IAEA Publication
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published a newsletter about Alan Jackson and his work with radioisotopes to help alleviate malnutrition. Alan jackson is a professor at the Institute of Nutrition at the University of Southampton. he uses radioisotopes to determine various physical qualities of a persons body.
According to the article, he can determine qualities like a persons water content, fat content/where it is stored, and mineral/nutrient content by using safe, low-energy radiation. He says that, "although all people are fundamentally the same, there are important differences from place to place, which need to be taken into account when looking for solutions to problems." In this case, the problem is malnutrition. Jackson argues that this technology will allow people to better suit their efforts or food programs for a particular region to make it more effective.
Although I don't see the data from this work to be worth exposing people to unnecessary radiation for, Jackson brings up an interesting point: "there are important differences from place to place, which need to be taken into account when looking for solutions." Medecin Sans Frontieres, for example, creates what they call Ready to Use Food or, RUF. The idea is that this food is easily packaged and distributed amongst people, while providing all the necessary nutrients to sustain a healthy body. Although it all sounds fine and dandy, imagine giving someone in the Middle East peanut butter, or a pop tart. The RUF's might meet someone's nutritional needs, but does meet their cultural needs? Will they accept it over the foods they've grown up with? Golden Rice is a great example of this. Technically, the beta-carotene in the yellow rice which is not present in white rice would alleviate most of Asia's chronic health problems and malnutrition, but no one is willing to eat yellow colored rice. "Rice is white and will always be white." Will the same thing happen with Doctors Without Borders RUF's?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Bizz-Buzz Blog #4: Malnutrition in Niger
Understanding Nutrition data and the Causes of Malnutrition in Niger
Malnutrition is the greatest threat world-wide to public health. In basic terms, malnutrition is a result of having an unbalanced diet where nutrients may be lacking or over-eaten. Although most-readily associated with regions such as Africa and Asia, malnutrition also affects people in first-world countries such as America and Europe, making it a global problem.
The article linked-to above specifically talks about malnutrition in Niger. Created by a US governmental agency, it was created to not only inform people about the problem in Niger, but possibly figure out why it is happening, and how to keep it from happening any more. The publication cites data and various research conducted about the current levels of malnutrition in Niger, but the exact cause of it is unknown. The problem is not as simple as a large drought. The article suggests that Niger, like many other countries' malnutrition problems, is a result of many problems and very hard to fix: food intake and availability, healthcare access, nutritional intake and socio-economic status. Interestingly, it suggests that the problem in Niger is not one of famine, but a "crisis of access" (11).
As a whole, the article suggests increased monitoring of nutrition in Niger and basic programs to be initiated to alleviate the problem. However, the article says that it is not within the scope of the paper to discuss long-term solutions.
Although long-term solutions are needed to solve the problem, Doctors Without Borders is actively working in countries to help those in need of proper nutrition. In 2006, DWB treated 150,000 children for malnutrition, although UNICEF estimates that almost 20 million children suffer from the condition worldwide. Unique to DWB, they are trying to treat malnutrition with RUF's or, Ready to Use Food. The basic premise is that access to food is limited, which means access to doctors is also limited. So instead of making someone rely on seeing a doctor to treat their malnutrition, DWB is handing out RUF packages. Not needing refrigeration and already pre-packaged, RUF's store and transport easily while still providing all the nutrients and energy needed to form a healthy body.
Malnutrition is the greatest threat world-wide to public health. In basic terms, malnutrition is a result of having an unbalanced diet where nutrients may be lacking or over-eaten. Although most-readily associated with regions such as Africa and Asia, malnutrition also affects people in first-world countries such as America and Europe, making it a global problem.
The article linked-to above specifically talks about malnutrition in Niger. Created by a US governmental agency, it was created to not only inform people about the problem in Niger, but possibly figure out why it is happening, and how to keep it from happening any more. The publication cites data and various research conducted about the current levels of malnutrition in Niger, but the exact cause of it is unknown. The problem is not as simple as a large drought. The article suggests that Niger, like many other countries' malnutrition problems, is a result of many problems and very hard to fix: food intake and availability, healthcare access, nutritional intake and socio-economic status. Interestingly, it suggests that the problem in Niger is not one of famine, but a "crisis of access" (11).
As a whole, the article suggests increased monitoring of nutrition in Niger and basic programs to be initiated to alleviate the problem. However, the article says that it is not within the scope of the paper to discuss long-term solutions.
Although long-term solutions are needed to solve the problem, Doctors Without Borders is actively working in countries to help those in need of proper nutrition. In 2006, DWB treated 150,000 children for malnutrition, although UNICEF estimates that almost 20 million children suffer from the condition worldwide. Unique to DWB, they are trying to treat malnutrition with RUF's or, Ready to Use Food. The basic premise is that access to food is limited, which means access to doctors is also limited. So instead of making someone rely on seeing a doctor to treat their malnutrition, DWB is handing out RUF packages. Not needing refrigeration and already pre-packaged, RUF's store and transport easily while still providing all the nutrients and energy needed to form a healthy body.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Bizz-Buzz Blog #3: Malaria Outbreak in Kenya
Kenya: Malaria Outbreak Kills Hundreds
Although reported on in 2002, there was an outbreak of highland malaria in Kenya. Apparently, malaria isn't common in the mountainous areas due to low temperatures, but when it does happen, large numbers of people die because they have a lower level of immunity to it when compared to people who live at lower altitudes. In this outbreak, over 300 people died within the first month and over 158,000 people were infected with the disease.
Malaria is a disease spread between humans by mosquitos. Although treatable, untreated cases can lead to coma, or death. Malaria is not common in the states, but is well-known and basically a normal part of life in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world where mosquitoes thrive off of the warm temperatures and constant rain.
Apparently, the highland malaria outbreak in Kenya has been so deadly because people who are normally not affected by the disease (people in mountainous regions) are now being affected. According to this article, the outbreak could have been prevented. A Kenyan doctor thinks the governments lack of alacrity to act is criminal: an outbreak of malaria is “predictable, preventable, treatable and curable—but lack of preparedness by health personnel is our crime.” The article goes on to talk about how clinics and hospitals are overwhelmed, don't have the necessary medication, or can't even offer the proper medication due to the cost.
Doctors Without Borders is quoted near the end of the article providing statistics about Malaria. Apparently, 1.2-1.8 million children die in Africa each year due to the illness, and that 8.2 million new cases of malaria happen each year in Kenya, out of a total population of 30 million. If that ratio held true in America, that means 100 million people out of 350 million would be infected with the disease. That's over 1/4 of the population infected. If that happened here, people would go crazy. However, this is everyday life in Kenya.
Although this is only one example of an outbreak, it is clearly a situation where outside help is needed. The Kenyan Government and medical system do not have the resources to handle such a situation, and that's where Doctors Without Borders comes in. During such crises, DWB will fly-in not only supplies, but also healthcare workers to help deal with the situation. On top of that, DWB actively advocates for addressing such issues on a more long-term basis, advocating for long-lasting change that will improve conditions such as access to medical care in Kenya.
Although reported on in 2002, there was an outbreak of highland malaria in Kenya. Apparently, malaria isn't common in the mountainous areas due to low temperatures, but when it does happen, large numbers of people die because they have a lower level of immunity to it when compared to people who live at lower altitudes. In this outbreak, over 300 people died within the first month and over 158,000 people were infected with the disease.
Malaria is a disease spread between humans by mosquitos. Although treatable, untreated cases can lead to coma, or death. Malaria is not common in the states, but is well-known and basically a normal part of life in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world where mosquitoes thrive off of the warm temperatures and constant rain.
Apparently, the highland malaria outbreak in Kenya has been so deadly because people who are normally not affected by the disease (people in mountainous regions) are now being affected. According to this article, the outbreak could have been prevented. A Kenyan doctor thinks the governments lack of alacrity to act is criminal: an outbreak of malaria is “predictable, preventable, treatable and curable—but lack of preparedness by health personnel is our crime.” The article goes on to talk about how clinics and hospitals are overwhelmed, don't have the necessary medication, or can't even offer the proper medication due to the cost.
Doctors Without Borders is quoted near the end of the article providing statistics about Malaria. Apparently, 1.2-1.8 million children die in Africa each year due to the illness, and that 8.2 million new cases of malaria happen each year in Kenya, out of a total population of 30 million. If that ratio held true in America, that means 100 million people out of 350 million would be infected with the disease. That's over 1/4 of the population infected. If that happened here, people would go crazy. However, this is everyday life in Kenya.
Although this is only one example of an outbreak, it is clearly a situation where outside help is needed. The Kenyan Government and medical system do not have the resources to handle such a situation, and that's where Doctors Without Borders comes in. During such crises, DWB will fly-in not only supplies, but also healthcare workers to help deal with the situation. On top of that, DWB actively advocates for addressing such issues on a more long-term basis, advocating for long-lasting change that will improve conditions such as access to medical care in Kenya.
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