Allen Elster, a resident in internal medicine at East Tennessee State University, recently brought his expertise to Nicaragua on a medical mission trip. While there, Allen Elster worked with a Nicaraguan team at a number of rural medical clinics, which provide care to underserved local populations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nicaragua has several significant health challenges.
In Nicaragua, only 6.3 percent of the population has medical insurance, with low-income individuals, ethnic minorities, and those in rural areas having the least access to care. The country also has high rates of infant and maternal mortality, especially among disadvantaged groups. Because approximately 33 percent of the population is under the age of 15, child nutrition is an area of concern, with an estimated 22 percent of disadvantaged youth hungry or malnourished.
Despite these challenges, Nicaragua has been making progress and has met some of its key goals. The most recent statistics from WHO show declines in the under-five and maternal mortality rates from 1990 to 2014, along with fewer deaths from malaria.
In Nicaragua, only 6.3 percent of the population has medical insurance, with low-income individuals, ethnic minorities, and those in rural areas having the least access to care. The country also has high rates of infant and maternal mortality, especially among disadvantaged groups. Because approximately 33 percent of the population is under the age of 15, child nutrition is an area of concern, with an estimated 22 percent of disadvantaged youth hungry or malnourished.
Despite these challenges, Nicaragua has been making progress and has met some of its key goals. The most recent statistics from WHO show declines in the under-five and maternal mortality rates from 1990 to 2014, along with fewer deaths from malaria.