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Tropical Diseases and Their Impact on the World

Diseases are not a one size fits all kind of deal nor are they discriminate. They strike the vulnerable and weak, whether they are man, woman or child. However, in developing countries, the death rates are much higher than those found in more industrialized nations and the odds are quite often stacked against the people in these countries. For instance, babies and children in industrialized nations like the United States are up to 40 times less likely do die from disease than their counterparts in third world, developing countries.

When it comes to the sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world, about 50% of the world's most infectious diseases occur here. Toddlers lead the pack in deaths in these areas of the world because illness is so prevalent. Tropical diseases in theses places have significant impact on many levels.

Distribution of Diseases

The reason why tropical and sub-tropical regions in the world have the highest death rates is due to the number of tropical diseases found here. Poverty reigns in many of the areas like sub-Sahara regions in Africa, forested areas in South and Central America, Southeast Asia and more. This poverty leads to lack of proper waste management and water treatment facilities in addition to lack of proper medical attention and hospitals.

Of course, the climate allows for many types of insects, bugs and arthropods to thrive. These all serve as hosts to a variety of bacteria, parasites and viruses that harbor some of the deadliest diseases known to the world.

Industrialization has really helped lower the impact of disease in certain areas of the world. At one time, the United States had quite a few illnesses like cholera and malaria that have all but virtually been eradicated due to better waste management, water treatment and ready access to medical attention and medications. In addition, pest control like mosquito and rodent problems has also greatly reduced incidences of illness. Poverty really does make a difference.

A Global Look

Positive improvements in water treatment and pest control have not made it to the less industrialized areas of the world, mainly due to economic factors. As a result, there are still millions of people who die every year from illnesses that could have been successfully treated in an industrialized nation. The tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world continue to be hit hard by disease.

Tropical diseases retard the growth of children in many ways beyond the physical and prevent them from truly living their lives becoming productive members of the world. They have no hope or prospects due to poverty. Poverty of many people in these developing countries hinder the growth and success of a nation overall.

A domino effect occurs when it comes to tropical diseases. When the people in a developing nation are poor and sick, they cannot be productive members of their country. And if there are not enough people serving as representatives of their people, then a country cannot succeed. And if a country cannot succeed, they will contribute to world debt and spread their disease across their borders due to their poverty and lack of proper medical attention and education. Only through collaborative efforts of the more industrialized countries working together can these tropical and sub-tropical countries weighed down in disease and poverty lift themselves up and beyond tropical disease.