Meet Mario.
“
I believe that improving lives begins at home. Not having a healthy
home deprives people in Ecuador of the most basic physical, economic and psychological security of adequate shelter. Through Healthy Homes for Healthy Living, we can help people in rural Ecuador rebuild their homes and help people thrive – bodily, mentally, economically, and socially.”
Mario Grijalva, Director of the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING?
We are fighting a disease called Chagas disease. Chagas disease is caused by infection with the parasite Typanosoma cruzi and transmitted through the feces of triatomine insects. Triatomines are found all over the Americas, but are particularly common in places like rural Ecuador. There is no vaccine for Chagas disease, so stopping the bugs from biting people is the main way we can fight Chagas disease.
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HOW ARE WE HELPING?
Students and faculty from Ohio University (OHIO) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE) are helping citizens of three communities to find funds to build better houses that are resistant to infestation of triatomines as well as other insects. Having better homes that keep out triatomines means greatly lowering the exposure to these insects that spread Chagas disease while improving people’s living conditions.
OUR GOAL
Our goal is to help rural Ecuadorians improve their own communities while engaging students in a transformative educational experience.
Healthy Homes for Healthy Living - The Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute - © HLI