The world's diseases are not evenly distributed across the globe. Sub-Saharan African nations, for example, suffer much higher rates of HIV infection than do countries in any other region, and even higher rates of mortality among those infected with the virus. Diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, cardiovascular disease, and many other conditions show similarly disproportionate distributions.
The causes of such disparities in the health of countries are complex. Some factors become apparent, however, when various socio-economic data from the world's nations are plotted on global maps alongside mortality rates for specific diseases.
This Global Health Atlas enables you to explore such social and economic indicators as life expectancy, wealth, and education. Compare the indicators with the distribution of the world's deadliest diseases, and decide for yourself how and why they might be connected.
To use this feature, you will need Flash 6 or later.