When we think of the biggest health threats to people in Africa, we think of disease and hunger. There are other health risks looming on the horizon that may be even more of a challenge to deal with. Health threats do not only include diseases, but war, economics, world weather and climate patterns. Poverty and poor living conditions leave thousands of people in Africa vulnerable to diseases like Tuberculosis, Aids and Malaria. The inadequate availability of good health care, and lack of funds to pay for it, cause the diseases to be more serious and more often fatal. Contaminated water used for drinking and bathing leaves the poor people of Africa open to diarrhea. Diarrhea is one of the biggest killers of African children under the age of 5.

The health threats that leave people in Africa vulnerable to all the other health threats are poverty and malnutrition. Much of the poverty in Africa is caused by political upheaval and civil wars. If farmers can not plant crops and be there to harvest them, there is hunger. Constant upheaval causes poverty and brings hunger and malnutrition. Not having a source of clean water and secure housing leaves people vulnerable. When people are malnourished and in inadequate housing, they are more susceptible to diseases like Diarrhea, Tuberculosis, Aids and Malaria. People without secure housing are affected more severely by natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, severe heat waves and droughts.

Tuberculosis, according to the World Health Organization, kills more young people and adults than any other infectious disease. Many could have survived if their governments had been able to provide them with life saving drugs like penicillin and antibiotics. Those most likely to contract Tuberculosis are diabetics, the malnourished, those with Aids, alcoholics and IV drug users. These are conditions found among the impoverished in Africa.

Aids now kills millions of people worldwide and especially in Africa. In some countries it is the leading cause of premature death. Aids can be treated with a drug regimen to save lives, but the African governments are too poor to afford expensive drug therapies for millions of people. People with Aids are 100 times more likely to get Tuberculosis. It is estimated that 12 million children in the Sub-Saharan African countries have been left orphans by Aids. It has killed 22 over million people. According to BBC News, UN Secretary of State, kofi Annan has campaigned for a world fund to fight Aids. Disagreements as to how the money would best be spent (to treat those infected, or to fight the disease by prevention and education) have delayed action on major funding.

Malaria is next to Tuberculosis in the impact it has on world health. It kills millions every year. Though malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes, is a problem in 90 countries, almost 90% of malaria cases are in Africa. There, it is a major threat to child health and a main cause of death. There are effective drugs to treat malaria, but in many countries of Africa, they are just not available and people die. Every 30 seconds an African child dies of malaria. This disease is now becoming resistant to treatments and drugs used.

Contaminated water and other factors of poverty like malnurishment cause many young children in Africa to suffer from diarrhea. It is a debilitating disease that causes dehydration and even death in infants and small children. It is a leading cause of death in children under 5 years old in Africa. Many of these children could be saved if clean water was available and if sick children got the proper medical treatment.

Now climate change is a threat. An important report on the health effects of climate change and global warming by "The Lancet" and UCL Institute for Global Health says climate change will be the biggest health threat in the 21st century. The lead author Professor Anthony Costello said that a global temperature rise of 2 to 6 degrees C would change the rate of transmission and spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever. More people would die from heat, more crops would fail and crop yields could go down. In Africa up to 250 million people would face water shortages. The report predicted that the effects of climate change in Africa could be 500 times worse than in Europe.

It is important that there be help for Africa from the rest of the world to overcome many of the worst health threats to the African people. Stability in the African politics, so that the ravages of war stop and people can live safely is important. Clean water sources for every village and city would eliminate much disease. Getting adequate medical facilities and medications to all the African people would save thousands of lives. Preparations for surviving the effects of climate change could make a big difference.

Background information

Check out these pages/sites for more background information, both on and off our web site...

- HIV/AIDS: A profile
- The Drink Water Problem in Africa
- The UN Development Goals
- Malaria: A Deadly Disease
- Poverty & Health Care: A link?
- Tuberculosis Information
- MedicalGrid on HIV/Aids