Blog # 8: Tuberculous rates in South Africa

Summary:

Silicon dust is a huge reason why people get tuberculosis (TB). For years people wondered where it came from and found that silicon dust formed in mines was causing people to contract tuberculosis.  After many years, TB still strongly affects people around the world, but most strongly in mines in South Africa.  The country of South Africa population has one of the highest risks for TB. In fact, TB was said to be contracted by  more than 1,000 out of every 100,000 individuals. South Africa’s president said that the TB disease was the primary cause of death throughout the country, as well as nearby countries such as Lesotho, Mozambique, and Swaziland. The mines are a huge part of South Africa’s income and therefore are an important part of their economy. Having so many people die from the silicon dust coming from the mines is not only a huge health risk for South Africa, but an economical risk.

Analysis:

A meeting was held to address the TB mining issues, the world bank showed the results they obtained from a study which said that there was a 40:1 benefit-cost ratio to treating TB. South Africa is trying to do more to help prevent the high levels of TB throughout the country. They are doing health screening and putting forth a TB testing initiative. They are hoping that South Africa’s neighboring countries will do the same. Even though TB is highest in countries in Africa, TB screening should be done all around the world. TB awareness should be raised all over the world because it has such a high death rate. 

Link: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/southern-african-countries-address-TB