Leaders vow to cut deaths from chronic disease

The World Health Organization has plans to target the leading causes of death globally - cancer, diabetes, and heart and lung disease. 36 million of the 57 million global deaths in 2008 were due to these diseases and of them, 9 million individuals were under 60. Out of the 9 million, 80% of the deaths were in developing countries. What the article also states is that many countries are already taking action to address these health issues by taking actions against the lifestyle habits that cause the diseases like smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise, and unhealthy diets.

These statistics just go to show how poverty is a causation for poor health conditions, as such a high number of individuals face death under 60. Also, although many countries have taken action to address the health issues, it is more than likely not the developing countries that have enforced such actions. The more developed countries have health resources, preventative health measures like cancer screenings, enforced legislation like minimum smoking ages, and many other health initiatives in place to combat these diseases. With these factors together, we can extrapolate that there is a greater chance that individuals can live to an older age even with these deadly diseases in a developed country over a developing country.

World leaders are now trying to take more initiatives in both developed and developing countries to address this crisis. Developing countries are taking legislative actions that developed countries have taken already and developed countries are giving aid to developing countries to ease this process.

The article can be found here: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9PSV7E01.htm

Tackling pneumonia in Liberia

Pneumonia in developing countries is the leading cause of death for children, which can be seen in the video clip "Tackling pneumonia in Liberia". This video helps those from more developed countries visualize the poor living conditions and struggles faced in developing countries. What is considered a home to many Liberians would probably be classified as uninhabitable in developed countries. The ordinary things that many people in developed countries take for granted, like a sturdy roof, are the things that are lacking in developing countries, which is why curable diseases can result in high fatality.

Liberia has high hopes for curbing these diseases, not through changing infrastructure, but by administering a pneumoccal vaccine against pneumonia for infants. Although this vaccine will undoubtedly help save a few lives, its effectiveness is still uncertain. One major problem that Liberia will face is spreading the vaccine throughout its population. Many villagers lack viable access to health clinics, and those who do have access may not understand the concept behind the vaccine. Ensuring that an adequate population of Liberia receives the vaccine will be a major hurdle.

The video clip can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/video/2011/jun/10/liberia-pneumonia-vaccine-video

At risk: Millennium Development Goal 4-Reducing Child Deaths by Two Thirds

The Millennium Development goals are a series of goals set by the UN that address the world's major issues and steps towards solving them in the start of the 21st century. Goal 4, specifically, is addressed towards reducing the child deaths by 2/3 from 1990 to 2015. This parallels one of the major issues with the developing world that has been discussed throughout class. The article states that although efforts due to this goal has helped increase the likelihood of survival for young children, lack of access to neonatal care is causing a high proportion of deaths among babies less than four weeks old.

It seems as if solutions to this problem is simple - provide improved hygiene, breastfeeding, and warmth to babies. In the developing world, however, many families don't have the resources to provide these simple solutions of care for their child, nor are they educated to take such measures.

Although the solutions are clearly identified, what seems to be lacking is specific plans of actions to help facilitate the achievement of this goal in just under 4 years. It will be interesting to see how the UN plays a roll in pushing to reach this goal internationally in this short time period.

The article can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/aug/31/millennium-development-goals-newborn-deaths