Data Visualization

Blog of the Data Visualization & Communication Course at OSB-AUB

“This is my favorite part about analytics: Taking boring flat data and bringing it to life through visualization” John Tukey

Seeking Better Health for Arab Countries

Seeking Better Health for Arab Countries

by | Nov 19, 2023 | Dashboard

Introduction

NCDs are the non-communicable diseases which are cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular ,chronic respiratory diseases. Actually,

If you’ve not been exposed to a close person dying or suffering from NCDs, which I doubt to be the case, then you are extremely lucky. But, most probably, you will pass through a stage in your life where you would feel the danger of these diseases and realize how big is this number of people dying each year.


High percentage of Mortality Caused by NCDS from total mortality

Based on the figure above we see that the mortality caused by NCDs from total mortality rate for the displayed Arab countries like Egypt, Lebanon, Somalia, and others are really high. Comparing these values to countries like France, Germany, and UK for example, the percentage for the Arab Countries is about  double and sometimes triple that of France, Germany and UK. The problem is not only in the high percentage but in the fact that it is almost the same throughout 2016 till 2019(no data after 2019). So, what if we don’t deal with this situation? Then, for example, in Somalia, another 30% will die from NCDs this year and then the same happens in the next year and so on.
But, what could be the reason for such high percentages?

Correlation between government expenditure on health and mortality caused by NCDs

Take a look at the above figure. it is clear how the orange color(low government expenditure on health) corresponds to the blue color(high mortality caused by the diseases). and it is clear how the intensities are almost not changing through the years for each country. In other words, governments are not changing their expenditure on health which is leading to keeping the mortality as is.

So, the solution seems to be clear. Increasing government expenditures on health will do the job as displayed and this is validated in the below figure where Germany and UK for example show that the higher percentage of government expenditure on health has led to lower percentage of mortality caused by NCDs from total mortality.

But, what are the steps that these Arab countries should follow in order to decrease mortality caused by NCDs?

  • Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure: Allocate funds to improve healthcare facilities.
  • Preventive Healthcare Programs: Develop awareness campaigns and screenings to promote healthy living such as avoiding tobacco and drinking filtered water.
  • Increased Research Funding: Invest in local research and make partnerships with more modernized countries to learn from their strategies in this field for more effective interventions.
  • Health Insurance Expansion: Widen coverage for accessible healthcare services

Countries like Germany, and the UK showcase successful validations of investment, preventive care emphasis, and research funding, correlating with better healthcare outcomes since they have low mortality caused by NCDs from the total mortality as displayed in the previous map.

Moreover, governments can influence private health expenditures, which denote the total spending on healthcare by private entities within a country, excluding public funds. They do so through tax incentives, regulations, subsidies, and partnerships to encourage higher private health spending. In addition the government can raise awareness Campaigns to encourage increasing private health expenditures since more stabilized countries like UK, Germany, France have very high domestic private health expenditures per capita(current US$) as displayed in the figure below compared to the Arab countries mentioned where for example the lowest value is recorded by Sudan in 2018 to be 25$ and the highest which is recorded by Iraq in 2019 is 120$. These are really low values compared to lowest value by UK which is 771$ in 2017 and the highest recorded by Germany in 2018 which is 1252$. So, it is obvious the huge difference in the domestic private health expenditures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, These Arab countries that are experiencing higher mortality rates from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to lower government health spending can learn from successful healthcare models in Germany, France, and the UK. This correlation highlights the urgency for action. Governments in these Arab nations must prioritize investing in healthcare infrastructure, forming partnerships with advanced healthcare systems, and encouraging private health spending. Collaborative efforts between public and private sectors offer a path to narrow healthcare gaps, significantly improving overall healthcare quality and accessibility.

Stolen Innocence: The Silent Struggle of HIV-Positive Children

Stolen Innocence: The Silent Struggle of HIV-Positive Children

by | Nov 18, 2023 | Dashboard, Visualization

Every two minutes, a child is infected with HIV, and every five minutes, a child loses their life to HIV-related diseases.

 

Introduction:

Childhood HIV infection remains a global health crisis, with alarming statistics highlighting the urgency of addressing this silent struggle. While progress has been made, particularly in Africa, where the impact is most significant, challenges persist.

 

Global Overview:

In Africa, the number of children under 14 living with HIV reached its peak in 2007 at 2.1 million, dropping to 1.3 million. However, this reduction, though significant, is not sufficient, especially when considering that the current figure is still ten times higher than the number seen in the rest of the world. The Sub-Saharan region bears the brunt of this crisis, necessitating targeted interventions.

 

 

Transmission and Prevention:

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains a primary mode of infection during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a key preventive measure, significantly reducing transmission rates. Advances in ART have transformed the prognosis for HIV-positive individuals, enabling longer and healthier lives and lower transmissions.

 

Impact of ART on New Infections:

The introduction of ART treatment for HIV+ pregnant women in Africa in 2000 led to a remarkable 74% reduction in the number of children newly infected with HIV, highlighting the efficacy of ART in preventing mother-to-child transmission.

 

Challenges in Access to Treatment:

Despite progress, access to ART for pregnant women in Africa has stagnated. In the past five years, only marginal improvement, with approximately 30% of pregnant women still untreated throughout their pregnancies. Identifying barriers to treatment access and the need for targeted interventions.

 

 

Conclusion:

The strides made in reducing new HIV infections among children through ART are commendable, yet the battle is far from over. Focused efforts are required to address the persistent challenges in ensuring that all HIV-positive pregnant women in Africa have access to life-saving treatments such as:

  • Scale up access to ART for pregnant women by increasing medication availability and addressing logistical challenges.
  • Conduct comprehensive community education campaigns to raise awareness about HIV testing, treatment, and prevention, with a focus on dispelling myths and reducing stigma.
  • Integrate HIV testing and treatment services into routine maternal and child healthcare to ensure consistent and timely care for pregnant women.

The urgency of this mission cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts the innocence and lives of countless children at risk of falling victim to this silent epidemic.