III. Description of the top prevalent or emerging health problems in both countries
Despite their differences in healthcare, both Haiti and the Bahamas have prevalent health problems. Haiti’s top 10 causes of death include many non-communicable diseases such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease. Most citizens cannot afford the available care and succumb to these illnesses at a younger age as a result. This case study will put more focus on the communicable diseases included in Haiti’s top 10 causes of death, specifically, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium that usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body as well. TB is extremely contagious and if not caught fast enough can spread …show more content…
It is a communicable disease that spreads from person to person through bodily fluids, mainly through sexual contact. When left untreated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS. HIV attacks T-cells, particular cells of the immune system. Untreated HIV can damage so many of these cells that the victim’s immune system can no longer fight off illnesses. A person diagnosed with full blown AIDS usually has about 3 years to live. With quality healthcare, HIV can be managed so it does not become AIDS. Treatment for HIV involves taking a blend of HIV medicines called antiretroviral drugs. Today, an HIV positive person can live a nearly normal life span if they correctly use available medication (“What is HIV/AIDS?,” 2015). According to the World Health Organization, in 2012, about 7,400 people in Haiti died as a result of HIV/AIDS (WHO, 2015a). As of 2014, 140,000 Haitian citizens had HIV; the majority of those being between the ages of 15 and 49 (UNAIDS, 2014). HIV/AIDS rates in the country have been slowly falling within the last 10 years with the help of different organizations. But before these organizations stepped in, Haiti was known for being the Caribbean nation with the worst HIV/AIDS problem. Previous rates estimated about 6% of the population being infected. HIV/AIDS prevention education was not focused on; also, HIV/AIDS victims could not afford the drugs on their own.
HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death in the Bahamas as well as Haiti. In 2012, the Bahamas had nearly 13,000 HIV/AIDS cases reported. According to the World Health Organization, that same year, about 300 people in the Bahamas died as a result of HIV/AIDS. Just like Haiti, HIV/AIDS rates in the Bahamas have decreased within the last ten years (WHO,
Despite their differences in healthcare, both Haiti and the Bahamas have prevalent health problems. Haiti’s top 10 causes of death include many non-communicable diseases such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease. Most citizens cannot afford the available care and succumb to these illnesses at a younger age as a result. This case study will put more focus on the communicable diseases included in Haiti’s top 10 causes of death, specifically, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium that usually affects the lungs, but can affect other parts of the body as well. TB is extremely contagious and if not caught fast enough can spread …show more content…
It is a communicable disease that spreads from person to person through bodily fluids, mainly through sexual contact. When left untreated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as AIDS. HIV attacks T-cells, particular cells of the immune system. Untreated HIV can damage so many of these cells that the victim’s immune system can no longer fight off illnesses. A person diagnosed with full blown AIDS usually has about 3 years to live. With quality healthcare, HIV can be managed so it does not become AIDS. Treatment for HIV involves taking a blend of HIV medicines called antiretroviral drugs. Today, an HIV positive person can live a nearly normal life span if they correctly use available medication (“What is HIV/AIDS?,” 2015). According to the World Health Organization, in 2012, about 7,400 people in Haiti died as a result of HIV/AIDS (WHO, 2015a). As of 2014, 140,000 Haitian citizens had HIV; the majority of those being between the ages of 15 and 49 (UNAIDS, 2014). HIV/AIDS rates in the country have been slowly falling within the last 10 years with the help of different organizations. But before these organizations stepped in, Haiti was known for being the Caribbean nation with the worst HIV/AIDS problem. Previous rates estimated about 6% of the population being infected. HIV/AIDS prevention education was not focused on; also, HIV/AIDS victims could not afford the drugs on their own.
HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death in the Bahamas as well as Haiti. In 2012, the Bahamas had nearly 13,000 HIV/AIDS cases reported. According to the World Health Organization, that same year, about 300 people in the Bahamas died as a result of HIV/AIDS. Just like Haiti, HIV/AIDS rates in the Bahamas have decreased within the last ten years (WHO,