Reflections of Healthcare Disparities

In countries where Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for malaria, is endemic the average GDP of the country is dramatically less than countries that are comparable in workforce size. With this startling example, the health of the population is absolutely critical to the growth of a nation. This is especially true in the developing world. However, the developing world contends with the unnecessary burden of the world’s major healthcare disparities: lack of proper sanitation, medical supplies and personnel, high rates of both maternal and child mortality, and malnutrition. Neither I nor the rest of the developed world can hide behind the excuse of ignorance anymore due to publications such as the World Health Organizations’ World Health Statistics, 2009. Although many developed countries have good intentions, the response to the developing world has been historically disorganized and fraught with a multitude of issues, such as (never ending) conflicts, political motives, and lack of many nations willingness to accept help. However, non-governmental organizations such as the Carter Foundation and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have begun the arduous task of helping these countries, especially in basic infrastructure (e.g. proper sanitation). Although this is an excellent start, more must be done especially in a world where the climate is changing and population levels are increasing exponentially. Diseases such as malaria, cholera, and many preventable illness such as malnutrition will claim more and more innocent lives. The time for action is not today, it was yesterday. Will we ever be ready to act?