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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Chikungunya: India, Allison Harvey Jan 2018

Chikungunya: India, Allison Harvey

Global Issues in Public Health

A communicable disease is an infectious disease, transmissible by direct contact with an affected individual or the individual’s discharges, or by indirect means. The more direct contact people have, the more disease spreads explaining why larger populations have more outbreaks of communicable diseases. India, in particular, has one of the biggest population sizes and makes them susceptible to those diseases. Many can be fatal. However, other diseases, such as chikungunya, are also dangerous viruses that put specific populations at risk for health problems if infected. With chikungunya symptoms such as fever or rashes may develop. Some symptoms such as joint …


Cholera: Uganda, Emilie Verran Jan 2018

Cholera: Uganda, Emilie Verran

Global Issues in Public Health

The bacterium Vibrio cholerae, when ingested, infects the intestines and causes a communicable diarrhea disease called cholera. Outbreaks of cholera occur in areas with poor sanitation and sewage treatments where fecal material of an infected person contaminates the water. These areas include Southeast Asia, Haiti, and sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda. From 2011-2016, an analysis of Ugandan cholera data showed ‘hot spots’ of cholera cases in fishing communities with incidence rates as high as 120-998 cases per 100,000 people. An analysis of these same districts from 2011-2015 showed an average Case-Fatality Ratio of 2.4%, with the worst district as high …


Low Vaccination Rates: Africa, Karen Ruiz Jan 2018

Low Vaccination Rates: Africa, Karen Ruiz

Global Issues in Public Health

Vaccination is a treatment that produces immunity, protecting individuals and general populations from infectious and often deadly diseases. Low vaccination rates have for a long time been a pervasive issue in the continent of Africa. There are many extenuating circumstances that become contributory causes for low rates of populations being vaccinated. These circumstances can be in relation to the health professionals and facilities that distributes vaccinations, lack of resources in health facilities, false determiners for children’s eligibility, etc. Other contributory causes concern the general environments in which people live. These contributory causes can present barriers for accessing health services and …


Outdoor Air Quality, Taylor Curley Jan 2018

Outdoor Air Quality, Taylor Curley

Global Issues in Public Health

Outdoor air quality is a significant issue for the entire world. It affects any and all people, but is more of an issue in low-income countries and among people that are more susceptible to respiratory issues such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people who already suffer from respiratory problems like asthma. Poor air quality is caused by the burning of fossil fuels which releases particles and chemicals into the air like carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen to name a few. It can cause multiple health issues such as respiratory problems to people who are exposed to …


Climate Change: Antarctica, Marika Vi Jan 2018

Climate Change: Antarctica, Marika Vi

Global Issues in Public Health

Climate change is a public health issue that affects the entire globe. These effects include the rising in sea levels, shrinking of mountain glaciers, accelerating ice melt, and shifts in flower and plant blooming. The cause of climate change is due to what is known as the “greenhouse effect.” This is where certain gases block heat from getting out of the atmosphere. The cause of this effect is due to many factors like the overuse of fossil fuels and overpopulation. The impact of climate change on the Antarctic, to be specific, is that it has been seen to affect the …


Dengue, Edward Ramos Jan 2018

Dengue, Edward Ramos

Global Issues in Public Health

The dengue virus puts one third of the world’s population at risk. Humans carry the virus and mosquitoes pick it up and are able to spread to more people. As long as there are mosquitoes near you there is the possibility that you could become infected with the dengue virus. However, people living in tropical areas that are poverty stricken are much more likely to bit by these mosquitoes and developed dengue fever. Things like mosquito netting and proper plumbing help lower the amount of these mosquitoes from biting people. There are very few treatments for when a person gets …


Malaria: Sub-Saharan Africa, Caroline Morris Jan 2018

Malaria: Sub-Saharan Africa, Caroline Morris

Global Issues in Public Health

Sub-Saharan Africa is the large area situated south of the Saharan desert. It is considered one of the poorest regions in the world; the territory faces many challenges in respect to public health. One of the most important issues that sub-Saharan Africa faces is malaria. It is spread through the female Anopheles mosquito. Environmental factors of sub-Saharan Africa heavily influence the rates of incidence in the region due to high populations of mosquitoes. Social determinants of health affect risk in the sub-Saharan populations. Little access to healthcare, built environment, and education all impact incidence of malaria in the region. Children …


Indoor Air Quality: The United States, Paola Solano Jan 2018

Indoor Air Quality: The United States, Paola Solano

Global Issues in Public Health

Indoor air quality is one of today’s most prevalent public health concerns. It is quite shocking to learn that almost all populations in the world can be affected. We oftentimes expect to be home and be safe, but our indoor environment can also be harming to our health. In certain regions, there is more pollution indoors than outdoors due to the surrounding environment. There exist numerous factors that can cause poor air quality. Some of the most common causes include mold, carbon dioxide, moisture damage, and other indoor air contaminants. Although alarming, there are many practices that can better the …


Water Scarcity: Sudan, Catherine Priebe Jan 2018

Water Scarcity: Sudan, Catherine Priebe

Global Issues in Public Health

Water scarcity is an environmental global problem that will only become more pressing as time goes on. It is a public health issue that affects every continent, although certain areas of the world are facing more serious water scarcity than others such as Sudan. Populations that are more vulnerable to the effects of water scarcity are the poor, women, children, and those living in areas of political unrest. For example, South Sudan’s urban water systems have been damaged during recent warfare. Water scarcity is also an issue that disproportionately affects women who are forced from a young age to travel …