Discuss the risk factors of disease in developing countries.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

When we think of risk factors for diseases, we usually think of things that are under the control of an individual (such as smoking cessation, healthy eating, and getting enough physical activity. Although numerous risk factors are known for diseases that occur frequently in developing countries, many of these risk factors rely on public health infrastructure rather than a change in individual behavior. Examples are access to medicines, clean water and air, sanitation, food, and preventive measures (such as nets for malaria prevention). To combat this problem globally and help countries get the most out of limited resources, a collaborative effort from about 200 countries produced a project designed to highlight major preventable problems in developing countries. The result was the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). While these goals are more general in scope than specific diseases, they address topics that account for disproportionate morbidity in developing countries. By focusing attention and resources in these eight specific areas, resources could be combined and progress could be tracked. The eight general areas include goals to: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.