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 have a strong opinion on this issue, I work at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, MA and I see all the right infection control and proper ways to handle diseases, infections and childbirth within a hospital and controled well within staff. Then we go home and communicate to our familys, but think about our frineds and people that just dont know about whats going on and what can be done, We need a way to communicate and educate the others. And the cost of schooling is HIGH many want to take on the profession but run into bills for the rest of there life's paying off medical schools. We need to CUT costs of med schools and find a way to get information out to the public. Even if there is a health section in the news paper this is a small step for us to live and a giant step for life.
James, Salem, NH
I found the articles to be a bit hard to follow, with so many unorganized statistics throughout the stories. Part of the solution to the problem, however, would be to educate people in these poor countries to be proud as a people, thus inspiring more to study to become physicians and sanitary engineers, and to revolt if necessary. I would love to see the Globe take on a similar project on educational opportunities in these poor nations.
Drew, Boston
I agree with others that the US should take care of our own problems. I see and hear every night about homelessness, poverty and lack of decent affordable health care for US Citizens. Close the borders and weed out those who are here on a free ride. Once the problem is under control, allow a limited immigration process. Change welfare! Is it true that the welfare card is in 23 different languages? If so, shame on us! We need to take care of our own for a change. If we weren't so focused on the problems of others, we could possibly begin to help ourselves. Certainly, no other country seems as willing to help us as we have been to help others. Birth control/sterilization seems like a great idea for people in those countries too ignorant to make a healthy decision not to procreate. As long as we're not shelling out all the money for such a plan, great.
JLM, Boston
I am impressed beyond measure with the quality and thoroughness of the Boston Globe's reporting on worldwide health crises. This is an example of the media doing what it was meant to do -- exposing truly important issues for public debate and action. Nothing can do more in the long run for these issues than giving them proper media exposure so more people can understand and act. On another note, after reading some responses in this forum, I have to add a few comments regarding the responses. First, a humanitarian crises, whether in America or any other country, is not necessarily connected to any political agenda. As Americans, we tend to often see things through a political lens. Such crises can certainly be intertwined with various political agendas, but a catastrophe is a catastrophe. People are dying in droves and those people don't particularly care much about our political agendas or lack of. They just need help. Second, and very worthy of mention, many people don't know that America is an incredibly generous nation. American individuals, corporations, and our government send untold billions in aid worlwide each year. There is certainly much more that can be done, but we do give a lot right now and should be proud of this. Finally, it seems obvious but worth mentioning. There are so many diverse factors affecting these problems -- history, politics, economics, race, population, etc. Poverty and disease may never be eradicated en masse. But in looking at a crises as a whole, we shouldn't forget that we truly can have an incredible and beneficial effect at an individual level through very small and simple acts of generosity. We may not see it directly, but it certainly matters to the people on the receiving end.
Mark, Concord, NH
I wonder if the vet that died in his makeshift home under the Southeast Expressway felt a need for some healthcare, shelter and food. Lets pose that question to those vets that are still alive, if they feel that money is better spent towards building peace and love than it is to destroy mind, bodies and souls at war.
Suzzanne, Brighton
Thank you, thank you to the Globe for focusing on these crucial issues. One reaction that I had in looking over the section on Sunday was that it seems so overwhelming and often so hopeless. However, I know that there are things that I can do as an American citizen to take action and put a stop to these needless deaths around the world. I have been involved with a grassroots citizens lobby group called RESULTS for the past 10 years. RESULTS purpose is to create an end to hunger and poverty and to break through the thought that "I don't make a difference" in creating a world where children don't die needlessly. If you're interested, we're having an open meeting on February 25, at 7 pm, at the Boston Public Library in Copley. You can also find us on the web at www.results.org.
Anne Marie Vorbach, Jamaica Plain
First of all, I would like to say that picture is just terrible. It was a shock to open the paper on Sunday and see that picture. Second, if we can't take care of our backyard, what makes us experts in taking care of everyone else? We need to take care of our poor and sick people, before reaching out to everyone else.
Michele Vietro, Woburn
I have seen a lot of posts in this forum about population issues and the impact on poverty, disease, war, etc. The UN has a very large organization that is addressing issues of population. This organization has, as would be expected, received a plethora of positive and negative support depending on various political and religious viewpoints. I have no comment on such political and religous viewpoints. I'm just pointing the organization out as an example that these issues ARE being considered. For more information, visit the UNFPA website at http://www.unfpa.org/
Mark, Concord, NH
Maybe this will make some people think... The following is from the UN Human Development Report: (And for all those who don't think this is a valid source and that the UN is some great evil pitted against America, get over yourselves, save your breath, and stop complaining before you start. The US is part of the UN, we helped create the UN, and we help run the UN.) Food, clean water, clothes, education, healthcare, and sanitation for 4.4 billion people: $60 billion/year Someone think that's too much? Okay, how about just food and basic healthcare for 4.4 billion people: $19.5 billion/year And let's put these figures into perspective... The amount Americans and Europeans spend on pet food: $25 billion/year Further, for those who think that we are more generous than France, Germany, etc., consider a few examples: The US gives .1% of its GNI in foreign aid. Germany gives .27% of its GNI in foreign aid. France and the UK give .32%. Sweden raises the bar with .8%, and Denmark tops it off with 1.06% of its GNI dedicated to foreign aid. Yes, in terms of amount, we do give the most money in foreign aid. But that is not what is important, because we also have, by far, the largest GNI. It is how much we give relative to WHAT WE COULD GIVE. You have to look at the extenuating factors. For example, Bill Gates - as generous and philanthropic as he (which I absolutely respect him for) - giving billions of dollars to charities is still not as generous as someone making minimum wage who donates $50. It's all about how much you can afford to give, and what you actually do give. I can't understand all of you out there who wouldn't want to help people. How selfish are you? You're just unbelievably lucky you were born in a country where you had opportunity, where you had clean water, and on and on. Can't you realize that? You think that people in poor developing countries chose to be there? How can you think that your life is worth more than their lives? And for all those talking about Darwinian theories - naturalistic theories such as those ceased to apply to us once we introduced so many foreign objects into nature and began living outside of it. So stop with the 'it's just nature' stuff. Others are dying because a limited number of people in the world hold and use the majority of the resources.
J., Boston
I was glad to see the Globe highlight these issues. One small thing I know we can do is help people in developing countries support themselves so they can rise out of poverty. Micro-loans of as little as $50 can help a family improve its ability to support itself, send children to school, etc. Agencies such as World Relief do this all the time. Another thing is that farmers must get fair prices for their products - e.g., you can purchase "fair trade" coffee in some stores, meaning the coffee growers haven't been shafted so we can have coffee at $3/lb. The question is, can we put up with $10/lb. for coffee if it means the grower will get a fair price on their end as a means of supporting themselves? Maybe if we treated those who supply our greeds the way we want to be treated, it would go a long way. While this may not solve the health problem, it would put enough food into the bellies of a few more children so at least they aren't dying of diseases related to malnutrition.
Kathy, Everett
