Egypt Study Abroad

Summer 2019

My student study abroad (Howard University), in the summer of 2019 to Egypt afforded me another opportunity to observe first hand how ecosystems are tied to healthcare. The Nile River is the most important and major source of water not only for the country, but the region. Smoking is part of the culture and just about everywhere you go someone is smoking. The air quality is also heavily polluted, and respiratory diseases are on an increase. 

  My group also visited a Nubian village outside of  Cairo where we met the chief and he explained  the injustices that befell their people after agreement between them and Egyptian government.  They were exposed to high levels of pollution, and treated a range of injuries and illnesses as the nearest clinics were too far or too expensive. His words reminded me of the inequities experienced by so many marginalized people in my own country. Environmental pollution disproportionately impacts the poorest communities especially healthcare services.