Author: Katherine Parks

SEATTLE — The World Bank recently published its report “Women, Business and the Law 2018”, tracking key indicators of gender equality across countries. According to the report, four of the five most improved economies were in sub-Saharan Africa: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Overall, the report indicated that the largest number of reforms to combat gender inequality were in sub-Saharan Africa. Women in sub-Saharan Africa still face legal barriers to equality. Out of 36 countries worldwide with no domestic violence laws, 19 are located in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the World Bank report indicates that there…

SEATTLE — Iodine deficiency is one of the most prevalent contributing factors to preventable brain damage worldwide. Iodine deficiency disorders are considered a significant public health issue in 118 countries. Two organizations, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the Iodine Global Network (IGN), have introduced salt iodization programs to combat iodine deficiency in developing countries. Salt Iodization a Cost-Effective Way to Lower Iodine Deficiency Iodine deficiency particularly impacts the mental development of children. Brain damage and permanent mental retardation are two severe consequences of iodine deficiency. Without proper iodine levels, the thyroid cannot synthesize enough thyroid hormone. The…

SEATTLE — Over the past few years, El Salvador has had the slowest growing economy in Central America. However, recent pro-business reforms and strong showings from the agricultural and industrial sectors indicate the potential strengthening of the economy. Doing Business ranked El Salvador as one of the world’s most improved economies of 2016-2017. Though the country still faces numerous social and fiscal obstacles, economic conditions appear to be improving. El Salvador’s Economy Economic growth in El Salvador averaged only 1.9 percent between 2010 and 2016. Cumbersome commercial regulations, inadequate levels of international trade, little foreign direct investment and social instability…

SEATTLE — Hypothermia is a leading contributor to newborn deaths that occur after hospital discharge. Bempu bracelets monitor a newborn’s core temperature and sound an alarm if the infant’s temperature drops too low. Since its inception, Bempu Health has helped 10,000 infants with its temperature-monitoring bracelet. In 2009, the number of newborn deaths decreased to 3.6 million. Of the 3.6 million deaths, half occurred at home and nearly 100 percent occurred in developing countries. The average newborn mortality rate in developing countries is 33 of 1,000. In developed countries, this rate is only 4 of 1,000. Bempu Health was founded…

SEATTLE — Approximately half the world’s population is at risk of contracting malaria. In 2016, 91 countries reported cases of malaria transmission. Malaria Consortium supports national malaria control programs in 11 countries across Africa and Southeast Asia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of malaria cases increased to 216 million in 2016 and 445,000 cases resulted in death. Ninety percent of all malaria cases and 91 percent of all malaria deaths occurred in Africa. Malaria Consortium is a nonprofit specializing in malaria prevention in Africa and Southeast Asia. The organization supports national malaria programs by distributing long-lasting…

SEATTLE — Vitamin A deficiency negatively impacts the health of 48 percent of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Helen Keller International’s vitamin A supplementation program treats vitamin A deficiency in developing countries through the mass distribution of vitamin A capsules to children in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. In 2016, Helen Keller International (HKI) treated 45 million children under five in 15 African countries with high-dosage vitamin A supplements. Helen Keller International was co-founded in 1915 by George Kessler and Helen Keller, a leader in humanitarianism during the 20th century. Keller lost both her sight and hearing from an unknown illness…

SEATTLE — Two parasitic diseases, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), are particularly prevalent in tropical developing countries with subpar water supply and sanitation systems. Two programs aiming to increase deworming in developing countries are Evidence Action’s Deworm the World Initiative and the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative. Children are a high-risk group for contracting a parasitic illness. The World Health Organization estimates that 873 million children live in regions with a high prevalence of parasitic worms. WHO recommends treatment of 75 percent of children in these areas to control the spread of disease. A parasitic infection causes severe health problems in children,…

LILONGWE — Malaria remains a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among children under five years old. The Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) aims to control the spread of malaria by funding the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in developing countries. AMF provides insecticide-treated mosquito nets to other nonprofits and government partners for disbursement in developing countries. So far, AMF has facilitated the distribution of 22 million nets in Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Uganda, Togo and Papua New Guinea. An additional three million nets have been committed for distribution in Zambia. This project is projected to…

BRASILIA — In 2014, USAID named Brazil as the partner in its first ‘Strategic Partnership Mission.’ As partners, USAID and Brazil spur development and increase food security in Mozambique, Honduras and Haiti. Brazil’s experience in development offers its unique expertise to the partnership. Brazil’s evolution from an aid recipient to a donor reflects the country’s dramatic economic growth. Brazil has significantly lowered its poverty rate through the Bolsa Familia initiative. This social welfare program provides small cash transfers to 46 million Brazilians living below the poverty line. Although Bolsa Familia is funded with less than 0.5 percent of Brazil’s GDP,…

SEATTLE — Out of all infectious diseases worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) remains the top cause of death. In 2016, approximately 10.4 million people were infected with TB and 1.7 million people died from the disease. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has made the development of new tuberculosis treatment a top priority. The foundation pledged to provide at least $900 million to TB funding by 2015. Tuberculosis Treatment Needs New Innovation Current tuberculosis care successfully diagnoses and cures only 50 percent of patients. The TB vaccine, which has not changed in decades, does not protect against the most common strain of…