Blog 1: Abortion more common where it's illegal: Where are rates highest?

Abortion has always been a major debate in the United States. There are many reasons why people are against abortion, but studies have shown that abortion rates are higher in places where the practice is illegal. This is a global issue because many countries around the world do not have legal abortions. This article states that nearly half of all abortions are unsafe-because they’re illegal in those areas. The study shows that there are about 28 abortions per 1000 women around the ages of 15 to 40, globally. They retained this information from official statistics, national surveys, and hospital records. This number is not very accurate because there are many undocumented abortions as well. In 2008, about 47, 000 women died from unsafe abortion, and about 8.5 million women had serious medical complications. It’s shocking to know that many women resort to using unsafe things to induce their abortions such as broken soda bottles, clothes hangers, and herbal medicine.  Eastern Europe had the highest rate of unsafe abortions-at about 43 abortions out of every 1000 women.

 

In my opinion, this is an unnecessarily high statistic. I am pro-choice, so I think that women should have the option to keep or abort their pregnancy. I am not completely for abortion, but I think certain women have their own situations in which an abortion should be okay-such as rape. On the other hand, I think it’s wrong and irresponsible for women to simply have sex and then get an abortion just because they don’t want a baby. In America, women can choose to give their baby up for adoption. In other developed countries, people can give their baby away to families who are willing to take care of it. I know in Vietnam, there are a lot of cases like that. The article stated that abortion rates are higher where it’s illegal. I think if abortion were to be legalized, unsafe practices and death can be avoided. In the article, Dana Hovig said that women would walk hours/miles just to get free contraceptive-so I think contraceptives should be more widespread in developed countries. 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57362079-10391704/abortion-more-common-where-its-illegal-where-are-rates-highest/

Blog #10 Earthquakes and Disease

Dr. Susan Bartels and Dr. Michael Rooyen wrote a review about the health risks earthquakes pose. They basically were saying that when earthquakes hit, they usually hit in urban areas with poor structure resulting in the needed healthcare to be overcrowded or not fit for earthquake affects on people.

When earthquakes hit, they usually expose millions of people to them because most of the cities with the highest number of people living in them around the world were built on fault lines. For example, place such as Shanghai, New York, & Los Angeles. The aftermath of earthquakes comes in three different sections. First, there is the initial death poll as soon as it hits. Next, you have the second mortality rate. This stems from lacerations, fractures, and hematomas that catch up with the victim a few hours later. Then, the last peak comes anywhere from days to weeks later evolving from organ failure or them having to stop taking medicines they are using for chronic diseases previously acquired. After an earthquake in California, the amount of heart attacks rose by 35 percent the following week. After an earthquake in China hit, the rate of arrhythmias sharply increased. Also, after one in Japan, blood pressure increased for two weeks. Overcrowding in shelters and other places with minimum space after an earthquake spread diseases just by having to have skin touching.

I, personally, never really thought about these things occurring because of an earthquake but it all makes sense after reading that article. I don’t think many other people actually realize the full effect of an earthquake. Yes, we all realize the big picture that it kills people, but not about it increasing risk of diseases.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/237093.php

Blog #1: Asia & Bird Flu Virus

The UN (United Nations) Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) warned Asia that the deadly bird flu has returned. Also known as H5N1-2.3.2.1. Since 2003 it has infected 565 people and killed 331. The latest death being earlier in the month in Cambodia.

Not too long ago, the world was affected by H1N1, which is another strand of the virus (also called swine flu). It's cause was pigs, hence "swine" flu. Now the birds are carrying it to Europe and Asia.

Asides from keeping it from returning, officials are taking steps to further prevent it by keeping a close eye on the animals as well as importing new vaccines, HOWEVER, no vaccines have been created for the new strand of H5N1. Bangladesh, China, India, Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam are the one's to be affected most.

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Social-Isssues/214966/UN-warns-Asia-of-mutant-strain-of-bird-flu-virus.html

Lesa Barnum. 9/1/11 Health/Disease