Opinion

Africa’s water and sanitation crisis

One of the most notable changes in modern times is the rapid urbanization of our planet, which began in the 19th century. While in 1950, 29 percent of the global population lived in cities, that figure is estimated now at around 50 percent, and by 2030 it will reach 61 percent.It is estimated that, ...

Opinion

Brain drain exacerbates health care crisis in Africa

The emigration of professionals and young people from “source” countries to “destination” countries abundant in resources and modern technology has been called “brain drain,” and has been happening for the last several decades. The emigration of professionals from...

Opinion

Africa’s time is now

Since the 1980’s, I traveled in Africa as a public health consultant for several international agencies. Because I went to places that tourists do not dare to go, I got a unique and more real vision of the continent, one moored in poverty but also of majestic beauty and potential. How can one ...

Opinion

Gender-based violence in Iran

Thousands of women in Iran have taken to the streets, courageously removing their hijabs in solidarity with Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, who was arrested by the Iranian police and allegedly murdered for wearing her hijab in an “improper” way. Since then, hundreds of those women have...

Opinion

Traditional medicine in the modern world

Traditional practices of both preventive and curative health care have existed for thousands of years, and today they are often used in conjunction with modern medicine.Of the over 476 million indigenous people in the world today; an estimated 42 million live in the Americas. They represent thousand...

Opinion

Climate change brings health risks

Much attention has been devoted in recent times to the environmental and economic effects of climate change. Much less attention, however, has been given to the possible effects of climate change, particularly global warming, on the health of the populations, particularly those from the poorest coun...