Isn't there a Walgreen's on every corner!?!

In some places--like the U.S.--yes. In developing countries, not so much.

Fill in the blank:
"An estimated 1,205 children die from ________ disease each day"

What did you guess? Malaria? Bird Flu? Pneumonia? Colds? AIDS? Some other gastly, untreatable bug?

Nope. All wrong. Kids are dying in that quantity from=== diarrhea??? (actually, it's formally called 'rotavirus') Why? How can that be?
Here's the rest of that statistical sentence:

" . . . and 82% of these deaths occur in children in the poorest countries." (Italics mine)

Hmmmm. But, aren't, like, diarrhea medicines really cheap? Really accessible? Of course. Then, why so many deaths? Shouldn't/couldn't most of these deaths be prevented? You would think.

"For persons with healthy immune systems, rotavirus gastroenteritis is a self-limited illness, lasting for only a few days. Treatment is nonspecific and consists of oral rehydration therapy to prevent dehydration."

Right! So, get these kids some water, and let's call it a day! Problem solved. Except---what if water isn't accessible? Or, what water there is isn't potable? Also, what if the kid doesn't have a "healthy immune system?"

"ac·ces·si·ble adj.
1. Easily approached or entered.
2. Easily obtained: accessible money."

I just finished taking a class in child psychology. What was very interesting to me was that, through research done mostly in the U.S., it's found that most of the disorders that might develop seem to be more prevelant in kids from lower socioeconomic class families. What's with this link between how much money you have and how sick you are?

Ahhh, I over-react. I'm sure Walgreen's is just about to launch their new wave of store openings in Zambia. Yep. ANY DAY NOW . . .

I'm so glad none of this is MY problem. Aren't you?


http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/rotavirus.htm


Ben Wilcox