Problem #1 [HIV/AIDS]
In Iran, HIV/AIDS is 9 times more prevalent than it was a decade ago. (Currently over 20,000 known cases, but it is estimated that there are somewhere around 100,000 infected. Causes: Research has shown that the 2 most common causes of the spread of this disease in Iran in particular are 1) sexual intercourse, and 2) the use of contaminated needles by drug addicts. Unfortunately, one of the reasons why so many people go without treatment of these infections is because sexual sin is extremely looked down upon. Admitting to someone that you have HIV could result in alienation and feeling shunned from society. Solution: Prostitution is illegal in Iran as well, so many women fear getting help because that could result in them getting arrested. Educating not only the prostitutes, but everyone about these diseases could lead to fewer individuals putting off getting treatment like so many of them currently do. It is not sufficient to only educate the women, but the men need to be educated as well. When the people understand the implications of the disease, they will be more likely to take it seriously and get help immediately before infecting more people and before it gets worse. The UN would be smart to support Iran's efforts in education because by lessening the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, the standard of living and quality of life for many people will be greatly affected and the results will show in many different outlets such as education, work, and family success. The funds would initially come from the UN and in the future could be replaced with the saved money that would have been spent on HIV/AIDS patients if they see that the numbers go down after a set amount of time. |
Problem #2 [Maternal Health]
Maternal mortality is avoidable, and Iran has the resources to reduce these rates, but the less wealthy provinces in Iran continue to have higher maternal mortality rates than the wealthy. This inequality is unjust and avoidable. Causes: Lower household income and literacy rate have been shown to correlate negatively with maternal mortality rates. The World Health Organization estimates that between 88%-98% of maternal deaths could have been prevented if the mother had access to proper healthcare and maternal services. Solution: This statistic shows that if given the proper care, this wouldn't even be a problem anymore. Certain provinces have better care than others, so what Iran could do is start up programs to improve the quality of care at the provinces who have been suffering. This could include training doctors in these areas, training midwives, or providing more affordable healthcare options for mothers who are not able to pay the current amounts. Iran should intervene and attempt to lower the mortality rates by providing the poorer provinces with care, and then they should see if these changes help other situations or help the economy of these struggling places. If they see improvement by providing it, then it would be a good idea to continue it if economically feasible. Lowering maternal mortality rates could decrease the number of orphaned children, and that definitely would have lasting effects. |