Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

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$28 Billion Pledge Boosts Childhood Anemia Prevention

Childhood Anemia PreventionIron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent, yet preventable, nutrient deficiency-related disease in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 269 million children younger than 5 are affected, primarily those in low-income countries. At the 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, global leaders addressed childhood anemia prevention, pledging nearly $28 billion to address the crisis. This investment could change millions of lives; however, the challenge is turning commitments into actions that reach children who need it the most.

Childhood Anemia: Effects on Health, Education and Poverty

Iron deficiency anemia is primarily caused by inadequate nutrient intake. Children in poverty-stricken countries are most at risk as food insecurity prevents balanced meals. Excessive blood loss associated with malaria, a disease currently found in 83 countries, is also a compounding factor of anemia in children. The link between poverty and anemia highlights why it is essential to understand its impact on children’s health, education and future potential.

Anemia causes fatigue, weakness, compromised immunity and, if left untreated, heart problems. Beyond health issues, affected children struggle with attention and memory problems, impacting learning as well as social interactions. The result is poor school performance and increased absenteeism, which affects their access to future educational and career opportunities, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Why Previous Efforts Fell Short

Previous N4G Summits prioritized malnutrition and childhood anemia prevention. Global leaders pledged $23 billion in 2013 to address global malnutrition and $27 billion in 2021 to invest in anemia and food fortification. Sadly, these pledges fell short as a result of weak monitoring, insufficient funding and implementation delays. COVID-19 disruptions additionally prevented 2021 programs from fully reaching target communities.

Based on previous tracking reports, the 2025 Summit has new priorities. With a historic investment of $28 billion, the WHO and global leaders aim to turn commitments into tangible results. The efforts emphasize accountability, targeted interventions and measurable outcomes, supported by data systems to track progress. These changes set the stage for this initiative to make a real difference.

How $28 Billion Supports Childhood Anemia Prevention

Building from previous frameworks, the WHO, in partnership with UNICEF and the Anemia Action Alliance, has developed a comprehensive strategy to address childhood anemia. Their four primary areas for intervention include:

  • Addressing root causes: Programs are being implemented to address the nutritional and infectious causes of anemia. Comprehensive care tackling iron deficiency, malaria and parasitic infections is paramount in reducing the prevalence of childhood anemia.
  • Supplement distribution: In collaboration with national ministries and outreach programs, the WHO and UNICEF will increase women and children’s access to iron and folic acid tablets.
  • Food fortification: Countries are enacting policies mandating the fortification of staple foods such as wheat, rice and salt, which make up the bulk of diets in low-income countries. Fortification with iron helps address the widespread deficiency that contributes to childhood anemia.
  • Health system improvements: The WHO and UNICEF are working with ministries of health to integrate anemia testing into routine health services, provide training to health workers and improve the delivery of supplies.

These efforts aim to create lasting systems that prevent childhood anemia rather than only treating it. When sustained, such progress improves health and boosts education, productivity and economic stability, helping break the cycle of poverty.

Turning Promises Into Progress: Why Transparency Matters

The impacts of anemia go beyond health; it impacts national growth, too. According to the World Bank, anemia in children reduces productivity and learning potential, costing low-income countries up to 4% of their GDP each year. To truly make a difference and reduce poverty across generations, commitments to improving health need to become actions.

That’s why the 2025 N4G Summit emphasizes trust and transparency. Past pledges faltered due to weak data collection and limited accountability. Organizations such as the U.N. and Global Nutrition Report are calling for stronger monitoring systems to ensure this doesn’t happen again. New tracking dashboards are in place to measure outcomes and ensure real progress is being made.

If governments and partners uphold their commitments, this unprecedented $28 billion pledge for childhood anemia prevention could finally create lasting change. It offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to break the cycle of malnutrition and poverty for generations to come.

– Tina Kusal

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

Photo: Pexels

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HIV in Zimbabwe

HIV in ZimbabweZimbabwe is a country located in southern Africa. It shares its borders with South Africa to the south, Zambia to the north, Mozambique to the east and Botswana to the west. Harare, the largest city and at the same time the capital, lies in the northeastern part of the land.

Zimbabwe’s population is about 17 million, with the average age of a citizen being 18. The political system is a constitutional democracy and most of its population practices Christianity. Despite its vast size, natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, HIV in Zimbabwe remains a significant public health challenge.

The Prevalence of HIV

HIV in Zimbabwe is becoming an increasingly serious problem. In 2024, about 1.3 million people were living with the virus, most of whom were adults. Notably, women made up a significantly larger share of those affected, with 740,000 cases compared to 490,000 among men.

Despite the progress made in prevention and treatment, economic instability and limited public health funding continue to threaten the country’s response to HIV. The national currency’s devaluation and rising inflation have reduced health care budgets and led to shortages of medicines in some regions.

In early 2025, cuts and freezes in international funding, including a temporary suspension of economic support, took effect. As a result, several HIV clinics closed and the ARV supply was interrupted, leaving thousands without help. Experts and health organizations have warned that such disruptions could reverse years of progress in HIV control and treatment adherence.

Key Populations

In Zimbabwe, key populations, especially female sex workers, bear a substantially higher burden of HIV than the general population. About half of female sex workers have HIV in Zimbabwe. The prevention is difficult because many in the key population don’t even know their HIV status, spreading the illness further.

Women and girls, despite progress in some areas of education, remain underrepresented in formal employment and are more exposed to poverty. Many women rely on the informal sector for income, such as street vending and odd jobs, which often yield irregular earnings, making it difficult to afford health care, clinic transport or consistent treatment. In some cases, the urgency to provide for dependents leads to “survival sex” or informal transactional relationships.

Fighting HIV

Zimbabwe has made significant progress in combating HIV, with strong backing from the Global Fund, PEPFAR, UNDP and local civil society groups. According to recent reports, about 93% of people living with HIV in Zimbabwe know their status, 98% of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 95% of those on ART have achieved viral suppression. However, sustaining these gains remains a challenge.

Despite substantial external support, Zimbabwe faces a funding gap of about $133 million in 2024 to fully meet the resource needs outlined in its strategic HIV plan. Recent freezes and reductions in donor funding, including from USAID, have raised serious concerns about maintaining services, clinics, ART supply and outreach, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized groups.

With continued, focused commitment from international partners and increased domestic investment, Zimbabwe aims to maintain and strengthen HIV prevention and treatment services. Key elements include expanding local funding sources, ensuring that services for key populations remain prioritized, sustaining supply chains for ART and scaling up testing, prevention and care innovations.

– Julia Skowrońska

Julia is based in Wrocław, Poland and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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COPD Underdiagnosis in Latin America: Challenges and Solutions

COPD Underdiagnosis in Latin AmericaThe PLATINO and PUMA studies from 2002 and 2016 outlined the rate of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) underdiagnosis in Latin America. The data highlighted the importance of early intervention in minimizing the economic and social fallout associated with this respiratory illness.

COPD is caused by damage to the lungs. It can be a consequence of smoking or exposure to air pollutants from biomass fuels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the overwhelming majority of deaths of people aged 70 and younger from COPD take place in low- and middle-income nations.

Who Is at Risk?

In Puno, Peru, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, women’s risk of developing respiratory issues due to daily use of biomass fuels is 55%. In Colombia, older men who smoked or were exposed to wood smoke for more than 10 years were more likely to develop COPD. The findings of the 2016 PUMA study, which focused on primary care in Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and Paraguay, revealed underdiagnosis of COPD in more than 70% of cases. The most affected group included younger men with low educational levels and no prior testing.

Consequences of COPD Underdiagnosis in Latin America

The burden created by the underdiagnosis of COPD in Latin American countries can turn into an even heavier burden that those already struggling with poverty cannot afford:

  • Productivity and work gaps decrease the earning power of people affected and their employers, placing most of the economic burden on the families of the sick.
  • A person whose COPD is more severe due to a lack of early treatment can expect higher health expenses due to the need for hospitalization. In Brazil, the cost of treatment rose from $5,891 in 2010 to $13,181 in 2015.
  • The rate of in-hospital mortality due to COPD in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina continued to rise significantly through the ’80s and ’90s. However, in Brazil, the mortality rate decreased by more than 25% from 2000 to 2019 thanks to local efforts.

The Challenges

In a survey by Vital Strategies and Umane, up to 62.3% of Brazilians did not seek medical attention due to several reasons. The surveyees stated long wait times, difficulties accessing specialists or underestimating the health issue. Up to 40.5% of those who did attempt to visit a doctor could not, due to extensive waiting times, lack of available doctors or proper equipment.

However, starting in 2024, the Breathe Well South America program has a plan to investigate access to primary care for people with COPD. It is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It’s driven by the work of the Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS) in Argentina and several international universities.

Diagnostic Tools

Spirometers are a vital tool for the diagnosis of COPD. The test measures airflow and volume. In Latin America, it is often underused by primary care providers because of limited access to spirometers, short appointment windows and insufficient training to perform and interpret tests.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, began putting into place the Telespirometry System Brazil (TS-BR). The initiative aims to provide training and spirometers to specialists. As of 2024, 147 municipalities had participated in the program.

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca launched Smart Spiros in Panama to improve the rate of diagnosis of COPD. Around 7,500 tests are expected to be performed by the end of 2025, which could help diagnose nearly 50% of COPD cases.

Increasing Awareness

The survey by Vital Strategies discovered that 34.6% of Brazilians questioned avoided seeking care because they assumed their health issue wasn’t serious enough to merit a visit. To combat this, World COPD Day takes place worldwide on the third Wednesday in November. It encourages health organizations to educate people about symptoms and possible treatments regularly.

In 2017, Paraguay’s Health Ministry dedicated an entire week to training, education and testing patients. This work is important because early diagnosis is crucial to preventing exacerbations that can result in costly, lengthy hospital stays.

From Underdiagnosis to Action

As of 2024, COPD was the fourth-leading cause of death globally. COPD underdiagnosis in Latin America has been a major issue that national and international organizations are working to quantify and resolve. For people living in poverty, illness and loss of income can become a crippling situation that further diminishes their earning capacity or entirely prevents them from earning a livelihood.

Despite challenges, such as a lack of education, spirometers and trained professionals, universities, international organizations and governments have come together to put into motion programs that bring much-needed solutions to the public.

– Johanna Lorena Arredondo Gonzalez

Johanna is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Fighting the Silent Killer: Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa

Hypertension in Sub-Saharan AfricaHypertension, often called the silent killer, is surging across sub-Saharan Africa as cities expand and diets change. The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than one-third of adults in the region live with high blood pressure. Yet, many do not know they have it until they suffer a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.

Unlike infectious diseases with obvious symptoms, hypertension can go undetected for years. Rural clinics may be miles away and often lack reliable blood pressure cuffs. Even in cities, routine screenings are rare outside hospitals. Poverty deepens the problem.

Many patients skip checkups because of travel costs or lost wages and medication can be hard to find or too expensive.

Community Health Workers Take the Lead

Governments and aid groups are training community health workers to screen residents where they live. In Kenya and Ghana, mobile teams set up at markets and churches to check blood pressure for free. When they discover hypertension in an individual, health workers give lifestyle advice and connect patients to inexpensive generic drugs.

These programs are low-cost and easy to expand, often costing only a few dollars per patient each year.

Medicine matters, but prevention depends on wider change. Public campaigns urge people to cut salt, eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly. In Tanzania, radio programs and text-message reminders promote healthier cooking and daily walks. Urban planners in Nigeria and South Africa are adding walking paths and parks to make physical activity safer and easier.

Partnerships and Policy Momentum

The WHO’s HEARTS Initiative has been deployed in several low- and middle-income countries to standardize hypertension care protocols and strengthen primary care delivery systems. Similarly, regional bodies such as the Pan African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) have collaborated with the WHO to produce the “Roadmap to Achieve 25% Hypertension Control in Africa by 2025,” guiding national hypertension policies.

National governments have adopted task-sharing and guideline frameworks under pressure from global advocacy groups. In Africa, the Innovative Epidemiology and a Vibrant Ecosystem (ACHIEVE) strategy outlines 10 strategic actions for integrating hypertension control into health systems policy. Furthermore, donor agencies and international NGOs, including Resolve to Save Lives, support the procurement of affordable medications, provide training and provide technical assistance to governments launching hypertension control programs.

Within Africa, the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) strategic plans emphasize strengthening partnerships, workforce development and institutional coordination across member states. These efforts aim to embed noncommunicable disease (NCD) control—including hypertension—into broader health systems.

A Vital Step Toward Stronger Health Systems

Controlling hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa strengthens health services overall. Routine blood pressure checks create chances to spot diabetes and other chronic diseases. Reliable supply chains for hypertension drugs improve access to other essential medicines. By fighting a silent but deadly disease, sub-Saharan Africa can prevent countless premature deaths and build a healthier, more productive population. This shows that tackling chronic illness is as important to development as battling infectious disease.

– Katie Williams

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

Photo: Unsplash

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HIV in the Central African Republic

HIV in the Central African RepublicThe Central African Republic (CAR), located in the heart of the continent, has long faced a severe HIV epidemic. While HIV has largely dwindled in threat in the West, it remains the primary cause of mortality in the CAR. In 2019, there were 4,800 deaths and 110,000 people overall living with the disease in the nation.

This epidemic has been declared a national crisis, one intensified by the lasting and prevalent stigma shadowing HIV. This fatally impacts treatment access for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Central African Republic. To understand and combat this situation, initiatives in the CAR piloted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and UNICEF focus on eradicating stigma-based prejudices through community-based aid. Their programs validate the significant impact of providing psychological support to PLHIV, especially in a situation that may feel hopeless.

HIV-Related Stigma

The 2018 PLHIV Stigma Index found that 87% of PLHIV experienced discrimination that affected their daily lives. The health care sector in the CAR is severely underfunded, resulting in insufficient (or sometimes zero) government-led ethics training being delivered to workers.

As a result, these professionals develop inaccurate beliefs about transmission causes and harbor fear-based prejudices against PLHIV. Hence, incidents such as humiliating comments, disclosure of HIV status and alienation from health care professionals affect PLHIV, with 12% avoiding health centers because of their status.

PLHIV in the CAR not only fear discriminatory professional care, but also fear being “found out” by their peers — an exposure that can lead to consequences such as social marginalization, family rejection or even violence from intimate partners. This double barrier creates a deep-seated fear, resulting in fatal disengagement from care, a challenge foreign aid organizations are working to address.

Antiretroviral Treatment

Campaigns across the CAR focus on utilizing community support groups to improve adherence to antiretroviral medicine (ARV) treatment plans. This medication can reduce levels of HIV to an undetectable level and protect the immune system. Thus, without access to it, PLHIV may experience numerous fatal complications and a risk to their quality of life.

However, MSF reported that, in 2016, only 18% of PLHIV in the CAR were actively undergoing ARV treatment provided by the CAR government. It found that by the time the majority of patients begin treatment, their immune systems are too badly compromised and they are already suffering from advanced and unmanageable AIDS. Chillingly, this is the case for two-thirds of PLHIV in the CAR.

Community Groups

The E Bata Guigui (Let Us Protect Life) group, initiated in 2018 by UNICEF in the CAR’s capital city, Bangui, promotes treatment through offering empathy and reassurance for PLHIV. The campaign consists of 2,000 young people offering peer solidarity, encouragement for testing and accompaniment through treatment appointments and journeys.

Results show that more young people aged 0-14 with HIV in the CAR have access to treatment, even after being deterred by their local clinics. Evidently, treating PLHIV with humanity can often be life-saving.

In 2019, MSF launched its Community Groups initiative across West Africa. The program allows one member to collect drug refills on behalf of the group, improving adherence and access to long-term treatment. Its stigma-sensitive approach — centered on self-management and peer support — has led to an increase in viral suppression and patient follow-up rates. Within a year of implementation, more than 1,800 patients had begun HIV treatment and 558 new cases were diagnosed.

Positive Changes

The milestones achieved by Community Group programs surrounding early diagnosis, medication uptake and treatment adherence show valuable strides toward a brighter, healthier future for PLHIV in the CAR. While challenges remain, the progress made in tackling widespread discrimination, through greater acceptance and enhanced psychological support, has already bettered both physical and mental health outcomes, delivering hope to those who once felt there was none.

– Emily Wooster

Emily is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Disability and the Struggle Against Poverty in Gabon

Poverty in gabonPeople with disabilities in Gabion face widespread poverty and barriers to employment, education and health care, despite legal protections. Although the country has abundant natural resources and a relatively high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, unequal income distribution leaves vulnerable groups — including people with disabilities — at greater risk of poverty. 

Expansion of Social Programs

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is working with Gabon’s Ministry of Social Protection and the National Fund for Social Action to strengthen social safety nets and expand protection programs for the country’s most marginalized communities and to help reduce disability and poverty in the country.

UNICEF Representative Stephen Grieb said the goal of the income-generating program, which residents such as Thecle are receiving, is to help households in the present areas gain access to education, health coverage and social protection for their children. 

One of the pilot communities in Zoula, where the initiative aims to encourage revenue-generating activities. By boosting income, organizers say the program will help disadvantaged households assert their rights and receive essential social services. Thecle and other participants hope the effort will allow them and their children to break free from poverty. 

Improving Youth Skills

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved a $100 million loan to help Gabon improve skills training and create jobs for young people. The Development and Employability Project aims to reduce disability, poverty and unemployment while supporting faster growth in the Central African Nation. 

The project will expand vocational training in key growth sectors, promote skills development for unemployed graduates and school-leavers, and provide entrepreneurship training. It seeks to address the mismatch between the skills of young people and the needs of the labor market. 

Gabon’s National Development Plan

Gabon had launched the Emergency Community Development Program (PUDC) with national funding to be carried out across the country’s nine provinces in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The initiative is part of the President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s national development plan: The Rise Toward Prosperity. Overseen by the Ministry of Planning and Forecasting, the program aims to reduce socioeconomic and regional inequities by strengthening local governance, expanding economic opportunities, improving infrastructure and increasing access to essential services. 

The Future of Poverty in Gabon

Gabon is launching multiple initiatives to tackle poverty and inequality, particularly for people with disabilities and disadvantaged communities. Efforts include income-generating programs supported by UNICEF and a $100 million World Bank-backed project to expand vocational training and job creation. These programs aim to improve social protection, education, health care access and local economic opportunities, helping vulnerable households break the cycle of poverty.

– Joshua Pettis

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

Photo: Flickr

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Aid Cuts Deepen Lesotho’s Health Crisis

Lesotho’s Health CrisisLesotho is a small landlocked nation in Southern Africa that is rarely in the headlines. The country is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian and health crises. Preexisting food insecurity, driven by repeated droughts, crop failures and rising prices, is now colliding with one of the highest HIV rates in the world.

These combined struggles leave families, especially young children, on the brink of survival. Aid cuts from international donors are worsening, forcing organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Vision to decrease their critical contributions. Without more support, Lesotho’s health crisis risks falling deeper, which could have long-term consequences for its people.

Food Insecurity Collides with HIV

Lesotho’s location in Africa, as well as its climate, makes it very vulnerable to drought. According to the WFP, nearly one in three people face food insecurity during the lean season when harvest numbers are low. Therefore, food prices increase. Families often skip meals, sell their livestock or pull their children out of school to work to cope with these circumstances. These cycles deepen the cycles of poverty.

On top of the food insecurity, Lesotho now has an HIV epidemic. The nation has one of the world’s highest HIV rates, with more than 20% of adults living with the virus. For children, exposure to both HIV and malnutrition creates a deadly combination. If they do not have adequate nutrition, antiretroviral treatment becomes less effective. This leaves the children more prone to infections and reduces their chances of survival.

Clinics across the country are reporting rising numbers of malnourished children who are unable to respond to HIV treatment because their bodies lack the strength. The double burden of food insecurity and HIV is creating an emergency that rarely makes global headlines; however, it devastates families daily.

Aid Cuts and Shrinking Safety Nets

For a long time, international aid programs provided critical support to the country. The WFP’s food distributions and World Vision community outreach programs supported thousands. Recent shifts in global funding, though, have forced cutbacks. The WFP warned in 2023 that it may have to reduce assistance due to shrinking donor contributions. This left tens of thousands without aid. These cuts come when inflation and climate are already straining many households.

Without funding, local programs have been unable to keep up. Families have to walk miles to health centers that no longer stock needed supplements. Those who once relied on emergency food services are left alone.

Innovative Local Solutions

Despite the challenges, Lesotho has developed several initiatives to fight back. One of those efforts is the establishment of nutrition corners in health facilities. The centers provide integrated care from food support to growth monitoring to HIV treatment, all in one place. According to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) Lesotho, these facilities have been especially effective for children living with HIV, improving both their nutrition and survival rates.

Another initiative is the use of cash-transfer programs, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Project. Instead of distributing food directly, these programs provide families with money or food vouchers to buy what they need locally. This approach helps households access nutritious meals and supports local farmers and markets.

The Maximum Intervention Programme (MIP) is a government-led partnership backed by the U.N.’s Renewed Efforts Against Child Hunger (REACH). It has made nutrition a national priority. By aligning itself with multiple agencies, it aims to provide food, health, social protection and security in one strategy.

Looking Ahead

Lesotho’s health crisis is not without hope. The solutions are known and are showing progress. Scaling up health and nutrition services, expanding monetary assistance and investing in climate-resilient farming can reduce reliance on unpredictable rainfall. What remains missing is steady international support.

Lesotho may not dominate headlines, but it illustrates the consequences of aid budget cuts on those who need help most. When donors focus elsewhere, vulnerable nations risk being left on their own. In a country where food insecurity and HIV intersect, continued global support is imperative. With sustained commitment, there is still hope for overcoming Lesotho’s health crisis.

– Brody L. Gates

Brody is based in Fort Worth, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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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