Literacy In Haiti

Literacy itself is a big problem for the Haitian population; besides, only 49% of the population can read and write. Which means the literacy rate is 61% which led to a number that is way below the 90% of the Latin American and Caribbean countries. Furthermore, only 61% of children can read and write at a third-grade level (Helm, 2016). With that said, it may be difficult to conduct a need assessment in Haiti before develop any needed health policy to increase awareness. For example, a reliable research study should include providing written survey to the target population, however, in Haiti, to communicate with those in need indeed, there must be a one on one style of communication since reading is almost not an option, and it could be very

The greatest number of the population would only learn about help by word of mouth. It is evident that education on preventive measures is more difficult when the recipients are illiterate. Per the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), “Literacy is the ability to use printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one's goals, and to develop one's knowledge and potential” (NAAL, 2003, para. 3). With that understanding, Organization such as Agency for International Development (USAID) recently collaborated with Haitian Catholic Church and others to improve literacy outcomes in 1,000 Haitian Catholic schools (Helm, 2016). This number is only a fraction of the population, and there is a possibility that the deserving areas do not benefit from this effort. Until more laws and effort are in place to fight corruption and protect the people, who know who will benefit from such needed

It is almost impossible to get clear demographic of Haiti due its inequality, and corruption. “Haiti is one of the unequal countries in the world: the richest 20% of its population holds more than 64% of its total wealth, while the poorest 20% hold hardly 1%.” (Haiti Fact Sheet, 2016, para. 2). Many researchers would agree that the greatest enemy of good health is poverty, and where there is poverty, exist health inequality/injustice. People who are financially able, are also those who have the opportunity to receive help at an early stage for their medical condition. (World Health Bank, 2014), with that said the Haitians are no exempt of that fact. It is noted that only 20% of the population is in control of 70% of the total income of Haiti (Muggah, & Maguir, 2010). Since the 1970’s until today, the Haitian population is divided into two categories which are the wealthy, and the have-nots. 71% of the population is living on less than two dollars a day (L’Etang, & Waine, 2012). The middle class is almost nonexistent because they fled the country as soon as they can due to political reason, or in the search for a better life in America. Besides corruption that keeps the people of Haiti under a curse, inequality and inequity are also to blame for the short life expectancy of the