Overview of Health Disparities

Overview:

At our meetings and through our journal we will explore different SWANA countries and the root causes of the health disparities faced in that region through educational presentations and articles. We will take into account the root causes of their struggles and specific health challenges along with actionable ways to address them. A comprehensive approach to resolving health issues in these areas requires addressing the underlying causes and educating ourselves about them. We must continuously strive for both justice and accountability. For example, we can’t discuss the health system in Palestine without also discussing the Israeli occupation. The occupation contributes to health violations and poor health conditions among Palestinians. Effective solutions cannot be found without holding Israel accountable for its actions and recognizing that Palestinians' access to health care is severely restricted under occupation. Additionally, it

is important to critique the Western approach to these issues, which often tends to be medicalized and individualized. For example, the narrative might suggest that poor health is due to living in a disadvantaged area, without considering the systemic reasons for why these areas are disadvantaged. Our club aims to highlight not only health issues but also the systemic factors contributing to them and to provide resources to the public.

General Healthcare and Concerns in SWANA:

SWANA countries often lack access to healthcare services that are easily available in other regions due to political instability. For example, diabetes management relies heavily on regular access to insulin and other medications. In many of these countries due to conflict, there have been significant disruptions in the supply chain for these critical medications. Many patients have difficulties in obtaining insulin and glucose monitoring supplies, which are essential for managing their condition effectively. Effective asthma management requires consistent access to inhalers and other essential medications. In countries within the SWANA region, such as parts of Sudan or Yemen, ongoing conflicts and economic instability have led to significant disruptions in access for these asthma medications which include anti-inflammatory drugs. This has resulted in poorly controlled asthma, with increased instances of severe asthma attacks and related health complications due to the lack of proper medication.

Specific Countries and Political Climate:

In Gaza, the ongoing genocide has led to severe shortages of basic supplies such as gauze, electricity, and oxygen. The lack of sterilization equipment means many wounds are left untreated or open, as attempting to close them could result in infections.

In the West Bank, structural barriers and the stress from systemic racism and apartheid significantly impact the mental health of Palestinians and hinder their access to hospital care.In Syria, the ongoing civil war has targeted and destroyed health facilities, leading to major disparities in medical access. The breakdown of vaccination programs, compounded by Russia’s use of its UN veto power to block certain vaccines, has resulted in a resurgence of measles.Yemen’s humanitarian crisis has caused the collapse of healthcare systems and exacerbated disease outbreaks, such as cholera, due to poor sanitation. Cholera is preventable, which highlights the severity of the healthcare attack in these regions and the apparent indifference of governing bodies.In Lebanon, the economic collapse has rendered healthcare unaffordable and disrupted the supply of essential medicines.