title: Mission trip to Panama: a glimpse at global poverty.
abstract: Panama is a beautiful country with many disparities. It was estimated in 1995 that 40% of the population lived in poverty. Deaths from cardiovascular disease increased by 2% annually from 1990 to 1994, with hypertension being the leading cause of death for persons aged 60 years or more. I had the opportunity to travel briefly in Panama on a mission trip and found elevated blood pressure to be a major symptom of the clinic participants.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chertok
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D014943:Global Health; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D010176:Panama / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008921:Religious Missions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors