...HEALTH RISKS & COSTS The Effects Of Obesity, Smoking, And Drinking On Medical Problems And Costs Obesity outranks both smoking and drinking in its deleterious effects on health and health costs. by Roland Sturm ABSTRACT: This paper compares the effects of obesity, overweight, smoking, and problem drinking on health care use and health status based on national survey data. Obesity has roughly the same association with chronic health conditions as does twenty years’ aging; this greatly exceeds the associations of smoking or problem drinking. Utilization effects mirrors the health effects. Obesity is associated with a 36 percent increase in inpatient and outpatient spending and a 77 percent increase in medications, compared with a 21 percent increase in inpatient and outpatient spending and a 28 percent increase in medications for current smokers and smaller effects for problem drinkers. Nevertheless, the latter two groups have received more consistent attention in recent decades in clinical practice and public health policy. M a n y b e h a v i o r a l r i s k f a c t o r s , chief among them smoking, heavy drinking, and obesity, are known causes of chronic health conditions. Chronic health conditions, like cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, in turn are primary drivers of health care spending, disability, and death. This paper compares the associations of smoking, problem drinking, and obesity with health care use and chronic conditions....
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...For over one hundred ninety years, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have been taught to avoid consuming tobacco and alcohol. Additionally, they are instructed to eat fruit in season and meat sparingly. That grain is for the use of man. That by living this way they will find strength and knowledge. (D&C 89) In the last 100 years, reports from various government agencies and health organizations have promoted diet, exercise and clean living to improve longevity. The “Word of Wisdom”, as this passage came to be known, was first taught in 1833 and describes a lifestyle that promotes using herbs & fruit prudently and eating meat in time of famine. Also addressed is the use of alcohol; “strong drinks are…for the washing of your bodies.”, and tobacco as an item to be used medicinally for bruises and on sick cattle, with knowledge and skill. (D&C 89:7-9) Studies show that people may live longer and healthier by observing the “Word of Wisdom”. It is a lifestyle that includes fruits and grains in the diet, limiting meat, and avoiding the consumption of harmful chemicals, such as tobacco and alcohol. The benefits of the “Word of Wisdom” are within the capacity of the “weak and the weakest” (D&C 89:3), meaning that these changes are as hard to make as one makes them. Observing the “Word of Wisdom” can only benefit those who live by it. Making lifestyle changes can be difficult, however it has been proven that making a few lifestyle changes in diet and other...
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...Alcohol and Domestic Violence Samantha Robbins Psy325 December 17, 2012 The usage of alcohol and domestic violence studies has been studies for years. There have been different conclusions drawn as to the harm that is or can be caused by consumption depending on the studies or types of studies. The World Health Organization (WHO), an international agency, defines violence as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, or another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation" (World Health Organization, 2002). When that violence is in the home it is even more devastating as our homes are intended to be safe havens away from anything harmful and supposed to be places of refuge. The belief that the usage of alcohol intensifies and alters violence causing it to be more intense and harmful is of great importance within the current times. Linking alcohol usage to domestic violence allows us, once a determination is made of causation, to initiate changes that can be advantageous and effective helping to break the cycle that is so prevalent. STUDY 1 In study one (“Alcohol and intimate partner violence: Do we have enough information to act?) the test reviews the years of 1966-2004 (Gil-González, 2006). The question asked is does the magnitude of association between male...
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...February 16, 2000 ALCOHOL Philip J. Cook and Michael J. Moore Duke University and NBER Prepared for the Handbook of Health Economics, Joseph P. Newhouse and Anthony Culyer, editors. Thanks to Michael Grossman, Will Manning, and Harri Sintonen for their very helpful comments. All errors remain the authors’. Abstract Excess drinking is associated with lost productivity, accidents, disability, early death, crime, neglect of family responsibilities, and personality deterioration. These and related concerns have justified special restrictions on alcoholic-beverage commerce and consumption. The nature and extent of government involvement in this arena vary widely over time and place, and are often controversial. Economists have contributed to the evaluation of alcohol policy through empirical work on the effects of alcohol-control measures on consumption and its consequences. Economics has also provided an accounting framework for defining and comparing costs and benefits of interventions, including excise taxes. Outside of the policy arena, economists have analyzed alcohol consumption in the context of stretching the standard model of consumer choice to include intertemporal effects and social influence. Nonetheless, perhaps the most important contribution by economists has been the repeated demonstration that there is nothing unusual about alcohol in at least one essential respect: consumers drink less ethanol (and have fewer alcohol-related problems) when alcohol-beverage...
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...Benjamin Porter Student Number: n9380159 Assignment Name: Research Essay – Assignment 2 Unit Code: BSB1133 Tutor: Thamarasi Kularatne Word Count: 1214 Due Date: 8th May 2015 Research Essay BSB113 - Economics May 2015 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 The Context 2 3.0 Economic Analysis 3 4.0 Critical Analysis of Alcopops Tax 4 4.1 Success of the Tax 4 4.2 Limitations 5 5.0 Alternative Policies 6 5.1 Floor Price 6 5.2 Education 6 6.0 Conclusion 7 Reference List 8 1.0 Introduction The British Medical Association notes that alcohol is a psychoactive preparation that, when misused, can cause significant harm to individuals and society (2008). Similarly,...
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...address those aspects of alcoholism, which contribute to it as a medical disease. True, alcoholism has many ramifications for society as well as the economy, but the focus of this paper shall be, for the most part, on the medical aspects. In the way of background, alcoholism refers to the drinking of alcoholic beverages to such a degree that major aspects of the individual’s life -such as work, school, family relationships or personal SAFETY AND HEALTH, above all, are seriously and repeatedly interfered with. Alcoholism is considered a disease, meaning that it follows a characteristic course with known physical, psychological, and social systems. The alcoholic continues to consume alcohol despite the destructive consequences. Alcoholism is serious, progressive, and irreversible. If not treated, it can be fatal. It is generally thought that once the disease has developed, the alcoholic will not drink normally again. An alcoholic who abstains from drinking, however, can regain control over the aspects of life with which ALCOHOL interfered. The alcoholic is then said to be “recovering” not “cured” of the disease. It is important to note that the particular symptoms and pattern of DRINKING PROBLEMS may vary with the individual. ALCOHOLISM is, therefore, a very complex disorder, and it is this very complexity which has led some recent researchers to question the accuracy of the disease concept of alcoholism. A person does not have to drink every day to be an alcoholic. Moreover...
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...more current view of alcohol related issues in the United States. What facts or statistics stood out or surprised you after reading it? Explain why. week 2 Please answer the following discussion question in at least 200 words. This question is based of the reading material assigned for this week. Also, respond to at least 2 of your classmate's discussion question responses. While answering the discussion question and responding to 2 of your classmates would give you full credit for this week, I encourage you to go above that and have numerous open conversations and dialogs with me and your fellow classmates beyond what is minimally required. Discussion Question Two: Chapter 4, Drinking: A Primer, includes a detailed analysis of populations and drinking patterns. Cook deciphers the rates of “any drinking” and...
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...serious drinking problem is the alcoholic himself/herself - they are in denial. Some signs and symptoms of alcoholism as well as alcohol abuse include, drinking alone, not being able to limit how much alcohol is consumed, dropping hobbies and activities the person used to enjoy; losing interest in them, feeling an urge to drink, having relationship problems, having problems with the law, having money problems, and requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect (Videbeck, 2007). Alcoholism does not only affect the adults. According to Sociological theory, alcoholism is a learned response. This often happens at a young age. A child may see things around them or on TV of people drinking and they tend to believe that is the right thing to do. This addiction is primarily believed to be because of society's influences. This often will affect persons who mostly drink in groups. This theory is based more on the peer pressure a person might receive, so they often turn to alcohol drinking problems during college years. Moreover, it has become a public health concern because of its effect on the future of a child. The goal of the current study is to assess the primary psychosocial factors that predict problem drinking among college students. Variables examined included demographic variables, personality, drinking history, alcohol expectancies, drinking motives, stress and coping, activity involvement, and peer and family influence. Evidence from studies of college drinking indicated...
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...Analysis Paper 3: Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Belinda D. Hicks Liberty University Abstract This paper offers a perspective on adolescent alcohol and drug abuse by focusing on identifying common predictors of adolescent drug, and alcohol. Alcohol and other drug use among adolescents has been a public problem for decades. However, it seems that the problem is increasing more every year. Although, some adolescents make it through these years with, on balance, more positive experiences, but as the writer indicated more negative experiences of alcohol and drugs are on the rise. Substance abuse can lead to serious problems such as poor schoolwork, loss of friends, problems at home, and lasting legal problems. Alcohol and drug abuse is a leading cause of teen death or injury related to car crashes, suicides, violence, and drowning. Adolescences experience tragic consequences and others develop chronic problems of abuse and dependence. The broad developmental themes during adolescence and the transition to young adulthood, heavy drinking and drug use increases during the transition from junior high to high school and has to potential to extend to college. The majority of young people make it through. There will also be a discussion on how the family- peers and individual characteristics/variables are correlated with drug and alcohol abuse in adolescence. There will also be review connections between each system risk factor and...
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...The impact of health and health behaviours on educational outcomes in high-income countries: a review of the evidence Marc Suhrcke, School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom Carmen de Paz Nieves, Fundación Ideas, Madrid, Spain ISBN 978 92 890 0220 2 Keywords HEALTH BEHAVIOR - HEALTH STATUS - EDUCATIONAL STATUS - RISK FACTORS - SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS - REVIEW LITERATURE Suggested citation Suhrcke M, de Paz Nieves C (2011). The impact of health and health behaviours on educational outcomes in highincome countries: a review of the evidence. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe. Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to: Publications WHO Regional Office for Europe Scherfigsvej 8 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Alternatively, complete an online request form for documentation, health information, or for permission to quote or translate, on the Regional Office web site (http://www.euro.who.int/pubrequest). © World Health Organization 2011 All rights reserved. The Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning...
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...stress. A smoking habit is a physical addiction to tobacco products. Many health experts now regard habitual smoking as a psychological addiction, too, and one with serious health consequences. Smoking risks Smoking is recognized as the leading preventable cause of death, causing or contributing to the deaths of approximately 430,700 Americans each year. Anyone with a smoking habit has an increased chance of lung, cervical, and other types of cancer; respiratory diseases such as emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis; and cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, and atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of the arteries). The risk of stroke is especially high in women who take birth control pills. Smoking can damage fertility, making it harder to conceive, and it can interfere with the growth of the fetus during pregnancy. It accounts for an estimated 14% of premature births and 10% of infant deaths. There is some evidence that smoking may cause impotence in some men. Because smoking affects so many of the body's systems, smokers often have vitamin deficiencies and suffer oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that steal electrons from other molecules, turning the other molecules into free radicals and destabilizing the molecules in the body's cells. Smoking is recognized as one of several factors that might be related to a higher risk of hip fractures in older adults. Studies reveal that the more a person...
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...of the study as well as the conceptual framework. Part Two, Statement of the Problem and Hypothesis, describes the general goal of the study and the specific questions to be answered in the study with corresponding hypothesis to be tested. Part Three, Significance of the Study, enumerates the different beneficiaries and corresponding benefits that they can derive from the results of the study. Part Four, Definition of Terms, lists alphabetically technical terms used in this study. These terms are defined conceptually and operationally. Part Five, Delimitation of the Study, identifies the scopes and limitations encountered during the conduct of the study. It identifies the variables, the subjects, research designs and statistical analysis procedures used in the study. Likewise, it specifies the location and time of the conduct of the study. Background and Theoretical Framework of the Study Soft drinks and sodas could damage a person. Every person must remember and know that it has a lot of ways to inflict one’s body, physically or mentally. There are certain attitudes that push humans to drink carbonated or caffeinated beverages without knowing their harmful effects. Carbonated soft drink consumption is linked with a disease which is called adenocarcinoma in the esophagus which is stated in the...
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...syndrome ( FAS) , alcohol-related birth defects ( ARBD) , and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND) . The three main types of research methods used in these studies are passive surveillance, clinic-based studies, and active case ascertainment. This article describes each of these methods, including their strengths and weaknesses, and summarizes the estimated prevalence of FAS produced by each of these approaches. The maternal risk factors associated with FAS and other alcohol-related anomalies include advanced maternal age, low socioeconomic status, frequent binge drinking, family and friends with drinking problems, and poor social and psychological indicators. Overall, the available literature points to a prevalence rate of FAS of 0.5 to 2 cases per 1,000 births in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s. KEY WORDS: fetal alcohol syndrome; prevalence; epidemiological indicators; alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder; birth defects; statistical estimation; data collection; clinical aspects; population dynamics; risk factors; research in practice; research quality Establishing the prevalence 1 (1 See the sidebar on page 160 for the definition of prevalence as it is used in this article.) and other epidemiological characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome ( FAS) , alcohol-related birth defects ( ARBD) , and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder ( ARND) 2 (2 FAS is a set of birth defects caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. It...
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...Pill brokers also reported the purchase of used fentanyl patches from nurses who have stolen them from pain patients or from disposal containers in hospitals. Some individuals frequenting the drug markets also barter their oxycodone for other opioids or benzodiazepines, typically alprazolam. Doctor Shopping focus group participants indicated that even in a small state like Delaware, doctor shopping appeared to be fairly easy. The vast majority of abusers reported obtaining medications through doctor shopping, and most reported frequenting at least four physicians in order to obtain sufficient amounts of their desired medications. Occasionally clinics and hospital emergency rooms were reported as locations for doctor shopping as well. A heavy user stated: Another focus group member was saying about the doctors, it’s out of control. I had 8 doctors that would give me four or five different kinds of painkillers at one time” (Beard, Cicero, Inciardi, & Surratt, 537-545). On the other hand, in 2008 W.C. Becker, R. A. Desai, D. A. Fiellin, L. E. Sullivan, & J. M. Tetrault stated, “{Data on licit and illicit substance use frequency and type were obtained via a self-report...
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...and encounters vices such as drinking and smoking is very rampant nowadays. Such vices cannot be ignored anymore as to the more students seem to be detaching from their spare time or even they intend to cut classes just for this so called vices, they seem to be enjoying freedom too much. A student may be influenced to be involved in any of the stated variables. High School is far different from being a college student. A person will have a new life when one goes to college. New environment which one has to adapt, new set of friends which one have to treat nice, and new subjects or topics that one has to study based on what course you will get. Although drinking, smoking, and drug-use for some usually result in adverse health consequences, there are some perceived benefits or advantages of these behaviors particularly from the point of view of the adolescents and youths. Adolescents may view drinking and smoking as privileges of adults and may want to engage in them to feel grown up and to present themselves as adults to others. Some of the reasons given are: the availability of cigarettes at home, parents being model of smoking and drinking behavior and consequently parents lack the credibility as advocates for non-smoking or non-drinking.(Aroyo 2001) Smoking and drinking are two of the most important risk factors explaining early mortality, accounting for an estimated 14 percent of deaths among youth worldwide. Most individuals try drinking alcohol for the first time in...
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