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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Lack Of Access To Insulin Among People With Type 1 Diabetes In The Us, Hannah Randall
Lack Of Access To Insulin Among People With Type 1 Diabetes In The Us, Hannah Randall
Ballard Brief
Insulin is a life-preserving medicine for individuals with type 1 diabetes. Insulin is especially inaccessible in the United States compared to other high-income nations due to patents and production monopolies, insufficient insurance coverage and other barriers to healthcare, and increased use of insulin analogs. As a result. individuals affected by this face a series of challenges, from turning to insulin rationing, and high rates of diabetic ketoacidosis. to a high mental toll. While this remains a complex issue. policy measures may be an effective way to make insulin more accessible for more Americans. Education on the need for better access …
Inadequate Maternal Health Care For Women In The United States, Rebecca Stull Zundel
Inadequate Maternal Health Care For Women In The United States, Rebecca Stull Zundel
Ballard Brief
Although insufficient maternal health care has seen improvements in most developed countries, it is still a rising issue in the United States. This insufficiency may partly be due to the accessibility barriers that both rural and urban women face in reaching adequate care. Additionally, the expenses of maternal care or gender discrimination within medical establishments may dissuade women from seeking the care that they need. Women who receive inadequate care are at a higher risk for maternal mortality, the death of their unborn or newly born infant, and having a low-birth weight child, which comes with many issues of its …
Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers In The United States, Susan May
Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers In The United States, Susan May
Ballard Brief
Adolescent mothers are twice as likely to suffer from postpartum depression than adult mothers. In addition. teen moms are more likely to experience social stigma associated with teenage pregnancy and motherhood. Adolescent mothers also abuse substances at a higher rate than adult mothers, and teen dads are less likely to be involved in parenting responsibilities than adult fathers. These factors associated with teenage mothers cause an increased likelihood of teen moms developing postpartum depression. When mothers suffer from postpartum depression, their children are more at risk for child development problems. fathers are more likely to suffer from depression, and parents …
Wash Practices In Mozambique, Karsyn Britsch
Wash Practices In Mozambique, Karsyn Britsch
Ballard Brief
Although there has been improvement over the years, Mozambique severely lacks basic access to WaSH facilities. WaSH is a collective term for water, Sanitation and Hygiene - which refers to access to clean water, improved sanitation facilities, and basic hygiene materials like soap for handwashing. WaSH is an issue in Mozambique due to a declining number of natural water sources, a high amount of contaminated water resources, a lack of proper toileting facilities, and issues with governmental corruption hindering individuals from having access to clean water resources. These hindrances result in water-borne diseases. unsafe drinking water, bacteria ridden agriculture, and …
Prevalence Of Tuberculosis In Sub-Saharan Africa, Brooke Heaton
Prevalence Of Tuberculosis In Sub-Saharan Africa, Brooke Heaton
Ballard Brief
Tuberculosis is an endemic problem for much of the sub-Saharan African region. High infection rates, caused by high population density and the infrastructure of the living environment, contribute to high infection rates, as well as compromised immune systems from diseases such as HIV/AIDS and health issues like malnutrition . The insufficient infrastructure of medical care and the underutilization of such also contribute to the perpetuation of the disease. Tuberculosis negatively affects the physical health of infected individuals, whose effects can be long-lasting and decrease quality of life. It can also lead to the social rejection of those infected and place …
Violence Against Refugee Women In The Mena Region, Genevieve Cole, Harriet Huang
Violence Against Refugee Women In The Mena Region, Genevieve Cole, Harriet Huang
Ballard Brief
Refugee women of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region are exposed to violence in a variety of ways along their refugee journey. Once within refugee camps, refugee women face high risk spaces for violence, inhibited privacy, as well as unequal gender based power relations between themselves and predominantly male staff. Outside of refugee camps, lack of and improper implementation of cross-border policies allow trafficking networks, authority figures, and other perpetrators of GBV to harm refugee women without fear of repercussions. Victims of GBV can experience a variety of short and long term physical and mental health concerns that can …
Lack Of Access To Maternal Healthcare In Sub-Saharan Africa, Sierra Flake
Lack Of Access To Maternal Healthcare In Sub-Saharan Africa, Sierra Flake
Ballard Brief
Maternal healthcare provides essential care to keep women and newborns healthy during pre-birth visits, delivery, and after birth. In Sub-Saharan Africa, factors inhibiting women from receiving quality maternal care include distance, poverty, quality of maternal healthcare, family dynamics, and cultural beliefs. Lack of access to maternal healthcare has led to severe maternal and neonatal mortality, morbidity, and lack of family planning in Sub-Saharan Africa. Though lack of maternal healthcare is still an issue, significant improvement has been made since 2000 due to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Midwifery and mobile outreach services for family planning are prime examples of practices …
Maternal Mortality Among Black Women In The United States, Joli Hunt
Maternal Mortality Among Black Women In The United States, Joli Hunt
Ballard Brief
The chance of a Black woman dying in the US due to complications relating to pregnancy or childbirth is 2 to 3 times more than a White woman in the US-a disparity large enough to cause the national maternal mortality rate to increase at a steady rate. Challenges influencing this problem include implicit racial bias within the healthcare system that causes negligence, a lack of standardized healthcare to provide quality care in all parts of the US, and the stress caused by systemic racism and its effect on Black female bodies. Maternal death has detrimental effects on Black families and …
Intergenerational Poverty In The United States, Monica Privette-Black
Intergenerational Poverty In The United States, Monica Privette-Black
Ballard Brief
Though the United States is one of the highest-income countries in the world, there are still hundreds of thousands of citizens living below the poverty line. More children live below the poverty line than any other age group. The racial demographic and distribution of modern-day poverty can be traced back, in part, to policies such as gentrification and redlining. School system failures and a lack of access to social capital also contribute to the prevalence of intergenerational poverty. The consequences of intergenerational poverty include food insecurity, birth and developmental issues, unsafe living conditions, and increased risk of violence, incarceration, and …
Low Immunization Rates In The United States, Asia Haslam, Harper Forsgren
Low Immunization Rates In The United States, Asia Haslam, Harper Forsgren
Ballard Brief
Vaccination hesitancy has been a concern for some time in the United States, but it is an issue that has become increasingly prevalent in the past 20 years. This hesitancy and mistrust of vaccinations has translated into lowered immunization rates for children and adults. The reduction in vaccination rates is driven mainly by concerns over safety, perpetuation of misinformation about vaccinations, and the increased polarization of immunizations in the United States. Low vaccination rates can cause serious consequences including re-emergence of dangerous diseases, economic consequences for communities. and furthered perpetuation of political divides. The US government and many public health …
Abuse And Neglect Against Elderly Adults In Nursing Homes In The United States, Erica Bassett
Abuse And Neglect Against Elderly Adults In Nursing Homes In The United States, Erica Bassett
Ballard Brief
Elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes has been publicly regarded for several decades but is likely to increase as the Baby Boomer generation ages Into retirement. Certain demographics are more at risk for abuse and neglect, particularly patients with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Abuse can include physical abuse. psychological abuse, sexual abuse. emotional abuse, neglect, and other inappropriate behaviors. Current internal structures such as poor patient-staff ratios. poor staff credentials, and staff burnout contribute to the prevalence of abuse and neglect against elderly patients, who often are dependent on staff for care. As a result of abuse, elderly victims …
Lack Of Access To Quality Healthcare In Peru, Spencer Hart
Lack Of Access To Quality Healthcare In Peru, Spencer Hart
Ballard Brief
The current healthcare systems in Peru leave millions without easy access to medical attention, many of whom are also living in poverty. It is difficult for the governing bodies to include everyone in healthcare coverage plans and make the necessary medical resources accessible. The lack of qualified medical professionals. in part due to a migration of doctors out of the country to seek better opportunities elsewhere, also contributes to the problem. As can be expected, these and other factors lead to greater amounts of illness and deaths than other countries that have more developed healthcare. These problems have also caused …
Indigenous Adult Illiteracy In The Andean Region Of South America, Alexa Ballard
Indigenous Adult Illiteracy In The Andean Region Of South America, Alexa Ballard
Ballard Brief
Indigenous adult illiteracy is often prevalent in poorer, less economically stable regions, such as the Andean Region of South America, specifically Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. The issue stems from several factors, such as language discrepancies, high dropout rates, and lack of access to quality education. Consequently, illiterate indigenous adults are more likely to suffer from poor health and low-quality employment. Women are more likely to suffer domestic violence and discrimination, and in general, illiteracy for both men and women contributes to decreased civic engagement and economic stability. Several programs currently exist to help illiterate individuals in the Andean Region, such …
Exposure To Toxic Chemicals In Consumer Products In The United States, Cadee Wambolt
Exposure To Toxic Chemicals In Consumer Products In The United States, Cadee Wambolt
Ballard Brief
Many of the consumer products sold in the United States contain toxic chemicals. This is due to a lack of testing and regulation. lack of knowledge of consumers, government-protected trade secrets. marketing and PR tactics, and a desire for cost efficiency and product effectiveness. Because of this, many Americans are frequently and unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals that have been shown to cause various health issues such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, birth defects, infertility, and hormone imbalances, among other issues. These toxic chemicals have also been shown to contribute to environmental issues. One of the leading organizations combating this …
Water Scarcity In The Jordan River Valley, Hannah Klassen
Water Scarcity In The Jordan River Valley, Hannah Klassen
Ballard Brief
The issue of water scarcity is prominent in the Jordan Valley and surrounding countries. and the issues surrounding it are part of a web that is difficult for aspiring solvers to untangle. Natural processes. such as desertification. certainly have their effect. but other issues. including the political crises of the region. rapid population growth, poor infrastructure. water pollution. and the misuse of water resources are also largely responsible for the water crisis. Just as the issue has largely been created by the environment and the people within it, it also greatly affects the environment and people. Many people throughout the …
Inadequate Residential Care For Children In Cambodia, Madison Coleman
Inadequate Residential Care For Children In Cambodia, Madison Coleman
Ballard Brief
Residential care institutions, or orphanages, are becoming increasingly more common in Cambodia. These institutions are not closely monitored by the Cambodian government. causing many children to be raised in unsafe and inadequate environments. The vast majority of the children living in these orphanages have at least one living parent but are being sent to live in an institution because their parents cannot afford to provide for their material needs or their education. The donations of time and money from foreigners. as well as the relative ease of implementing institutions rather than alternative care. also contribute to the increasing number of …
Protracted Refugee Situations In Kenyan Refugee Camps, Lorin Utsch
Protracted Refugee Situations In Kenyan Refugee Camps, Lorin Utsch
Ballard Brief
Kenya hosts over 491,000 refugees fleeing from persecution in some of the largest refugee camps in the world. Though intended as temporary, many refugees find themselves stuck in these camps for years, sometimes even generations, which then grants them the title of "protracted refugee." This perpetuation of a limbo state is brought on from continuing threats in their country of origin, existing xenophobia in public spheres, and an inability to establish themselves economically or socially outside of the camp. Protracted refugees feel a greater sense of social insecurity, increased mental health challenges, and increased vulnerability that can lead to exploitation. …
Public Healthcare Crisis In Venezuela, Valerie Bittleston
Public Healthcare Crisis In Venezuela, Valerie Bittleston
Ballard Brief
The public healthcare crisis in Venezuela has been compared to the emergency status primarily declared on countries at war. Lack of investment in their free public healthcare system has depleted the country of medical personnel, infrastructure, and supplies. Limited to no access to essential medicines and healthcare services have increased the spread of infectious diseases. Venezuelans often migrate in order to seek aid elsewhere, carrying previously eradicated diseases with them. Mother and infant health is of utmost concern as mortality rates are increasing at exorbitant rates with no end in site. The government implemented a public healthcare program in 2003 …
Healthcare Access In Rural Communities In India, Jacob Player
Healthcare Access In Rural Communities In India, Jacob Player
Ballard Brief
Rural communities in India face a severe shortage of access to healthcare services. There is little public spending on healthcare, and what money the government does spend is largely distributed to urban settings rather than rural ones. Additionally, the private healthcare industry primarily serves urban settings. While there is a significant healthcare personnel shortage throughout India, it is particularly problematic in rural areas. Because of this issue, those in rural areas seeking healthcare services must often travel distances of up to 100 km to access them. Healthcare providers that are serving rural communities are often local and have little to …
Usage Of Electronic Cigarettes Among Youth In The United States, Cade Hyde
Usage Of Electronic Cigarettes Among Youth In The United States, Cade Hyde
Ballard Brief
Electronic cigarette usage among youth in the United States has been rising at an increasingly large rate in recent years. Usage rates of electronic cigarettes (hereafter referred to as e-cigarettes) doubled among high school students in a 4 year span from 2013 to 2017. The year following, the percentage of high school students using e-cigarettes doubled again: in 2018, 20.8% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes. as compared to 11.7% in 2017. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently 1 in 5 high school students consistently use e-cigarettes. making them the most-used type of …
Substance Abuse Among College Students In The United States, Sam Lofgran
Substance Abuse Among College Students In The United States, Sam Lofgran
Ballard Brief
College students are one of the largest groups of substance abusers in the United States. Many turn to substances to deal with mental illness and academic stress, particularly using study drugs to help with their academics. Students are exposed to drugs because of party culture and Greek life, where substance abuse is much more common. Substance abuse impacts many of these students' education, leading them to get lower grades and struggle academically. It also results in more emergency room visits due to substance abuse and addictions. Long-term drug abuse often leads to long-term health problems as well. Universities and outside …