Development and health

• Single indicators are averages across a whole country and can vary between different areas and regions. For example there are life expectancy differences in Bearsden and Drumchapel
• single indicators do not show differences in gender. For example, average income varies between men and women due to the gender pay gap in many countries
• single indicators do not show differences in ethnicity. Educational attainment varies between different ethnicities in the USA
• Some countries have inflated figures for individual indicators such as Saudi Arabia has a higher GNI due to oil exports
• some countries may have a lot of wealth, however this wealth is not shared amongst the people or spent on services like schools and hospital.
• Single indicators do not show regional differences. For example in rural Brazil the literacy rate is 25%, but it’s higher in urban areas
• Single indicators like GDP do not include value of products from barter economies, meaning vast amount of products are not included in economic figures.
• Combined indicators are more effective than single indicators because they include a mixture of social and economic figures.
• The female anopheles mosquito exists in temperatures between 15 and 40 degrees celsius.
• A warm, humid climate, particularly around the tropics is ideal for the mosquito.
• Areas with high rainfall increase the likelihood of stagnant water where the female anopheles lays her larvae.
• The female anopheles mosquito is most active at night in cool, shaded areas where she digests her blood meals.
• The female anopheles mosquito can only exist in altitudes between sea level and 3000m.
• Cities and towns are ‘blood reservoirs’ for the mosquito to thrive.
• Humans build dams and reservoirs, which is man made stagnant water for the mosquito to lay her larvae.
• To feed the growing population in developing countries, rice is grown in paddy fields which requires stagnant water.
• Shanty towns and slums often have limited drainage and sanitation system, which creates ideal breeding grounds for the mosquito.
• Irrigation of crops means stagnant water is created, again as part of the food growing process.
• S: mosquito nets laced in insecticides are put up around beds.

  E: this is effective as it stops the mosquito biting people at night when it is most active.
• S: Larvae eating fish (muddy loach) are put into paddy fields to eat the larvae.

  E; as the fish breed, farmers can eat them, giving extra protein to the farmers.
• S; genetic modification of male mosquitos to prevent the mosquito from breeding.

  E; Developing countries don’t often have the technology required, and this raises ethical concerns.
• S; BTI bacteria is artificially grown in coconuts, which are thrown into larvae infested ponds.

  E: this destroys the lining of the mosquito’s stomach when it eats it.
• S: the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has invested vast amounts of money into a malaria vaccine.

  E: this has seen a 56% drop in malaria on children in trials, however vaccines may make people become complacent with mosquito nets.
• S: anti malaria drugs (Lariam) can prevent malaria

  E: these often have negative side effects which makes people hesitant to take them.
• S: spraying breeding grounds with insecticides (like DDT) to kill the mosquito.

  E: this was initially effective, however the mosquito became resistant to the insecticides.
• S: planting eucalyptus trees which soak up stagnant water.

  E: in some areas they are invasive and also take up a valuable water source.
• S: educate people about malaria prevention through songs and games.

  E: this is a cheap form of prevention and informs people how to protect themselves and others.
• S: speed up the flow of rivers/flushing out reservoirs every 7 days.

  E: this can be difficult in countries that experience dry seasons.
• S: Special mosquito traps that mimic humans and produce CO2 can be used to kill mosquitoes.

  E; this is effective, but only on a smaller scale.
• I: high percentage of family’s income may be spent on doctors visits and drugs.
• I: this reduces the amount of money spent on food and education.
• I: breeding season of mosquitoes coincides with harvesting time. If families can’t harvest crop this leads to malnutritio.
• I: high proportion of nations GDP is spent on combatting malaria, leaving less to spend on improving infrastructure.
• I: high levels of absenteeism leads to lower literacy rates, and this can lead to a less skilled workforce in the future.
• I: tourists may avoid the area which reduces revenue from visitors.
• I: foreign companies may not invest in the area due to an unreliable workforce.