...art of disease prevention and health promotion as ways of prolonging life. In that regard, health needs assessments are important when tackling public health issues for communities. The assessments help to identify new health priorities to reflect changing social circumstances, and results from previous public health approaches. In addition, assessments help to realign health interventions with changes in demographics, given that individuals may not belong to only one community; they can join different communities at separate times of their lives (Hien, et al., 2010). Alcohol misuse as a contemporary health issue Alcohol misuse is a serious health problem in the United Kingdom (UK). The worsening problem occurs mainly as binge drinking or moderate drinking in the wrong circumstances. The potential addictiveness of alcohol arises from its psychoactive properties. Immediately after consumption, alcohol moves to the bloodstream and the victim quickly feels the alcohol effects on brain function. The...
Words: 4896 - Pages: 20
...HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY Health psychology is defined as the application of psychology to the relevant areas of health, disease and the health care system. Medicine and health psychology have many common themes and interests but they differ in their approaches. The primary focus of medicine is the diagnosis, treatment and cure of illness. The focus of health psychology goes beyond that of medicine to stress the prevention and enhancement of health. It expands the biological framework of medicine to also include psychological and social factors. The scope of health psychology is very broad because many theories and methods of psychology can be applied to health-related issues. Maes & van Elderen (1998) (cited in Gross, 2009) defines health psychology as “…a sub-discipline of psychology which addresses the relationship between psychological processes and behaviour on the one hand and health and illness on the other...”. Health psychology aims to understand, explain, develop and test theories by evaluating the role of psychology and its perspectives as factors affecting illness, predicting unhealthy behaviours and understanding and evaluating the role of psychology in the experience and treatment of illness. It also aims to put theory into practice by promoting healthy behaviour, preventing illness and thereby improving the health care system and health policy. For example, from programmes developed to help people reduce risk factors to their health, such as obesity and...
Words: 4240 - Pages: 17
...What is Binge Drinking? Binge drinking is defined as "the consumption of five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion." In national surveys (in the USA) about a third of high school seniors and 45 percent of college students reported at least one occasion of binge drinking within the previous 2 weeks. March 26, 2004: The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports that, “More than five million high schoolers binge drink at least once a month.” As a Floridian who lives near one of the 'Spring Break" hot spots, this comes as no great shock. I guess there are a lot of parents out there who are surprised by these numbers and yet, what were they doing in college or when the drinking age was 18? How do you expect your kid to just say no, when you said yes not that long ago? Talk to your teenagers and be honest with them! ~ Amy. RN ~ [pic] While some national surveys have documented a significant decline in the use of other drugs by high school seniors and college-age youths, there have been only small declines in the numbers reporting binge drinking. Teenagers and young adults drink alcoholic beverages at about the same rates they did 5 years ago. Binge drinking increases the risk for alcohol-related injury, especially for young people, who often combine alcohol with other high-risk activities, such as impaired driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the four leading injury-related causes of death among youths under the age of...
Words: 4997 - Pages: 20
... Lindsay Barrow May 10,2000 Econ 312; Prof, Wolaver Academic Effects of Alcohol Consumption Introduction: In recent years, college students are consuming alcohol at increasing rates. According to the Harvard School of Public Health CoUege Alcohol Study (1999), 44% of the students surveyed were binge drinkers and 23 % were frequent binge drinkers. Binge drinkers are often associated with a higher probability of experiencing alcohol-related problems such as violence, car accidents, injuries and the tendency to disregard academic responsibilities. Much research has been conducted concerning alcohol consumption and its effects on academics in higher education institutions. In our study, we would like to filrther investigate this issue and apply it to Bucknell University. There is a widely accepted conception of Bucknell students' drinking behavior as excessive and dangerous. The Bucknell community, including administration and staff, believe that Bucknell students have a serious problem with alcohol abuse, especially binge drinking. We believe that heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a decrease in class attendance; lower achievement on projects and tests; and inability to concentrate on class material. We intend to uncover the relationship between Bucknell students' alcohol consumption and academics. In addition, we would like to investigate whether more difficult academic toads are associated...
Words: 2979 - Pages: 12
...Substance Abuse – Pre-midterm Notes Week 2 (First lecture) – 9/10 * Substance use vs. abuse * Use * The legal enjoyment of your property within socially acceptable norms * i.e. you don’t drive under the influence – that’s not socially acceptable * Consumption of any psychoactive substance * More neutral * Includes * Social drinking * 1-2 drinks on any one social occasion * Abuse * Any use of illegal drugs * Ex. Any use of crack cocaine – never legal * Used both objectively and pejoratively with the intention to vilify consumption of illicit drugs * Use that is harmful and puts the user at risk * Have been used interchangeably by the media * Alcohol use in that context * Social drinking * 1-2 drinks in a day, in any one social occasion * Problem drinking * 3-4 drinks a day * Alcohol abuse * 6-24 drinks a day * What is a drug?: Defining the term * 3 categories: Illegality, Medical utility, Psychoactivity * Medical utility * Used to treat or heal the mind or body * Medicalization: prescription of currently illegal substances for medical purposes * Marijuana in 14 states * Heroin in some countries * Not all substances have medical utility * Categorization by government ...
Words: 3491 - Pages: 14
...and approval, for if more girls and women were warned of the impending dangers of drinking alcohol in copious amounts in an effort to 'fit in' they would most certainly be better equipped to make rational decisions to avoid sexual assault. One of the recurring messages within the article is ways in which women can prevent alcohol-facilitated assaults such as a reduction in alcohol consumption. Unfortunately there is a belief that telling a woman she cannot drink to match the drinking of a male counterpart can be misconstrued to seem sexist. Physically and biologically men and women are as different as the sun and the moon; it's safe to say drinking too much whether at a friend’s place, campus, or any other type of social gathering for young men and women. In the article, Yoffe contends that one of the ways alcohol consumption in college can be curbed is lowering the drinking age from 21 years (Yoffe, 2013). I firmly believe this would be one of the first steps towards reducing the occurrence of sexual assault in campuses. The idea of binge drinking is a tradition that affects all concerned, men and women, hopefully further investigation and literature into lowering the drinking age can be produced and made available to colleges and universities worldwide. The occurrence of rape in campuses usually coincides with alcoholism amongst students. Pointing out that women should reduce their drinking habits is not victim shaming as has been implied many...
Words: 1054 - Pages: 5
...The argument for smoking prevention among adolescents is based on the observation that, if smoking does not start during adolescence, it is unlikely ever to occur and on data indicating that the probability of cessation among adults is inversely related to age at initiation. Even infrequent experimental smoking in adolescence significantly increases the risk of adult smoking. Once smoking has begun, cessation is difficult and smoking is likely to be a long-term addiction. For example, it has been estimated that the median cessation age, for those born from 1975 through 1979 who begin smoking in adolescence, is 33 years for men and 37 years for women. Based on a median initiation age of 16 to 17 years, the predicted duration of smoking is 16 and 20 years for 50% of the males and females respectively. Prevention of the onset of adolescent smoking is thus an essential component of efforts to reduce the overall prevalence of smoking and its attendant morbidity and mortality. Although there are educational programmes available with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of adolescent smoking over the short term, the longer term evaluations are not as encouraging. The differences in smoking levels between treated and control groups appear to dissipate over time, and disappear completely after six years. Further evaluations of these educational efforts are warranted, with consideration given to methodological problems inherent in such studies (such as potential bias resulting...
Words: 4464 - Pages: 18
... 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 prices are increased. Important econometric challenges remain, including the search for a satisfactory resolution to the conflicting results on the effect of price changes on consumption by consumers who tend to drink heavily. There are also unresolved puzzles about the relationship between drinking and productivity;...
Words: 21217 - Pages: 85
...alcohol despite of repeated alcohol-related problems. The signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse are very similar, and are often just a question of degree or intensity. Typically, the last person to be aware that he/she has a 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...
Words: 8613 - Pages: 35
...dependent than civilians, which is due to the high stress and pressures of the military culture, lifestyle, combat, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Imagine what it feels like returning home after a 12 month deployment to the Middle East. What do you do when you feel there is nowhere to go? You go where you feel most comfortable--alcohol. There are many causes and factors for alcoholism. These factors influence many people to drink and contribute to a higher count of alcoholism in our society. Alcoholism is sometimes caused or influenced by genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. This also includes how it affects your body and behavior. Some additional factors include age, family history, steady drinking over time, mental health and depression, social and cultural factors, and combining alcohol with medications or illegal drugs. (Emmite, et.al, Remedy’s health communities’ mental health; alcohol abuse, May 2001) One of the main causes of alcoholism is the genetic component. There are some scientists that suggest that there is a genetic component that plays a role in certain areas of alcoholism. Those areas are having an increased risk for alcoholism, having an increased tolerance, and having ongoing cravings for alcohol. Although the genes themselves have not been identified, there have been a number of studies. Some of these studies were with sets of twins and other studies were with people that had been adopted. One study used...
Words: 2069 - Pages: 9
...Women Veterans: The Effects of Combat Deployment Patricia Rochedieu Liberty University Introduction to Human Services HSCO 500 Mrs. Jennifer Griffin November 17, 2014 Abstract The relocation and adjustment processes occurring within persons facing involuntary deployment are most certainly filled with anxiety and uncertainly. This discussion will focus on women veterans who have served on the front lines and the affects of combat deployment. Examinations defining the trials and tribulations faced by the female military member will place attention on the psychological and psychosocial transactions that occur during military operations and the challenges women face. Expansion of this topic will include a dialogue that offers insight into the growing concerns shaping the outcomes of the female member’s deployment to include military sexual trauma, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, adjustment disorders, sleep disturbances and spiritual and existential struggles. Although this topic will only provide a brief glimpse into the female veteran’s plight it opens up a forum for further discussions within this topic with the intentions of highlighting the effects of combat deployment on women veterans who served on the front lines. Women Veterans: The Effects of Combat Deployment The participation of women deployed to combat areas throughout the world is vital to the successful outcomes of any mission. Women in the military are well trained and possess specific...
Words: 4779 - Pages: 20
...The Greek Life Community on College Campuses Parker Thomas Community Paper Examining the details and different aspects of a certain community can give you a real insight on the different cultures and backgrounds of its inhabitants. Doing this can reveal information you may not have known before, or truths about the community that you thought you knew before. Many people base their opinions of a community on the general information that is known about them. However, you cannot truly understand these people unless you dig down and really investigate how they live and interact with the world. By studying, researching, and observing the community, you can unveil how the group is perceived and how those perceptions actually fit the society. While using several forms of, both primary and secondary, research I was able to discover many common themes and stereotypes that are incorporated with members of the Greek Life on college campuses. These themes consist of good and bad labels that have been put upon this community. While some hold true, I was able to disprove several others with my research. These themes have, both positively and negatively, effected the reputation and name of the Greek world and its members. They cause many people to be afraid or not want to become apart of this community, while they don’t realize the full truth. These members stand for much more than they are perceived to, and they have many durable and ageless principles that still exist today. However...
Words: 2697 - Pages: 11
...The Divine Drinking Debate: Biblical Alcohol Use and How it Relates to Today’s American Culture Mary Van Winkle Religious Studies 023 Fall 2004 Temperance as an American Cultural Issue The use of alcohol among conservative Christians in America has been a hotly debated topic for years. It began with the Women’s Crusade in 1873-74, the Anti-Saloon League in 1893 and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, movements against businesses that sold alcohol and the gambling and prostitution that sometimes went hand-in-hand. Their momentum culminated in 1920 as the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified prohibiting the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors. Just over thirteen years later, however, the Eighteenth Amendment was repealed by the ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment, which gave states the rights to legislate their own liquor laws. It appears that the intense stance against drinking may be primarily a phenomenon of the American culture, and particularly limited to Protestants. According to Ruth C. Engs, “Numerous studies from both the United States and Europe have suggested that Protestants consume less alcohol but perceive great problems with the substance. In contrast Roman Catholics consume more alcohol but do not perceive its consumption as problematic.” Also according to Engs, in Northern European countries, where the Roman Empire had little influence...
Words: 2678 - Pages: 11
...Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING Background of the Study Today’s teenagers generation are more curious especially on things that are new to them, that’s why some of them are joining peer groups that offers sense of brotherhood and acceptance. It enables young people to express their selves without fear of rejection or exclusion. Friends and barkadas serves as the avenue where you can initiate your first steps towards adulthood. In teenagers perception the word “new” is adventurous, exciting, and enjoyable. Fraternity is an ongoing group of people that have a common name or common identifying sign or symbol, form an allegiance for a common purpose and engage in unlawful or criminal activity (Hess 2010). In the United States there are large number of Filipino gang membership around the Southern California region (SoCal) and generally the entire West Coast region. Due to their Hispanic culture they are more assimilated with other Latino gangs. There are thousands of Filipino gang members which mostly center around the California region, Chicago, New York, and Miami. They represent a diverse array of backgrounds and affiliations with some being with the Bloods, Crips, Sureños, Norteños, Peoples, and Folks. A number of gangs in the Philippines are known to be active around the nation, the majority being centered in Manila with locations in and around the general Metro Manila region. One of the most infamous areas in the City is Tondo, Manila. Tondo is known to be the...
Words: 2546 - Pages: 11
...Violence Against Women Act: Essential and Expired Kamille Hall Hamline University February 2013 GPA 8000: Foundations of Public Administration Violence Against Women Act: Essential and Expired The following is a composite story of what happens to a woman somewhere each day in the United States to women and shows why the Violence Against Women Act must be renewed in 2013. A 30-year-old woman screams in her apartment. She knew he was coming home. Her husband has been on a drinking binge for days. When she receives an angry text message from him, she places the children in another room: they fear for their lives. They have seen this behavior all too often. The kids cower in the closet, a place that gives them some sort of refuge during the storm. In this case the storm is their dad’s misdirected anger toward their mom. They fear for themselves, but not as much as for their mother, their sole support in this chaos. They hear their father come home, yelling for several minutes. The mother tries to calm him down and pleads: “Please don’t hurt me, I’ll give you whatever you want…” Then they hear piercing screams. The front door slams. The children, ages 8 and 6, come rushing out of the closet, only to see their mother lying in a pool of blood – stabbed multiple times. Their father murdered her (what is known as femicide). The Violence Against Women Act works to reduce and prevent domestic violence. Every six minutes in the United States a woman is raped, and most often it is not...
Words: 3607 - Pages: 15
