Unfortunately, there is a high number of children, between ages 0 and 14, living with HIV. This disease in children manifests in health conditions that stem from impaired immunity. The children that have this disease are unable to fight microbes. As a result, they are at a high risk of getting infections. Moreover, children with HIV are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage of their lives. This visualization is evidence of the problem I am discussing today. It shows the average number of children between 0 and 14 years living with HIV in different countries.
As you can see in visualization 1 below, the average number of children with HIV is about 1,950,938. The country with the highest average number of children with HIV is South Africa and the countries with the least average number of children with HIV are Fiji, Georgia, Latvia, Mauritius, and Oman.
One solution to the problem that I would like to propose is putting children with HIV on ARV drugs. In the past, approximately 50% of the children with HIV did not take ARV drugs. Thus, it is vital that we shine a light on this solution that could help increase the span of life for these infected children. Going into the solution details, I recommend early testing and starting treatment from a young age. This will aid in reducing mortality of HIV infected children. In addition, when treatment has begun, the patients ought to take their medications on a regular basis to ensure the highest levels of health possible when they reach adolescence and adulthood.
Plotting the data on a world map, we can identify the countries or continents with the highest average of children infected with HIV. This allows us to know where to start with supplying ARV drugs.
As you can see in visualization 2 below, African countries have the highest average of infected children and are in desperate need for ARV drugs. Therefore, we ought to start with these countries and supply them with the necessary ARV drugs to aid in reducing the high percentage of infected children. Afterwards, we could supply the other countries with lower average numbers of infected children with this disease.
As you can see in visualization 3 below, it shows a comparison between children living with HIV (0-14) and children newly infected with HIV (0-14). As we can see, the countries that have a high average of infected children also have a higher percentage of newly infected children than other countries with lower average infected children.
This proves the validation of my proposed solution. Without early testing and treatment, the number of children getting infected with HIV will increase. Not to mention the fact that about 50% of children with HIV die before the age of 2 and about 80% do not reach the age of 5! Moreover, children with HIV that are not treated with ARV drugs experience many illnesses and diseases.
Hence, the findings/recommendations that I would like to propose is that we should raise awareness about the importance of early testing for children, and then treating them with ARV drugs that have proved to be effective and efficient to a certain extent.
A life without electricity. A world plunged into darkness, where everyday tasks become formidable challenges. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep, electricity powers our lives, enabling us to connect, learn, and thrive. I Am Mazen Harb the founder and CEO of RenewaPower, and our mission is to establish a network of renewable portable power stations across Madagascar, addressing the energy deficit faced by millions of people. This by utilizing clean sources. To achieve our ambitious vision, we will adopt a comprehensive approach. The big Story Idea here is far beyond simply providing access to electricity. It is about transforming lives, fostering economic growth, and preserving the environment.
In the following figure (Figure 1.) we can drag our focus to the countries with the least accessibility to electricity in terms of population percentage. Our comprehensive analysis of global access to electricity shows that African nations face the greatest challenges in terms of population percentage lacking electricity connectivity. By zooming in on the most affected countries, this caption (Figure 2. and Figure 3.) emphasizes the lowest percentage of the population in African countries lacking access to electricity, including the addition of Seychelles for our later reference. The displayed heatmap indicates that there has been negligible progress in electricity accessibility among countries included in our study over a span of 10 years between 2011 and 2020
Contrasting Seychelles and Madagascar (Figure 4. and Figure 5.)
When we examine access to electricity, we find a significant disparity among African nations. In Seychelles, a small island nation blessed with abundant sunshine and breathtaking beaches, access to electricity is widespread, empowering its people and economy.
Seychelles’ geographical advantage has attracted tourists from around the world, fueling a vibrant tourism industry. This influx of visitors has created countless business opportunities, stimulated economic growth and improved the standard of living for its citizens. In contrast, just a short distance away lies Madagascar, a larger neighboring island with similar geographical features. However, the lack of access to electricity hampers its development potential. Without reliable electricity, Madagascar faces numerous challenges. Businesses struggle to operate efficiently, hampering economic growth. Education and healthcare are impacted, hindering progress, and limiting opportunities for its people.
Introducing our Portable Power Supply Stations
In response to this pressing issue, we are proud to introduce our revolutionary solution: Portable Power Supply Stations. These stations harness the power of renewable energy sources such as water, sunlight, and wind. Our stations can be easily deployed in any area, bringing electricity to remote regions and communities in need. By utilizing clean and sustainable energy, we aim to bridge the gap, empowering individuals and catalyzing development.
Brief Conclusion
Access to electricity is not just a luxury; it is a fundamental catalyst for progress. With our Portable Power Supply Stations, we can unlock the potential of communities, fostering economic growth, improving lives, and illuminating a brighter future for all. Together, let us bring light to the darkest corners and empower those who have been left in the shadows.
“Ice storm rolls from Texas to Tennessee – I’m in Los Angeles and it’s freezing. Global warming is a total, and very expensive, hoax!” — Donald Trump, Dec. 6, 2013
The Ex-US president is not the only one who has a hard time believing in Global warming. Many weather fluctuations, including cold weather and floods, may lead us to think that our planet’s temperature is not that high. However, Understanding the science behind “Climate” and how our daily lives affect it, will give you a completely new perspective.
Extreme heat, drought, and dry crops are not the only effects of Global warming. These are merely the HOT weather aspects we might experience. In fact, Climate is a set of many weather changes that fluctuate depending on the location and the time of year, like storms, precipitations, and water temperature. Any extreme change in these indicators is a sign of climate change.
In the Past years, extreme weather has included floods, droughts, increases in heat waves, irregular storms, arctic meltdowns, and increases in coastal sea levels. These were all traced back to an increase in temperature. As we can see in the graph below, our planet’s temperature has significantly increased in the past 100 years and we reached today 1 degree Celsius above the normal average.
So, global warming is the climate change we are facing, but why?
Several causes are contributing to the increase of our planet’s temperature, the most important and significant of them are Greenhouse gases and CO2 on the rise.
The Earth already had greenhouse gases in its atmosphere as part of its natural carbon cycle, and this was before humans ever came along. But since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, humans have been adding even more carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These act like the windows on a glass greenhouse. Some gases in the atmosphere will trap certain wavelengths of energy from bouncing back into space (below highlighted in red), and that trapped energy heat, keeps our planet warm.
The dashboard helps us visualise that greenhouse gases have been on the rise since 1960 without halt. We can also observe that even though the CO2 emission has slightly decreased since 2017, this decrease comes from decline in industry and construction activity. CO2 Emission coming from factories and constructions went down from causing 32% fall CO2 emissions to nearly 13% due to several laws obliging factories to apply stricter rules reducing emission. However, the high rise in CO2 emissions from electricity production (which climbed from 30% to 42%) and transportation ( going from 12% to 27%) which made the positive decrease in industry emission negligible.
Its also important to notice that although environmentalist have been calling upon the human race to implement strategies that reduce pollution and CO2 emissions, the decrease in those 2 monitored values are nearly negligible.
As reasoned earlier, and evident in the dashboard, the highest increases in CO2 levels are caused by the production of Electricity! Yes, the electricity we as humans can no longer live without, is mostly produced by fuels: When fuels are burned for energy, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released as bi-products.
in the below plot, its noticeable from recent data that we are still highly relaying on the oil, coal and gas (fossil fuels) in the production of %82 of electricity, which is considered a still high percentage especially after global efforts to reduce such polluted energy and to rely on green alternatives such as hydro, nuclear, wind and solar powers.
Our reasons for concern come from the more indirect effects of global warming. Long term damage is bigger than what we imagine as illustrated in the below diagram, and it is approaching more rapidly:
The weather effects will surely lead to serious social, economic, and health-related complications, that is why it is important that we all unite in the face of this rapid climate change, and take a stand by conserving energy and calling for cleaner energy sources.
There are many ramifications to climate change, but one thing is a fact: ending fuel based electricity production, will eliminate the biggest source of CO2 production.
Other promising methods of providing electricity, all of which with Zero gas emissions should and can be used instead. they will have low carbon print and will definitely reduce the global increasing temperatures.
With everything discussed, there is no denying that global warming is real. we can conclude that even though producing electricity is currently the largest contributor to global warming, the hoax is assuming that we need to live in the dark ages to avoid the problem. however we must acknowledge that there is a serious need to make a positive shift towards green energy.
Don’t burn your kid’s future. Stop Global Warming.
Infant mortality is a grave global concern, as millions of infants lose their lives each year before reaching their first birthday. According to World Bank data, in 2020, the global infant mortality rate stood at an estimated 28 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The World Health Organization recorded 5 million child deaths in 2020, including 2.4 million newborn deaths, which are considered unacceptable as a considerable portion of these deaths could have been prevented.
Although these numbers seem to be so high, we can’t neglect the fact that it has been reduced from 54 death per 1,000 lives birth in 2020 (World Average) by increasing Health Expenditure which has a significant impact on infant mortality rates. Increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, resources, and services leads to better access to prenatal and neonatal care, vaccinations, and skilled healthcare professionals. This, in turn, reduces infant mortality rates by addressing preventable causes and providing timely interventions for infants in need.
In India, the Infant mortality rate in 2020 was 29 deaths per 1000 live births, which declined from 66 in 2000 by increasing the Health Expenditure. The same applies to Pakistan which decreased the infant mortality rate from 85 death per 1000 live birth to 54 death per 1000 live birth over the last 20 years.
In 2015, global health spending amounted to around USD 7.3 trillion, representing a significant portion of the global gross domestic product (GDP), approximately 10%. High-income countries, on average, allocated nearly 12% of their GDP to healthcare, the highest among all income groups. Conversely, low-income countries allocated an average of 7% of their GDP to healthcare. It is essential to ensure that underdeveloped countries have access to adequate resources to replicate the substantial yearly reductions in infant mortality rates observed in more developed countries. For instance, in 2020, the United States reported an infant mortality rate of 5.6 deaths per 1000 live births, while the United Kingdom’s rate was 3.5
The US has one of the world’s highest HE per capita, reaching up to $11K, which is reflected clearly in their low IMR of 5 per 1000 Live Births.
on the other hand, Pakistan has a very low HE of $38 per capita, again reflecting on their IMR of 54 per 1000 live births.
Healthcare expenditure remains a crucial component of reducing infant and neonatal mortality around the globe. In some countries such as India, Pakistan, and sub-Saharan Africa where health infrastructure is largely underdeveloped, increasing health expenditure will contribute to progress toward reducing infant and neonatal mortality during the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) era. Therefore, governments in the region need to increase the amounts allocated to healthcare service delivery in order to reduce infant mortality.
Despite being a basic necessity of existence, many people around the world still consider access to electricity to be a luxury. According to our data, 32 countries populations have very low power accessibility (below 50%).
They are primarily in Africa. As seen in our visualization
People’s lives are significantly impacted by the absence of access to electricity, which can range from hindering economic progress to limiting access to healthcare and education. The issue of lack of access to energy will be covered along with possible remedies in this article.
The struggles experienced by individuals without access to power are exemplified by the narrative of Fatumata, a mother of four who lives in a rural community in the DR of Congo. The only sources of lighting for Fatumata’s family are kerosene lamps and candles; they lack access to refrigerators or other contemporary conveniences. In order to purchase food and other necessities, people must travel a great distance, which is not only time-consuming but also costly.
The tale of Fatumata is not original. For cooking and heating, millions of people still rely on antiquated and ineffective energy sources like kerosene lamps and wood. These sources not only endanger the environment but also put people’s and their families’ health at risk.
Many options can be thought of in order to solve this problem. Investing in alternative energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower is one solution. These energy sources can be put in remote locations and are clean and sustainable. To promote the use of renewable energy, governments and international organizations might offer subsidies and incentives.
Building mini-grids, which are compact power delivery systems capable of serving a neighborhood or a collection of residences, is another option. These grids can supply dependable and reasonably priced electricity to underserved populations and can be supplied by renewable energy sources. To create and manage mini-grids, local communities can work with governments and organizations.
Last but not least, community education and awareness efforts are required to enlighten people about the advantages of clean energy and the risks associated with conventional energy sources. Governments and organizations can work with neighborhood groups to offer instruction and training on how to operate and maintain clean energy systems.
In conclusion, the absence of electricity is a serious problem that has an impact on the lives of millions of people around the world. However, there are ways to deal with this problem and give everyone access to clean, inexpensive, and sustainable energy, including making investments in renewable energy, setting up mini-grids, and running education and awareness campaigns. We can provide everyone in this world a better future by making investments in sustainable energy.
Africa is a land of vibrant cultures, mesmerizing landscapes, and remarkable wildlife. A land with endless variety that also faces countless difficulties.
If I were to inquire about the primary cause of mortality among young people in Africa, one might naturally assume it to be linked to issues such as armed conflicts or prevalent diseases. However, surprisingly, the statistics present a different reality that demands immediate attention. Contrary to assumptions, the urgent concern lies elsewhere: traffic-related incidents.
Given the perception that Africa has relatively lower traffic volume and fewer vehicles in comparison to other regions, it might be presumed that traffic accidents are not a significant cause for alarm.
However, According to the World Health Organization1, road accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29 worldwide. Low & middle-income countries, account for more than 90% of these deaths. Africa alone is accounting for a staggering 20% of the global total even though it has only 3% of the world’s vehicles 2.
>> The Looming Crisis
As we can see in the graph below based on the World Development Indicators 3, Africa has the highest mortality by traffic in the world, Especially SUB-Saharan Africa with around 27 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to the global average of 16.5 deaths per 100,000 population.
This is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. So, what is causing these alarming statistics, and how can we stop it?
Traffic fatalities have become a major public health crisis in Africa, affecting the entire continent. The loss of life is significant, and it has profound social and economic effects. Lives are lost, families are devastated, and communities lose valuable members. However, there are solutions to this crisis. We need to understand and address the root causes.
>> The Power of Education
One of the factors that may explain this problem is the low level of education in the region, which affects the skills and knowledge of drivers, pedestrians, and road users. Education is widely recognized as a key determinant of human development and well-being, as well as a driver of economic growth and social cohesion. However, many African countries still face significant challenges in providing quality and inclusive education for all their citizens.
Below graph shows the % of Population with Educational attainment, at least Bachelor’s degree for people aged +25 years old.
Of all regions, Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion with an average of 3% only. This issue affects drivers and pedestrians alike, shaping their behaviours and safety measures on the road.
Education, or lack thereof, directly influences an individual’s driving behaviour, risk perception, and compliance with traffic rules and regulations. A lack of education diminishes the cognitive skills necessary for safe driving – such as decision making, hazard perception, and situational awareness – and reduces the likelihood of adhering to traffic laws.
As a result, the region experiences a lower life expectancy compared to other parts of the world.
The below graph illustrates this result, where African life expectancy is only ~ 54 years .
>> A Source of Hope
Investing in education can be the remedy for Africa’s traffic fatality crisis. Education is a powerful tool for increasing awareness of road safety and developing human potential. It provides individuals with knowledge, improves cognitive skills, and promotes a culture of safety.
Education has the potential to bring about broader change. It can improve access to quality education for everyone, especially vulnerable groups like women and children.
African countries should increase public spending on education to improve the quality and access of education for all.
This must ensure as well that the resources are used efficiently and effectively to improve the quality and access of education for all.
We can see in the below chart about Government expenditure on education (% of Gov. exp.) that many African countries are increasing their spending on education recently, which will help reduce the mortality by traffic.
>> The Road Ahead
Through education, we can equip individuals with the necessary skills and awareness to navigate roads safely. Initiatives such as specialized safety classes, more driving schools, and regular car inspections can all contribute to this cause.
There is ample evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, for example, has seen a consistent decrease in traffic fatalities due to higher levels of education and awareness.
Traffic Mortality decreased from a peak of 21.9 to 16.3 per 100,000 population and it is showing high Life Expectancy of 68.3 years on average which is close to Latin America and East Asia Pacific.
This can be considered as a great model for Sub-Saharan Africa to follow.
>> Taking Action
We conclude our journey by emphasizing the transformative power of education. It is evident that education plays a pivotal role in mitigating the alarming rates of traffic fatalities in Africa.
This is more than just a blog post; it is a strong call for change. Education saves lives, including on the roads of Africa.
Based on our research, we recommend several actionable measures to address this issue effectively. These include:
The establishment of specialized safety awareness classes
An increase in the number of driving schools
Spreading awareness for correct helmet use, seat-belts, and promoting child restraint measures.
implementing rigorous car check-ups and safety assessment programs.
implementation of reduced speed limits of 30 kilometers per hour for crowded areas.
By actively pursuing these recommendations and securing necessary funding, we can collectively address the traffic fatality crisis in Africa and demonstrate our commitment to preserving every life.
[1]: WHO – Road traffic injuries
[2]: WHO – Global status report on road safety 2018
