Health Medical Homework Help
Health Medical Homework Help. Discussion Replies needed for class
Replies needed, 200 words with references
First reply:
Christine Saint-Vil
DB Forum 1
When comparing the problem of obesity in America to the problem of tobacco use, many similarities can be found between the current trends of both health issues. Both issues are prevalent amongst all age groups, especially in childhood and adolescent ages, however, when uncontrolled, they become major risk factors for chronic diseases.1 Both, tobacco use and obesity, are common occurrences in low socioeconomic classes, contain highly marketed products, have a stigma attached to them, can be difficult to treat, and are not as commonly embraced as risk factors that clinicians want to help treat, in comparison to other health issues.1 Although they carry many similarities, the trends in tobacco use and obesity are still very much different. When classifying individuals who use tobacco, there are only two options, it is either they do or they do not. However, when it comes to obesity classification, the process is not as simple and classification is dependent upon the body mass index scale, which has been known to misclassify individuals and fails to take into consideration other variables like muscle mass.1
For individuals living in poverty in inner cities, behavioral patterns are likely to play a significant role in the determinants of health, however, social circumstances and health care would be a much larger percentage than what is currently represented. Social circumstances within the inner city would include material deprivation, lack of access to health care, clean water, and sanitation.2 There would also be an increase in environmental exposures within inner city populations because of the population and other environmental issues caused by the rapid development of businesses.2 Much of the differences that would be created within a poor inner city community, can be found amongst poor rural areas. In rural areas, there would be an increase in the percentage of health care, considering many would not have any and mainly seek alternative medical interventions because of their location. Environmental exposure would also increase significantly because many poor rural areas lack clean water and sanitation, but they also do not have much resources outside of their environment.
As the body of Christ, social circumstances is a social determinant that we can come together to bring awareness and help ameliorate. Proverbs 31: 8-9 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”3 The word of God charges us as believers to stand on behalf of those who may not be able to speak and fight for the things that are necessary, therefore, as the body of Christ, we should be active and engaged in the current issues of the world where the poor and the oppressed do not have the ability to.
References
- Schroeder SA. We can do better – Improving the health of the American people. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(12): 1221-1228.
- Ompad et al. Social determinants of the health of urban populations: methodologic considerations. J Urban Health. 2007;84(Suppl 1): 42-53.
- Proverbs 31:8-9. Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers; 1996.
second reply:
Corinne Patino
DB Forum #1
One researcher published an article explaining why the United States ranks poorly on many health measures in spite of spending more money than other countries on health care stating, “The disadvantaged are less well represented in the political sphere than in most other developed countries, which often have an active labor movement and robust labor parties. [Very few know of] the dispersed and relatively weak status of the various agencies responsible for population health and the fact that they are so disconnected from the delivery of health services. In addition, the America emphasis on the value of individual responsibility creates a reluctance to intervene in what are seen as personal behavioral choices.”1. I personally agree with Schroeder’s reasoning behind the low ranking of the United States and wish to shine light on the belief that any potential statistical improvements that exist solely come from behavioral change; Rather than technological innovations. If I were to list a third reasoning behind this trend of low statistics within our health measures I would offer suggest the societal norm, of most living in the US, that highlights a broken health care system which keeps them from accessing most types of preventative care.
Speaking of societal norms, the increasing rate of obesity in America can be compared and contrasted to the now decreasing rate of tobacco use– Similar because it has been noted that, “The goal of a social norm movement is to influence behavior indirectly by creating a social environment and legal climate in which harmful products and conduct become less desirable, acceptable, and attainable. The social norm change approach that has driven the highly effective tobacco control movement in California, highlights a unique role that lawyers have played and how lawyers are preparing to play a similar part in the movement to prevent childhood obesity [in a population-based approach].”2. In contrast, statistical changes seen within obesity stem less from socialist changes and more from using a population-based approach because individual caloric intake and excessive body fat differ greatly from tobacco inhalation.
In the same published research article referenced above, Schroeder defines the 5 proportional categories contributing to premature death in the United States as being: (1) Behavioral Patterns, 40%; (2) Genetic Predisposition, 30%; (3) Social Circumstances, 15%; (4) Health Care, 10%; and (5) Environmental Exposure, 5%. I believe Schroeder’s large-scale proportions may vary if one were to scale down in terms of population size; 2 examples of these potential variations can stem from populations living in poverty within inner cities or rural areas. Possible variations of populations living in poverty within inner cities: (1) Behavioral Patterns may result in an easier transmission of viruses and diseases, 45%; (2) Genetic predisposition likely won’t stray from the general average, 21%; (3) Social circumstances may be slightly higher due to the socioeconomical factors, 17% ; (4) Health care being difficult to afford, 12%; and (5) Environmental exposures are often highly impacted by uncontrollable hazards in the physical work environments in older inner cities which causes more preventative health issues, 5%. Possible variations of populations living in poverty within rural cities: (1) Behavioral patterns may be lower because the work is typically more physically inclusive, 35%; (2) Genetic predisposition likely won’t stray from the general average, 30%; (3) Social circumstances may increase due to level of education, 17%; (4) Health Care is somewhat difficult when traveling far distance comes into play, 15%; and (5) Environmental exposure will decrease because of the lack of pollution, 3%.
A group of researchers stressed the facts behind social determinants and their impact on health by stating, “Social circumstances and environmental exposure also contribute substantially to preventable illness.) It appears, in fact, that a much smaller proportion of preventable mortality in the United States, perhaps 10–15 percent, could be avoided by better availability or quality of medical care. Thus, one could question a funding scheme that places so much emphasis on medical care and not on prevention.”3. One social determinant that largely impacts health is income disparities. Income disparities are common in most populations but are oftentimes seen as being ameliorated by God’s love through the practice of paying tithe. Proverbs 3:9-10 states, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”4.
References
1. Schroeder SA. We Can Do Better — Improving the Health of the American People. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357(12):1221-1228. doi:10.1056/nejmsa073350
2. Graff S, Ackerman J. A special role for lawyers in a social norm change movement: from tobacco control to childhood obesity prevention. Prev Chronic Dis. 2009;6(3):A95.
3. Mcginnis JM, Williams-Russo P, Knickman JR. The Case For More Active Policy Attention To Health Promotion. Health Affairs. 2002;21(2):78-93. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.21.2.78
4. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)
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