A Poem — “Public Health”

 

Tuberculosis rates

continue to decline.

 

Except among two groups.

 

The first,

newcomers from developing countries

where

access to health care is limited,

diagnosis delayed,

treatment unavailable or unaffordable.

 

Where poorly ventilated and

overcrowded housing

favour the spread of infection.

 

Where hunger and malnutrition

weaken the immune system.

 

Where education on

risk factors and prevention

is lacking.

 

Where HIV is prevalent.

 

The second, Inuit.

 

(Editor’s note: poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday)

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