M8 Chronic Diseases Discussion - Assignment Example

The risk factors for chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes obesity, metabolic syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and certain types of cancer include smoking, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise (Al-Maskari, 2010). This issue is compounded by the marketing strategies that companies use to promote their products. For e.g., the tobacco companies are known to pay Hollywood stars to promote smoking and are targeting the women and adolescents in developing countries (Swan, 2008; Chelala, 2011).

Similarly, fast food companies like Mc Donald’s are known to promote their products as nutritious when in fact it is processed junk food that is high in fat, sugar and salt and low in fiber and vitamins (Animal Aid, n.d.). Most people around the world – both in developing and developed countries - interact with some type of healthcare delivery system at least once in a year. Therefore, healthcare professionals are in a strategic position to intervene and influence these individuals to change their unhealthy practices and adopt healthy behaviors.

Healthcare professionals have a very important role to promote healthy lifestyles and influence the reduction of chronic diseases in the world while maintaining basic ethical principles. Following are some of the ways suggested by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (n.d.) by which healthcare professionals can promote healthy lifestyles and influence the reduction of chronic diseases in this world: 3. They can educate their patients who are at risk or are suffering from chronic diseases about the importance of healthy diet and exercise and encourage them to avoid high risk behaviors like smoking, drinking, and physical inactivity.

They can also educate their patients on the importance of undergoing regular screening for diseases. 4. Healthcare professionals can also extend their knowledge to individuals