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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

El Salvador: Gun Violence, Sofia Wajner May 2018

El Salvador: Gun Violence, Sofia Wajner

Global Issues in Public Health

El Salvador, a country about the same size as the U.S’s New Jersey and a population of over six million people, has a death rate of 5.8 per 1,000. Even after going to war in the 1980s and 1990s, El Salvador is still riddled with everyday gun violence. Due to severe gang activity, the death toll has skyrocketed and police interjection only makes it worse. The leftist government of President Salvador Sánchez Cerén, has opposed negotiations and moved gang leaders into tighter-security prisons, moves that have intensified the climate of confrontation. Plans to combat gang and gun violence has made …


Ebola: Africa, James Goodwin May 2018

Ebola: Africa, James Goodwin

Global Issues in Public Health

In this paper, I talk about the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. Ebola is a rare virus that spreads through the immune system and can be fatal. Ebola is a pathogen from Africa, specifically West Africa. There has been almost 32,000 cases since 1976. Symptoms include, Fever, Headache, Muscle pain, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Stomach pain, and Bleeding/Bruising. Transmission happens during close or direct contact. World Health Organization has been making efforts to handle outbreaks such as the outbreak in 2014. World Health Organization mobilized and set up relief efforts. Education is a key idea for my thoughts on how we can intervene …


Hiv/Aids: Ethiopia, Luzana Girmay May 2018

Hiv/Aids: Ethiopia, Luzana Girmay

Global Issues in Public Health

AIDS is a public health problem that affects the immune system of the human body which results in people getting affected by other diseases easily. This syndrome is caused by a pathogen known as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). There are numerous means of transmissions; some of which are drug use, contact with fluids like blood, semen, rectal fluids, and breast milk but the main mode of transmission is through sexual intercourse. The symptoms of HIV/AIDS include fever, rash, and night sweats. The highest number of HIV positive people are located in Africa, which is about 23.8 million people. Of those …


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 …


Hiv/Aids: Nigeria, Lauren Tropinski Jan 2018

Hiv/Aids: Nigeria, Lauren Tropinski

Global Issues in Public Health

Nigeria has one of the largest prevalence rates of HIV infections in Africa. HIV is a communicable disease that is transmitted by bodily fluids through unprotected sex, using contaminated needles, or mother to child. The most affected populations include heterosexuals who have unprotected sex, followed by sex workers, and men who have sex with men. People will experience three stages of HIV before the last stage referred to as AIDS. Rapid diagnostic tests are used to diagnose the disease. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, people with HIV are given antiretrovirals to keep HIV at a low level throughout …


Infant Mortality: Sub-Saharan Africa, Danielle Rae Steffen Jan 2018

Infant Mortality: Sub-Saharan Africa, Danielle Rae Steffen

Global Issues in Public Health

Like much of the third world, the countries found in Sub-Saharan Africa have a distressingly high infant mortality rate compared to those recorded in places such as the United States and Europe. While there are many factors that play a role in the increased number of infant deaths in this region, lack of access to adequate healthcare for infants and their families is one of the main overarching causes. Although infant mortality rates remain high, there has been significant improvement in infant survival over the last several years which is largely due to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals …


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 …


Obesity, Noah Rhodes Jan 2018

Obesity, Noah Rhodes

Global Issues in Public Health

Obesity is a worldwide issue that can be defined as a non-communicable condition which means that it is non-infectious and non-transmissible and it is defined as having a BMI over 30 even though BMI doesn’t account for the person’s muscle mass which causes some athletes to be considered obese just because they weigh a lot for their height. Diagnosing obesity can be a long process which includes a health history being taken, a general physical exam, calculation of BMI, and measuring waist circumference. Diagnosis of obesity also involves checking for problems such as high blood pressure, variation of cholesterol levels …


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 …


Human Trafficking, Alyssa Noosbond Jan 2018

Human Trafficking, Alyssa Noosbond

Global Issues in Public Health

Human trafficking is a major problem not just somewhere around the world but possibly in your own neighborhood. Human trafficking is a non-communicable disease that is caused by a person being in a vulnerable position whether they are in a foreign country, leaving a place of poverty, leaving for political reasons, or for an overall change to better their life. With human trafficking being a $150 billion industry, there are unfortunately 20.9 million victims with 26 percent being children, 55 percent of the people being trafficked are women and girls leaving 45 percent to be men and boys. Women and …


Microcephaly, Christianne E. Albers Jan 2018

Microcephaly, Christianne E. Albers

Global Issues in Public Health

Microcephaly is a noncommunicable condition causing the head of an infant to be smaller than what is typical. Microcephaly can cause delays in developmental milestones and/or can cause other conditions such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, hearing loss and vision problems. Microcephaly is found more frequently in certain populations of the world than others, specifically those with an increased number of cases with Zika virus. Women need to take preventative measures to ensure their unborn child is safe from the Zika virus. The Zika virus is not the only way microcephaly can occur. Many other causes like exposure to …


Zika Virus, Monica A. Wong Jan 2018

Zika Virus, Monica A. Wong

Global Issues in Public Health

The purpose of this public health brief is to learn about the Zika virus, the epidemiology of it, and possible solutions for the virus. The Zika virus has been present in many places such as Africa, Asia, North America, and so many more. People who live in these affected areas and anyone traveling to these places where Zika has been present is at risk, especially pregnant women or women trying to conceive. While the Zika virus has a low mortality rate, the morbidity rates are higher. Some outcomes may include eye defects, hearing loss, and impaired growth. The Zika virus …


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 …


Type 1 Diabetes, Dan Bornstein Jan 2018

Type 1 Diabetes, Dan Bornstein

Global Issues in Public Health

The aim of this research was to increase the awareness of this disease and show the range of which it travels. Type 1 Diabetes, although not as common as Type 2 Diabetes, is a very serious disease present well around the world. Between the two forms, there are nearly 1.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes each year (American Diabetes Association, 2015). Northern European countries tend to have the highest prevalence of Type 1 diabetes. Younger children on average ages of 0-14 years, are most frequently struck with this disease (American Diabetes Association, 2015). With the given amount of symptoms that …


Childhood Obesity: United States, Jessica Nguyen Jan 2018

Childhood Obesity: United States, Jessica Nguyen

Global Issues in Public Health

Childhood obesity, a noncommunicable disease usually caused by consuming more energy in meals than your body needs, is often due to hereditary causes and the structure of their communities. With the average weight of American children increasing in the past thirty years, parents should be more informed on how to improve their offspring’s development and reduce the likelihood of chronic diseases. The Body Mass Index is the scale used to determine whether or not the child is considered overweight for their height and age, based off of their extra body fat. After comparing the child to the CDC growth charts, …


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 …


Gun Violence: Chicago, Illinois, Kayla Dillon Jan 2018

Gun Violence: Chicago, Illinois, Kayla Dillon

Global Issues in Public Health

Gun violence has been, and continues to be, a significant problem in Chicago, Illinois. There have been several programs in place that have worked towards improving the level of gun violence. One of the most noticeable being Project Safe Neighborhood, which began in 2001. Part of what makes these programs, and programs similar to it, necessary is that it targets the populations most at-risk of gun violence. By targeting these specific regions of the city, these programs can provide the resources necessary to improve the condition of the city in the long-term, as well as prevent the condition from spreading …


Childhood Lead Poisoning, Javeria Fatima Jan 2018

Childhood Lead Poisoning, Javeria Fatima

Global Issues in Public Health

Childhood lead poisoning is a non-communicable disease that has a long history and fatal effects. Although the disease’s source is from a natural element, lead, human handling of lead has affected individuals negatively worldwide. Through the use of lead in everyday situations or items such as in mines, the paint in houses, and lead water pipes, lead poisoning is easily attainable and has lasting effects. The impacts on lead poisoning on children has been investigated over the years and the devastating cognitive and physical impacts of the disease have been studied. This report aims to examine the factors that could …


Prescription Drug Abuse, Jiaxi Tian Jan 2018

Prescription Drug Abuse, Jiaxi Tian

Global Issues in Public Health

Prescription drug abuse is an action that portrayed as misuse or overuse of prescription drugs. It is a prevalent problem all over the world. U.S is a particular country that has drug abuse as a serious problem has several different causes of the drug abuse. In the U.S., most prescription drugs are pain killers. The outcomes of drug abuse vary but may lead to death.


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 …


Type 2 Diabetes, Aj Mimlitz Jan 2018

Type 2 Diabetes, Aj Mimlitz

Global Issues in Public Health

The purpose of this two page educational document is to inform not only educators, but also students about the description of type two diabetes and what populations are affected, the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes, including how get diagnosed and how that diagnosis will affect specific outcomes, and the solutions to how we can prevent or begin to cure type 2 diabetes. This brief project shows plenty of statistics revolving around these main points. Research shows that “type 2 diabetes already causes 5 million deaths per year, expecting to become the 7th cause of death globally by 2030” (Alidrisi & …


Food Insecurity: United States, Courtney Handzel Jan 2018

Food Insecurity: United States, Courtney Handzel

Global Issues in Public Health

Food insecurity is a global issue and has caused struggles to millions of people, specifically in the United States. This environmental issue involves not having the resources to obtain adequate food supply. The economic and social influences that affect food insecurity leave vulnerable populations, such as low-income families and minority races, at a greater disadvantage. This issue causes serious health complications to arise too, the most common being diabetes. The increased risk of diabetes due to food insecurity has been studied on several occasions and the results all show the correlation, lack of food security increases the risk of diabetes. …


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 …