GHANA
Factors Impacting Health in Ghana
Some factors that impact health and disease in Ghana are environmental factors and malnourishment. Environmental factors include water and soil cleanliness. Malnourishment among a population affects their developmental and overall quality of health. Both are risk factors that impact the global burden of disease and contribute to high mortality and morbidity rates in low-income countries (Skolnik, 2020).
Nutrition
Nutrition is vital for proper growth and development. Malnourishment causes deficient protein, vitamins, and minerals. In Ghana, children are affected by a lack of food, which impacts their health, cognition, and ability to survive. Studies have proven that malnourishment has been a prolonged issue but has somewhat improved over time. UNICEF's (2017) research study considered a population of 4.1 million children under five years old in Ghana; in 2008, 28% of children had stunting (chronic malnutrition) in 2014, the number decreased to 19% (USAID, 2018). Malnourishment also affects child-bearing women increasing their chance of maternal and infant mortality. Organizations have made efforts to combat child hunger and malnourishment in Ghana.
Enactus.(August 2, 2020).The Fight Against Child Malnutrition in Africa [Video]
Environment
Ghana has a plentiful natural resources of gold and minerals. "Mining for gold and minerals accounts for 41% of Ghana's foreign exchange, and gold accounts for 90% of all mineral productivity; the mining occupation provides 300,000 jobs" (Emmanuel et al., 2018). Ghana depends on its natural resources to maintain its economy. However, mining is known to be harmful to the environment. Mining in Ghana happens legally and illegally. With illegal mining, miners use mercury to help extract gold, and this method causes a lot of pollution to the environment. Studies have found high mercury and arsenic levels in water and soil nearby mining sites, effecting rural areas of Ghana. Mining pollution is a health hazard, and those affected have a higher risk of cancer, respiratory conditions, kidney disease, malaria, skin diseases, and diarrhea illnesses. It is crucial to protect the environment from harmful chemicals and pollution for Ghanaians' safety and well-being.
