Hunger is Still A Leading Health Issue in 2022

World Hunger is a leading worldwide epidemic, with as many as 811 million people globally going hungry each day. The most shocking part is it's on the rise, with an additional 161 million empty mouths by the end of 2020. The extreme rise in undernourished people has mainly been caused by Covid-19, as it has effected local and global economies. Donate to The Hunger Project Australia to make the world a better place and help those in need.

Prevalence

Over 957 million people don' t have enough food to eat across 93 countries. Hunger is not just an issue limited to developing nations. Hunger is also prevalent in developed nations like the United States and Australia. In Australia, food banks provide food relief to more than one million people each month, with over 1.2 million children going hungry in the last year and one in six adults not having had enough food in the last year.

Physical Health Impacts

One of the many effects of hunger is that it increases a person’s risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Of American households receiving food bank donations 58% have one member with high blood pressure and 33% have a member with diabetes. Severe starvation leads to the loss of body protein needed to keep the body's vital organs functioning. When the body can no longer provide the necessary nutrients to vital organs the heart, lungs ovaries, and testes begin to shrink. Eventually, the brain begins to shrink too. Any loss of brain function experienced by children due to starvation could be permanent.

Mental Health impacts

Hunger does not just impact a person's physical body, it also detrimentally affect a person's mental health and cognitive development. Facing hunger can be stressful, not knowing where your next meal will come from can cause anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mothers with school-aged children who experience severe hunger are 56.2% more likely to have PTSD and 53% more likely to have severe depression. The inability to provide for one’s family is traumatic and can have serious effects on a person's mental health.

Children and Hunger

One in every 15 children in developing countries dies before the age of five due to malnutrition. That’s one in 15 humans who will never see their full potential and potential impact on the world, all because they did not receive the basic human needs for survival. Food insecurity and hunger experienced on a smaller scale can make it hard for children to concentrate at school, can lead to hyperactivity and aggression. These behavioural issues caused by hunger can distract kids from schoolwork and lead to developmental delays and learning disabilities. When donating to help world hunger, you are not only saving kids' lives but investing in their potential, future, and a brighter tomorrow.

Economic Impact

World hunger does not just have health impacts, the prevailing issue of world hunger is a vicious cycle that results in a community that is less productive and more prone to diseases. This holt on productivity and poor health leads to a community that is unable to develop to improve their lifestyle. This is a primary reason for the inhibition of developing countries. World hunger creates barriers to developing sustainable strong economies.

Societal Impact

Individuals who spend their lives fighting to fill their bellies and for survival could be revolutionary to the world with their untapped intellectual capabilities. One of these hungry mouths could be the next leading scientist in the cure for cancer or the next leading engineer for space exploration, all struggling just to feed their stomachs. However, these capabilities will remain in the dark if all of their efforts are put towards basic survival.

Impact of Covid-19

Covid-19 has drastically increased world hunger and has created a time when people need your support more than ever. The pandemic has increased hunger and food insecurity worldwide, by disrupting food supply chains and impacting people’s livelihoods through reduced income. In 2020, hunger peaked globally with 2.3 billion people lacking access to adequate food throughout the year.

Hunger is still a leading health issue in 2022 and it is one that desperately needs to be addressed. As you donate to alleviate hunger remember that hunger is not an issue limited to developing countries and you could be saving Australia’s next leading tennis player or astrophysicist.