I. Introduction
Haiti and the Bahamas are two Caribbean nations located in the World Health Organization’s region of the Americas. Demographically similar, and located in the same area of the world, one may assume that the two countries’ health statuses are alike. Conversely, there are numerous differences between the two when discussing health care systems and disease prevalence and incidence. As a result of these differences, the variation between the countries’ life expectancies is over ten years. This case study will look into the specific differences related to health status between Haiti and the Bahamas and why these differences lead to a greater life expectancy in the Bahamas.
Both Haiti and the Bahamas are located in the Caribbean. Haiti shares the western third of the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It is between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean and its size has been compared to that of the state of Maryland (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015a). Haiti experiences a temperate, damp tropical climate for most of the year and has also undergone some extreme weather conditions (“Haiti,” 2015). In 2010, the country experienced the worst earthquake in its
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Today, Haiti is considered a semi-presidential republic, having both a president and a prime minister. Throughout history though, financial, political, and societal difficulties, in addition to a myriad of natural disasters have beleaguered Haiti with persistent poverty and other troubles. Haiti is home to just over 10 million people. Almost all of Haiti’s citizens are of African descent, as most descended from African slaves. Haiti has no official religion and offers religious freedom to its population. About 50% of the population identifies as being Roman Catholic while the other half practices other Christian denominations (“Haiti,”
In order to understand Haiti we must first put ourselves in their shoes. At one stage or another, every man, woman, or child will be faced with at least one issue that is now happening in Haiti. The issues involving Haiti has been a popular topic for the past two years. Since January twelfth two-thousand and ten. There are many factors which influenced the development of Haiti. Many people have abandoned Haiti over the past years. They have also given up hope for Haiti. Haiti is heralded by economic issues both political and social, foreign issues, military issues (minustah), presidential issues, and the recent earthquake. I plan to explain each of these factors in detail and give
The Dominican Republic and Haiti have had a resentment of one another for centuries. “It's an uneasy coexistence for countries whose intertwined histories of colonization, conquest and racism over the centuries have left deep wounds” (Castillo). The Haitian and Dominican relations have been disrupted and shattered since the 1400s, which has continued till today’s day in age due to the harsh treatment of Haitians, and the grudges each country has held over the centuries. This all began with the fight over the land of Hispaniola and the colonization between the Spanish and French. This has led to constant battles today between the two governments.
Haiti is a prime example of how human needs in one area of the world are interdependent with social conditions elsewhere in the world. Haiti, for most of its history has been overwhelmed with economic
There are many countries in the world, and all of them have different aspect, politics, culture, education and other opportunities they offer. There are poor countries but not forget some of them are also rich too. The United States of America has been classified as the greatest country in the world. Although they have some similarities, however I would not trade Haiti for the United States. I grew up in Haiti, but I am currently living in the United States. One thing for sure I will always love Haiti more than I love the United States.
The Republic of Haiti is in the western part of the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies. It is densely populated and has the lowest per capita income in the western hemisphere (Kemp, 2001). The population of more than seven million is made up of mostly descendents of African slaves brought to the West Indies by French colonists. The horrible conditions in Haiti, such as crushing poverty, unemployment and illiteracy, and high rates of acute and chronic illnesses and child and infant mortality, result in the illegal immigration of many Haitians to the United States, France, and other countries in Western Europe. Most immigrants are adults and teens who leave Haiti in tiny boats, despite the
In health care spending, Haiti ranks last in the western hemisphere, spending only US$83 per capita annually on health care. An even more striking figure is that there are only 25 physicians and 11 nurses per 100,000 population, although that number has been increasing recently due to an influx of Cuban trained Haitian doctors (MEDICC). Even in the capital city of Port-au-Prince medical care is limited with doctors and hospitals often requiring immediate cash payment for health services.
Haitian Americans are decanted from the small island called Haiti. Although Haiti averages approximately 255 people per square kilometer, its population is concentrated most heavily in urban areas, coastal plains, and valleys. The nation is multi-ethnic, home to peoples of different races and ethnic groups. 95% of Haitians are of predominantly African descent. The remaining 5% of the population is primarily mulattoes, Europeans, Asians, and Arabs.
Haiti is the second largest Caribbean Island. It occupies a third of the western part of the island it shares with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is also made up of several islands that surround the main territory. The capital is Port-au-Prince. It rains between November and March in the North of the island and between May and October in the South. “Once covered by forest, the country has been heavily logged for wood and fuel and to clear land for farming, and is now largely deforested.” Haiti is divided into “nine administrative departments.” Besides the capital, other important cities are Cap-Haitien and Gonaives. “Haiti is the most densely populated country in Latin America and has the lowest per
What does the average American really know about the country, Haiti? Is the lifestyle all black magic, spells, and séances? Is this media portrayal of Voodoo the only way of life and what is Voodoo, any way? These questions come to mind when someone wants to know the truth about Haitian culture and life in Haiti. Haitian culture consists of deep rooted religious beliefs, music, and Haitian cuisine.
80% of the Haitians are catholic, some people regularly participates in religious services while others only draw up their catholic identity,
Haiti is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It occupies one third of the Hispaniola Island, the other two thirds belong to its neighbor: the Dominican Republic. It measures 27, 750 sq km, just a little smaller than the state of Maryland. It is unfortunately located in a highly active hurricane area prone to storms and flooding between the months of June to October. Haiti is the poorest country of the western hemisphere. Political turmoil is part of the country’s history. Currently it counts with a democratically elected president, Michael Martelly, as Chief of State and a Prime Minister, Laurent Latmothe, as head of the government. A new president is elected every five years and the president cannot serve consecutive periods. The Prime Minister is appointed by the president and ratified by the National Assembly. The National Assembly is made up of 30 senators, elected by popular vote for six years terms and 99 deputies, also elected by popular vote, for four years terms; a little bit complex
These disparities are obvious in some key measures of wellbeing including life expectancy, the risk for disease, and access to health care (Disparities in Health, 2015). Historically, the major factors contributing to shorter longevity and high rates of disease are overcrowding, poor sanitation and low availability of treatment facilities. However, the change of theses socioeconomic
Haiti was once the first black independent republic in the world and the richest island in the Caribbean. Today Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and one of the poorest countries in the world. What could have happened to Haiti in almost two hundred years of history? The country experienced repeated civil war and foreign intervention. Haiti is not isolated from the international world. Thus, it was not out of concern for ordinary Haitians that the United States intervened in Haiti. It was out of concern for profit and stability within the United States' own backyard. The purpose of this paper is to show the negative aspect that the United States had played in the government of Haiti.
Haiti has long been known for its major export of Haitian migrants in search of a better way of life. It is an exodus that goes back several decades, however with recent times the numbers have increased dramatically. In fact, that numbers of Haitians fleeing Haiti in the early 1990's far exceeds the numbers recorded in earlier years. Between 1972- 1979, some 8,000- 10,000 Haitians arrived in the United States. Compare this number with the 14,443 Haitians interdicted between September 30, 1991 - January 1, 1992. By early 1994, this number totaled over 41,000 (Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Haiti, 1994). Economic deprivation has always been the predominant influence for the migrating of Haitians, yet in the
Health has been influenced by many factors such as poor health status, disease risk factors, and limited access to healthcare. All these factors are due to social, economic and environmental disadvantages. According to the World Organization (WHO) (2015), “the social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities, which is the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries”