COVID-19 has understandably been the main occupant of minds around the world. In first world countries, many people have not seen such political, economic, and health disasters. But, in some parts of the world, widespread disease is not new at all, and it’s not the only pandemic going around.
There are plenty of global health concerns besides COVID-19. Some seem obvious, like malaria or HIV/AIDS. But some have made less news, like a toxic goldmine in Ethiopia. All deserve the attention of people and nations that can help. Here are three global health concerns besides COVID-19:
HIV in South Africa
In 2019, it was estimated that 7,500,000 people in South Africa were living with AIDS. 200,000 of those people were diagnosed in 2019, and in that same year 72,000 people died. Though 70% of people receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), the disease remains incurable. It’s prevalence and lack of cure earns it a priority spot as one of the many global health concerns besides COVID-19, but it is not a hopeless endeavor.
Though South Africa has the largest population of people living with HIV in the world, it has made a lot of progress. 90% of infected individuals are aware of their status, and 87% of people receiving treatment were virally suppressed (meaning they do not transfer the virus). Despite this success, rates continue to increase, and disproportionately affect women and young girls.
Despite the uphill climb, South Africa has not given up trying. In 2016, they made treatment for HIV free to all, where it used to be available only to those with advanced infections. This comes after South Africa made pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) available to all sex workers to prevent HIV contraction in the first place. Though it did take years for South Africa to acknowledge their pandemic, they are slowly beginning to make progress in eradicating the disease.
2. Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa
COVID-19 severely affected sub-Saharan Africa’s access to insecticide treated nets (ITN) and malaria treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged nations to resume the distribution of these things, for fear that mortality rates in 2020 may reach 769,000--double the rates in 2018.
Preventative treatments, which deliver antimalarial medication to asymptomatic people, aimed at school aged children has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of contracting malaria. Health officials in sub-Saharan Africa have been urged to heed these studies, but the poverty affecting the region limits progress.
90% of global malaria deaths happen in Sub-Saharan Africa, and of that figure, 78% of victims are children. Malaria is a treatable condition, but those most susceptible to it usually live in a state of poverty, unable to afford treatment. Malaria in sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most pressing global health concerns besides COVID-19.
3. Toxic gold mine in Ethiopia
Gold mining is an important industry in Ethiopia. The export of gold and similar minerals makes up 7-10% of Ethiopia’s export earnings. Hundreds of thousands of people are employed in the mines, both skilled and unskilled. The practice dates back thousands of years, and continues to this day.
But, in Ethiopia’s most populous region, Oromia, a gold mine has released harmful contaminants that are disrupting the lives of citizens severely. Since the Lega Dembi mine opened, birth defects in the region have increased significantly, women have many miscarriages, men faint from weakness, and cattle have brittle, breakable bones. Residents say there was no warning, and the state of the situation leaves some to believe they are cursed.
The mine was considered so toxic that it was a violation of human rights. After pushback from the citizens, it was temporarily shut down, but there was no accountability or treatment for those affected. There remains doubt that the water and air is clean however, and residents anticipate that the mine will be reopened. In August 2020, mine workers were asked to attend a meeting, cementing this assumption.
The COVID-19 pandemic has upset the health of nations globally, no matter the resources a country has. But, it has also overshadowed some pressing issues. Anywhere that people are suffering deserves attention, and there are many pressing global health concerns besides COVID-19.
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