#10 Disease and Epidemics (AIDs)

Recently we have been discussing the pressing issue of disease, especially in developing nations that lack the finance to support a sufficient health care system that is able to meet the demand of  its people. 

Disease is the number one killer of humans worldwide, over 2/3rds of the deaths each year are disease related. The main cause being diseases related to the Cardiovascular System. Over 17.5million of these deaths are from underdeveloped countries. 

The reason why there is such an alarmingly high rate of Cardiovascular Disease related deaths in developing countries is partly because of the change in diet that has taken place of the past years, cheap food that contains very low nutritional value, that tastes good because of all the fats and salts in it has become the #1 food source for millions of people, mainly because most people can not afford to buy anything else. 

The other reason is one that is directly linked with the standard of healthcare present in developing countries. Many countries simply depend on foreign aid to treat their people, preferring to focus their spending's on military interests instead.   

Disease affects everyone, regardless of race, gender, or even wealth. Although it can be said that those living in developed Countries, with access to doctors, proper medical treatments, and  a sanitary living environment are much less likely to get sick.

The main issue we discussed was AID'S, and the epidemic it has become, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008, 33.4million people were diagnosed with the HIV virus, of these 67% live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although researchers are yet to have found a cure for AIDS I believe that if the conditions that many of these people lived in were improved, and their knowledge of HIV/AIDS expanded, these alarming figures would decrease. 

One solution to this problem would include putting pressure on the Governments of countries that have especially high HIV/AIDS rates, asking them to invest in raising awareness regarding this fatal disease, and to encourage the use of birth control.  

Another solution we discussed helps to raise the livelihood of those willing to work for a better future. This solution is called 'Micro-Credit' and it works through organizations donating small loans (for example $1000) to farmers in developing Nations. This small loan will buy the farmers the tools and resources they need in order to produce a successful crop, overtime they will be able to pay back the initial loan, as well as producing a profit in which they can live off, thus improving their standard of living.