HEALTH
3 major epidemics around the world cause more deaths in rural countries than any other disease: Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS. The hard fact about these is that they are relatively easy to prevent.

Simple solutions like mosquito nets, vaccinations, contraception awareness, prevention and medication are just some of the small but impactful changes we can make to save the millions of innocent lives that die from these diseases everyday.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious respiratory disease that kills 2 million people every year. HIV and TB form a lethal combination, each speeding the other’s progress. TB is also a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. The global resurgence of TB has been fueled by increasing HIV/AIDS prevalence, inadequate investments in public health systems, and emerging TB drug resistance. The disease threatens the poorest and most marginalized groups, disrupts the social fabric of society, and slows or undermines gains in economic development.
Since 1981 there has been an estimated 25 million people die of AIDS. As of 2008, there are 33.4 million people living HIV/AIDS. Among those 33.4 million, 50% of women accounted for all the adults living with HIV worldwide. In developing and transitional countries, 9.5 million people are in immediate need of life saving drugs; of these, only 4 million (42%) are receiving the drugs. 22.4 million of that 33.4, live in the sub-Sahara Africa, a region that has just over 10% of the world’s population, but is home to 67% of all people living with HIV.

Malaria is a disease of the blood that is caused by a parasite transmitted from person to person by certain types of mosquitoes. Symptoms of malaria appear 9-14 days after bite and include fever, headache, vomiting and flu-like symptoms. If drugs are not available or the parasite resists the medication it can put someone in a coma, attack and kill your red blood cells and clogging your capillaries that carry blood to your brain and vital organs. Sounds scary right? It is, and the number of people dying of this disease is astronomic, infecting 250 million people and killing 1 million people a year. This is not only a devastating number but also is devastating to the economy when someone becomes infected. Children miss school, businesses shut down, and tourism slows.

Prevention for this disease again is simple. An inexpensive mosquito net costs about $10 for the net, shipping and education. Typically, the African malaria mosquitoes generally bite late at night or early morning, between 10pm and 4am.

The Virtua Foundation desires to help empower and support organizations that want to combat these preventable health issues. With your support we can begin to see life expectancy increase and communities grow older together.

As with any of our partners, the Virtua Foundation requires high levels of accountability and prudent fiscal management with any organization that we work with. If you are interested in dedicating funds to any of the causes that we support or are interested in registering your health non-profit with us, register here or donate now.