Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Lebanon: Cholera Outbreak, Muhammad Naqvi

Global Public Health

Lebanon is a country that has always been tangled with the ever looming threat of a growing health crisis. With a failing government and massive influx of refugees, mostly the victim of their war torn economy, it seemed inevitable that sanitation procedures would run short. Now the Lebanese people and government face the challenge of the spread of Cholera, a water-borne disease, within the countries vicinity as a result of mass pollution from the formation of informal settlements as well as the country being a hotbed for political instability. These have resulted in limited success in controlling the outbreak engulfing …

Guinea : Malaria, Madeleine Jacobson

Global Public Health

This brief analyzes malaria in Guinea and its impacts on individuals and the society. It consists of a geographic and demographic presentation of Guinea which includes information about its location, climate, natural resources, ethnic groups, politics and social internal and external challenges where human trafficking, lack of healthcare and refugees are discussed. The brief analyzes malaria´s transmission, diagnosis, preventions and a suggestion for an intervention.

Malaria is a vector-borne disease, which means that living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans, spread malaria. 70 percent of all malaria deaths occur in age years, but …

Chile: Air Pollution, Kara Eder

Global Public Health

Chile faces a constant issue of air pollution, reaping respiratory health problems for citizens in urban areas. While the many cases over the past century have increased officials to take action on the issue, the growing infrastructure and economy of the country makes it difficult to regulate harmful emissions. Wood-burning heaters within urban residential areas also contribute to the unhealthy smog. Ingestion of these forms of matter in the air causes respiratory symptoms such as bronchitis and cardiovascular disease. Bans on such heaters and taxes on vehicle emissions were placed in order to prevent the severity of pollutants in the …

El Salvador: Zika Virus, Annalia Fowler

Global Public Health

One of the current issues in El Salvador at the moment is the outbreak of Zika virus and the lack of understanding where it came from. Zika virus affects the population in many different ways. One of the most important ways that it affects the population is that it causes birth defects such as microcephaly and fetal death. In a country that already has a declining birth rate this could soon have grave effects on the population. As of right now El Salvador is working on an educational approach to stop the spread of the disease, as there is no …

Canada: Obesity, Marissa Olson

Global Public Health

Canada is a country with a relatively healthy population of approximately 37 million people. Canada has few major public health problems; however, Canada has experienced a rise of obesity in its population with a higher rise in the adult population than childhood. The male population is at a greater risk of becoming obese than the female population, and people 35 years old and over than below 35 years old. This brief discusses the effects of obesity, Canada’s interventions to obesity such as surgery, drugs, and healthier school lunches, and a possible new method of health counseling or more convenient healthier …

Czech Republic: Diabetes, Alejandra Martinez

Global Public Health

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, a life-threatening disease, continues to grow annually in the Czech Republic and the accessibility of care is at stake. Most of the information and statistics compiled in this brief are derived from insurance companies in the Czech Republic, rather than governmental records, which reflects the need for mass data collection of diabetes accessibility and treatment. In order to understand the public health issue, the public must also be informed and encouraged to visit their doctor for checkups to prevent diabetes and its various complications. The healthcare system could better care for Czechs not only to …

Cuba: Coronary Heart Disease, Michaela Loizzi

Global Public Health

Cuba has a strong health care system with universal health care for their citizens over 40 years old. Despite the strong health care system Cuba lacks the resources necessary to treat coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the country. The country’s whole population is affected by coronary heart disease however the most affected is the lower class due unaffordable treatment. The primary causes of coronary heart disease includes their daily lifestyle such as, physical inactivity, diet, and excessive smoking. It is important to note that the major factors in Cuba leading to coronary heart disease are all …

Andorra: Alcohol And Substance Abuse, Marissa Catalano

Global Public Health

Andorra is a small principality in Europe between France and Spain. Although not many health issues are currently on the rise in the country of Andorra, alcohol and drug abuse has been steadily present for many years. There has not been a ton of knowledge spread throughout the country nor has there been an exploration of solutions for this issue. This is due to a lack in conversation over the topic of health in relation to substance abuse in general. In addition, Andorra has struggled economically for quite some time resulting in low income and poverty, creating vulnerable groups of …

Benin: Malaria, Daniel Priggie

Global Public Health

Benin is a country in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Tago. Malaria is one of the top diseases in Benin, with an estimated five to ten thousand confirmed cases, but the number of actual cases is expected to be much higher. The disease can be potentially life-threatening for individuals who become infected. Malaria is an extremely severe blood disease, that if left untreated can become life threatening. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of the mosquito. The problem has become so severe in Benin that malaria is considered to be one of the high-risk diseases …

Grenada: Cardiovascular Disease, Talayah Lemon

Global Public Health

Grenada has a population of 109,011 people. This public health brief encompasses cardiovascular disease and its impact in the country of Grenada. The country suffers from high level of AIDS/HIV, obesity, diabetes, etc. However, Cardiovascular disease is very prevalent in Grenada. About 34% of the population suffer from the disease. Cardiovascular disease affects the blood supply flow to the heart. Grenada’s health system has provided solutions such as providing adequate health care, but lack some healthcare services, such as cardiology and vascular surgeries. Cardiovascular disease has a huge impact on the population, but Grenada works towards ways to mitigate the …

Bhutan: Human Trafficking, Cindy Osagie

Global Public Health

Human trafficking has been present in Bhutan for many years but has continued to increase along Bhutan’s borders. The reason for this increase can be contributed to the rise of vulnerable citizens. In particular, women and children are extremely susceptible to forced labor and sex trafficking. This brief further details the challenges, political structure, epidemiology, and also the intervention and identification of human trafficking in Bhutan. The increase of human trafficking can also be correlated to the rise in HIV/AIDS in Bhutan. The challenges that has stopped any progress in reducing human trafficking, is the government of Bhutan’s continuous denial …

Kenya: Hiv/Aids, Mckenzie Mcnally

Global Public Health

Kenya is a country in Africa that has been dealing with the detrimental effects of HIV and AIDs. HIV/AIDs are a virus and a syndrome that affects a person’s immune system. It is spread through the sharing of bodily fluids (ex. blood, semen, etc.). HIV/AIDs is a known problem in Kenya, and although the numbers are declining it still affects a large percentage of the population. The spread of HIV/AIDs can be stopped through getting tested, using condoms, and education of what the disease is and how to stop it. Part of the reason it spreads, despite the multiple charities …

Central African Republic: Malaria, Molly Buck

Global Public Health

The Central African Republic faces many social, economic, and wellness issues. The malaria endemic faced by the country is a leading cause of death and impacts a high percentage of the population. Social and political unrest, stemming from government corruption unveiled in 2012, have contributed to current issues, though the country has been unstable since gaining independence from France in the 1960s. Anarchy and rebellion in the region have heightened issues of violence and lack of much needed resources such as food and medicine. Food shortages are seen in this already malnourished area, and violent outbreaks have overturned some medical …

Democratic Republic Of The Congo: Hiv/Aids, John Tworek

Global Public Health

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces a great number of health issues, however, one of the most prevalent diseases within the country is HIV/AIDS. An estimated 122,168 thousand cases were reported in 2015, with the total number of deaths at 19,000, in a country that has a population of 82,804,942. The research done on HIV/AIDS in The Democratic Republic of the Congo looks at the basic epidemiology of the region, how to identify the disease, and major risk factors present. Other major challenges The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces are included, as well as suggestions for preventing further …

Hungary: Cardiovascular Disease, Taylor Steger

Global Public Health

Hungary faces many public health issues. In particular, cardiovascular disease has impacted the majority of the Hungarian people with a mortality rate of 50-60%. The high consumption of fattening food, excessive alcohol drinking, smoking habits and tobacco use impact the entire population’s health status. This disease impacts blood vessels and causes them to narrow or be blocked. This blockage causes blood flow from the heart to be suppressed which can cause heart attacks, strokes etc. Hungary has the highest amount of people with cardiovascular disease out of all European countries. The most impacted people are in the urban areas. This …

Ethiopia: Malaria, Courtney R. Olson

Global Public Health

Ethiopia is a developing country located on the easternmost part of Africa. Ethiopia has a population of around 105 million people. With such a high population, Ethiopia faces a majority of infectious diseases; one of which is Malaria. In Ethiopia alone, there are around 3 million cases of Malaria each year and it is known to be the biggest health risk for this developing country. Because a majority of Ethiopians live under the poverty line, adequate food, water, shelter, and medical services are slim to none. Although drug interventions have been found to be somewhat beneficial, the problem continues to …

Bulgaria: Brucellosis, Austin Wheeler

Global Public Health

In this brief we will discuss how a disease called Brucellosis has affected the country of Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a European country located towards the South Eastern part of Europe. A few points mentioned in the brief are what the disease can do to your body, through education of the disease we can show what a serious problem it is. The brief will also cover how you can contract the disease through animals, and how you can prevent contraction from occurring. The brief also includes a lot about the religious background of the country. This should hopefully be used to …

Bermuda: Public Health Insurance, Maxwell Mead

Global Public Health

Bermuda, a British island territory located in the remote North Atlantic, remains a serviceable country to its citizens. However, it still lacks a national healthcare system: marking it as a difficult country to live in. Despite acknowledging this issue, Bermudan officials have made few attempts to fix the problem. This, in turn, has made Bermuda the highest annual spender on health per capita in the world at $11,952. As such, the cost of living is rather high in Bermuda, sitting at a full 94.86% higher than the cost of living in the United States. All of this makes affording healthcare …

Burkina Faso: Dengue Fever, Jorune Gurevicius

Global Public Health

Burkina Faso is a country located in Africa and surrounded by Mali, Niger, Cote d’lvoire, Ghana, Benin and Togo. As of 2017, it has a human population of 17.3 million. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries and has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. HIV/AIDS, malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever affect thousands of people in Burkina Faso. Dengue Fever is a viral infection, which is spread by mosquitoes to humans. It is easily caught in highly populated areas. On November 6, 2017 it was reported that there have been 9,029 cases, and 18 deaths …

Greece: Infection, Joshua Teets

Global Public Health

Greece is a country that has shaped the western world’s architecture, societies, and governments. They also seem to have some of the greatest internal issues of developed countries in the world with the recent refugee crisis stemming from the Middle East. Greece, a country which already experiences many financial issues, is left with a huge lack of resources and staff to accommodate even their own population. With the lack of health resources and nurses, many short-cuts have led to an unprecedented amount of infection related deaths from the country that created Western Civilization. This brief discusses the causes of these …

The Gambia : Tuberculosis, Amen Belayneh

Global Public Health

Tuberculosis in the Gambia

This brief consists of some general information about Gambia, demographic information, the effects of tuberculosis in the country including the challenges brought forth by the disease, and some personal suggestions on the matter. From the general information on Gambia, we learn the location, political structure as well as major internal and external challenges faced by the country. Tuberculosis is one of the country’s major internal challenges in addition to its environmental and economic issues. Under the demographic information we get a broader idea of the Gambia people by looking at population demographic such as birth and …

Comoros: Malaria, Elizabeth Rennolds

Global Public Health

After human settlement and migration took place throughout the world, a disease known as malaria broke out within many countries. Malaria is a disease that comes from a fever where a parasite takes over one’s red blood cells with mosquitoes being the ones that transmit this disease. The symptoms of this disease are as follows: fever (typical cycles of fever, chills, sweating), joint pain, headaches, vomiting, convulsions, and coma. Malaria is a big issue in the Comoros, an island which can be seen in the Indian Ocean between the eastern coast of Africa and Madagascar, because of the many occurrences …

Bahrain: Cardiovascular Disease, Sandra Morales

Global Public Health

A beautiful island in the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf), east of Saudi Arabia, north of Qatar, Bahrain is home to over 1.5 million people. The diverse population consists of Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Asians, Africans, and so much more. Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy. The current commander of the Bahrain defense force is Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. For the most part, Bahrainis have political freedoms. However, one major problem Bahrainis face, in particular men, is cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease accounted for 34% of deaths in 2002. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Bahrain. Obesity and inactivity …

Guinea-Bissau: Hiv/Aids, Matt Macarthur

Global Public Health

This public health brief investigates the concern of HIV/AIDS in Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau is a low-income country run by a semi-presidential government. The government has been very unstable since its formation. A variety of internal conflicts have limited the effectiveness of the government. As a result, there is little money to provide proper treatment for individuals with HIV/AIDS. It is important to get tested for this condition as soon as symptoms occur, but due to limited resources that is not always possible. Guinea-Bissau has a very high fertility rate compared to other countries worldwide, this allows for a high mother-to-child transmission …

Myanmar: Malaria, Michelle Grevengoed

Global Public Health

Myanmar is an underdeveloped country that struggles with the problem of lack of medical access and expensive healthcare. The endemic of Malaria has been going on for several years in this country and many efforts have been made to try and decrease the Public Health issue. However, Myanmar still has the highest number of Malaria-related deaths. The Myanmar government is continuously working at improving the healthcare system to help with the Malaria endemic. However, the poor country still continues to struggle with this issue. The parasite, P. falciparum, has been an ongoing issue since it is resistant to the …

Eritrea: Malaria, Michael Tirabasso

Global Public Health

Eritrea has always been one of the most poverty struck countries in the world. Due to the country's poor conditions, the people of Eritrea are prone to sickness. One of the most common diseases in Eritrea is Malaria. Eritrea has been a high risk country for Malaria for years and is improving ever so slowly. Health officials are enforcing mosquito nets, pesticides and other mosquito control methods to reduce the damage Malaria does to the country. Within this short report you will find solutions that the people of Eritrea are doing to help this epidemic along with other issues.

Somalia: Rift Valley Fever, Alyson Meeks

Global Public Health

This walks readers through the basic demographics of Somalia, a country located in the horn of Africa. After learning about the government in Somalia and the problems that the people of the country face, this focuses on the problem of Rift Valley Fever. Rift Valley Fever is a virus that year after year strikes Somalia and surrounding countries. Weather patterns seem to help predict when Rift Valley Fever will be at the highest risk for an outbreak. This outlines the steps the current government and people are trying to take to help prevent outbreaks of RVF. But the solutions currently …

Slovenia: Cardiovascular Disease, Natalia Pinto

Global Public Health

Though the rates of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases in Slovenia have decreased, this is still the leading cause of death in the country. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Europe in general as well. Various forms of heart disease have the highest rate of death within the country as a whole. As Slovenia continues to educate its population on how to prevent and be cautious when dealing with this disease, the people of Slovenia will suffer less from cardiovascular diseases.This report will discuss the challenges of Cardiovascular disease in Slovenia, the frequency of the disease and …

French Polynesia: Chikungunya Virus And Fever, Chase Spicer

Global Public Health

French Polynesia, a country with very a tropical climate, consists of 118 islands in the middle of the ocean and they are all completely controlled by the nation of France. French Polynesia is a very different nation than most in a lot of ways. The aspects and culture of the people who live here are very different because they are mainly only influenced from people of neighboring islands. This place is also very interesting because of the past political corruption that has occurred, the very fluctuating economy and job market, a variety of religious beliefs, and the fact that they …

Lithuania: Cervical Cancer, Samantha Dinglasan

Global Public Health

Lithuania is an upper middle income country but is one of the poorest of the countries in the EU. This country is run by a Unitary Semi-Presidential Representative Republic and has a population of just under 3 million people. Due to the poor healthcare system and corruption, Lithuania has several different concerns for their population health and cervical cancer is one of these. This ongoing concern has been continuously growing but there are various studies that indicate a potential decrease in incidence and mortality rates caused by this disease. Vaccines, education, and general awareness has proven to make some impact …