Health

• Maya men and women are very strong and are seen carrying incredibly heavy loads of wood, cement, and tools on their backs or on their heads. Because of this labor-intensive work, it is no surprise that hernias are the most common medical condition.

• Many of the Maya have incredible cardiovascular systems due in part to the fact that they live at an elevation of 6500 feet and regularly walk everywhere over steep inclines. This enhanced cardiovascular health makes our American surgeons adjust the amount of anesthesia they give to their patients. (Most Americans require far less anesthesia due to our often-poor cardiovascular health.)

• In general, the level of health care in Guatemala is very poor, and there are serious untreated health problems in the rural areas.

• The lack of proper facilities and medical personnel in the countryside account for the high infant mortality rate.

• One in five children die before the age of 5. The main causes of infant mortality are diarrhea, respiratory infections, and childbirth problems—all of which are relatively easy to prevent with proper resources.