8a.2A: Variations in human health and life expectancy in developing world Flashcards
How do we explain considerable variations in health and life expectancy in the developing world
that are explained by differential access to basic needs
such as food,
water supply
and sanitation,
which impact particularly on levels of infant
and maternal mortality
State two serious diseases
Polio and tuberculosis
Describe 5 features of polio
- Communicable, but no cure (causes paralysis)
- Vaccinations since 1950
- Obstacles: - conflict and insecurity in MENA / Pakistan
- Poor monitoring – small undetectable outbreaks amongst children
- Global pathways – migrants from Nigeria / Somalia / Kenya
Describe tuberculosis
- Linked to overcrowding and poverty, poor nutrition and living conditions
- WHO Global Emergency and MDG focus
- Need to:
Diagnose and treat
But watch strains becoming resistant to drugs
And needs funding $2.7b)
What evidence is there of tuberculosis being a large threat
- 9.6m ill, 1.5m dying – largest cause of data after HIV
What is the link between overall health and infant/maternal mortality
- Linked to maternal mortality rates the most
- Child mortality tends to follow
- Overly ‘young’ populations struggle
- Other countries struggle with increasingly elderly dependent populations
Why does life expectancy vary between countries (6)
- strong relationship between life expectancy and GDP per capita
- There is significant variation in the provision of basic services and diet
- Life expectancy is largely driven by infant mortality rates in the developing world
- Health care and insurance levels are highly developed in most countries with high life expectancy
- Lifestyle issues are significant in driving down life expectancies in some places (Russia, southern United States)
- War, civil unrest and the breakdown of basic services impacts negatively on life expectancies in some global regions, e.g. the Middle East.
Why does life expectancy vary within countries?
- Infant mortality rates tend to be high in remote(r) rural areas in the developing world where maternal health care is underfunded and clean water unavailable
- Significant urban/rural contrasts in the developed world but particular ‘black spots’ tend to be deindustrialised cities (e.g. Glasgow, Detroit)
- Significant ethnic variations that are driven by poverty (African-American mortality rates)
State 4 consequences poor health can have on development
- Childhood diseases can lead to stunting and poor cognitive development, affecting education later in life.
- Diseases such as malaria and HIV/Aids reduce the capacity to work, and therefore earning capacity.
- Family members may have to spend long periods looking after ill relatives (rather than working), because health services are poor
- Medical costs use up income that could be spend on food, education and housing.
Describe malnutrition in DRC
escribe most of the population lives in a state of moderate to severe food insecurity, and 40% of children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition
Describe water supply in DRC
the water supply for 47.6% of the population is ‘unimproved’ <- comes from a river, spring, or open pond <- water borne diseases are rife
Describe infant and maternal mortality rates in DRC
most women have their first child before the age of 20 - infant and maternal mortality rates are the world’s highest
What is ironic about DRC
DRC is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of natural resources,
Describe Nigeria’s unique situation
- Nigeria’s life expectancy is noticeably worse than Ethiopia’s despite Nigeria being wealthier and having less undernourishment and better water supply and sanitation.
- Other factors are important, such as the high prevalence of malaria (11% of the population has been infected), poor access to doctors, and high risk of infectious diseases in the densely packed slums of megacities such as Lagos.
