Minorities/ African Americans Baby Boomers Health Program - Essay Example

Minorities/ African Americans Baby Boomers Health Program Target Group: Minorities/ African Americans Baby boomers represent the largest part of the American population. This group represents about more than 77 million people where 71 million tend to approach their retirement period. African Americans tend to present the largest number of baby boomers as they current hold a 12 percent of all the baby boomers. A number of various demanding issues are affecting the African American baby boomers, which tends to make the group different from others. Some of these demanding issues include high cost healthcare services. This is because most of these baby boomers require more health care services as they grow old (Miller & Wyllie, 2006). It is evident that the more people grow old; the high there is chances of them getting prone to various illnesses. The reason behind this fact is that the body tends to become weak as people approach their late life years. The other main reasons that make this group of African American baby boomers include the issue of being poor prepared for retirement. Many of the baby boomers tend to enjoy the opportunity of being employed but unfortunately, a large number of them tend to be poorly prepared for retirement. Many baby boomers found themselves in this problem when they made a poor decision of thinking that rising poor home values would contribute in uplifting their retirement plans. However, the saving rates have been affected by a massive decline foe the last decade. The house bust tends to have affected the home values in a significant way where the rates of savings have downsized with a 30%. The other main problem affecting this group is mental health challenges. This is because of the demand issues in life there are a high number of the baby boomers getting affected on their mental health (Mohlman et al, 2008). Social, Political, and Legal Events That Have Led To Health Care Disparities for African American Baby Boomers Various social problems tend to affect this group of African American baby boomers. Some of these social problems include substance abuse. There is high percentage of young and old people affected by the problem of substance abuse (Davis, 2011). One of the main substances that the old African American tends to abuse is alcohol. Even though anyone can have alcohol-drinking problem at any age, the rate of the baby boomers affected by this disease is high compared to the young generation. Some of the cited issues that lead this group into alcohol problem include stress. Mostly, stress comes because the hardships that they are facing (Davis, 2011). The other social problem that tends to affect this group of baby boomers is divorce and family discords. Many of the baby boomers who divorced during their early middle age years tend to much affected psychologically. The high number of those affected by this problem is men. This is because most of the women tend to take their children when divorce occurs and men are left alone. This old age is the one that people require attention and companion from other family members. Therefore, divorce contributes much in causing significant physiological problems to this group of people. The other social problem that tend tends affect this group is domestic violence. It is evident that there are a high number of African American baby boomers who are affected by the problem of domestic violence. This is because there is a high rate of substance abuse among the old and the young in this community. The other main problems that tend to affect this group of boomers include the high rising of emerging new diseases. It is evident that most of the killing diseases that have emerged nowadays were not there in the early old days when the baby boomers were young. Some of these diseases include various types of cancer that have emerged nowadays (Swain, 2008). Some of the political problems include the fact that there is minimal or no identified political structures to help this people. Having various issues that tend to affect this group, there is a significant need for the government to address their plight. It has also been identifies that most of the politicians do not show interest on this group of people. This is because they always show interest to the young generation who they can be able to use and control for their political gains (Swain, 2008). Specific Health Issues Some of the specific health issues that tend to affect African American Baby boomers according to statistics include mental disorders. Mohlman (2010) indicates that about 23.8% of older adults tend to have been affected by mental related complications. This means that mental health of this particular group is an issue that need to great concern. Health promotion policy or program that would be appropriate and effective for African American Baby Boomers One of the most appropriate health promotion policies that would be of significant assistance to the elderly people is the Affordable Care Act. With this policy, this group will defiantly have an opportunity for access to quality health care. The main problem that tends to affect this group is definitely health issues. With this policy, the group will be able to make their own preferred health insurance choices. Moreover, the act support the fact the old people should not denied medical access when in need. This means that the old have a better opportunity of improving the health standards with this kind of act. Alternative Perspectives to This Problem Apart from the health care policy, the other alternative perspective that would be of significance help to African American baby boomers is allocation of certain monthly amount of money from the government. It is evident that most of the old tend to have various financial needs and requirements of which some of them cannot be able to afford. Therefore, there is a need for the government to consider this issue and set aside a certain amount from the budget of which would be used to cater for their needs. It would be great if the amount they can receive from the government will meet their health needs and other social requirement. The other alternative perspective that would be of significant help to this group of baby boomers is setting various counseling centers. It is evident that they are always affected by psychological problems increasing their chances of having metal problems. Moreover, when the old have psychological problems their health condition tends to worsen especially if they have diseases already affecting them. Conclusion The above information indicates there is a significant need for put more concern to the health needs for the African American baby boomers. This is because their health condition tends to worsen, as they grow old. In order for the government to actively contribute in the help this group, access the recommended health services there is a need for enhancing the health promotion policy. The policy will definitely help in making sure that this group gets the best attention regarding to their health status. Moreover, there is also a high need to establish various counseling programs that are related with the health needs of this group. This means that they will be educated on various issues on how to stay health and especially to avoid substance abuse. The above information also indicates that there is a significance need to address various social issues that tend to affect African American baby boomer in order to improve the health status. All of these issues will definitely contribute in improving the health conditions of this group. References Davis, J. (2011). For the Records. Southern Cultures, 17(4), 71-90. Miller, K. M., Wyllie, C. (2006). Planning, design, and construction of health care facilities. Oak Terrace, IL: JCAHO. MOHLMAN, J., CEDENO, L. A., PRICE, R. B., HEKLER, E. B., YAN, G. W., & FISHMAN, D. B. (2008). Deconstructing Demons: The Case of Geoffrey. PCSP: Pragmatic Case Studies In Psychotherapy, 4(3), 1-39. Swain, R. D. (2008). “Standing on the Promises that Cannot Fail”: Evaluating the Black Church’s Ability to Promote Community Activism Among African-Americans in the Present Day Context. Journal Of African American Studies, 12(4), 401-413. Read More