Energy to boost eco-friendly aviation fuel made from Brazilian sugarcane. This collaboration boosts sustainable low-carbon fuel production, as well as promotes innovative energy technologies that target industries and their ecological footprint on the atmosphere. China’s Windey Energy Technology and Brazil’s Senai Cimatec are actively advancing this innovative initiative together. 

8. Brazil-France Amazon Partnership

Brazil and France joined forces to protect the Guyanese and Brazilian Amazon forest by launching a four-year investment program of EUR €1 billion using both public and private funds. Brazil demonstrated its SDG 17 progress by pledging through the partnership to stop deforestation in the Amazon by 2030, while also supporting sustainable development through payments for environmental services, financing and market-based joint frameworks that actively engage both private and public actors. 

9. BNDES Green Investment Lead

To attract foreign investment in sustainable developments, Brazil launched a platform that begins with BRL $5 billion in private sector actions, with a final aim to raise 18 billion reais in investments. Brazil selects initiatives that align with their environmentally focused priorities, including mobility, industry and “nature-based solutions.” The state’s development bank, BNDES, manages the project and leverages the capital to provide funding. This program becomes essential for Brazil’s SDG 17 goals, since it will increase the country’s reputation on environmental governance and bring a collaborative strategy for sustainable development of the nation.

Lessons Learned

These examples summarize what Lula’s administration has actively pursued, showcasing Brazil’s SDG 17 progress in advancing a greener and more equitable future. Indeed, when examining SDG 17 in Brazil, one can see that building partnerships lies at the core of the country’s strategies for achieving its SDG goals. From Indigenous water projects to billion-dollar Amazon agreements, SDG 17 in Brazil demonstrates how the government, local communities and international partners can actively shape a sustainable future. 

By advancing SDG 17, Brazil is addressing poverty inequalities and, through collaborations with the private sector, civilians and government, creating opportunities that promote the sustainable livelihood of marginalized communities. 

– Liz Mendes

Liz is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Diseases Impacting Saudi Arabia

Diseases Impacting Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia’s government has spent much of the last decade trying to promote the nation as a cultural and economic superpower. It has achieved this through massive investment in the tourism sector and by hosting various high-profile sporting events. The Saudi government clearly also prioritizes the population’s health with the latest available figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggesting that 12.8% of Saudi Arabia’s public expenditure is dedicated to public health projects. This is significantly higher than both the global average of 10.8% and the average of 8.3% that Saudi Arabia’s eastern Mediterranean neighbors spend. Despite this, some communicable diseases continue to pose a significant risk to public welfare. Here is information about the diseases impacting Saudi Arabia and the efforts to address them.

 1. Dengue Fever

Dengue fever, which the mosquito-borne Orthoflavivirus causes, can cause high fever, muscle pain and large rashes. Rising average temperatures across the Mediterranean have allowed mosquitoes to spread north from East Africa to the Middle East. This has increased Saudi Arabia’s mosquito population and has contributed to a rise in infection rates since the 1990s. These rates spike each year during the holy month of Ramadan, where this year, more than 122 million worshippers visited the city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia.

Large gatherings of people from outside the country, who have had no previous exposure to the virus and have therefore built no immunity, can allow it to spread rapidly if they do not take the necessary precautions, such as wearing insect-proof clothing and sleeping under mosquito nets.

The Saudi health ministry has invested heavily in raising awareness of behaviors that prevent the spread of mosquitoes among locals. This helped reduce the number of annual reported infections from 4,266 in 2018 to 1,888 the following year.

2. MERS-CoV

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is one of the most recently identified diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. In early 2025, the Saudi health ministry confirmed nine cases, including two deaths.

MERS-CoV produces flu-like symptoms and infects patients through their respiratory system. Experts believe it has passed to Saudi Arabia’s rural population through contact with dromedary camels, which people widely use for transportation across the country’s deserts.

 3. Meningitis

The Saudi health ministry identified 11 cases of meningitis in March 2025, with the WHO identifying a further 17 in April. In response to this, the Saudi health ministry now requires anyone entering the country to receive a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days prior to their arrival. At the time, estimates indicated that only 54% of international visitors to Saudi Arabia met the vaccination requirements.

The Saudi health ministry highlighted the importance of vaccination to citizens in its public health campaigns. This complements a post-exposure chemoprophylaxis scheme, in which close contacts of patients receive antimicrobial prophylaxis in order to prevent further transmission.

The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has classified meningococcal meningitis as one of the diseases impacting Saudi Arabia, which poses the greatest risk to British tourists visiting the country. The UKHSA’s current guidance urges tourists travelling to Saudi Arabia to ensure they receiv meningitis vaccinations before they travel.

 4. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most widely researched diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. Since 2021, Saudi Arabia’s National Tuberculosis Programme has focused on training hospital staff to prevent TB being transmitted between patients, and investing in specialist TB hospitals.

These efforts to curb the spread of the disease have reduced the infection rate from 23 infections per 100,000 people in 2000, to 8.4 infections per 100,000 people in 2023. This meets the targets set out in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on health and well-being.

Despite this success, TB remains more prevalent in Saudi Arabia than in the neighboring United Arab Emirates, and in much of Europe, including the U.K. 

5. Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with animals such as sheep, goats and camels, and through drinking their unpasteurized milk. Many epidemiologists believe it to be the most widespread zoonotic infection in the world.

Infection rates have dropped in Saudi Arabia over the last 30 years, partially due to urbanization reducing the number of people working in agriculture. Despite this, the disease remains endemic in rural communities.

Antibiotics such as Doxycycline can treat brucellosis, with ongoing humanitarian efforts focusing on supplying these medicines to remote areas.

Future Steps

Internal and external efforts to raise public awareness of vital health practices and improve the supply of treatments to rural communities are combating diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. Recent outbreaks, however, prove that substantial government funding of the health ministry and international co-operation remain crucial to further reducing the threat that communicable diseases pose across the country.

– Billy Stack

Billy is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Elderly Poverty in Andorra: Navigating a Rapidly Aging Future

Elderly Poverty in AndorraElderly poverty in Andorra poses challenges, but also opens the door for innovation. By focusing on disease prevention, healthy aging and stronger social protections, the country can reduce health care costs while empowering seniors to stay active and valued. This can only be possible with strategic reforms. Andorra is set to lead Europe in building a sustainable, dignified future and demographic change.

Elderly Poverty in Andorra

 In Andorra, about 22% of retirees – people aged 65 and older — are considered at risk of poverty. That is higher than the overall poverty risk of 13%. Without social benefits, the elderly poverty rate could climb nearly 30%.

Several factors contribute to this elevated risk of elderly poverty. One key issue is inequality in the pension system as many long-term contributors receive contributory pensions below the minimum wage (currently around 1,431 euros each month), whereas non-contributory solidarity pensions can be significantly higher—sometimes even three times as much—creating unfair disparities among retirees.      

Experts have predicted that the elderly age group in Andorra will increase at the quickest rate in Europe due to rising life expectancy and falling fertility. In the absence of improvements, Andorra’s health care and pension spending will likely rise 8.8 percentage points of GDP by 2050 compared to 2022. This increase may severely strain state finances, necessitating changes to other spending, an increase in revenue, or a rise in the national debt. Any nation must make these kinds of adjustments, but a microstate like Andorra, which is more prone to shocks, will likely find it especially difficult. 

Health Care in Andorra

In 2022, adults 65 and older made up 15% of Andorra’s population — among the lowest shares in the EU — but the figure is expected to climb to 37% by 2050, the highest among its peers, U.N. data shows. The shares for residents 80 and older is projected to rise from 4% to 13% in the same period, driving up health care costs, as this age group spends more than three times its population share on care, according to CASS.

Early disease detection and prevention can reduce health care costs, especially as Andorra’s growing elderly poverty requires more care. By promoting healthy aging and expanding prevention programs, like routine checks, the country can improve productivity, extend working years, strengthen pensions and limit medical expenses.

Pensions in Andorra

Andorra’s government is proposing a minimum pension for contributory pensions that is equal to the minimum wage to help address elderly poverty. Prerequisites for the pension are that applicants have contributed to it for at least 40 years and have not chosen to retire early.

On June 1, 2025, the Andorran government chose to boost the pension for low-income retirees and raised Social Security pensions that fell below the minimum inter-professional wage by 3.67%. Individuals who have contributed for at least 25 years will qualify for retirement pensions, and widows’ and widowers’ pensions. The government also offers pensions for illnesses related to work, and disability pensions for both occupational and non-occupational accidents. for common work-related illnesses.

The Takeaway

Andorra’s aging population, while challenging, presents an opportunity for reform and growth. By investing in prevention, promoting healthy aging and aligning pensions with the minimum wage, the country can protect vulnerable seniors, lower the risk of elderly poverty in Andorra, reduce health care costs and extend workforce participation. With smart planning, these measures could turn demographic pressures into sustainable and dignified models, positioning Andorra as a leader in adapting to Europe’s demographic shifts. 

– Joshua Pettis

Joshua is based in Houston, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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New 6-In-1 Vaccine in Mauritania Can Save Millions of Lives

6-In-1 Vaccine in mauritaniaEach year, nearly four million children aged below 5 die due to infectious diseases. Many of these diseases, such as measles, whooping cough and tetanus, have been largely eliminated in developed countries. However, a lack of vaccination in underdeveloped nations has had serious repercussions for residents who can’t access the medicine.

Difficulties in transporting the vaccine while keeping it at the proper temperature (called the “cold chain” process) and finding enough workers trained to administer it are only a few of the problems that these countries face. The sheer amount of immunizations that children must receive (as many as 30 by the age of 18) only compounds the problem. This puts strain on families to devote time and money to getting vaccinated.

However, scientists have a solution: a 6-in-1 vaccine that costs less and requires less medical assistance, thus eliminating barriers that previously prevented poor countries, like Mauritania from vaccinating. Mauritania and Senegal are the first two developing countries to adopt the 6-in-1 vaccine. Their adoption indicates a promising outlook for disease prevention in poverty-stricken nations.

About the Hexavalent Vaccine

The 6-in-1 (“hexavalent”) vaccine consists of a single shot that contains protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and polio. Before it was first used in the mid-2010s, the World Health Organization (WHO) utilized a similar pentavalent vaccine containing all the same immunizations except for polio, which had to be administered through a separate shot.

The pentavalent vaccine was highly successful, protecting approximately 80 million children annually during its 20-plus-year stint. However, the new hexavalent vaccine may have even greater potential. This is due to its ability to reduce inefficiencies caused by multiple shots and reduce overall storage and shipping costs.

Financial Crisis in Mauritania

Mauritania and its neighbor, Senegal, were the first low-income countries to implement the hexavalent vaccine in July 2025. Both countries experience significant poverty rates. However, Mauritania faces an especially pressing problem: to produce enough crops to feed its population of 5.2 million when less than 0.5% of its land is suitable for farming.

Despite being one of the least densely populated countries in the world, Mauritania faces an alarming hunger crisis compounded by recent flooding and an influx of refugees. In fact, inflation and decreased agricultural productivity are expected to bring an additional 200,000 people into poverty by 2027. As of 2022, food insecurity rates have reached 20%, up 9% from the previous year. An influx of refugees from neighboring countries also burdens Mauritania.

These factors cast a grim shadow over the future of Mauritania. Only 55% of children attend school due to the nation’s severely underfunded education sector. The health care industry is similarly lacking; a recent diphtheria outbreak in a refugee camp underscores the need for disease prevention in Mauritania.

Given its precarious economic and social situation, Mauritania may seem like a losing battle; however, introducing the hexavalent vaccine marks a new chapter in comprehensive aid for struggling countries.

A Helping Hand

Mauritania needs all the help it can get and Gavi is determined to provide it. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a Switzerland-based humanitarian organization responsible for introducing hexavalent vaccines into low-income countries, starting with Mauritania and Senegal. The group is also pushing for greater immunization equality worldwide.

In Mauritania alone, there are more than 35,000 underimmunized children. This results in exponentially higher infectious disease rates and an average lifespan 10 years shorter than that of the U.S. and other developed countries. The discrepancy can be attributed to lower levels of public health funding in impoverished countries like Mauritania. Without financial support, vaccines have also been too expensive to afford.

Katy Clark, a senior program manager at Gavi, expresses her frustration: “It wasn’t fair that high-income countries have had this combination vaccine for more than 20 years, while lower-income countries have had to wait.”

However, thanks to Gavi’s funding, Mauritania can purchase the 6-in-1 Vaccine for $3.00 per dose, which is $1.50 less than it would cost without Gavi’s support. The nation also saves money on labor and packaging, since the vaccine requires one fewer shot than the previous pentavalent and polio combination.

Conclusion

In the past 50 years, Gavi has vaccinated more than a billion children and prevented 40 million casualties from infectious diseases. This number can continue to increase through a strategic approach that prioritizes health care, affordable prices and humanitarian aid.

Global organizations like Gavi and UNICEF can provide targeted support by considering each nation’s specific needs and deficiencies, such as Mauritania’s hunger crisis and low vaccination rates. This approach can greatly improve the livelihoods of those in low-income countries.

The hexavalent vaccine has the potential to aid millions of people worldwide. Its path of trial and success demonstrates how crucial technological innovation is to the future of global health.

– Grace Gonzalez

Grace is based in Oakton, VA, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Diseases Impacting Iran

Diseases Impacting IranIran’s health system faces a complex mix of challenges. Chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are rising quickly, while infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV and leishmaniasis still threaten vulnerable regions. These health issues are shaped not only by biology but also by environment, economy and access to care. Pollution, economic pressures and health care gaps make the picture even more complicated. From the air people breathe in Tehran to the food on their tables, these risks shape daily life and long-term well-being. Here is information about the diseases impacting Iran and the efforts in place to address them.

1. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Chronic diseases, especially heart problems, are the most significant health concern. In 2019, cardiovascular diseases caused about 3.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and nearly one-third of all deaths. By 2021, CVD was the second leading cause of death and disability, with 4,367 DALYs per 100,000 people.

The IraPEN program, part of a global initiative, targets prevention through primary care. After one year in pilot regions, results showed a reduction in 10-year CVD risk (from 0.198 to 0.177 in men, and 0.119 to 0.109 in women), lower average blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, alongside a drop in smoking among men from 13.8% to 10.5%.

Still, lifestyle-related risks are rising. As of 2021, Iran had around 80 million NCD cases, with women carrying a slightly higher burden. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension are increasingly common. Experts stress raising awareness, healthier environments and stronger prevention programs to address diseases impacting Iran’s population.

Through community health centers and health houses, the program offers free screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol; provides early cancer detection (cervical, breast and colorectal); and includes health education and counseling on smoking cessation, healthy diet and physical activity.

2. Infectious Diseases

While many have been controlled, some persist:

  • Tuberculosis and HIV: From 2018–2021, a study tracked 25,011 new TB cases, 2.68% also HIV-positive. People with both had longer treatments and lower success rates (65%) versus TB alone (83.4%).
  • Leishmaniasis: Leishmaniasis still affects Esfahan, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces. Among military personnel, 2,894 cases were reported between 2018 and 2022. In southeast Iran, cases peaked in 2021 at 318, compared to 81 in 2018. Classified as a “neglected tropical disease,” it still causes suffering yearly.

Other infections such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, pneumonia, diarrheal diseases and zoonoses remain concerns in Iran and the wider region. These infectious diseases remain among the most persistent health challenges and diseases impacting Iran today.

3. Environmental Health Risks

Air pollution is one of Iran’s deadliest threats, blamed for around 40,000 premature deaths each year. In 2018, treatment costs and lost productivity from PM2.5 accounted for about 3.7% of GDP.

Despite the Clean Air Act (2017), smog still chokes major cities. In January 2025, the government announced plans to relocate the capital, citing Tehran’s deteriorating air quality. Pollution stands alongside infectious and chronic conditions as one of the key issues and health risks impacting Iran.

4. Access to Health Care

Iran faces a “double burden”: chronic disease and lingering infections. According to WHO’s Health at a Glance: Iran (2021), of 514,446 deaths that year, 57% were due to NCDs, 29% from communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions. Medicine shortages and sanctions also undermine health care delivery, worsening the burden of diseases impacting Iran’s health care system.

Poverty significantly deepens Iran’s health challenges. Recent reports estimate that the poverty rate in Iran has hovered around 30% between 2019 and 2024—meaning approximately 25 to 26 million people live below the poverty line. Between 2011 and 2020, the share of Iranians living below the international poverty line rose from 20% to 28.1%. Many low-income households cannot afford nutritious food, safe housing or preventive care, increasing their risk of both chronic and infectious diseases.

5. Government Efforts

Iran has expanded IraPEN and, in 2014, formed the National Committee for NCD Prevention and Control to lead a nationwide response to chronic diseases. The committee, chaired by the Ministry of Health and supported by the Supreme Council for Health and Food Security, coordinates across multiple ministries to integrate NCD prevention into primary health care, promote tobacco control and expand early detection programs. It also monitors national progress toward WHO’s global targets, including reducing premature NCD deaths by 30% by 2030.

Looking Ahead

Chronic illnesses dominate, but infectious diseases and environmental hazards still claim lives and drain resources. Programs like IraPEN show promise, but real progress requires better health care, living conditions, education and infrastructure. Together, these factors illustrate the full scale of diseases impacting Iran and shaping its future.

– Katie Williams

Katie is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diseases Impacting Belize: A Story of Progress and Persistence

Diseases Impacting BelizeIn April 2025, news of a measles outbreak spread through Belize City and lines of anxious parents formed around pop-up clinics. Three months later, health officials announced the containment of the outbreak. This was a promising reminder that while diseases impacting Belize are still a serious threat, public health improvements are very real.

Poverty and Health in Belize

Since becoming independent in 1981, tourism has become the largest economic driver in Belize. Over the past few years, notable progress has occurred in reducing poverty with incidence rates falling from 36.5% in 2021 to 22.1% in 2024. Despite this, the intensity of deprivation among those still affected remains unchanged.

According to the Health Care Access and Quality Index, Belize ranks 55 out of 100, demonstrating visible gaps in both availability and quality of care. Rural populations in particular continue to face the greatest hardships with poverty rates as high as 67.9%. Currently, 23% of health care spending comes out of pocket, leaving low-income families struggling to gain access to essential medical services.

Strengthening Belize’s Health System

In spite of challenges, Belize achieved notable public health milestones, showing that progress is possible amidst poverty. Along with the rapid containment of the 2025 measles outbreak, the country was officially declared malaria-free in 2023.

The Belize Ministry of Health, in partnership with PAHO/WHO, launched the Strategic Plan 2025-2034 to strengthen the health system and modernize health care. This decade-long plan tackles key public health challenges to reduce diseases impacting Belize. Building on this framework, officials established public health campaigns to prevent dengue and implemented rapid immunization response teams, strengthening the nation’s ability to contain outbreaks.

These initiatives demonstrate progress towards improved health outcomes and malaria and measles are no longer a threat. However, there are several diseases that continue to pose significant concern, highlighting areas where continued efforts are essential.

Top 5 Diseases Impacting Belize

  1. Dengue Fever: This mosquito-borne infection causes flu-like symptoms which can become fatal. Cases of dengue fever surged more than 260% over the last year, mostly in rural areas where access to health care is limited. Currently, there is no treatment, and prevention is focused on mosquito control through improved sanitation and  public awareness. Better access to medical services and early detection can lower fatality rates to under 1%.
  2. Heart Disease: Heart disease is the leading non-communicable disease in Belize, accounting for 11.27% of total deaths. Poverty and food insecurity prevent access to proper nutrition, resulting in reliance on inexpensive high-calorie foods that fuel heart disease. Better access to medical services and trained providers is key to prevention and reduced mortality rates. Leading the way forward is the HEARTS program that allows physicians to better manage heart disease risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
  3. Tuberculosis (TB): TB affects 27 people per 100,000 every year. Treatment rates have increased to 80%, but poverty remains a driving factor. Poor nutrition weakens the immune system and increases vulnerability. Limited health care access also delays diagnosis and treatment. The Ministry of Health’s current strategy includes promoting regular checkups and the use of DOTS (directly observed treatment strategy) to improve early detection and diagnosis.
  4. HIV/AIDS: Belize has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Central America. Only 80% of affected individuals are aware of their status with just 60% receiving treatment. Poverty is a significant social factor as low-income populations face limited access to education, health services and prevention resources. Despite these challenges, progress has been made recently in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission through improved prenatal testing. 
  5. Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease is a serious health threat to Belizeans experiencing poverty. Limited access to nutrition, treatment and prevention resources increase the risks and mortality rate. Currently, less than 4% of affected people are aware of their condition. Efforts like the Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Renal Failure are now focused on training providers and educating communities to improve prevention and care.

Building on Progress

With diseases impacting Belize still a major concern, efforts to address poverty and expand health care access are vital. The Cornerstone Foundation is currently a key player in those efforts. Through community-driven programs it is:

  • Providing relief and aid through food assistance programs, health care services and job training. 
  • Supporting government initiatives to provide basic nutrition, clean water and healthy sanitation to underserved areas.
  • Offering health programs that include outreach and education, clinical services, senior support and natural healing initiatives. 
  • Raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, supporting prevention and disease management. 

Despite these efforts, and those of other organizations, challenges remain to reduce diseases impacting Belize. Poverty is a key barrier, restricting access to proper nutrition, clean water and quality medical services. By expanding health care access, improving clinics, training health care workers and strengthening immunization and prevention programs, Belize can build on its progress and success.

Persistence and continued effort are essential to ensure health improvements for all communities. The quick containment of the 2025 measles outbreak reminds us that progress is real. Sustained commitment will bring healthier futures to all Belizeans. 

– Tina Kusal

Tina is based in Montrose, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash