MESSAGE BOARD
Experts say the solutions to the annual loss of 8.8 million lives to preventable diseases, infections, and childbirth complications are within reach. Boston.com users share their thoughts on how to begin to solve this global health tragedy.
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I think the USA and other "developed" nations need to recognize their capacity as well as their obligation to assist with this global problem. It is obvious to anyone with a vision for global commerce, harmony, communication, or (insert your global vision here) that THIS is what will lead us to that end.
Walter, Hull, MA
There are enough resources on this planet to support all of us--perhaps not enough to live a dream life but certainly enough to feed and shelter every human being on this planet. Right now, developing countries are growing expensive fruits and vegetables and exporting them to developed countries. Instead of growing grains to combat the malnourishment on their doorstep, farmers are growing what pays the most money. These countries need to be empowered. The land must serve it's own people. There is no doubt that the US has a huge role to play--if we consume 25% of the world's resources, we have a global responsibility. Suicide bombers aren't rich--they live lives of desperation. Until everyone on this planet has enough to eat--until all human beings can live with the dignity they deserve--there will be no peace. Until this happens, we are all responsible for the way the world is today.
Matt, Boston
Another poor 3rd world country looking for financial support from the U.S. Don't they know by now to stop having sex w/ each other?
J., N. End
Western thinking dictates that survival of the body is of paramount importance. Life is a miracle and the imperative is to preserve it. To die is to fail. The cold facts are hard to accept: death is normal and natural. Overpopulation of any species causes eco-imbalance and a decline of the species as well as others related to it. It is time to question your assumptions and ask yourself: if we are successful in preserving all human life, what will be the condition of those lives when there are 10 billion (human) souls on the planet? 20 billion? 50 billion? Perhaps our efforts should be aimed less at saving bodies and more at improving the QUALITY of the lives that are among us. The inescapable truth is that as the quantity goes up, quality goes down. And to that end, this piece of "journalism" is a sorry excuse to bleed again from the heart.
Ken, Newton
THe Globe and NYT have both done numerous stories on poverty global inequities and published them during Clinton's Presidency. Jean in Alabama can look these up on the online search engines of both papers. You can also find plenty of criticism of Clinton and his administration on those issues. The new Globe article does not place the blame on Bush - but more realistically points out the complexities involved in providing such care.
Stephen , Boston
Reading your article raised memories of the time spent working at Lilongwe Central Hospital as a Peace Corps volunteer several years ago. The conditions at the hospital were deplorable then as the AIDS epidemic began it's sharp rise. I can only imagine it now. The topic of "brain drain" is also one that deserves more attention I believe. There's got to be more incentive for local health care workers to stay in their home country.
Daniel Talbot, Boston
I rather save the environment; if you really want to save the 3rd world people from starvation, please teach them that if they cannot afford kids, then do not have them. Having children is privilege, not a right. With teaching the poor people in the world and in our country, we will have a sustainable population.
Sam, Framingham
AIDS is an awefull thing, so isnt cancer hungar and the list goes on. But ya know ya reap what you sow. The countries of Africa and the bleeding cry baby liberals cant blame the current president. These people have to look inward to their warlords and warlord governments I've spoken with enough people from Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe and these people will tell you the coruption in our government here is nothing compaired to what goes on there. If you speak out your lion meat. Before we in the US or government can be held accountable these countries have to help themselves first. As for the argument more help to Africa instead of bombs for Iraq. I'll nuke Iraq and her people first without hesitation then when that scum is out of the way then we can help Africa.
Kevin, Waltham
its just mother natures way of telling us that there are too many people on the planet. think of how bad things would be if we all lived to be two hundred years old? nature has a way of tryoing to keep things in balance. as cold as that sounds, it's just nature
john, roslindale
We, as a country, have done plenty. Let Germany and France get off their stale rhetorics and be more proactive.
Sergio, Needham
