Field Experience Effect on Mayan Population

Field Experience Effect on Mayan Population

Introduction

Guatemala is located in Latin America and has the second-largest proportions of indigenous people. As documented in history, about 50% of the Guatemala population belongs to one of the 21 distinct indigenous individuals, which include Mayan and Xinca, among others. The Mayan community has the highest number of indigenous people as compared to other groups. Despite the high population, the life expectancy of this group is 13 years lower than the non-indigenous residence. According to diverse findings, maternal mortality is four times higher than in other groups. In addition, childhood stunting rate is about 50%. Numerous factors influence the high health disparities among this population. Therefore, a global health medical trip to Guatemala was considered to address these medical disparities.

In Guatemala, the government provides healthcare services to all populations. This exercise is done through the ministry of health and the public health system that offers primary care vaccination to all individuals. Most advanced healthcare facilities are located in urban centers where indigenous people have inadequate access. This issue is one of the major factors that contribute to health disparities in this population. Conversely, individuals below the poverty line have less access to healthcare services. According to findings, the Mayan population and other indigenous persons live in poverty, which is a critical factor in health. To effectually address the above health disparities, the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, and Wuqu Kawoq, among others, play critical roles. In this medical trip to Guatemala, both CDC and WHO will provide resources to facilitate the services. The primary role of the CDC is to prevent disease occurrence, while WHO seeks to address illness in various populations. As documented by WHO and CDC, discrimination, poverty,

and lack of education are the main factors that increase health disparities throughout the world. Similarly, these same factors escalate health challenges among the Guatemala population. Thus, WHO and CDC should address these challenges affecting this population.

There are numerous health organizations in Guatemala. Wuqu Kawoq is one of these firms and plays an important role in improving health among the indigenous groups. Due to the high rate of poverty among the indigenous population, the health organization provides essential health services to this population. Generally, poverty affects about 70% of the indigenous population. Due to this high rate of poverty, the population is affected by high morbidity and mortality rate. In addition, poverty leads to malnutrition, severe child health, child stunting, diarrhea, and chronic disease, among others. Despite the government’s effort to address these problems, studies show that the population continues to suffer. For the last few years, Wuqu Kawoq organization has played a critical role in transforming the health of Mayan communities. Apart from providing essential health services, the organization collaborates with the government to address the high rate of poverty. Besides, the organization collaborates with medical students who volunteer to help the indigenous population. These medical students provide care services to the affected population to address health disparities.

The health situation in Guatemala is critical and has the worst figures in Latin America. Malnutrition is one of the main problems that affect the population. According to findings, the health disparity affects about 46% of the whole population. Child stunting is another common health problem among the Guatemala population. However, it has been established that the problem is severe among the indigenous groups, which double that of the non-indigenous population. Infantile mortality is another severe health problem affecting the Guatemala population, especially the indigenous groups. According to the findings, the maternal mortality rate among the Mayan population is the highest in Latin America. In this regard, out of 100000 births, 150 women die in the process. Other health challenges affecting this population were diarrhea, depression, and chronic diseases, which were high among the indigenous groups.

 

Indeed, there are many reasons why the Mayan population in Guatemala faces many health disparities. Barriers to healthcare access and social-cultural obstacles are the main reasons for increased health inequalities among the population. Poverty, lack of education, and other social-cultural factors lead to poor access to health services. The majority of the Mayan individuals live in the villages where they rarely access advanced health services. Most of the advanced hospitals with better health services are located in urban centers.

The language barrier is a significant factor that increases health disparities within this population. The Mayan population is only conversant with its indigenous language, which is less utilized in health centers. Due to poverty, the majority of the indigenous individuals in Guatemala have poor access to healthcare services. This factor is influenced by the fact that these people do not have enough resources to facilitate medical expenses. Finally, the majority of the Mayan population is illiterate. Therefore, these individuals are not aware of their health conditions, leading to poor access to health.