Global Health Unfiltered Blog
The Silent Pandemic: Why Non-Communicable Diseases Deserve Global Attention
What if the biggest global health threat wasn’t a virus, but our own lifestyle choices? Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are responsible for most deaths worldwide, yet they don’t spark the same urgency as infectious outbreaks. As these diseases surge especially in low- and middle-income countries, can we afford to keep ignoring this silent pandemic?
Navigating Health and Climate Inequities in India: Bridging the Divide
Paradoxically, India’s drive for modernization—factories, vehicles, and construction—fuels the very pollutants poisoning its air. The burden of this pollution disproportionately affects poorer communities near industrial zones, while wealthier neighborhoods enjoy cleaner air and better healthcare access.
A Simple Way to Prevent Birth Defects
Imagine a world where a simple addition to our daily diet could prevent severe birth defects. This is the promise of folic acid fortification, a topic that sparked intense debate at the recent International Society for Paediatric Neurosurgeons Conference in Accra, Ghana. As an aspiring pediatrician, I was thrilled to be part of these crucial conversations.
AfroPRS: A New Era for Plastic Surgery in Africa
Recognizing the plastic and reconstructive surgery gap in Africa, we founded the Association of Future African Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AfroPRS). Our mission is to address the specialist workforce deficit and counter the media misconceptions surrounding the field.
Secondhand Suffering: A Global Call for Clean Air
The hospitality industry's creation of "smoking zones" normalizes the act, attracting new smokers and creating a dangerous environment for staff and patrons alike. This deliberate normalization contradicts Ghana's public health goals and existing legislation.
Q&A: Revolutionizing musculoskeletal sarcoma treatment in Kenya
Breathe In, Breathe Out: Air Pollution and Inequity
Even though every one of India's 1.4 billion residents resides in regions where they breathe unhealthy air that exceeds the air-quality guideline set by the World Health Organization, the marginalized and disadvantaged communities face the disproportionate effect of such high levels of air pollution.
Malnutrition Among Cleft Patients: A Neglected Burden in Low and Middle-Income Countries
Bottling a Genie: Insulin Access in Low-Income Countries
Unmasking the Silent Killer: Cervical Cancer in Africa
Lost Limbs, Lives, and Livelihoods
As I watched him fix my phone, Amidu narrated his ordeal after being discharged from the trauma ward. The realization that his right leg was amputated evoked a mix of shock, sadness, and sympathy in me as I listened to him.
From Lunacy to Mental Health: Prioritizing mental health in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, recently announced the creation of a national mental health task force. What may be routine in other countries is big news here. For the first time, the government is prioritizing mental health alongside issues like education and social welfare.
Safeguarding India and Nigeria’s Future: Exploring Youth and Road Safety
The Future of Medicine is in Africa's Genes
Though improvements in genetic research globally have been impressive, the African continent is lagging behind. This lag is best evidenced by the limited contribution of African genomics to databases - a mere 2%!!! Prof. Wonkam sees this deficiency as a missed opportunity for medicine and science as a whole.