...Epidemiology: Global and Public Health Jennifer Nurse NUR408 January 2011 Nancy Nurse, EdD, RN, PHN, LSN Epidemiology: Global and Public Health According to the Centers for Disease Control, “diabetes affects 25.8 million people, 8.3% of the U.S. population” (Center for Disease control and Prevention, 2012, par 1). Twice as many African Americans are likely to develop diabetes than Caucasian Americans. These statistics represent how serious diabetes has become for the black community. Epidemiology can focus healthcare efforts and interventions to help lower the incidence of diabetes of the African Americans. This paper will focus on the role of epidemiology in the observation of the frequency of diabetes in the morbidity and mortality of American of African decent. This paper will also include the definition and description of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, the epidemiological triangle, types of epidemiology, and prevention that is related with diabetes in the African American community. Definition and Description of Epidemiology Epidemiology is defined as, “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems.” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012, p. 243). Epidemiology has provided an understanding of the factors, which...
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...Heart Disease among African American Women Ciatta Jones, RN Excelsior College Abstract Heart Disease remains the number one killer among women. However, African American women have a higher rate of heart disease than any other ethnic group or demographics and subsequently have an increased mortality rate among other nationalities. They are disproportionately outnumbered when it comes to the obesity rate, stroke and diabetes amongst other groups such as the Caucasians and Asian’s. Contributing factors are decreased awareness and knowledge of heart disease, a low self perception regarding risk factors, ongoing behaviors that are not modified such as smoking, alcoholism, eating fried and salty foods and sometimes the inability to get to medical facilities and clinics. With more education about heart disease and an increased perception of risk, people’s minds will become transformed and will be motivated to modify risk factors related to heart disease. Differences in knowledge and comprehension levels are greater amid those that have a higher educational level. Continual health promotions, fairs, seminars and preventative efforts must continue for us to see positive outcomes associated with a desired behavior change. Keywords: African American, heart disease, women, risk factors, education Heart disease among African American Women The death threat of heart disease is greater than that of AIDS and breast cancer collectively. It is the number one killer of women...
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...generally develops over a long period of time. Most often, vital organs like the kidneys and eyes may damage or other diseases may occur before it is detected; for this reason, it is often called the "silent killer (American Heart Association, 2014). According to Woo & Wynne (2012), a report from the World Health Organization indicates that suboptimal blood pressure higher than 115mm Hg (systolic) is liable for 62% of all cardiovascular disease and 49% of all ischemic heart disease. A normal blood pressure level is systolic reading of blood pressure (SBP) less than 120mmHg with diastolic level (DBP) less than 80mmHg. Hypertension disease has the following stages. A pre-hypertensive level is SBP 120-139, and DBP 80-89. Hypertension stage 1 is SBP 140-159, with DBP of 90-99. Hypertension stage 2 is SBP greater than or equal to 160 with DBP of 100 or more. Stress and emotional tension may temporarily increase blood pressure; but it would not be considered as hypertension unless it remains that way after the situation dissolves or improves (Woo & Wynne, 2012). Epidemiology studies depict that up to about 60% of the condition is inherited but environmental factors can also play a large role in it (Nadar, & Lip, 2011). In the United States, African Americans make up 12.8% of the population, but their...
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...disease, type 2 diabetes, gall stone, breathing problems and certain cancers. Preventing over weight and obesity will in effect reduce or eliminate these conditions from the population. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in United States. Obesity affects 97 million Americans that are over 30% of the population. It cost about $100 billion a year to manage obesity related disease. (NIH publication 98-4083). Overweight and obesity is very common in minority groups, but affects people of all ages, but the number rises with age, and has a particular relationship to socio-economic status. The lower the socio-economic status the greater the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Rational: We chose this health indicator because as nursing students, we think it is important to live a healthy lifestyle and also educate the public about healthy eating to prevent overweight and obesity. We believe obesity is a preventable disease. Too much time is spent by Americans sitting in a couch and watching television and playing video games than in the gym. Objectives: Since overweight and obesity is a “lifestyle” health issue, it is preventable. Obesity among Africa American is higher in relation to the general population. Genetic and environment factors play a major role in overweight and obesity. About 25-40% of BMI of individual depend on genetics. Age: According...
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...of the healthcare community to effective interventions aimed at lowering the prevalence and incidence of diabetes among African Americans. Epidemiology Paper Roles This paper will explore the role of epidemiology in the surveillance of the incidence of diabetes in the morbidity and mortality of Americans of African descent. This paper will also discuss the definition and purpose of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, the epidemiological triangle and levels of prevention that is related with diabetes in the African American community. Definition and purpose of epidemiology in epidemiology paper The definition of epidemiology is very important if one is to use the definition to describe its purpose. “A common definition of epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in human populations” (Savitz, Poole, & Miller, 1999, p. 1159). A better description of epidemiology is the analysis of the incidence and spread of disease within populations, with the aim of establishing causality. The purpose of epidemiology is to find the causes of diseases that affect a population. The discipline of epidemiology influences the practices of both clinical medicine and public health. Epidemiology can be used as a major determinant of evidence based practice because the outcome of monitoring is frequently utilized to guide a change in the way these disciplines practice and...
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...newly freed slaves and their supporters. Some reasons for the creation of the Ku Klux Klan.The Ku Klux Klan is a organization that formed in the South after the American Civil war (Ku Klux Klan).Ku Klux Klan formed in the South to gain more supporters due to the confederate soldiers returning home. Also there was more newly freed slaves for the Klan to torture. Reasons for the Klan creation is that the southern whites worried that the government's policies would threaten the social and economic advantages the whites enjoyed (Ku Klux Klan). Whites in the south believed that they would lose their jobs and land to the blacks. As well they believed the newly freed slaves would interfere with the community. The Ku Klux Klan was formed in the South to make it seem as the blacks were still not free....
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...someone with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in people 65 and older. It is estimated that 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s disease and 5.3 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological brain disorder discovered by a physician in 1906. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s is a most common form of dementia which is described as a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning. Alzheimer’s is unfortunately irreversible and progressive at the moment. Over time, abnormal changes worsen in the brain interfering with any aspects of the brain functioning. Memory loss is the earliest sign of Alzheimer’s, along with changes in personality or behavior and gradual decline of intellectual and thinking abilities called cognitive functions. (Fisher center for Alzheimer’s research foundation, 2002) Alzheimer’s is greatly known for advancing in stages, progressing from mild forgetfulness and cognitive impairment to widespread loss of mental abilities. When Alzheimer’s reaches the more advanced stages people become more dependent on others for every aspect of care. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not yet fully understood, but by getting a better understanding of the causes of Alzheimer’s can lead to more targeted treatment and ways to prevent the disease. Scientists generally agree that...
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...Letter from Huey to the Revolutionary Brothers and Sisters, he underlines the idea of the homosexual community and the black community joining together to form an alliance in order to fight for the rights of both oppressed groups. Newton was ahead of his time by insisting that the community unite the blacks and homosexuals because this is a change we are now witnessing today. All lives do matter and each person should have the same human rights as another, however at this particular time, African-Americans had not acquired their own rights from the unjust system. The proposition for equalizing homosexual’s rights was definitely risky and disruptive considering blacks had not obtained equal rights yet. Not only does discrimination against a black person differ from that of a gay person but also essentially it would shift the focus from the black community disparities to another agenda. This article was published in the Black Panther Newsletter in 1970 when the black community was still experiencing violence and injustice over their basic human rights....
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...High Blood Pressure and Your Kidneys About 65 million Americans have high blood pressure, but as many as one third—or three in 10—don't even know it. There are usually no signs or symptoms that your blood pressure is too high. That is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis, especially if you have a family history of the disease or are at risk for other reasons. (See “What causes high blood pressure?” on page 3.) Do you know these facts about high blood pressure? I It is called a “silent killer” because you can have it for years without knowing it. It is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease. Controlling high blood pressure reduces the risk of these complications. High blood pressure can often be controlled by losing excess weight, exercising more, not smoking and cutting down on salt. I I I What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff that is wrapped around your upper arm. The person taking your blood pressure (you can learn to do it yourself) pumps air into the cuff and then slowly lets it out while listening for the sound of your pulse. The top number in your blood pressure reading is called the systolic pressure and the bottom number is called the diastolic pressure. Your reading might be 120/80, which is said as “120 over 80.” The top number is the pressure when your heart beats. The bottom number is the pressure when your heart rests between beats. ...
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...diverse and have a major impact on our world and society. United States has had major culture changes as money continues to be one of the leading causes to mankind’s problems. However, knowledge of justice has help citizens and the governments realize to a degree, humans are the primary concern rather than the root to all madness “Money”. The effects of money has had an impression on the cultural diversity of the United States primary because power played the role of inequality that lead to the destruction of many families of minorities by the majority because of money. Moreover, the United States has overcome barriers to fix the disarray that power has had on individuals to help the citizens to reach out for understanding and answers that has led to the combination of knowledge, awareness and solutions. Let’s examine how! Understanding the history of how the United States met with cultural diversity has helped me to see that through history the effects begin with a negative view and later after harsh treatment was administered; lawmakers examined the outlook of the country to benefit the citizens. Two unique situations were race and gender that had an influential role of the American culture. Race was distinguished between major groups; majority versus minorities. The White Americans are categorized as being the majority and all other races are the minorities. Being an African American minority, I personally had a bias view of other races. I felt as if other races did not experience...
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...“Down Low”: Homosexuals in the African American Community: Why is it a Taboo Topic? Danielle Carter Senior Seminar HSU 498 Professor Hogan March 25, 2010 Abstract The phenomenon known as the “Down Low” among African American Men who have sex with Men has caused much concern among black community leaders, the general population, and not to mention HIV/AIDS researchers. There are questions which are not being addressed regarding communication patterns of stigmatized groups specifically the “Down Low” group. Why is there little research about the “Down Low”, when there is more than half AAMSM in this world? This paper will explain why so many African American men are on the “Down Low,” why there is a lack of communication when it comes to speaking about the “Down Low. This paper will also help Human Service workers learn how to help AAMSM and their families. “Down Low”: Homosexuals in the African American Community A Review of the Literature Today, while there are men who are openly gay, it seems that the majority of those having sex with men still lead secret lives, products of a black culture that deems masculinity and fatherhood as a black man's primary responsibility (Roscoe, 2008). The “Down Low” culture has grown in recent years out of the shadows and developed its own contemporary institutions for those who know where to look for example...
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...#1- In the early 1960’s, during the beginning of the Civil Rights movement, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) emerged as a lead organization of the movement. During this time period, America was plagued with segregation among Whites and African Americans. Historical events like the Plessy v. Ferguson decision or the establishment of Jim Crow laws infused segregation. SNCC recognized this segregation, but they ultimately formed together to combat racial discrimination. Eradicating this discrimination was there primary goal, however they blamed institutional segregation executed by law as the main origin of the issue. To achieve their goal, SNCC went about it in a double sided approach. First, there goal was to alter laws...
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...During the late 1800s, a European man named David Livingstone traveled to Africa to promote Christianity and was there for so long, an American newspaper writer Henry Stanley was hired to find David Livingstone as they feared he was dead. During his exposition, he traced the course along the Congo river, and this made King Leopold II of Belgium interested. He then had Henry Stanley help him take over land in the Congo's. Eventually, due to poor treatment of African Americans, the Belgian government took Congo away from King Leopold. When Belgian got control of the Congo's, France wanted land. They eventually got the north bank of the Congo River. Eventually...
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...Quan, 2012), African American, and Caucasian populations (Ram, Seirawan, Kumar, & Clark, 2009). Data shows how each of these groups are affected by obstructive sleep apnea and why income affects Hispanics, African Americans, and Caucasians differently. The impact obstructive sleep apnea has in the health care market (AlGhanim, Comondore, Fleetham, Marra, & Ayas, 2007). How and why the changes in demographics of these three populations affect health care (AlGhanim, Comondore, Fleetham, Marra, & Ayas, 2007). Two key health care related challenges Hispanics, African Americans, and Caucasians may experience with health care are costs, and in-home care (Hillman, Murphy, & Pezzullo, 2006). This paper will describe how a wellness program can affect the cost of health care and in-home care for the three groups, and the services available for any who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (Downey III, Mosenifar, Gold, Rowley, Wickramasinghe, Sharma, Talavera, Ouellette, & Tino, 2012). Finally this paper will give examples on how an individual, the community, and society can address these challenges of obstructive sleep apnea (Downey III, Mosenifar, Gold, Rowley, Wickramasinghe, Sharma, Talavera, Ouellette, & Tino, 2012) It is of no surprise to learn that like all other illnesses and chronic diseases, certain groups are affected more than others. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the illnesses that data shows to affect Hispanic and African American communities...
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...African-American Males, Incarceration and Structural African-American Males, Incarceration and Structural Inequality Incarceration in the United States is one of the main forms of punishment or as many would like to state forms of rehabilitation. With that being the case, the United States, while being considered one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world boasts the highest “rehabilitation” rate in the world. The staggering part remains that not only do we have the highest prison population but our incarceration rate continues to grow as our creativity or desire to solve this problem continues to stagnate. One of the major issues when researching incarceration rates is the obvious elevated rate of young African-American males that are sentenced. While the percentage of African-American incarcerated males is extremely high the length of their sentences are shockingly elevated compared to the majority of population in the United States. “One in every nine African-American males aged 25-29 were in prison or jail in 2009, compared to one in twenty-seven Latino males and one in sixty white males in the same age group, according to the Sentencing Project”. ("State of Young America," 2009, para. 11) The question currently being dealt with in the United States is how do we accommodate all of these prisoners? Our countries answer has been quite simple, to build more prisons or as some would sugarcoat it, “rehabilitation facilities”. The correct question...
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