Mortality has been in decline since the mid 30’s and family planning programs have been helping to curb population growth since the mid 60’s (Morris et al). While the civil war did briefly increase mortality, the overall trend for both fertility and mortality has been downward. This downward trend is slowly leading the country to a post-industrial society. However, this downward trend could be stalled or even reversed by El Salvador’s poor infrastructure, particularly its water and sanitation system. The sanitation system is of particular concern due to the many diarrheal diseases that can get into the water supply. Many of the poorer districts of El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador have problems accessing water, electricity, and sanitation. (Tardancio) These problems with accessing basic infrastructure or problems with the quality of available infrastructure are magnified outside of the capital. El Salvador’s problems with its infrastructure will only increase with the population unless the government steps in and creates a centralized municipal department dedicated to improving water quality, access, and sanitation (Schiffler et al). As of 2006, less than 5% of all sewage in El Salvador receives treatment, with the rest simply dumped back into the water supply. The three largest cities performed little to no treatment of their waste water and released it into surrounding creeks and rivers, many of which are then used for irrigation downstream. (Schiffler et al). Given the state of its water and sewage infrastructure in 2006, it is astonishing that mortality rates are as low as they are. In addition to improving water and sanitation, El Salvador will need to improve its healthcare system. The appalling sanitation standards have created ideal conditions for an epidemic. In addition to that, the increasing number of people reaching old age will strain the existing healthcare
Mortality has been in decline since the mid 30’s and family planning programs have been helping to curb population growth since the mid 60’s (Morris et al). While the civil war did briefly increase mortality, the overall trend for both fertility and mortality has been downward. This downward trend is slowly leading the country to a post-industrial society. However, this downward trend could be stalled or even reversed by El Salvador’s poor infrastructure, particularly its water and sanitation system. The sanitation system is of particular concern due to the many diarrheal diseases that can get into the water supply. Many of the poorer districts of El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador have problems accessing water, electricity, and sanitation. (Tardancio) These problems with accessing basic infrastructure or problems with the quality of available infrastructure are magnified outside of the capital. El Salvador’s problems with its infrastructure will only increase with the population unless the government steps in and creates a centralized municipal department dedicated to improving water quality, access, and sanitation (Schiffler et al). As of 2006, less than 5% of all sewage in El Salvador receives treatment, with the rest simply dumped back into the water supply. The three largest cities performed little to no treatment of their waste water and released it into surrounding creeks and rivers, many of which are then used for irrigation downstream. (Schiffler et al). Given the state of its water and sewage infrastructure in 2006, it is astonishing that mortality rates are as low as they are. In addition to improving water and sanitation, El Salvador will need to improve its healthcare system. The appalling sanitation standards have created ideal conditions for an epidemic. In addition to that, the increasing number of people reaching old age will strain the existing healthcare