I would like to compare the life expectancy in the US vs Sierra Leone. Life expectancy is an important health metric and can reveal many insights into the person's educational background, economic status, social upbringing, and of course access to proper nutrition and healthcare.
In effect, I think that by comparing life expectancies between the two countries, I can synthesize much of the other data provided.
Here is my plan to layout the analysis:
1. Introduction
2. Highlight key differences
3. Delve into the social factors that may have caused these differences- specifically social upbringing, perception of nutrition and wellness (and the importance given to it)
4. Delve into the environmental factors that may have caused these differences- specifcially pollution, air quality, influence of peers, etc.
5. Conclude the analysis
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FINAL DRAFT-
The World Health Organization (WHO) conducts frequent studies to gather data about countries’ public health. These datasets provide a clear picture of just how distinct the difference can be between a developed and developing nation’s infrastructure and conditions. In particular, life expectancy is an important health metric and can reveal many insights into a country’s status. Although there are “countless factors that cannot [all] be properly measured and controlled” regarding life expectancy, this paper will discuss five unique social and environmental factors- conflict, governmental action, disease, water supply, and climate.
Understandably, there are striking differences in the US life expectancy (in years) versus that of Sierra Leone. According to WHO statistical profile, in the United States, the average expectancy at birth is 79 years. In Sierra Leone, it is 46 years, a difference of 33 years. Sierra Leone has the 7th lowest life expectancy in the world. Also, in Sierra Leone, the life expectancy for both sexes increased by 9 years during 2000-2012, whereas in the United States it only increased by 2 years, suggesting some social or environmental factors that may have played a role.
There are several social factors that come into play in Sierra Leone. One of the more significant is the civil war from 1991-2002 which caused thousands of deaths and resulted in two million people—roughly one third of the country’s population—being displaced. A conflict of this magnitude has never affected the United States. Conflict greatly hinders a country’s development—it disturbs food and supply distribution, renders schools and publicly funded institutions helpless, and demands heavy involvement of able-bodied men in the fighting (The Impact of Conflict on Development). The statistics suggest that the ending of the war in 2002 might have been part of the reason for the 9 year increase in Sierra Leonan life expectancy from the years 2000-2012. Another social factor impacting Sierra Leone’s life expectancy is the effectiveness of the country’s government. A research paper from the Quality of Government Institute states that there is a direct and positive correlation between life expectancy at birth and government effectiveness. And in Sierra Leone, the government was known for “endemic corruption”. A study from Eastern Kentucky University puts a light on the government’s actions: “There were recurrent over-expenditures…decline in agricultural production, shortage of essential foodstuffs…” (Governmental Corruption in Africa). Such actions suggest that the government’s mishandling of resources critical to its people’s well-being may have led in part to deteriorating health (and life expectancy). The United States’ government has never faced issues with such magnitude, but there are several occasions in which lack of action caused severe distress for the people. For instance, during Hurricane Katrina, FEMA and other organizations were very slow to reach the affected areas--people had to sustain with little to no resources. The Mayor of New Orleans also failed to prepare sufficient food and shelter before the disaster.
In addition to social factors, there are several environmental factors that affect life expectancy. First, people living in Sierra Leone are 2.5 times more likely to have HIV/AIDS. The obvious health issues associated with the disease have led to a noticeable decrease in life expectancy. Infected people are not able to function properly, and the lack of proper protection in hospitals and homes makes it easy for the infection to spread. In the United States, hospitals are required to implement proper quarantine procedures, and because of this, many severe cases of HIV or even Ebola have been contained. Another environmental factor that played a role in impacting Sierra Leonan life expectancy is the ongoing water crisis. Nearly 50% of the country’s population uses an unprotected drinking source such as ponds and open wells. The lack of protection for such an important resource has been found to increase the prevalence of Typhoid fever and hepatitis A, which cause severe impairments in bodily functions (The Water Project). Finally, the Sierra Leonan climate is a major influence in crop production. With six months of the year bringing torrential rains and a crippling drought hitting during the winter, the people have little chance to properly store crops or water. In the United States, facilities have been developed that allow for year-round food production and water collection so that the weather doesn’t impact as much. However, for many farmers across the U.S., good summer weather patterns are still crucial for a successful harvest.
In conclusion, unfortunately it is not likely that the life expectancy of a developed country like the United States will match that of a nation like Sierra Leone. Due to the several social and environmental factors, there will be a constant hindrance to development. However, with the support of powerful organizations like the United Nations, Red Cross, The Water Project, and the will of the world’s people, progress is being made. It is up to future generations to not erase or halt this progress, but rather to use it as a stepping stone to achieve even more.
Sources-
http://spot.colorado.edu/~gravesp/WPLifeExpectancy6-6-02.htm
https://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/SL
http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Teaching+resources/Key+Stage+3+resources/The+geography+of+conflict/The+impact+of+conflict+on+development.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Soeren_Holmberg/publication/46109722_Dying_of_Corruption/links/00b4953bff895e7230000000.pdf
http://encompass.eku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=cjps_fsresearch
https://thewaterproject.org/water-crisis/water-in-crisis-sierra-leone
http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?jh07029