discussion 1

COLLAPSE

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One thing I thought about in the readings was the demographic divide. Why is it that higher income areas have lower fertility and the lower income areas have high fertility rate? This is something I thought would be the opposite, being that lower income places have less access to resources and proper healthcare I would have thought they would have the lower rates and the high income areas that can afford the best healthcare would have higher rates. Which also leads to the lower income places having a growing population where the high income areas have a decline in their populations. What I found while looking into this was;” In developing countries children are needed as a labour force and to provide care for their parents in old age. In these countries, fertility rates are higher due to the lack of access to contraceptives and generally lower levels of female education. Developed countries tend to have a lower fertility rate due to lifestyle choices associated with economic affluence where mortality rates are low, birth control is easily accessible and children often can become an economic drain caused by housing, education cost and other cost involved in bringing up children.” (Nargund G. 2009)

For access to water I think the water kiosks are the best thing. These are water booths with built in filtration system to dispense water. I think these are the best because you can walk up to it and get water that has already been filtered and you don’t have to worry about getting sick from drinking it. The only downfall is that they are not free so those that live in low income areas may not be able to get it. To keep this sustainable they could maybe have these in areas of need where they do not have to pay for it or it is at a low cost. The area I would focus on the most would be East Africa, they out of all the other countries, have the least amount of access to clean drinking water. So clearly they need the most help. “The population of Eritrea in East Africa has the least access to clean water close to home. Lack of adequate household sanitation means open water sources are often contaminated by human and animal waste. Deforestation and poor farming practices also make the problem of water pollution worse.” (Worldvision 2021)

Reference:

Nargund G. (2009). Declining birth rate in Developed Countries: A radical policy re-think is required.

Facts, views & vision in ObGyn, 1(3), 191–193.

Skolink R. (2016) Health Promotion 101

Jones & Bartlett Learning

World vision (2021) 10 Worst Countries For Access To Clean Water

Retrieved June 3 from: https://www.worldvision.org/clean-water-news-stories/10-worst-countries-access-clean-water

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Ruby Navarro

Week 1 Discussion 1

COLLAPSE

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Week #1 Discussion #1

Part 1:

Ask one question from your readings.

Through out this week’s reading, when discussing improvements and goals for low-income countries similarities were lack of safe water appropriate sanitation, indoor air pollution and most importantly education. My question is with all the data and evidence of what is lacking, why hasn’t there been a solution to meet the needs of these countries?

There are various solutions through boreholes, water kiosks, and rock catchments, but what, in your opinion, do you think is the best solution?

I would like to say there is one best solution, however there is not. Many factors lead to failing water solutions. According to (Hunter, MacDonald, & Carter, 2010) poorly served countries will involve increasing availability for domestic use, improving water quality and change water use and management. Stating that increasing access through construction of water supply is attainable but the ensuring the continuance of that system working over long periods of time is the barrier. I believe the best solution will based on the location however there will need to be an assurance of quality system functioning to be the best solution.

How do we make these projects sustainable? Lastly, is there a specific region you would focus on?

(Hunter, MacDonald, & Carter, 2010) reported that Millennium development Goal (MDG) 7 to ensure environmental sustainability to “to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015”. Joining together with WHO/UNICEF they have identified three categories of drinking water supply; A) water piped into the dwelling, plot or yard, B) other improved sources; including public taps, protected springs, hand pumps, and rainwater harvesting; and C) unimproved sources; open water, unprotected from contamination. I think to make obtainable there must be decreased pollution, access to water for domestic use and continue services to allow repairs and funding for fueling. I do not have a specific region I would focus on. Many regions need are the same, but they serve different cultures and environments.

REFERENCES

Hunter, P., MacDonald, A., & Carter, R. (2010, November 9). Water supply and health. Retrieved June 02, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2976720/

Skolnik, R. L., & Riegelman, R. K. (2020). Global health 101. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.