In Mali, a desert nation in West Africa, preschool children frequently become ill and die from pneumonia and diarrhea. Into this despairing situation came Project Muso to solve root causes of health problems. The Project supplies education, community organizing capabilities, and management skills to enable community members to overcome the conditions of poverty that cause […]
In 2017 (the latest data available)… 36.9 million people globally were living with HIV 1.8 million were children (<15 years) 75 percent of HIV-positive people knew their HIV status 21.7 million people were accessing ART 1.8 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2017 940,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses TB remains the
This is not a frequently heard phrase. But it’s true. Control of HIV has progressed remarkably since the year 2000. Some highlights include: 1996: Combination AntiRetroviral Treatment (ART) is found effective in HIV treatment 1997: AIDS deaths begin to decline in nations that offer ART 2002: The Global Fund is founded to combat HIV,
Out of sight, out of mind. Regardless of the phenomenon, it’s a fact of human psyche. Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000. Then, complacency and skepticism set it – call it out-of-sightness – and through May 1 of this year 704 measles cases have occurred. Americans are not alone. The Philippines in
What has been the most dangerous day in your life? The first time you drove a car solo? Or maybe a particular football or hockey game? Population research demonstrates that younger age is highly correlated with risk of death. Most child deaths are infant deaths. Most infant deaths are neonatal deaths. Most neonatal deaths occur
Do you recall the history of ancient Israel? Jacob the patriarch was in hunger, and he heard there was food in the land of Egypt. So, Jacob gathered his family, numbering of about 70, and moved them to that nation. Initially, Jacob was warmly welcomed and fed. But then arose a new pharaoh, one who
Last week in Iraq I enjoyed a rare privilege: visiting with a Yazidi family in a remote tent city. The Yazidis are an ancient ethnic and religious minority, and a particular target of ISIS. In 2014, over 400,000 Yazidis fled as ISIS seized the Iraqi city of Sinjar, with thousands more killed or forced into
Health is an ongoing crisis throughout the world. Cost is high and growing. Access is limited for those separated by distance or insufficient finances. And, quality care is difficult to assure. At my presentation today at Truman State University, I stressed to the premed student organization that this is an age for heroes in healthcare;