Introduction
This paper explores the relationship between poverty and tropical disease prevalence in two tropical developing nations. The countries analyzed in this study will be Brazil and India, where the analysis will be in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Priority will be given to SDG 1, which focuses on ending poverty in all forms and all nations, and SDG 3.3, whose primary goal is to end all diseases, including tropical diseases.
The paper’s first section will provide background information about the SDGs and analyze SDG 1 and SDG 3.3. The study will then provide the scenario under investigation and its primary purpose, which is to provide data on the current poverty and prevalence of tropical diseases in India and Brazil. An explanation of poverty indicators related to tropical disease incidences in the two countries and possible methods of achieving SDG 1 and SDG 3.3 objectives shall also be given.
The Trend of Tropical Diseases in Brazil and India
Tropical diseases are illnesses that are indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions. The most common tropical diseases include yellow fever, malaria, cholera, and dengue. Brazil has a high prevalence of tropical diseases, with an upward trend between 2001 and 2008 and a downward trend between 2009 and 2018 (Brito et al., 2022). Conversely, India has a lower prevalence of tropical diseases than Brazil. Most tropical diseases reported in India came from the northern region, with malaria being one of the most common diseases.
The trend of the tropical diseases in the two countries has also been different. The commonly neglected tropical diseases in Brazil are tuberculosis, Chagas disease, leprosy, dengue, and Schistosomiasis (Fonseca et al., 2020). In India, the typical tropical diseases are leprosy, dengue fever, and ascariasis, with some scholars arguing that COVID-19 should be added to the list (Hotez et al., 2021). Therefore, the two countries are affected by various diseases, necessitating unique solutions for each country.
The differences in the trend of the diseases have been influenced by the climates, poverty prevalence, and health measures taken by the two countries. Unlike India’s dry climatic conditions, Brazil’s warm, humid climate provides a conducive environment for transmitting tropical diseases. Additionally, studies have shown that the environment is poorly kept in Brazil; there is a lack of adequate sanitation and poor waste management in Brazil (Bertoldi et al., 2021). India has a warm but dry climate, and its measures towards ensuring a clean environment and prioritization of health have resulted in a lower case of tropical diseases in the country.
Poverty Levels in Brazil and India
Poverty is a complex issue and is prevalent in both Brazil and India. Scholars use various poverty indicators to assess poverty in any country or area. The poverty level in Brazil is measured using indicators such as education, housing, income, and a person’s daily spending. In India, poverty is measured using the abovementioned measures, but the country also uses other poverty indicators, such as the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
Data from the World Bank (2023) shows that about a fifth of the population in Brazil lives below the poverty line. Poverty is more prevalent in rural areas as compared to urban centers. Data shows that poverty is more pronounced among the Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian people (Medeiros et al., 2021). In India, the number of people living below the poverty line is almost that in Brazil, but the number of people living below the poverty index has been gradually decreasing. Additionally, more people live in poverty in Indian rural areas compared to the country’s urban centers.
The poverty in Brazil and India can be analyzed using various metrics such as poverty rates and other common indicators. One of the key indicators of poverty is the Gini Coefficient, which accesses inequalities in different regions. This coefficient reveals a higher income inequality in Brazil than in India. The MPI, used in India but not Brazil, shows that many people in Asia face challenges with health, education, and living standards.
Various studies and statistics reveal the impact of poverty on Brazil and India. Data shows that poverty in Brazil is associated with tropical infectious diseases, high mortality and morbidity rates, and malnutrition (Moncayo et al., 2019). On the other hand, poverty in India has been associated with inadequate access to health care, high levels of malnutrition, and high incidences of infectious diseases (Verrest et al., 2021). These studies reveal that there is indeed a relationship between poverty and tropical infectious diseases in both countries.
Relationship Between Tropic Disease Prevalence and Poverty
There is a clear relationship between poverty levels in Brazil and India and poor health outcomes in the two countries under analysis. The correlation is caused by the fact that poverty makes it hard for people to access timely medical interventions, results in malnutrition among people as well as causes people to live in crowded places. These factors increase the probability of the spread of tropical infectious diseases. In Brazil, poverty is associated with a lack of housing, clean water and sanitation, and limited access to health care (Bertoldi, 2021).
The mentioned factors, in turn, result in an increased risk for the transmission of tropical diseases. In India, a relationship between tropical disease prevalence and poverty has been established since poverty causes people to lack access to healthcare, basic hygiene, and sanitation. It facilitates the transmission of tropical diseases (Bhatia et al., 2023). Poverty in India is also associated with malnutrition, causing people to have a weakened immune system, thus a risk factor for tropical infectious diseases.
Various articles provide supporting evidence of a relationship between poverty and tropical disease prevalence worldwide. Khalil et al. (2021) found a correlation between tropical diseases, poverty, and other diseases in Brazil. Furthermore, areas in Brazil that do not have access to clean water, such as the northern part of the country, Amazon regions, and slams in major cities such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, are also known to have higher incidences of waterborne diseases. In India, it has been established that low social and economic status is a significant predictor of Tuberculosis in the country (Yadav et al., 2019).
Studies also reveal that poverty is a significant predictor for neglected tropical diseases in India, such as Chikungunya and Dengue (Shahid et al., 2020). The articles demonstrate that poverty results in the limitation of critical resources necessary for the health and well-being of an individual. Governments should implement policies to address poverty and health-related risks to reduce the prevalence of tropical diseases.
Governmental and Non-Governmental Interventions
The previous sections of the study have proved a relationship between poverty and tropical disease outcomes. This section will analyze the intervention measures by SDG 1, which aims at eliminating poverty in all regions, and SDG 3.3, which aims to end all epidemics such as COVID-19, AIDS, Malaria, waterborne diseases, and neglected tropical diseases. Various intervention measures have been put in place in both countries by governments and other stakeholders to achieve SDG 1 and SDG 3.3 goals and objectives. Several social programs have been developed in Brazil to reduce poverty and inequality.
The Bolsa Família program has been helping low-income families in Brazil access essential resources such as food, water, and healthcare (Valderlon & Elias, 2019). Brazil also has the Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos, which seeks to ensure food security in Brazil by supporting families that deal with agriculture. Brazil also has the Mais Médicos program, which aims to distribute healthcare professionals to marginalized areas (Hone et al., 2020). Non-governmental organizations have also played a key role in driving Brazil towards achieving the SDG 1 and SDG 3.3 goals and objectives.
The government of India has formulated several programs to guide the country toward achieving the goals of SDG 1 and SDG 3.3. It has established the National Rural Employee Act (NREGA) to help employ people living in rural areas (Dutta & Fischer, 2021). The government has also established the National Health Mission (NHM) to provide affordable medical care for all Indians (Tavseef Ahmad Mir & Singh, 2022).
Non-governmental organizations, both local and international, have also tried to address the country’s poverty and health concerns. For instance, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has put in millions of dollars to help curb infectious diseases such as COVID-19, AIDS, and Malaria. Two local non-governmental organizations, CARE India and Oxfam, have also made substantial investments to address poverty and healthcare inequality in the country.
Social Change for Improved Public Health
Both India and Brazil have a problem with tropical diseases, with the problem being more in Brazil than in India. Poverty and its implications, such as lack of sanitation, clean drinking water, poor medical care, and malnutrition, contribute to tropical diseases in both countries. Although governments and non-governmental bodies have put some measures in place to achieve SDG 1 and SDG 3.3, more still needs to be done. This case study has revealed that Brazil and India’s high incidence of tropical diseases are caused by social factors such as income and education.
A positive social change will improve outcomes for the discussed health-related issues in the two tropical nations. Ensuring that the countries can achieve SDG 1 and SDG 3.3 will positively impact the two countries’ public health. Specifically, achieving the objectives of SDG 3.3 will ensure that the countries prevent infectious diseases. The take-home message from this analysis is that poverty must be addressed if governments and other stakeholders are to improve the healthcare of developing nations.
Conclusion
This paper’s findings show that poverty significantly contributes to health problems experienced in Brazil and India. The identified indicators of poverty, such as poor sanitation, lack of clean water, inadequate access to medication, and malnutrition, put individuals at significant risk for poverty. Governments and non-governmental institutions in both countries have tried to ensure that their respective countries meet the SDG 1 and SDG 3.3 goals. However, more has to be done as neither country can achieve the objectives. More studies need to be done, particularly on how measures can be taken to eradicate poverty and tropical disease challenges.
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