Author Archives: SFDPadmin

What is Yellow Fever? Yellow fever is a severe, flu-like, haemorrhagic disease caused by a specific type of virus called the Yellow Fever Virus, which is transmitted among humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. The disease is specifically endemic to the tropical areas of Africa, Central America and South America where epidemicsContinue reading “DEMYSTIFYING YELLOW FEVER AND ITS VACCINE”

Overview of Tuberculosis Tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease of the respiratory system in humans. It is one of the oldest diseases ever known to man, and has been associated with a high mortality rate in the absence of adequate treatment and in immunologically weakened persons. It is generally regarded as a disease of povertyContinue reading “TUBERCULOSIS: A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT”

Overview of Cholera Cholera is an infectious disease among humans, characterized by acute diarrheal symptoms and is regarded as an infectious disease of poverty due to its prevalence in regions that are low-resourced with poor sanitary conditions. Every year, over 2.9 million cases occur around the world, causing around 95,000 deaths annually. Although the diseaseContinue reading “CHOLERA: A BURDEN IN AFRICA”

What is Tetanus? Tetanus is a serious disease that affects the nervous system and is caused by bacterial infection of deep wounds, characterized by repeated bouts of painful muscle spasms. The disease is also called “Lockjaw” because it causes stiffness of the neck and jaw muscles in an infected person, making it too difficult toContinue reading “TETANUS: THE PUNCTURE WOUND DISEASE”

Studies have shown that COVID-19 disproportionately impacts the Black community and other minorities in the United States. These trends have roots in the country’s systematic racism and discrimination towards Black people. Today, as the widespread dissemination of the COVID-19 vaccine begins, many individuals have valid concerns and hesitancies. We cannot address the current issues withContinue reading “COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancies”

What is Obesity? Generally, the term ‘obesity’ is attributed to individuals that appear to be overweight in an unhealthy way. However, obesity is actually defined as having a body mass index of 30kg/m2 or higher. The Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of one’s body weight in relation to height, in order to determine theContinue reading “THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OBESITY, DIABETES AND COVID-19”

Overview of Mental Health in Africa The African continent is a large one consisting of many nations, of which, most are low and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in the Sub-Saharan region. Most parts of the continent are characterized by high mortality rates from malnutrition, infectious and non-infectious diseases, and a lack of basic healthcare amenities.Continue reading “Mental Health Conditions: The African Perspective”

COVID-19 has unjustly impacted communities of color, especially African Americans and Hispanics – these communities see disproportionate infection and death rates from the coronavirus than other racial groups. Further, small businesses run by individuals of color have seen greater losses than those run by white Americans. To reduce the long-term burden of the virus uponContinue reading “COVID-19 Vaccine Skepticism among Racial Minorities”

What are Vaccines? Vaccines are substances containing the weakened version of an infectious pathogen, usually given to healthy individuals to elicit a protective immune response. Simply put, vaccines can be likened to a false alarm that alerts one’s immune system about a particular microbe, and upon subsequent infection by that microbe, the immune system, whichContinue reading “Vaccine Hesitancy: The Misconceptions, Dangers and Solution”