Health Problems in the Developing World Edith Han March 15, 2007

Factors Leading to Poverty and Lack of Healthcare Poor country infrastructure Poor country infrastructure Poor water and sanitation Poor water and sanitation Lack of access to foods Lack of access to foods Lack of access to medicines Lack of access to medicines Politics and socio-cultural barriers Politics and socio-cultural barriers Geographical concerns Geographical concerns Delivery of medicines Delivery of medicines Urban vs. rural Urban vs. rural

Total Population

GDP Wealth

Human Poverty

Undernourishment in 2000

Lack of Access to Clean Water

Clean Water & Sanitation More than 2.6 billion people (over 40% of the world’s population) do not have access to basic sanitation More than 2.6 billion people (over 40% of the world’s population) do not have access to basic sanitation More than 1 billion people still use unsafe sources of drinking water More than 1 billion people still use unsafe sources of drinking water Children are a largely affected by burden of disease caused by dirty water and poor hygiene Children are a largely affected by burden of disease caused by dirty water and poor hygiene

Clean Water & Sanitation Case Study: Mumbai Case Study: Mumbai “Urban poor” “Urban poor” 12% in 1961, 51% in % in 1961, 51% in 1991 At point prevalence scale, at least 30% of all morbidity can be accounted for by water- related infections. At point prevalence scale, at least 30% of all morbidity can be accounted for by water- related infections.

Lack of Nutrition and High Incidences of Diseases Case Study: Kenya Case Study: Kenya Demographics Demographics Population: 27 million in 1993 Population: 27 million in 1993 GDP per capita (2005 estimate): $1,445 GDP per capita (2005 estimate): $1,445 Malaria prevalence often >50% in the coastal region Malaria prevalence often >50% in the coastal region Generally negative attitudes towards traditional eating habits, medicine, etc. Generally negative attitudes towards traditional eating habits, medicine, etc.

Lack of Nutrition and High Incidences of Diseases Case Study: Kenya Case Study: Kenya “Prevalence of malnutrition in Kenya” (East African Med J, 1999) “Prevalence of malnutrition in Kenya” (East African Med J, 1999) Stunting prevalence: 37%, underweight prevalence: 27% Stunting prevalence: 37%, underweight prevalence: 27% Problem since the first survey in 1977 shows an upward trend, suggesting deterioration over the years. Problem since the first survey in 1977 shows an upward trend, suggesting deterioration over the years. “These results show that malnutrition is still a serious public health problem in Kenya and requires urgent attention.” “These results show that malnutrition is still a serious public health problem in Kenya and requires urgent attention.”

Lack of Trained Physicians

One physician for every 390 individuals in the US compared with 1 for every 33,000 in Mozambique One physician for every 390 individuals in the US compared with 1 for every 33,000 in Mozambique 1 nurse for every 107 individuals in the US but only 1 for every 2700 in Tanzania. 1 nurse for every 107 individuals in the US but only 1 for every 2700 in Tanzania. There are 24 pharmacists in Angola, a country of 12 million people There are 24 pharmacists in Angola, a country of 12 million people

Geography Physical barriers preventing access to medicine and healthcare Physical barriers preventing access to medicine and healthcare Poor infrastructure, lack of roads, etc. Poor infrastructure, lack of roads, etc. Geographic isolation Geographic isolation Remote, rural areas Remote, rural areas Mountain ranges Mountain ranges Development of new systems Development of new systems Telemedicine (internet-based) Telemedicine (internet-based) Smart phones Smart phones