Information and stories on health topics.

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Methods of Treatment and Testing for HIV/AIDS in Italy 

HIV/AIDS in ItalyHIV/AIDS infection and treatment are consistent concerns that health organizations in Italy are levying. Since high infection numbers in the early 21st century, rates of diagnoses have decreased from 3,858 in 2013 to 1,888 in 2022 according to WHO. Still, the health risk of the disease remains prevalent. Poverty can be an obstacle for seeking diagnosis and treatment for HIV/AIDS in Italy. Universal health services provide a great resource for those experiencing poverty. Currently, hospitals and health organizations in Italy are developing programs to make this impact more wide-spread.

The Ministry of Health and other national organizations are working towards spreading awareness, providing testing and developing medication. They hope to eliminate the possibility of HIV infection altogether. Many institutions have created goals which aim to reduce the number of new diagnoses and provide equitable treatment and counseling to all residents of Italy, regardless of their financial situation.

Injective PrEP Could Prevent HIV/AIDS in Italy

In December 2024, The National Institute for Infectious Diseases (IRCCS) and the Regional Hospital of Lombardy (ASST) collaborated on a solution-oriented program. Authorities in health spoke about emerging technologies at the national health conference, “Long-Acting Retrovirals–looking to the future.” The goal is to investigate and approve PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) as a preventative measure against HIV/AIDS in Italy. Currently, the only available form of PrEP is the once-daily pill.

PrEP is a medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV when individuals who are at-risk for infection take it. In the United States, the FDA has approved both the oral and long-acting injective forms of PrEP. 

The Italian initiative will provide controlled access to the injective method for 800 individuals and monitor their response. These health servicers wish to provide an alternative to at-risk people who have difficulty accessing or using the oral method. Injective PrEP allows for longer periods between intake compared to the daily oral method. 

“Three Times Zero” 

To commemorate International Day Against AIDS in Italy (December 1, 2024), IRCCS held a health conference. Many Italian changemakers attended including the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, and the Director General of Health of the Lazio Region, Andrea Urbani. 

IRCCS aims to promote the goal of “three times zero against HIV: zero risk of transmission, zero diagnoses and deaths, zero stigma and discrimination.” Powerful entities such as the Italian Red Cross signed the protocol. It sets the precedent for advances in prevention and treatment. It also addresses the marginalization that those with HIV in Italy experience. 

Likewise, this protocol acknowledges the groups of Italian residents facing a disproportionate risk of contracting HIV. This includes men who have sex with men, foreign-born migrants and injective drug users. 

The DiMePReJ (Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area) found that individuals living in marginalized conditions have higher rates of infection. Risk factors include “financial difficulties and lack of secure housing.”

UNAIDS argues that the fight against HIV/AIDS cannot succeed without upholding the human rights of those suffering from the disease.  

Free Testing for HIV/AIDS in Italy

Accessible testing and education are vital to the reduction of HIV infections, especially among marginalized communities. Many free and readily accessible testing methods are available in major cities of Italy. “Let’s do it quick” (facciamolo rapido) launched in 2017 to provide an alternative to the typical blood test for HIV and HCV. This innovative test offers results by testing the saliva, removing the risk of blood contamination among health workers. 

This program supplements “room 13” (stanza 13) at IRCCS in Rome. The institute offers blood tests for HIV and Syphilis at no cost with same-day results. It also provides free counseling for those seeking preventive measures or treatment information. Search engines are readily available online for residents to locate their closest testing and counseling facility.

Vaccine Development

New developments are on the horizon. The Higher Institute of Health (ISS) in Italy partnered with the European HIV Alliance in 2016 to support its development of an HIV vaccine. The EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program provided funding for their work. The alliance hoped to develop two new prophylactic vaccine candidates for clinical development using a multidisciplinary vaccine platform (MVP) and further identify scientific basis for continued research. 

Although the alliance has concluded, clinical trials for their vaccine, “EHVA P01” continued. Trials concluded at the end of 2024 with pending results. Scientists aimed to test the efficacy of a vaccine for HIV-uninfected adults. A preventative vaccine for HIV in Italy could reduce infection rates by large margins.

Global Collaboration Against HIV/AIDS

Still, many trials for preventative and therapeutic HIV vaccines are ongoing. Italy is one actor in an international mission to reduce–and eventually eliminate–the risk of infection for HIV. Health authorities are employing both preventative and therapeutic measures to address at-risk and infected individuals. Programs like “Three Times Zero” are reducing the stigma surrounding the disease and those who carry it. National hospitals, like IRCCS, have the potential to close the infection gap between income and population groups by continuing to provide free and accessible health services. Scientific collaboration in Italy has led to emerging treatments that indicate an HIV-free future.

– Sarah Lang

Sarah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Aging in Deprivation: Elderly Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago

Elderly Poverty in Trinidad and TobagoThe Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago are grappling with their ability to support the elderly members of their country as life expectancy increases. The older community is the fastest growing part of the population, with a current estimate of 14%, which is putting a natural strain on the government’s ability to provide for their housing and health care needs. It is unclear exactly how many of the elderly are in poverty, but due to their estimated growth to 30% of the population by 2050, protective measures are being taken.

When they can no longer support themselves, the elderly are “the prime target to be victims of poverty, exclusion and marginalization, and may suffer from the effects of negative stereotyping.” It grows increasingly more difficult for them to meet their daily needs as they struggle with unexpected health costs and no source of income. Members of a lower socioeconomic status, and without family to financially support them, are left lonely and in a position of hopelessness when they reach the age of retirement.

Exacerbating Elderly Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago

There are a multitude of factors that can contribute to or exacerbate poverty. Two of the larger contributors to elderly poverty in Trinidad and Tobago are the development of chronic illnesses and health care costs. These unpredicted costs force the elderly into making sacrifices in order to financially support their health needs.

Multimorbidity is the development of multiple chronic medical conditions, and its prevalence is found to increase with age. Multimorbidity is not seemingly more common in low socioeconomic communities, however, its occurrence in those members is far more detrimental. The correlated increased hospital visits, medicinal costs and medical bills would only push the elderly further into poverty and unhealthy living conditions. 

The majority of the population of Trinidad and Tobago does not receive coverage from health insurance, while “inequalities in coverage persisted across socio-economic status: only 4% of the population among the poorest income quintile” had coverage. Additionally, long term care facilities are highly dependent on pensions to meet costs. This is marginalizing the proportion of the population that does not receive a pension and makes escaping the cycle of poverty more difficult.

Solutions

Government programs from the Ministry of the People and Social Development have already been implemented to support the health of the elderly. A few of these programs being: Necessitous Patients Programme/Medical Aid Programme, Adult Cardiac Surgery Programme and the Memory Clinic. All of these programs and the continual betterment of national health services sets a positive precedent for the elimination of elderly poverty in Trinidad and Tobago.

A major success is the adoption of the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP). This program provides government funded medication to people with “non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancer therapies.” Alleviating the factors contributing to elderly poverty in Trinidad and Tobago displays progress towards a better future and provides the aging community with some sense of relief and care.

Habitat for Humanity

There are a multitude of organizations that are dedicated to finding solutions to the issue of elderly poverty in Trinidad and Tobago. One of those organizations is Habitat for Humanity, which approaches tackling poverty by facing the demand for housing throughout the country. The organization helps people who do not qualify for loans, due to either their age or income, by providing housing solutions.

It has worked in Trinidad and Tobago since 1997 and has since then served 845 individuals through building and repairing homes. It began its program in the country after the release of an estimate that 200,000 people were living in informal settlements and the wait for government housing was 25 years. In order to provide aid, it utilizes both donations and volunteers.

Looking Ahead

A lot of commendable work has occurred to combat the issue of elderly poverty in Trinidad and Tobago. The government has made strides in noticing and addressing the needs of the older community, specifically in regards to their health care needs. There are still areas to address in order to lift the community out of poverty, but there are numerous volunteer and support opportunities to help achieve that goal.

– Sydney Morrow

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

Photo: Freepix

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Elderly Poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Elderly Poverty in Bosnia and HerzegovinaAccording to the Swiss Cooperation Programme, elderly poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a concern. Predictions state that more than 30% of the population will be above the age of 65 by 2060. More than 16.9% of Bosnians live below the poverty line but the post-war economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has significantly restricted the ability for economic prosperity. Following the Bosnian War, many Bosnians lost economic assets and experienced displacement, and they are still experiencing those effects today. In the words of the Wiley Online Library, “Bosnia-Herzegovina still experiences political instability, genocide denial, and growing poverty levels that particularly impact the aging war victims.”

Pension System Struggles

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s pension system consists of two different pension funds, The Federation (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS). However, The International Journals of Integrated Care (IJIC) reports that nearly 60% of the elderly population lacks access to pension benefits and social care. Due to the financial consequences of the Bosnian war, a proper pension system became necessary for the people of Bosnia. In 2011, Republika Srpska (RS) launched a pension reform to reduce pension contribution arrears. In 2018, The Federation (FBiH) took on a similar reform in hope for a better pension system for Bosnians. According to a 2021 weekly briefing by the China-CEE institute, both pension systems will be stable for the next decade. However, for future sustainability both systems would need further reformation such as labor incentive policies and making these systems administrative friendly.

A Need for Long-Term Health Care

Without a universal healthcare system, the large elderly population of Bosnia has had unequal access to health care. Those who do have access to health care have to spend an undesirable amount on health care and “almost entirely consisting of out-of-pocket payments which are mainly spent on medicines and therapeutic appliances” according to the European Observatory. Bosnian citizens spend twice as much for health care than European Union citizens.

The Bosnian War, which physically and emotionally scarred many citizens, has made access to adequate health care vital. According to the World Bank, the Bosnian government spends only 9% of its GDP on health care, which is three times lower than any other country in the EU. As a result, Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the lowest-quality healthcare systems in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic only set back years of positive work done for health care in Bosnia however, with humanitarian groups like World Bank, many Bosnians will likely have more adequate health care in the years to come.

Positive Change Incoming

Humanitarian groups such as the World Bank, have made strides to tackle elderly poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina through projects like the Strengthening Transparency and Accountability of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Health Systems Project. The Project, which started in 2022, focuses on improving the transparency and efficiency of Bosnian health systems. One goal of the project is to ensure better health care for all citizens with an emphasis on the elderly individuals who are disproportionately effected.  Other groups such as the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID) and the UK Good Governance Fund (GGF) have been working closely with specifically health ministries in Bosnia for health care reformation. With the BiH working in partner with these groups, elderly Bosnians can have hope once again.

Looking Ahead

Elderly poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued to overwhelm the BiH for more than 30 years, failing to provide adequate social support and healthcare systems. However, with current social system reforms and outside humanitarian groups, Bosnians have hope. While conditions are improving, sustained collaboration between the government and other outside groups is vital for reducing elderly poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

– Naseem Rahman

Naseem is based in Highland Village, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Lack of Shelter and No Electricity Led to Hypothermia in Gaza

Hypothermia in GazaAccording to the United Nations (U.N.), in the last month, eight newborns have died of hypothermia in Gaza, causing an outcry from international organizations. The cases of hypothermia come from the freezing conditions in Gaza. Gaza is experiencing its coldest month, with a lack of proper equipment and resources its people need to survive.

What Is Hypothermia?

Doctors classify hypothermia as a medical emergency resulting from a drop in body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius). It happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce, causing the body to enter into a dangerously low body temperature. When the body is left in this condition, the heart, nervous system and other organs are unable to function properly. Without treatment, hypothermia can shut down the heart and respiratory systems, ultimately causing death.

Hypothermia is now one of the many preventable diseases/conditions that are now taking place in the Strip as a result of the ongoing conflict.

The Destruction of Residential Buildings

The Israeli onslaught in the Strip has made it difficult for aid to enter Gaza. Additionally, the incessant bombing has destroyed residential buildings, leading people to use tents as a new way of shelter. The bombing has damaged approximately 66% of the total structures in the Strip, with damage ranging from moderate to destruction.

Specifically 163, 778 structures have been damaged, including “52,564 structures that have been destroyed, 18,913 severely damaged, 35,591 possibly damaged structures and 56,710 moderately affected.” The destruction displaced 1.9 million civilians, forcing them to rely on tents as shelter. Yet, tents have quickly been unable to prove themselves as enough to deal with the cold weather enveloping the Strip.

January is Gaza’s coldest month in which temperatures can drop as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), underscoring the challenges faced by those relying on them for survival.

Lack of Electricity in Gaza

The lack of shelter is a significant challenge in the Strip. However, the lack of electricity also plays a critical role in preventing Gazans from staying warm. Before the war, Gaza had an average of 7-13 hours of electricity each day, with occasional blackouts. However, after October 7, according to a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there were zero hours of electricity available for Gazans in 2024.

Gazans now solely rely on solar panels to charge their phones or other electronic devices. However, only about 12,400 solar panels are available for a population of roughly two million. Without electricity, Gazans will not be able to keep themselves warm. They must rely on blankets and clothing, which are already scarce in the region. So, for many individuals, freezing is the only option they have, in the end causing hypothermia in Gaza to become a reality.

Looking Ahead

International organizations have been outspoken about the lack of resources in the Strip and continue to pressure American and Israeli government officials to let aid in. The OCHA has also repeatedly stressed the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The U.N. and its partners have also provided critical medical support to those in the Strip. Between December 22 and January 8, about 560,000 people received primary and health care services. However, this work remains insufficient and much more work lies ahead.

– Aya Diab

Aya is based in New York City, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Nonprofits Are Helping Deliver Medical Supplies to Kiribati

Medical Supplies to Kiribati Kiribati is a stretch of 33 islands within the Pacific Ocean, 21 of those being populated. The country is unique in that these islands are spread apart— across 3.5 million square kilometers, to be exact. This presents a unique challenge amidst denizens of the atolls and transportation of medical supplies in Kiribati.

Background

While it is true that Kiribati has struggled to transport medical supplies to all of its atolls and islands, the health issues of the country go far deeper than a lack of supplies. Droughts and flooding have left the region struggling to maintain access to clean water, which in turn creates the perfect conditions for diseases like tuberculosis to flourish. Poor nutrition and poverty further exacerbate these health issues. Due to this, more than 25% of adults older than 24 in Kiribati have Type 2 Diabetes.

With the dire health conditions in Kiribati, the lack of medical supplies in Kiribati remains an important topic within the government. The sheer remoteness of the islands is the first issue. Getting ships to and from the islands is a challenge all by itself, as Kiribati is one of the most dispersed countries in the world, according to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) South Asia.

Medical supplies in Kiribati arrive by boat or plane and often arrive too late and too infrequently for those who need them. At times, the supplies have taken so long to arrive that the valuable medicine inside the shipments expires long before they can make their way to Kiribati’s shores, MSF reports. When the supplies arrive, they are often expensive due to difficulties in sourcing them.

A Silver Lining

While sourcing medical supplies in Kiribati has proven itself to be a consistent challenge for the country, many organizations have recently taken up the initiative to help Kiribati source medical supplies for its people. Specifically, The World Bank is helping improve supply chains so that the more remote islands of Kiribati can keep their clinics stocked with the important medicines locals need to stay healthy.

Prevention is also one of the key factors in the plan to tackle the issues with medical supplies in Kiribati. COVID-19, while difficult to navigate in the region, ended up proving to be a learning opportunity on how to navigate widespread disease. Closing ports early on allowed Kiribati to get a head start on combating the disease, which inspired officials to use that same caution moving forward. With help from UNICEF and the India-UNDP fund Kiribati was able to create the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Committee in early 2021. This committee focuses on catching diseases that could become larger threats early on to avoid communities being taken by surprise. This committee has been instrumental in the continued fight against COVID-19 and other major diseases since then.

Thanks to the India-UNDP fund, Kiribati was able to secure funding for the purchase and transport of medical supplies in Kiribati for the committee. The collaboration helped establish 34 health centers across the country, each with the goal of community outreach by making home visits and leading dialogues about disease prevention. In the end, these facilities have been extremely important in the prevention of diseases and promotion of health amongst Kiribati’s more remote populations.

Moving Forward

While the lack of medical supplies in Kiribati continues to be an uphill battle, support from outside organizations like UNICEF and The World Bank has eased the burden of this struggle. While there is still plenty of work necessary from both officials and community leaders to make sure that the population has access to medical supplies, Kiribati is on the path to success.

– Mackenzie Scott

Mackenzie is based in Indianapolis, IN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling Elderly Poverty in Somalia  

Elderly Poverty in Somalia
Since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, the country has faced decades of civil war and lawlessness. Political instability and ongoing conflict have driven widespread poverty, leaving Somalia as one of the world’s poorest nations. Regarding this, 69% of the population lives below the poverty line, earning less than $2.15 a day. Estimates indicate that the poverty rate among the vulnerable and the elderly ranges between 70% and 80%. As the country’s infrastructure deteriorated, so did its ability to provide services to its vulnerable demographic. Elders, who once held revered position in Somali society, now largely depend on their families for survival. However, widespread poverty among younger generations has weakened these traditional support systems. Instead, international organizations are implementing systems to tackle elderly poverty in Somalia.

Conflict Issues

 Years of armed conflict between government forces, militant groups like Al-Shabaab and clan-based factions have caused mass displacement across Somalia. As of 2024, there are more than 3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Somalia. Many elderly individuals, who often lack the physical ability to flee quickly, experience relocation into overcrowded and poorly resourced IDP camps. In these camps, elders endure harsh living conditions with limited access to food, clean water and health care.

Moreover, elderly-headed households are often more susceptible to impacts of violence than households headed by younger people. In contrast, households in the top 20% of the consumption distribution manage to weather these crises better because they typically have savings or alternative income sources. This financial shield allows them to soften the economic shock from terrorist activities and maintain their consumption levels. Consequently, when violence occurs, poverty-stricken elderly individuals suffer more than those in Somalia’s wealthier communities.

Health Care Difficulties

Conflict has decimated Somalia’s already fragile health care system, leaving the population, including the elderly, without essential medical care. However, as the Somali government channels most of its resources into military and security operations, it underfunds and neglects health care facilities. As a result, Somalia faces an alarming doctor-to-patient ratio of 0.4 doctors per 10,000 people.

Environmental Challenges

Somalia has experienced recurring droughts over the past decade, and as of 2024, it grapples with its worst drought in 40 years. With five consecutive failed rainy seasons, Somalia’s agricultural sector has been severely damaged.

Exacerbated by the droughts, heavy rainfall has caused devastating floods in parts of the country. As a result, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports that these environmental disasters killed 4 million livestock and pushed 6.6 million Somalis to crisis levels of hunger. Farmers will take years to restore ruined farmlands and pastures, which puts Somalia in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

Fighting Elderly Poverty in Somalia

“Understanding the magnitude and importance of income shocks, such as drought or conflict, in causing and perpetuating poverty is critical to designing policies aimed at building reliance and contributing toward the goal of ending poverty,” says Utz Pape, lead economist in Poverty and Equity Global Practice at the World Bank Group (WBG). This underscores that to tackle elderly poverty in Somalia, policymakers must address the root causes of these crises by focusing on safety nets and enhancing health care infrastructure.

HelpAge, in partnership with Horn International Relief and Development Organization (HIRDO), are working to provide critical support. They are offering cash assistance to help elderly individuals purchase food and medicines, as many do not receive aid directly and struggle to afford treatment for health conditions. In addition to financial assistance, the initiative also includes referrals for medical care and mental health support to address the physical and psychological toll of poverty crises on older populations. These efforts are crucial as food prices soar and the elderly, who no not have pensions, face increasing hardships.

Additionally, the Somali Help-Age Association (SHAA) has introduced innovative policies and practices with strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to fight poverty and hunger among vulnerable communities in Somalia. Their efforts specifically target the most at-risk elderly individuals through relief, recovery and development programs. SHAA works to address immediate needs while advocating for basic social, economic and cultural rights of elderly people. As a result of their initiatives, SHAA has reduced hunger by providing food vouchers and cash relief to elderly and disabled individuals living in IDP camps and rural areas. This approach successfully met 60% of the elderly’s immediate needs, making a substantial impact on their survival and well-being.

Looking Ahead

By aligning emergency relief with long-term development, Somalia can make progress toward reducing elderly poverty and achieving broader eradication goals. These efforts not only respond to immediate challenges but also work to break the cycle of poverty that entraps vulnerable communities.

– Nour Mostafa

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

Photo: Flickr

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HIV/AIDS in Syria

HIV/AIDS in SyriaHealth care in Syria has experienced significant disruption due to the ongoing civil war, which first began in March 2011. The conflict has resulted in a cumulative diminishment of the health care system to a partly-functioning institution. Medical facilities and hospitals have been targeted, with nearly 15 million people in desperate need of medical attention. 

Despite HIV prevalence remaining low in Syria and just 762 people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Syria between 1987 and 2011, the Middle East is one of the only regions in the world where HIV/AIDS infection is spiking. This spike can be attributed to factors such as increasing rates of poverty, labor migration and human trafficking, which can potentially manifest in an HIV/AIDS epidemic. 

Vulnerable, marginalized groups such as female sex workers and intravenous drug users are at a significantly higher risk of contracting HIV than the general population. Therefore, the response to HIV/AIDS in Syria has to focus on these groups, as their behaviors have the potential to kickstart an epidemic.

Health Care in Syria

The Syrian health care system impairs many citizens’ ability to access medical professionals and treatment. As a result of the war, approximately 70% of health care professionals have left the country. Similarly, 50% of health care facilities have been obliterated. Consequently, Syria lacks the necessary staff, facilities, treatment options, funding and capacity to manage health problems effectively. This shortfall significantly affects the handling and control of communicable diseases such as HIV.

The country’s response to HIV/AIDS remains significantly lower than global targets in terms of preventative measures, diagnosis, testing and treatment. Those living with HIV/AIDS in Syria are significantly impacted by the lack of health care, as sexual and reproductive issues are often overlooked.

The civil war has induced unrest in the form of human rights violations, financial decline and environmental crises. health care costs have skyrocketed, with medical treatments and private care becoming increasingly inaccessible to the general public. In northwest Syria, approximately 2.3 million women and girls do not have access to medical care, including reproductive and sexual health, such as treatment for HIV/AIDS.

Stigma Surrounding HIV/AIDS in Syria

The availability of treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV is the least attainable because of the stigma attached to sexual diseases. This stigma affects the likelihood of certain groups being informed about HIV and understanding how to prevent infection. HIV/AIDS in Syria is most prevalent among intravenous drug users and female sex workers. These marginalized groups often face negative identity prejudice, which can hinder their access to HIV/AIDS education and health care due to discrimination.

A study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) found that adequate knowledge among female sex workers, intravenous drug users and prisoners of HIV/AIDS was below 30%. Additionally, the study showed that despite the subgroups being predominantly aware of HIV/AIDS, the participants’ overall knowledge and understanding of risk factors was insufficient. They experienced very little exposure to HIV/AIDS health campaigns. 

Tackling HIV/AIDS in Syria

To address HIV/AIDS in Syria, the Ministry of Information launched a nationwide media campaign across television, the press and radio stations. The campaign intended to raise awareness and improve knowledge about HIV/AIDS, empowering people to make better-informed decisions.

The Syrian Family Planning Association also implemented a program to improve HIV awareness among Syrians. This initiative included a peer education component designed explicitly for vulnerable groups such as young people, female sex workers and prisoners, aiming to educate them about HIV/AIDS and encourage safer choices.

These programs offer a foundational approach to HIV/AIDS education by providing valuable and potentially life-saving information that equips citizens with the knowledge to make well-informed decisions. Ultimately, this will contribute to the curbing of a war-induced HIV/AIDS epidemic.

– Ella Dorman

Ella is based in Worcestershire, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project. 

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Impact of Poverty on Mental Health

Impact of Poverty on Mental HealthPeople from lower-income countries are often overlooked as a target audience for mental health care. In impoverished countries, in particular, mental health care is crucial for breaking the cycle of potentially exacerbated mental illnesses that disproportionately affect underprivileged populations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 13% of people across the globe suffer from mental health disorders, varying in type and impact, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent of them all. Poverty puts people at a higher risk for developing mental health disorders, and makes it difficult for those people to receive proper care. Only 33.33% of people suffering from depression around the world may have access to mental health care. The mental health care that is available is limited and poverty negatively affects it.     

The Impact of Poverty on Mental Health

According to research that Yihan Sun of the Department of Science at the University of British Columbia in Canada conducted, “mental illness … increasingly causes severe disability in both wealthy and underdeveloped countries,” and “poverty is one of the factors that affect mental health.” In short, the relationship between mental health and poverty is that of a snowball effect. 

Mental health as a result of poverty can make preexisting mental illness worse. More specifically, poverty can worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yihan Sun goes on to mention that depression can result from concerns about “erratic income and spending” related to poverty. For example, anxiety can increase due to people not being able to make bill payments on time. People may also experience PTSD when they live in locations that are “disaster-prone” to such things as “fire incidents, traffic fatalities, environmental hazards and gun-related violence.”

Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health

Mental health can be considered a non-communicable disease (NCD), which is a disease that is not transmissible from one person to another and often includes chronic diseases and conditions like diabetes, heart and kidney disease. Mental health disorders have links to various non-communicable diseases. People suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be more at risk of developing anxiety or depression.

Unfortunately, non-communicable diseases are a significant cause of death for low to middle income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), for the countries of Angola and the Central African Republic, non-communicable diseases are the broader cause of at least 20% of the deaths of their population in 2021. For the countries of Bangladesh and Cambodia, NCDs are the cause of more than 60% of the deaths of their populations in 2021. These countries are all classified as being low-to-middle income countries according to WHO.  

Current Global Poverty Status

Despite the devastating impact of poverty on mental health, particularly in developing countries, there is hope on the horizon. In the past 30 years, poverty has steadily and significantly declined in regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern and Southern Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and Western and Central Africa, with poverty rates decreasing by at least 13% in each region—some by as much as 28%. 

East Asia and the Pacific have experienced the most dramatic improvement, with poverty rates plummeting from 65.2% in 1990 to just 0.6% in 2024. Although Latin American and Caribbean countries haven’t seen as much of a decline in poverty as the rest of the world, their poverty rate has still diminished significantly compared to the ’90s. 

The MINDS Act

Where there is hope, solutions to persistent problems are often within reach and this holds for those living in poverty in low- and middle-income countries. One such solution is the Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings (MINDS) Act, which offers a pathway to addressing these challenges.

The MINDS Act aims to enhance investment in mental health care from high-income countries, such as the U.S. and the U.K., to establish or support programs focused on breaking the cycle of poverty worldwide. By doing so, it seeks to address the reciprocal impact of poverty and mental health, helping to disrupt the harmful connection between the two.

Children would benefit significantly, as the rate of their anxiety and depression (due to living in poverty) would lessen. They would also be less susceptible to developing psychiatric disorders in their adulthood.

Solutions in Rwanda

Another solution could be in the form of programs like the ones implemented in Rwanda, after the sovereign state’s genocide of 1994. Findings determined that around 94% of the survivors witnessed traumatic events that would affect them decades later in the form of PTSD, depression and panic disorder. In response to the aftermath of the genocide, the state created a community-based psychotherapy that allows for “healing and peacebuilding for survivors.” Rwanda then proceeded to create the Gacaca Courts through the Government of National Unity, which would provide justice for survivors while emphasizing accountability for the perpetrators. The sovereign state eventually acquired enough stability to be able to provide it’s citizens with universal health coverage for mental health to each citizen for $2 a year.

Through the implementation of these programs, Rwanda has successfully and significantly lessened the state’s suicide rate from 8.84 in 2005 to 5.57 in 2018 as a result of community-based psychotherapy.  More than 1.2 million cases were tried in more than 12,000 courts after the creation of the new judicial system of the Gacaca Courts. Life expectancy within the country has since risen from 56 to 70 after the implementation of universal health care and the inclusion of mental health.

Conclusion 

Rwanda is proof that mental health care is incredibly important to the health of a community, especially during the aftermath of traumatic and tragic events. With the implementation of programs that changed and incorporated mental health care into Rwanda’s judicial system, universal health care system, and community, the country has, since the genocide of 1994, been able to look forward to its future with much better days ahead. It is possible to provide mental health care and restore hope, and solutions can emerge with humanity at the wheel.

– Sadie Treadwell

Sadie is based in Grovetown, GA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Diseases Impacting Colombia

Diseases Impacting ColombiaColombia is a resource-rich country in the north of South America that is diverse and full of contrasts. Considering their challenging history, the nation has grown to become more resilient in terms of democracy and culture. Colombia is the world’s 55th largest exporter, with about $41 billion in exports to foreign markets. However, diseases impacting Colombia continue to be a serious threat as a whole, mainly due to its tropical climate and low awareness of some diseases which play a role in making the country more vulnerable to a variety of illnesses.

Understanding the difference between communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is crucial to comprehending the illnesses that most commonly impact Colombia. Diabetes and cancer are examples of NCDs, which have a tendency to spread slowly. On the other hand, communicable illnesses such as TB or measles are more contagious and easier to transmit. 

NCDs

According to data from 2014, NCDs were responsible for 71% of Colombian deaths, with injuries and other incidents accounting for the remaining 17%. The three primary NCDs in Colombia as of 2014 were diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular illnesses.

In Colombia, 28% of all deaths were from cardiovascular diseases, with men dying at a higher rate than women. Furthermore, a report indicated that 35,000 Colombians lost their lives to cancer in 2014. By 2035, cancer-related mortality may rise by 31%, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Additionally, diabetes claimed the lives of almost 19,000 Colombians in 2015, making up 10% of all fatalities in the nation that year. One million more people in Colombia may have diabetes without a diagnosis, making it one of the most underdiagnosed conditions that are impacting Colombia. 

NCDs were responsible for 22% of premature deaths among people under the age of 70. A report stated that Government health spending as a percentage of GDP rose from 5.4% in 2003 to 6.8% in 2013, indicating that NCDs have apparently had a significant economic impact on Colombia. Furthermore, individual health expenditure has also increased from $133.59 in 2002 to $569.19 in 2015 as a result of the rise of NCDs within the country. 

Communicable Diseases

Due to Colombia’s tropical environment and a lack of awareness about the seriousness of some diseases, communicable diseases impacting Colombia including malaria, HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are more common and transmit quickly among people.

According to Reports, in 2022 alone, TB affected 32 out of every 100,000 individuals, with a fatality rate of 2.4 per 100, 000. Within the same year, there were 25 HIV diagnoses for every 100, 000 people, resulting in a total 5.1 deaths per 100,000. However, one should note that in recent years, the HIV rate has dropped by 7.4%. This can be credited to Colombia’s strong and growing health sector. But due to its tropical climate, Colombia, like many other nations, the ever-increasing malaria sickness plagues it. Up until 2019, Colombia recorded between 60,000 to 80,000 cases of malaria annually for almost 10 years.

Despite being more contagious, communicable diseases typically have more treatments and medications available. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Colombia Healthcare sector as the 22nd best in the world, ahead of the United States and Australia. The government allocates 20% of its budget on health care, increasing access to care for individuals from a variety of circumstances.

Unemployment and Poverty in Colombia

Unemployment and the expenditures of health care for both individuals and families are two important elements to take into account when examining how poverty in Colombia contributes to a higher rate of illness infection. One major contributing cause to poverty is unemployment with Colombia’s unemployment rate currently at 9.1% at the moment, but it has remained constant since 2023. Since 9.1% of the population is unemployed, the majority cannot afford the present health care costs, which as of 2022 total $558 per individual.

A report showed that 19 million Colombians lived on just $97,94 a month in that same year. Alongside this is undernourishment, which has been a growing problem in Colombia, especially for women and in 2019, 88% of unemployed people, or 8% of the population, were undernourished. Furthermore, since inadequate nutrition is known to affect or weaken immune systems, more people are vulnerable to illnesses with the bulk of the unemployed population undernourished. Eventually, it leads to high health care costs, which furthers poverty.

The Colombian Government’s Efforts

The Colombian government introduced a national strategy to accomplish the “eradication and elimination” of the most contagious communicable illnesses in May 2024. It is strategy to improve the efficiency of medical care and expand public health services for Colombians. By 2035, the goal is to eradicate 30 additional communicable diseases; the eradication plan includes diseases that are impacting Colombia, such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. In order to accomplish its objectives, the Colombian government has established the “One Health” approach, which attempts to close the gap between communities and medicine. The Colombian government intends to pool medical resources in order to fully implement this policy, making it more efficient and providing services that benefit everybody. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection hopes that the one health strategy, which just originated in 2024, will yield benefits soon.

Looking Ahead

The health landscape in Colombia is shaped by both communicable and NCDs, each posing significant challenges to the nation’s well-being. NCDs such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular illnesses are leading causes of death and economic burden, contributing to premature mortality and escalating healthcare costs. At the same time, communicable diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV remain persistent threats, exacerbated by Colombia’s tropical climate and limited awareness in some areas. These diseases disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, especially those living in poverty and facing unemployment, further straining the healthcare system.

However, the country’s resilient health sector and government initiatives, such as the “One Health” strategy, offer hope for tackling diseases impacting Colombia. By focusing on prevention, treatment, and greater accessibility to health care, Colombia aims to improve health outcomes and eradicate many infectious diseases in the coming decades. As the country continues to navigate these health complexities, effective policy interventions and improved public awareness will be key in reducing the impact of both communicable and NCDs on the Colombian population.

– Zacc Katusiime

Zacc is based in Kampala, Uganda and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fight Against Malaria in Ethiopia

Malaria in EthiopiaEthiopia is still amid its long-lasting battle against malaria, which is one of its most persistent challenges. As of October 2024, Ethiopia has faced more than 7 million cases of malaria. Additionally, the country has dealt with more than 1,000 malaria-related deaths this year alone, indicating that the disease currently shows little sign of slowing down.

Causes

Malaria, a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, has historically been a significant threat to Ethiopia. One notable example is the devastating 1958 epidemic, which affected 3 million people in a 100,000-square-mile radius and resulted in an estimated 150,000 deaths. Ethiopia’s battle against malaria is deeply rooted in its geographic and climatic conditions. The severity of the 1958 epidemic was partly attributed to the harsh natural conditions of the area where the outbreak occurred, where the altitude range was estimated to be between 1,600 and 2,150 meters above sea level.

The country’s varied landscapes, from lowland plains to highland areas, create ideal environments for the Anopheles mosquito, which carries the malaria parasite, to thrive. Seasonal rains, especially in the western and southern regions, such as in and around the Gambella National Park, help mosquitoes breed, leading to spikes in malaria cases. Varying climatic conditions have made weather patterns less predictable, making it even harder to control the spread of the disease.

Combating Malaria in Ethiopia

Efforts to combat malaria in Ethiopia have evolved over the decades. The country has implemented various strategies, including widespread distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs). Further measures include indoor residual spraying (IRS) and access to effective antimalarial drugs. Community health programs, such as the Health Extension Program, have played a crucial role in improving early diagnosis and treatment in rural areas.

Despite these efforts, gaps remain in reaching the most vulnerable populations, particularly in remote regions with limited health care infrastructure, such as the Benishangul-Gumuz state in northwest Ethiopia. Additional challenges are posed following the rise of insecticide resistance among mosquito populations and the potential for drug-resistant malaria strains. This underscores the need for sustained investment in research, developing new tools such as next-generation antimalarials and vaccines and adapting strategies to local contexts.

Ethiopia’s partnership with international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund has been vital. However, the scale of the problem demands a coordinated and persistent effort from local and global stakeholders.

Final Remark

Addressing the socioeconomic factors contributing to malaria transmission in Ethiopia is equally essential. Poverty, inadequate housing and limited access to clean water and sanitation exacerbate the spread of the disease. Strengthening health systems, enhancing community awareness and promoting economic development are essential components of Ethiopia’s comprehensive approach to malaria elimination.

Maintaining a strong fight level for Ethiopia is paramount, as malaria looks like it will be around for a while. The disease is a health issue and a developmental challenge affecting education, economic productivity and overall well-being. By intensifying its efforts and leveraging innovations in public health, Ethiopia can move closer to a future free from the devastating impact of malaria.

– Joe Lockett

Joe is based in the Wirral, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr