Epidemiology Paper
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relevancy of the vulnerable population, and the disease for this group. The vulnerable population that has been chosen is mental illness, and the disease for this population is AIDS/HIV. There will be a definition and description of epidemiology in regards to HIV/AIDS, with the steps and method that was used. The Epidemiological Triangle will be define and identified, and the different types of epidemiology. The population chosen characteristics such as the influenced population’s vulnerability. This essay will also examine the values and potential cultural biases with cultural considerations that may impact health issues. There are legal and ethical consideration when working with the mentally ill. Describing the relationship of the disease to varies levels of prevention.
Relevant population and the disease of this population
The mentally ill the population and the disease is AIDS/HIV. Mental disorders are indiscriminate. They occur across the span and affect persons of all races, cultures genders and educational and socioeconomic group. One of the leading cause of disability is mental illness. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS have had an enormous political and social impact on society. Nearly 75% of new HIV infections occur in persons between 30-49 years may result in disrupted families and lost careers and economic productivity. (Stanhope, 2012, p317) HIV is transmitted through exposure to blood, semen, transplanted organs, vaginal secretions and breast milk (Heymann, 2008). (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2012 p.785) According to World Health Organization, “Mental health and HIV are closely interlinked: mental health problems, including substance use disorders, are associated with increased risk of HIV infection and AID. Some mental disorders occur as a result of HIV infection.” (WHO, 2005)

Epidemiology
Epidemiology is “the study of the study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related states or events in specified population, including the study of the determinants influencing the states, and the application of knowledge to control the health problem” (Porta, 2008, p81). (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2012) Epidemiology descriptive is the aspect of epidemiology concerned with organizing and summarizing data regarding the person affected (e.g., the characteristics of those who become ill), time (e.g., when did they become ill), and place (e.g., where they might have been exposed to the cause the illness) (CDC, 2006) .
The purpose of epidemiology is to find the cause of the diseases that affected a certain population. This will grant the public health team to assess and evaluate, identify, and look at the prevalent information in order to make an educated action plan.
Steps and methods of epidemiology The first reported cases of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP), was on June 5, 1981, they were previously health gay men I that enjoyed the lifestyle in Los Angeles, California. They were present not with this rare lung disease but also other infectious co- morbidities. Their immune system was depressed, their immune system was not working. They were other opportunistic infections among gay men, unusual aggressive Kaposi Sarcoma among a group of gay men in New York and Los Angeles. The CDC established a Task Force on Kaposi Sarcoma and Opportunistic Infection (KSOI) to identify factors and to develop a case definition for surveillance. (AIDS.GOV) By the end of 1981, there was 270 cases of severe immune deficiency among this vulnerable population. (AIDS,) According to the CDC, “HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. When this happens, HIV infection lead to AIDS.” (CDC) (CDC, HIV TEST, 2014) In the United States, the primary way of spreading HIV is by having unprotected sex, that means having sex without a condom and one of the sexual partner’s is affected with HIV/AIDS, this is number one way of transmission. The highest risk of sexual behavior is anal sex. The position of the receiving participant makes on partner more at risk than the other. During anal sex, if the person is on the bottom, it is more risky than being on the top. The second- highest risk is vaginal sexual behavior, and having multiple partners increases the probability of contracting HIV. Another way of transmitting HIV can be past from person to person by sharing needles, and the water that is used over and over again to clean the needles, syringes or any other equipment used to prepare their drugs. Women make up more than one-fourth of all newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases (CDC). Women of color are especially affected by HIV infection and AIDS. The epidemic has increased more in non-white women, IV drug user, and heterosexuals (CDC, 2008). (CDC, HIV TEST, 2014) Epidemiology Triangle The Epidemiologic Triangle is used to study the infectious diseases and how the disease is transmitted. This model can help with knowing the infectious disease and, and it can provide vital facts about its transmission. It is based on research of communicable diseases. This model can be applied for the use of evaluating the cycle of mental illness and can contribute to the disease HIV/AIDS. The Triangle has three corners (called vertices): Agent, or microbe that causes the disease (the “what” of the Triangle). Host, or organism harboring the disease (the “who” of the Triangle). Environment, or those external factors that cause or allow disease transmission (the “where” of the Triangle) (CDC). The interrelationship between the epidemiologic factors that can be contributor to an outbreak of disease. The epidemiologic factor in relationship to the vulnerable population is mentally ill, this is the host. The host lodge the pathogen which may or may not develop into a disease. The factors to consider immunity, genetic makeup, how much exposure, state of health, the overall health condition of the host will determine the viability of the organism (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2012). The disease for this population is HIV/AIDS this represents the agent. The environment is how the disease is transmitted. There are various ways of transmission such as anal sex, pre-cum, vaginal sex, semen, IV injection sharing needles, blood transfusions or blood by products, the HIV/AIDS has been found in these ways of transmission. Time is the fourth, this is the incubation period such as the life expectancy of the host, which is the mentally ill. The primary mission of epidemiology is to give information that will break the legs of the triangle. This breakage of the triangle will disrupt the connection among environment, the host and the agent with the expectation of stopping the outbreak. If one of the legs with is the element on the triangle is broken it can decrease the possiblity of an epidemic. Types of Epidemiology There are common types of epidemiology: analytical, descriptive, and social. Analytic epidemiology is the how and why, or determinants of health events. There are certain factors, exposures, characteristics behaviors and context that influence the patterns. Descriptive epidemiology focus on the characterized health outcomes, and the terms of who, what, when, where, how, and why. This description is used when an occurrence of a disease then the terms of the person, place, and time is applied. The differentiation between description and analytical epidemiology is straightforward. The find a determination in the analytic studies they rely on description comparison. Social epidemiology focuses on the effects of the social-structural factors on the states of health. The characteristics that affects the patterns of diseases and health issues in society. Social epidemiology is that what effect of social factors that have on individuals and population health (Stanhope, 2012). Characteristic that influence population Mental health and HIV/AIDS are closely interwoven: mental health disorders has problems with varies form of substance abuse disorders that are associated with the increased risk for HIV infection. There are other mental issues that are key contributor or directly linked to becoming HIV positive. Through some research studies there have been reports that behavioral risk factors for transmission of HIV in between 30% and 60% of people with severe co-morbidities (WHO). These risk include high rates of sexual contact with multiple partners, injecting drugs use, sexual abuse (in which women are particularly vulnerable HIV infection), unprotected sex between men and low use of condoms. Behavioral risks, disorders may also interfere with the ability to acquire or use information about HIV/AIDS and thus to practice safer sex behaviors. (WHO, (2005), (2012)). Cultural Consideration and Impact Health Issues Mental illness can affect anyone at any time regardless of age, race, creed or financial status. Mental illness is a very serious condition. According to World Wide Health , they have reported that mental illness is four in 10 leading causes of disability in the “leading causes of disability in the US and developing countries. The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year. Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are rea, treatable health conditions. This stigma has allowed an unwarranted sense of hopelessness and erect attitudinal, and financial barriers to effective treatment and recovery. It is time to take these barriers down (NAMI).” Level of Prevention There are three levels of prevention is the public health, they are primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention is preventing a disease or disorder before it happens. Health promotion health education, and health protection are the three main facets of primary prevention. Lifestyle education community health education, school health education, and good behavior HIV prevention programs including behavioral intervention are only partially effective. Despite counseling and HIV infected individuals in the US continue to engage in unprotected sex with uninfected partner. HIV testing in critical step to ending HIV. There is a recommendation that people in the United States between the ages of 13-64 get HIV tested at least once as part of keeping up with their medical care (CDC). HIV testing should be done at least once a year in the vulnerable population of gay and bisexual men. HIV testing is the only way to identify at least one in six Americans currently living with HIV who do not know they were infected and maybe unknowingly transmitting the virus to others. Prove HIV prevention methods is stressing the HIV testing and it is the linkage to care. There are other proven methods that are essential to the success is to encourage that the individual take their medication and have access to condoms. Utilization prevention program with HIV and their partners. Substance abuse treatment and have access to sterile syringes for the people with high indicator for HIV infection. Substance abuser attend substance abuse treatment and have access to sterile syringes. The last incident of a nurse contacting HIV needle stick was in 1999. The prevent tool in that is in place is very effective because of the last report 15 years ago is the evidence. Secondary prevention is the health screening and detecting activities used to identify the disease. Tertiary prevention is to block the progression of a disability, disorder or condition in order to keep it from advancing. The goal of this to prevent the misuse of services that are provided.
Conclusion
Disease prevention is very important for the wellbeing of the public and individuals. Epidemiology controls the disease in the population. The risk factors for the mentally ill is the determining factor in epidemiological triangle the agent being HIV/AIDS, and the environment represents the mode of transmission. Once the risk for HIV/AIDS is identified a prevent plan must be created and put into place. Educating this vulnerable population is essential to the demise of HIV/AIDS. The United States have prevention program to promote healthy sex for the mentally ill.