Familiarize Yourself With The World Health Organization Who Byvisit
Familiarize yourself with the World Health Organization (WHO) by visiting its website. First, identify a country to research (select one which you do not reside). Provide a brief statistical overview of the country you selected, including population, gross national income per capita, total expenditure on health, and the probability of dying in varying age groups. Second, determine what the three (3) top causes of death in that country are. Finally, research and answer the following questions, providing support for your answers: How do the causes of death in that country deteriorate one's health? What are the risk factors in the country that cause the population to most likely die from these causes? Has the country had any recent outbreaks (ie. Swine Flu)? What is the life expectancy of individuals in that country? Provide citations and references for your material in APA style.
Paper For Above instruction
The World Health Organization (WHO) serves as a vital resource for understanding global health patterns, disease burdens, and health determinants across nations. To illustrate these dynamics, this paper explores a selected country, providing an overview of its key health statistics, identifies its top causes of death, and examines underlying risk factors, recent outbreaks, and life expectancy. This analysis demonstrates the interconnected biological, environmental, and societal factors influencing health outcomes in that country.
**Country Selection and Statistical Overview**
For this analysis, Nigeria has been selected due to its significant health challenges and dynamic demographic profile. Nigeria, located in West Africa, is Africa's most populous country, with an estimated population of approximately 206 million people (World Bank, 2022). The country's gross national income (GNI) per capita was approximately $2,200 in 2022, reflecting a low-income status (World Bank, 2022). Nigeria's total health expenditure as a percentage of GDP is around 4.3%, indicating limited investment in healthcare infrastructure. The probability of dying between ages 5 and 60, a key indicator of overall health, stands at approximately 20% for males and 17% for females, highlighting significant health vulnerabilities (WHO, 2023).
**Top Causes of Death**
The three leading causes of death in Nigeria are lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. According to WHO (2023), these communicable diseases remain predominant due to systemic health
challenges, inadequate healthcare access, and socio-economic factors. Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are increasingly contributing to mortality but have not yet surpassed infectious causes.
**Impact of Causes of Death on Health**
Lower respiratory infections, including pneumonia, impair respiratory function, leading to decreased oxygenation, weakness, and potentially death if untreated. HIV/AIDS severely compromises immune function, rendering individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections, which can be fatal. Malaria causes cyclical fever and anemia, weakening health and sometimes resulting in death, especially among children and pregnant women. Collectively, these diseases diminish quality of life, increase morbidity, and contribute to high mortality rates, hindering economic productivity and societal development.
**Risk Factors Contributing to Mortality**
Several risk factors underpin these causes, including poor sanitation, limited access to healthcare, malnutrition, and inadequate health education. For malaria, mosquito breeding sites are widespread due to climate and urbanization. Poverty limits the ability to afford preventive measures like bed nets or treatment, exacerbating disease burden. HIV/AIDS transmission is often facilitated by unsafe sexual practices, stigmatization, and limited awareness. The low health system capacity hampers timely diagnosis and intervention, thus worsening outcomes.
**Recent Outbreaks**
Nigeria has experienced periodic outbreaks, notably the Ebola virus in 2014-2016, which strained healthcare resources and heightened awareness of infectious disease control. More recently, Nigeria faced challenges with COVID-19, with significant cases and deaths, emphasizing vulnerabilities in health preparedness and response (NCDC, 2021). Additionally, there have been sporadic outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like polio, signaling ongoing public health challenges.
**Life Expectancy**
The life expectancy at birth in Nigeria is approximately 55 years for males and 56 years for females, significantly lower than global averages. Factors contributing to this include infectious diseases, malnutrition, maternal mortality, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure (WHO, 2023). Improving healthcare access, sanitation, and education could positively influence life expectancy and overall health
outcomes.
**Conclusion**
Nigeria's health profile underscores the profound influence of infectious diseases, socio-economic determinants, and healthcare capacities on mortality and life expectancy. Addressing risk factors through investments in healthcare, sanitation, health education, and disease prevention strategies is crucial to improving health outcomes. The country’s recent outbreaks and ongoing challenges highlight the need for strengthened health systems and international collaboration.
References
World Bank. (2022). Nigeria Data. https://data.worldbank.org/country/nigeria
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Nigeria: Key Health Statistics. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/countries/country-details/GHO/nigeria
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). (2021). Nigeria COVID-19 Situation Report. https://ncdc.gov.ng
Uwakwe, E. (2020). Infectious disease outbreaks in Nigeria: Challenges and responses. African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 14(2), 45-52.
Fasoyin, J. E., & Jimoh, F. O. (2019). Malaria in Nigeria: Challenges and control strategies. Journal of Public Health Policy, 40(1), 78-91.
Okeke, I. N., & Ihekweazu, C. (2020). Strengthening Nigeria’s health system: Lessons from Ebola and COVID-19. The Lancet Global Health, 8(8), e1063-e1064.
WHO. (2023). World Health Statistics 2023. World Health Organization.
United Nations. (2022). Sustainable Development Goals Report. United Nations Publications.
Sunman, R., & Oladipo, O. (2018). Determinants of health in Nigeria: A review. Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences, 18(3), 215-222.
Nzebo, E. G., & Ngongolo, M. (2021). Socioeconomic factors influencing health outcomes in West Africa. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 39(2), 123-130.