Saturday, May 18, 2013
Child Development & Public Health- SAFE WATER
I feel that safe water is a bigger issue than most Americans think. I think that Americans take healthy clean water for granted. Water in the United States is regulated. In some cases minerals are added to our water. Things, such as fluoride. Adding fluoride to our water helps fight against tooth decay. However having too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is a defect of tooth enamel caused by fluoride’s interference with the tooth-forming cells. (Fluoride Action Network 2013).
Clean water issues are even more serious in countries such as Africa. Many infants born and raised in Africa are susceptible to many diseases found in water. Infants and young children are especially susceptible to diseases because their immune systems are experiencing everything for the first time. Even in developed countries, lots of moms boil water before giving it to their children - just to be doubly safe. In poor countries, the fuel for the fire can be so expensive that mothers can't afford to boil water and cook food (The Water Project 2013).
Clean water is a good start to good health. Half of the world's hospital beds are filled with people suffering from water related disease? In developing countries, about 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. Tiny worms and bacteria live in water naturally. But typhoid fever, cholera and many other diseases still run rampant in the developing parts of the world, such as Africa (The Water Project 2013).
I would like to look even deeper into the safe water issue. Especially when it comes to "fluorosis." I don't think this is something that many people who live in America think about. I feel that maybe it's unnecessary for so many infants and young children who live in America to suffer from this. If I did have to choose the worse of two issues it would be "fluorsis" over some of the other life threatening diseases water is causing in countries like Africa.
Flouride Action Network,(2013). Improving Health In Africa Begins with Water.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/
The Water Project, (2013).
http://thewaterproject.org/
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Hi Sherry,
ReplyDeleteThis is a problem in the United States also. I live in the state of Mississippi and this is often a problem that we are faced with. Their are so many times that the smaller towns will isssue a boil water alert, but most of the people buy their water.
Sherri,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, water is a huge issue in the United States, but especially in countries like Africa. I watched a video abour how different babies grew up and in the African tribe culture the babies were drinking hot muddy water. I felt so bad for them. However, even in our own culture as an American, the water still sometimes doesnt seem very safe. I always am drinking poland springs, and I very rarely drink from the faucet. I think there is just so much rumors or real facts (we will never know) about the water, that we just dont trust it anymore.
Sherri,
ReplyDeleteWhen I was researching breastfeeding in Ghana, I read they used to give newborns water to drink at birth which caused diarrhea and pneumonia - undoubtedly because it was not safe - especially for a newborn! Now they encourage mothers to breastfeed as it is best; I think a safe water initiative would also help! How do they fund these initiatives? Government funding or private?
I Agree clean water is an issue in a lot of underdeveloped countries. I remember reading about a country in Africa where they encourage breastfeeding because it is a lot safer than using the water there. It is amazing how water is an issue in everybody. here in the U.S. there seems to be a lot of problems becoming contaminated. This why so many people have resorted to bottle water because it is healthier and safer.
ReplyDeleteVery informative blog. People do not really think about the issues of contaminated water like they should. It is a major issue. I can remember boiling my children's water when they were first born, per my mom and their pediatrician. Issues such as fluorosis are more common than people think and need to be studied more. Contaminating or polluting our water is sad. I love water. I will drink bottled water, but I love cold water out of he faucet. A little scary when you think of all the toxins out here. I see why more and more people are going the bottled water route.
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