Essay on a large-scale Chosen Outbreak such as Ebola

There are many diseases affecting populations around the globe that include a cultural component as to how they are perceived, treated or cured, and who should be involved when addressing illness. For instance, during the large-scale Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2015, there were several cultural practices that perpetuated the transmission of disease and hindered containment efforts.

Health and medical professionals must respond to these ‘public health emergencies’ quickly, but must take into consideration how the affected population will react to the response, including cultural beliefs that may contribute to the continued spread of these infections.

After reviewing the Unit 8 Readings, choose either the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak in West Africa or a specific population affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic as the topic for your paper, and write a minimum 500 word expository essay that addresses the following:

Provide a brief description of the chosen outbreak.

What organizations were/are responsible for responding to the chosen public health emergency?

How did these organizations address cultural practices that may have contributed to the spread of disease?

Was importance placed on how the disease was perceived, treated, and who needed to be involved (traditional healers, religious healers, etc.) in the response?

In your opinion, how successful were the organizations in trying to change cultural beliefs to prevent the spread of disease? Explain.