Cadin Barker

Mr. Sabot
English II
December 8, 2015
Global Health Issue
For every thousand live births in the country,(Mexico) there are 28 infant deaths and 34
for children under 5 years of age( Children's Health in Mexico). Poor health and poverty are a
big issue around the world, however the actual type of concern varies within the country. Many
things affect health and the issue of poverty and unsanitary conditions is a major concern.
Many countries dont have the money nor the health care to help the ones in need. But, there
are countries which can provide for their people, yet some of their people take advantage and
create new problems.
In Mexico there is much poverty and many people are unable to get clean water or fresh
foods and vegetables. So, they have to find there own food and drink from dirty water. This could
often lead to diseases such as malnutrition, avitaminosis, anemia, dysentery, and infectious
diseases(Children's Health in Mexico). These diseases usually cause extreme illness and
frequently death. Its pretty much saying that the lack of clean water and fresh food increases
the illness in people. This dire situation of poverty in Mexico is the root of many children dying
just trying to eat and drink water. Also, it exploits the lack of Mexican health care by not allowing
children to get the right treatment to prevent the many illnesses. Much of the health care system
is private and many people cant afford it. The few public systems in Mexico are really not good

enough to save many lives. In other words, many Mexicans cannot afford the health care and
the public health care that is available is insufficient at saving lives. Showing how the Mexican
government isnt really trying to help the poor Mexican people only the upper echelon seems to
be getting the care needed. Finalley, the main issue of Mexican health isnt just the lack of fresh
food and water its the lack of help from the Mexican government.
Another country which has major health issues, is Ethiopia. Their issues are pretty
similar, but on steroids. The conditions are so much worse than Mexico, as a matter of fact, its
one of the worst in the world. Malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS compounded by acute
malnutrition and lack of access to clean water and sanitation(Health Action in crises Ethiopia).
The lack of clean water translates to many diseases. Ethiopians have so little. No plumbing, no
electricity, little and far to reach clean water, their homes sit near their feces, all highly
contributing to many of their diseases.45% of its 77 million people living below the poverty
line(Health Action in crises Ethiopia). Having such a massive amount of people living in such
impoverishment, spreads diseases quicker. These 34.6 million people living without clean water
and sanitary living conditions make the Ethiopian people more likely to get a deadly disease. A
bizarre fact contributing to Ethiopias poor health is that they have more Ethiopian doctors in
Chicago then Ethiopia(Transforming Ethiopias health care system from the ground up). The
lack of doctors in Ethiopia makes it almost impossible to contain their diseases and cure the
people who have them. The few doctors who are there are powerless to take care of almost half
of the country and prevent diseases. Finally, this could mean the lack of the support of the
corrupt Ethiopian government which would not be a big surprise.

United States of America and their major health issues. Unlike Mexico and Ethiopia, America's
major health is not the lack of clean water and fresh food, actually it's almost the complete
opposite it's obesity. Being obese could lead to other major health problems. Being overweight
or obese increases your chances of dying from hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart
disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems,
dyslipidemia and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers(University of Rochester
Medical Center). Americans are abusing their easy access to food and clean water. This means,
that they are making new problem for themselves and wasting food on themselves than helping
others. Also, being overweight is causing other and more concerning health issues. Finally, this
shows that being overweight is much worse than just being out of shape. There, are also other
health issues than obesity. Such as tobacco, substance abuse (drugs/alcohol), HIV/AIDS, and
injury and violence. Americans are not forced into poverty as some countries but they choose to
be with there bad life choices. Next, Americans abuse their healthcare and there somewhat
wealthy lifestyles. Finally, they need to reduce their lifestyle preventing death by shooting, death
by cancer, etc.
.

Though most Americans have access to clean water and food, this doesn't mean

they have good health. Again, low income and poverty are causes for poor health. The foods
available at an affordable price are very often over processed foods which contain unsafe
chemicals, high fat and loads of calories. Fresh fruits and vegetables are not always available
and many times far too expensive.

The Americans which are able to afford a more healthy way of eating often succumb to obesity
because of Americans sedentary lifestyle and bad habits. Tobacco and substance abuse add
to our ailing nation. Even though, Americans accessibility to food and clean water is more
convenient than other countries, they still find themselves one of the unhealthiest countries.

Citation Page

"Children's Health in Mexico." Children's Health in Mexico. N.p., 15 Dec. 2000. Web. 11 Dec.
2015.

For, Resource Mobilization. "RESOURCE MOBILIZATION FOR HEALTH ACTION IN CRISES

Ethiopia." ETHIOPIA (n.d.): n. pag. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION FOR HEALTH ACTION IN
CRISES. World Health Organization. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

"Top 10 Most Common Health Issues - Common Senior Health Issues - Senior Health University of Rochester Medical Center." University of Rochester Medical Center. University of
Rochester Medical Center Rochester, NY, 2015. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.

"Transforming Ethiopias Health Care System from the Ground up." News. The President and
Fellows of Harvard College, 29 Aug. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.