Challenges in Health
What remains a challenge in improving health in many low-income countries?
Child mortality
Which major global event accelerated medical advancements in low-income nations?
World War II
Which organization was founded in 1946 to support vulnerable children globally?
UNICEF
What are two characteristics of health in high-income countries compared to low-income ones?
Low infant mortality and high elderly survival rates
How did grassroots activism improve healthcare outcomes in Kerala, India?
It increased accountability of local healthcare systems, leading to more effective healthcare delivery
What are the two most significant barriers to reducing preventable diseases in low-income countries?
Malnourishment and lack of basic healthcare
How did life expectancy change in Mauritius between 1946 and 1953, and what drove this improvement?
It increased from 33 to 51 years, driven by advances in healthcare and vaccination campaigns
What was the main mission of the World Health Organization?
Why do low-income countries still struggle with preventable infectious diseases?
Due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure, lack of clean water, and insufficient public health services
Compare healthcare spending per capita between the U.S. and African countries.
The U.S. spends approximately $8,000 per capita, while many African countries spend less than $100 per capita.
What was hailed as one of the most important medical advancements of the 20th century?
Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT)
Explain how increasing female education helped to reduce child mortality in India.
Educated women were more likely to understand healthcare practices, seek medical assistance, and adopt family planning, thus reducing fertility rates and child mortality
How did the eradication of smallpox serve as an example of global health collaboration?
It involved coordinated vaccination campaigns across multiple countries, led by organizations like WHO, demonstrating the power of international cooperation in eliminating diseases.
How did HIV/AIDS specifically impact life expectancy in Botswana, and what challenges were involved in addressing the epidemic?
Life expectancy dropped significantly as HIV/AIDS affected a large portion of the population, and challenges included inadequate healthcare resources and stigma preventing widespread treatment
How did government policies contribute to the famine in China between 1958-1961, and what does this highlight about governance and health outcomes?
The one-party rule and ill-advised agricultural policies led to widespread famine, illustrating how poor governance can lead to disastrous health outcomes