The rise in pollution and exposure to harmful gases will lead to conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung damage. Did you know that “Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is the most common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Haiti” (Kim et al., 2019)? All individuals, regardless of social determinants of health are at risk of contracting respiratory illness; the increase in disease rates is due to a lack of education and equitable interventions for individuals. There is a need for public health professionals to collaborate with communities, healthcare systems, and health agencies to foster positive outcomes and reduce the risk of disease and illness.
Key Statistics:
- 2020- 10,015 COVID-19 cases (874.9 per million population)
- 2017- 1034 deaths from asthma
- 2021- Lower respiratory infections (53.6 per 100,000 population)
- 2023- Tuberculosis incidence (149 per 100,000 population)
How can we protect ourselves? What information do we need to bear in mind to reduce the mitigation of disease and lead healthy lives?
- Wear PPE (personal protective equipment) such as masks to avoid inhalation of harmful gases
- Practice proper sanitation by washing your hands
- Increase access to ventilation by utilizing humidifiers and air filters
- Receive vaccinations immediately
Public health strives to foster positive health outcomes for individuals through effective communication, quality education, and groundbreaking research. Respiratory health is fundamental to public health, because it affects human survival and contributes to a larger environmental health concern. Together, we can advocate for green spaces, improved sanitation guidelines, and personal protective equipment to reduce pollution levels and achieve a positive quality of life for all individuals. The air we breathe determines our health and well-being.
References:
- PAHO. (2024, October 16). Haiti – Country Profile. Health in the Americas. https://hia.paho.org/en/country-profiles/haiti
- Zachary, B. (2019, February 5). Real Hope For Haiti. Real Hope for Haiti. https://realhopeforhaiti.org/2019/02/05/asthma/
- World Health Organization. (2024). Haiti data | World Health Organization. Data.who.int. https://data.who.int/countries/332
- Kim, Y. Y., Lew, J. F., Keith, B., Telisma, T., Nelson, E. J., Brantly, A. C., Chavannes, S., Anilis, G., Yang, Y., Liu, M., Alam, M. T., Rashid, M. H., Morris, J. G., & Madsen Beau De Rochars, V. E. (2019). Acute Respiratory Illness in Rural Haiti. International Journal of Infectious Diseases: IJID: Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, 81, 176–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2019.02.003
Anjali Ravi
Bachelor of Science (Public Health)
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
English 
Spanish