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
There is no doubt that poverty has a direct correlation with increased health problems and subsequent lower life spans. However, legislation in developing countries may not be the best idea; though it is a start. First off, a lot of the things that people do that are health hazards (smoking, excessive drinking, drugs, etc.) cost a lot of money; money that the poor do not have. Second, foreign aid only gets a country so far. So while, these are good ideas, there needs to be a more substantial change.
ReplyDeletePoverty absolute a big issue related to poor health in those developing countries.But in order to cut the chronic disease, it need to take a longer time.Because taking action to address these health issues by taking actions against the lifestyle habits that cause the diseases are not a easy thing to get rip of . For example,smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise, and unhealthy diets need to take time for people changing the bad habit lifestyles.Making some process change is a good ideas for helping people prevent from dead.It was a good start.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt poverty is a social determinant of poor health. Limited access to things such as nutritious foods leads families into making decisions that are not most beneficial to their health. Creating laws and regulations that prevent unwarranted behavior is a step in encouraging healthy lifestyles. Although it will take more to improve the standard of living, especially for those in developing nations, the progress that is being made is benefiting those in need.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that world leaders have come together to vow to but the deaths due to chronic disease. However, anyone can vow, or promise to do something. It takes true leadership, dedication and persistence to achieve and keep the promise. Global health is very slightly improving. However not improving at a fast enough rate to meet MDG goals for 2015.
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