Diseases of poverty
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Diseases of poverty are diseases that overwhelmingly affect the poor; in many cases poverty is the leading risk factor for incidence of such disease, and some disease can (or allegedly) cause poverty.
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[edit] Examples
The three primary diseases of poverty are AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis[1]. Developing nations account for 95% of the global AIDS prevalence[2], 98% of active tuberculosis infections[3], and 90% of malaria deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa[4]. Together, these three diseases account for 10% of global mortalities[5].
Three additional diseases, measles, pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases also closely associated with poverty, and are often included with AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis in broader definitions and discussions of diseases of poverty[6]. Finally, infant and maternal mortalities are far more prevalent among the poor. For example, 98% of the 11,600 daily maternal and neo-natal deaths occur in developing nations[7]. Together diseases of poverty kill approximately 14 million people annually[8].
[edit] Mechanisms and Causes of Diseases of Poverty
Due to a plethora of environmental and social factors, including crowded living conditions, inadequate sanitation, and higher prevalence in the sex-trade, the poor are more likely to be exposed to infectious disease. Further, malnutrition and inadequate, inaccessible, or wholly non-existent healthcare can hinder recovery and exacerbate the disease[9]. For example, malnutrition is associated with 54% of childhood deaths from diseases of poverty, and lack of skilled maternal care for childbirth is primarily responsible for the high maternal and infant death rates among the poor[10][11].
[edit] Effects of Diseases of Poverty
Diseases of poverty reflect the dynamic relationship between poverty and poor health; while such diseases result directly from poverty, they also perpetuate and deepen impoverishment by sapping personal and national health and financial resources. For example, malaria decreases GDP growth by up to 1.3% in some developing nations, and by killing tens of millions in sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS alone threatens “the economies, social structures, and political stability of entire societies”[12][13].children die each day from malnutrition.
[edit] Diseases as a cause of Poverty
There are some diseases that allegedly can cause poverty; many of them are mental illnesses that affect socialization, awareness, and intelligence. Examples are autism, schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder, and certain mental damage caused by substance abuse.
[edit] External links
- United Nations Population Fund: State of World Population 2002[14].
- RESULTS: World Health/Diseases of Poverty[15].
- Roll Back Malaria Global Partnership[16].
