Inspirational Public Health Efforts by Peace Corps Volunteers

Malaria Eradication through Education: The Peace Corps Efforts in Uganda, Africa 

One of the reasons I love learning about public health is because I feel like I can be useful in a world where so much 'bad' occurs on a daily basis. Ever since junior year of high school when I completed a thesis project on the oppression of women in third world countries, I have been dedicated to figuring out ways in which I could 'help'. After taking a number of anthropology courses and talking with advisors, parents, and friends throughout college, I realized that this desire could be best fulfilled through a focus in public health. My public health education has been challenging and exciting and I have learned a lot about the reality of people's health and the disease burden around the world. This news update about work by volunteers in Uganda is inspirational. Despite the global initiative to eradicate Malaria, it is 90% endemic in Uganda and 100% of the population is considered at risk. The efforts by the Peace Corps are one of the many examples of ways to promote public health in the area through education.


The following links are for the article on the Peace Corps efforts in Uganda. They are great examples of creative ways to disseminate important public health information! (Hopefully the originals were written in a local language.)

Current News Update from the US Gov:
http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2013/11/20131107286094.html?CP.rss=true#axzz2jpIaOcb4

To see an online version of the book go to:
http://issuu.com/raegan_albright_spencer/docs/soa_and_the_moka_boky_english_versi#

On Malaria:

Malaria is caused by a parasite and transmitted vie the bites of infected females mosquitoes. Once in the human host, the parasite replicates in the liver and infects red blood cells decreasing their efficacy as oxygen carriers. Due to its dependence on the mosquito the disease is most often a problem in places where humans live in close contact with the environment and there is stagnant water. The best way to fight diseases such as Malaria are through education and adequate surveillance. Although much of the developing world has eradicated the disease through political and individual commitment, it is still a major burden for parts of the global south including parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

ISN'T IT FASCINATING!