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Earth Day 2010 Impacting World Health
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April 22nd, 2010Environment, Health, Population
This Earth Day is an important time to reflect on not only climate change, but its effects—including poverty and disease. According to USAID, it is anticipated that the world’s population will increase by 50 percent by 2050; 99 percent of this growth will take place in developing countries, and more than 90 percent of the growth comprises the poorest individuals of these countries.Organizations such as Population Services International (PSI) are champions in combating the effects of climate change preventing HIV, unintended pregnancies and death from malaria and diarrhea.
Watch Anna Kournikova, former tennis star and PSI Ambassador, as she visits Haiti as part of a public-awareness campaign.
10 Population Health Facts
- Between 1995 and 2005 alone, the urban population of developing countries grew an average of 1.2 million people per week or around 165,000 people per day.
- Evidence from 47 countries on child health outcomes shows higher socioeconomic inequality in urban areas compared to rural areas.
- One in three urban dwellers or 1 billion people worldwide lives in slums.
- Around 32 percent of urban residents in developing regions lack improved sanitation. Globally, it is estimated that 3 percent of all deaths and most diarrheal disease are attributable to the lack of improved drinking water sources, sanitation, and adequate hygiene.
- About 25 percent of city dwellers in developing countries and 70 percent in least developed countries use solid fuels for heating and cooking, causing indoor pollution. This greatly increases the risks of respiratory disease, especially in children, and exacerbates outdoor air pollution.
- Tuberculosis (TB) incidence is much higher in big cities. In New York City, TB incidence is four times the national average. Incidence of TB in some parts of London is as high or higher than in China. The situation is no different in resource-poor countries: 45 percent of TB cases in Guinea live in Conakry; 83 percent of TB cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo live in cities.
- Developing country cities are particularly vulnerable to health hazards from climate change. In particular, the coastal location of many major cities makes populations more vulnerable to extreme weather and rising sea levels. Heat waves also place cities at risk of the “heat island’ effect, where temperatures may be as much as 41°-52° F (5-11° C) warmer than surrounding rural areas due to dense urban geography and energy sources.
- Prevalence of HIV in generalized epidemics is generally higher in urban areas; population-based household surveys indicate that prevalence is 1.7 times higher in urban than in rural areas.
- The rapid growth of cities has increased the visibility of unequal access to skilled care at birth and to emergency care for urban women.
Source: Knowledge Network on Urban Settings report, the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health
28 responses to “Earth Day 2010 Impacting World Health” 
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Wow…sounds like their doing great work. Thank you Ashley Arnold for keeping us informed about improvements for women in Central America. Its great to know that there is something we can all do about this.
– Alex
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Les Anderson April 27th, 2010 at 12:40
Great project. “Bringing health to vulnerable women and girls, no matter where they are” is a worthwhile project. Thanks for sharing!
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Kyle Rogers April 27th, 2010 at 12:43
Really good stuff. Hopefully this group gets a ton of support. Thanks for spreading the word about this Ashley!
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Kristen April 27th, 2010 at 12:43
Very Interesting and we all support these global efforts to make the world a better place!
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Jolene April 27th, 2010 at 12:51
Very good stuff I support all who just wan to make a difference in the world…for the good.
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Further proof that it doesn’t take huge money to make a huge difference. Thanks for the info.
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This sounds like a remarkable project… Thank you for sharing Ashley, I would have never known about it otherwise!
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Mollie April 27th, 2010 at 14:27
It is inspiring to hear that the innovative idea of these students will have such a large impact.
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Ashley Arnold April 27th, 2010 at 14:27
This article has now been featured on Mommy Movement Blog! Read the story and check our their blog at http://bit.ly/cJLFeX.
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Eleni Zimiles April 27th, 2010 at 17:18
After recently volunteering in Guatemala this past fall, the realities of rural Guatemaltecas are now familiar to me. These are stories of women who do not have the resources–whether it is a lack of money, transportation, information, available time, energy, a combination of many factors–to access adequate health care. It is inspiring to hear that students (such as those at Rice University) are endeavoring to address issues of poverty and unequal development, as well as to know that organizations like Ashoka are supporting these efforts! These initiatives give me a lot of hope, and I’m so glad to hear about them. Thanks Ashley!
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Cressyn April 28th, 2010 at 10:15
Ashley, this is amazing information and even more amazing work that is being done to help these women in need! Thank you for writing this and keeping everyone here informed about the lack of medical care and the uprising need for medical service in these countries. Good work!!!
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Ashley Muench April 28th, 2010 at 10:27
This is SUCH a great cause, Ashley! Thanks so much for writing about it!
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Aashika Damodar April 28th, 2010 at 12:12
This is fantastic work Ashley! Thanks for sharing and keeping us updated on your life!
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Chelsea April 28th, 2010 at 12:30
Very informative. This sounds like a great idea and hopes it catches on!
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Carmen April 29th, 2010 at 13:48
Wow. This is an amazing and wonderful project to be able to reach the remote areas and bring health and healing for preventable and treatable diseases.
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Deborah April 30th, 2010 at 11:40
You’ve brought to light a very important issue in both an informative and interesting manner. Continue the great work–women everywhere need your help. Good luck and success in the future!
Alex Gentry April 27th, 2010 at 12:27