Blog One
Blog One
After taking the NOVA Global Trends Quiz from PBS, a few of the quiz questions and answers truly shocked me. For starters, I was surprised that the fertility rate in less developed countries has decreased from 6.1 children per woman to 3.3 children per woman over the past 50 years. That's quite a jump, and it makes me question why. As technology and medicine greatly advance over time, you'd expect health and fertility to increase, not decrease. This can obviously differ in less developed countries that may not have the advances in medicine as we do in the U.S., but it makes me wonder if these women are getting the necessary health care they need- and if not, why. Do they not have access to it? Is it not a priority? Is it too expensive?
Another question/answer that stunned me is that in the year 2000, the World Health Organization estimates that 527,000 women in the developing world died from maternal causes (during pregnancy or childbirth). Carrying and birthing a child is obviously no easy feat and can be quite dangerous for both the mother and baby, but the fact that over half a million women died from these causes is appalling. The quiz states that the risk of maternal death in developed countries is 1 in 2800, yet is 1 in 61 in the developing world. Clearly developed countries have better healthcare for pregnant women and women giving birth.
Reading that by the year 2025 (which used to sound so far away... but now seems quite close!) population growth will lead humans to consume 70 percent of the Earth's available freshwater is downright scary! Freshwater is obviously a necessity- not only to be healthy but to survive- so we better figure out a solution... and figure it out quick.
The quiz question that got my attention the most was the one that asked how many people in the world are undernourished. To find out that 826 million people don't get enough food to lead healthy and active lives was difficult to read. Not only is that statistic alarming, it's heart breaking! Reading that definitely made me stop and say a prayer of thanks that I have food to feed and nourish myself and my family.
In my opinion, the biggest health challenge facing women globally is accessibility to healthcare and the tools and resources they need to live healthy lives. From healthy, nutritious foods and clean water to educated doctors and medical care, it's clear not only that many women around the world don't have this accessibility, but also that it affects their reproductive health and fertility. One health belief about women that I wish would change is that all women are equal when it comes to healthcare and the accessibility of healthcare. The statistic from WHO showing the difference in the number of maternal deaths in developed versus undeveloped countries (1 in 2800 versus 1 in 61) proves that equality does not exist when it comes to accessibility to healthcare. It also proves how dangerous pregnancy/childbirth can be when women don't have access to proper healthcare. I'm not exactly sure how to create change when it comes to this, but I do know that in order for there TO be change, there must be a global effort to provide women access to basic reproductive healthcare that every woman deserves.
- Mallorie Anderson
Resources:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/worldbalance/tren-nf.html
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/worldbalance/tren-answers.html
ReplyDeleteHello Mallorie!
I learned a lot of new information from your post. The statistics on fertility and maternal deaths are tremendously shocking! These statistics are very alarming and they present a difficult problem to solve. Education and financial supplementation are very important in these situations for developing countries.
Thanks for the insight,
Andrea Mitchell
Hi there Mallorie,
ReplyDeleteYou made some great points in your blog post. I think one of the most important things mentioned is women around the world who don't have access to proper healthcare and how it affects their fertility. I just recently studied African American women and their link to maternal mortality. Unfortunately, I learned that many African American women just aren't taken seriously in the medical or health field. Even after researching maternal mortality, I did not know that the WHO estimated that 527,000 women in the developing world died from maternal causes. That number shocked me.
Thank you for your post!
Karlie Moran
Reading about all this information on Global Trends really surprised me as well. These statistics are very upsetting. I am in shock at learning how many maternal deaths there are in the developing worlds. They have no access to healthcare and are suffering from malnutrition and proper women's health. It really makes you sit back and thank God that our country provides all of these things and allows women with rights. This is so difficult to read about as I really had no awareness of the struggle other women have in developing countries. Thank you for your post. It was great.
ReplyDeleteKyndra Montgomery
Hello Mallorie!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I am also concerned on the healthcare accessibility to women because of their reproductive and maternal health, fertility, STD’s and things that are usually not talked about at home. Not having that information is very crucial for women, it has long lasting effects. I do not know how to create change either but think that by spreading knowledge on how this benefits women, children, and relationships would be helpful. I think everyone, not only women should have access to basic healthcare.
Have a great semester!
Hi Mallorie,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to know you post was very thought out and well rounded. I was unaware of the statistic that you provided from WHO. I think this is important because unequal access to healthcare for women can also influence maternal mortality rates. Also within that statistic just think how many of those women are malnourished. I think what we can do for change is try and educate all populations as much as possible because the first obstacles to overcome is lack of education. Thank you for sharing.
All my best,
Jenifer Templo
Hello Mallorie, I really enjoyed reading your post. I was able to learn more about fertility rates among women in less developed countries and the amount of malnourished people in the world. Its sad to see that developing countries don't have the resources and education to solve their problems.
ReplyDelete