Specific Disease that Affects a Particular Minority Group - Research Paper Example

? Specific Disease that Affects a Particular Minority Group Specific Disease that Affects a Particular Minority Group Executive summary The paper covers the effect of sickle cell anemia on African American. This has been a threat as the disorder reduces life expectancy. It covers health monitor behavior, where it explains all inclusions under the mutations. The research also expounds on the measures that aim at reducing the effect of the mutation. The research also identifies different gaps, which can enhance the process of suppressing the defect. These include increase of awareness among others. There is also some emphasis on complications related sickle cell anemia. From the research, one can get a detailed analysis on the effects of sickle cell anemia among African Americans (Hill, 2003). Introduction Sickle-cell anemia or drepanocytic is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. The disorder is over-dominance, and it has characteristics affecting the structure of the red blood cells. The red blood cells end up assuming an abnormal structure, which is rigid, and sickle shaped. This decreases the cell’s flexibility and leads to different complications. In reference to leading health scientists, they argue that the shape results from mutations of occurring in the hemoglobin gene. . The disorder shortens life expectancy. USA statistical data shows that the average life expectancy of people living suffering from the defects is 48 years for females and 42 years for males. However, the world’s advancements in technology are facilitating strategies leading to the solution of these problems. Recently, victims can live to up to 50 years and beyond, in reference to how one will be cautions of disease management. Fruitful results f health management is now evident in U.K where the life expectance of sickle-celled victims is 65 years (Serjeant and Beryl, 2001). Health monitor behavior In reference to different empirical medical research, the name sickle cell is the name of the homozygosity for the mutation leading to the Hbs. Other terminologies such as HbSS and the hemoglobin S also refer to the same blood disorder. There are different terminologies that define various conditions relating to the mutations. An ideal example are the people known to have the “sickle cell trait;” these are people who have one normal adult gene and one sickle gene in the hemoglobin. HbAS also refers to the same individuals with the one normal gene and one sickle cell gene in the hemoglobin. Other forms of the disorder are sickle beta zero-thalassaemia, and sickle-cell heterozygous state. In heterozygous state, an individual has a copy of one mutation gene and the copy of the abnormal gene that causes hemoglobin allele. As we refer to the disorder, the term disease applies because it is an inherited abnormality leading to death or severe complications. However, not all hemoglobin defects are detrimental; this is a concept termed as genetic polymorphism (Serjeant and Beryl, 2001). In the United States of America, the sickle cell disease affects the African American. The ration of those suffering from the disease is 1:500. This proves to us that the overall number of sickle cell disease victim is 90,000. It also affects Hispanic-Americans. However, the Hispanic-Americans group has illegible figure in relation to the African Americans. The government has been evaluating the issue as it calls for national concern. The government has also been working on different programs to ensure that suppress the extent of the disorder. The government of the USA has been working on the issue to reduce the effects of the disorder. Some of the steps are routine neonatal screening in all infants born in the country, and states with higher records than others have been creating awareness all through to ensure that all citizens will have the awareness the dangers behind the defect. This awareness target young couples, where they undergo screening to ensure that they are not victims of the dominant gene; victims undergo further training to reduce the impact of the gene among infants. This information is crucial among the African Americans as records shows that one out of twelve of has the sickle cell traits. Moreover, over 2.5 million of the American citizens are carries of the heterozygous characteristics (Tapper, 1999). Complication of the disorder In relation to research all over the world, it is evident that they are significantly many complications associated with the sickle cell disorder. The discussion below illustrates the common traits. 1. Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection, this results from the functions of the asplenia. Organisms such as hemophilus influenza and the streptococcus pneumonia encapsulate the infection. 2. A penicillin injection at childhood is the most effective medications. In the USA, the government offers free H. influenza and S. pneumonia vaccination. This suppresses the effects of the disorder. 3. The disorder also causes narrowing of the blood vessels. This may lead to stoke or other heart related disorders. 4. The defect leads to prolonged haemolysis; this is a threat to human life as it leads to Cholecystitis and Choleithiasis. The conditions also increase the production of bilirubin, therefore, increasing the systems anticipation. 5. The disorder also causes infarction and priapism of the pennies. In one way or the other, the disorder can lead to blindness. This is through background retinopathy, retinal detachments, vitreous hemorrhages, and proliferative retinopathy. Relevancy to healthy people 2010 From the above paper, it is evident that this is a threat to a healthy nation. Couple should be cautious when choosing marriage partners; parents should ensure that they take required precautions such taking vaccines. This is to ensure that they minimize the risks associated with mutations. The field is also open for further empirical studies, where scholars are to identify solid solution to the mutations. The government should also organize a seminar all around the nation, largely targeting the African Americans. They should educate them on the precautions, dangers and control measures. Allocation medical of finance should create emphasis in the sector (Hill, 2003). Successful inventions 1. The government is ensuring an adequate supply of vaccines all over the nation. 2. Health organizations have developed vaccines, as illustrated in the research above. 3. 3Statistical analysis has been taking place; this facilitates identification of areas of emphasis. Conclusions From the research, we can identify different areas that require further study to save life. This will be met be the association of different stakeholders with the government. Sickle cell disorder is one of these sectors; it is a challenge facing the African Americans. The research also cavers different risk posed by the disorder together with their possible solutions. We would request scholar to perform further research to identify other disorders affecting small groups of people in the USA. References Hill, S. A. (2003). Managing Sickle Cell Disease in Low-Income Families. Temple University Press. Serjeant, G. R. & Beryl. E. (2001). Sickle Cell Disease. Oxford University Press. Tapper, M. (1999). In the blood: sickle cell anemia and the politics of race. University of Pennsylvania Press. 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