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Our Philosophy
The statistics are mind numbing. Overwhelming. Chilling. Health
problems that do not exist in the United States kill millions of
people every year in other parts of the world.
- Disability from preventable diseases impoverishes individuals
and their families. About 1.3 billion people live on less than
$1.00 per day! (i)
- Around 800 million people are undernourished around the world.
Malnourishment hinders people's levels of activity, stunts their
growth and leaves them vulnerable to disease. (ii)
- 1.7 million people die every year from malaria, a preventable
and treatable disease that is unknown in developed countries.
(iii)
- An estimated 250 million pre-school children are vitamin
A deficient. Each year 350,000 of them will go blind and two million
will die from lack of vitamin A in their diet. (iv)
- Infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus know no boundaries.
Over 500 cases have been reported in the US alone . Prevention
and treatment of this disease and other like it must be faced
on a global level. (v)
Graced with abundance, we are called to action to make a difference
in the lives of people who are born into staggering poverty and
disease. We believe that each of us, through shared responsibility
and participation, can and should act to improve the health of people
throughout the world.
As global leaders, economically developed nations must respond
to the devastating disease and poverty out of a strategic self-interest
to reduce the social and economic cost of poverty with its resulting
political instability and risk.
Growing numbers of concerned individuals are stepping forward to
redress the disparities between the nations who enjoy abundance
and those living with hunger and disease. Through knowledge, commitment,
and generosity of spirit, we can bring better health to others while
contributing to global economic and political stability. These goals
are achieved through small gestures of millions of caring people.
Our research methods and innovative projects involve many people
in the pursuit of improving health for millions of the world's poorest.
Through SHARED efforts, we bring positive change to those in
greatest need. Join us.
References
i - "From Extreme Poverty to Sustainable Livelihoods",
N. Singh. UNDP, New York, NY 1999
ii - United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization statistics
iii - World Health Organization statistics
iv - Helen Keller Worldwide statistics
v - CDC, www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/wncount.htm
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