U.S.A Community Health Problem Analysis - Report Example

U.S.A Community Health Problem Analysis Introduction This essay analyzes the health problems facing Native Americans. Native Americans refer to local inhabitants of North America. The group consists of original American tribes and tribal groups. The Americans, like any other communities in the world, have health problems that need preventive measures put in place (Thun, 2007). Presently, the U.S has a diversity of ethnic groups from all parts of the world. Owing to the advancement of technology and trade activities across the world, there are many travels of people. As people move from place to place, there are high chances of disease spread; hence, preventive measures are necessary. The commonly known health problems in America include heart disease contributing to the highest percentage of deaths (Moscow & Cowan, 2007). The other deadly health problem is cancer affecting men and female, stroke, diabetes, and fatal injuries caused by vehicle accidents. Respiratory diseases, septicemia also called blood poisoning and kidney failure among others affect many people (Moscow & Cowan, 2007). The effects of these diseases differ with gender. For example, septicemia mainly affects women whereby the disease causing bacteria attack the lungs and may attack urinary tract (Moscow &Cowan, 2007). Most of common health problems, however, affect both male and female. Alzheimers disease is one of the diseases which cause is unknown. Alzheimer affects women more than men. Research shows that Alzheimer has a link to head injuries and heart attack. Thesis statement This thesis focuses on cancer as a health problem affecting men and women in the USA. The objective of this thesis is to assess and analyze the damage that the disease causes to the people of USA. The other objectives are to determine and assess the success of efforts geared to limit increase of the deadly disease and care given to the affected group. The need to focus on the challenges faced by cancer fighting agencies will help to suggest improvements geared towards the fight. Cancer as a health problem in USA Description Cancer is a deadly disease resulting from unrestrained growth or multiplication of abnormal cells. Once infections occur in the cells, uncontrolled division occurs and in the process, a malignant tumor results in invading all body parts. The spread occurs through the bloodstream. If control of spread of infected cells is not efficient, the cells can easily knock down normal functioning of the body leading to death. The number of people diagnosed with cancer is about 19.4 million in the world though a number of cases remain unknown (Faupel-Badger, et al., 2011). In 2007, cancer alone killed about 7.6 million people worldwide. Causes of cancer There are many factors attributed to cause cancer. Though the actual cause remains unknown, the following factors have a significant role. Environmental factors contribute to 90-95% of cancer cases (Faupel-Badger et al., 2011). Environmental factors are due to exposure to tobacco, exposure to radioactive rays, obesity caused by improper diets and exposure to chemicals. All environmental pollutants contribute to cancer cases. In some cases, the causes may be a combination of more than one factor. In looking at chemical causes, a number of chemicals from most products have a link to cancer problems. For example, smoking of tobacco causes about 90% reported cases of lung cancer (Faupel-Badger et al., 2011). Tobacco contains a high figure of carcinogens, which cause cancer. Smoke in tobacco contains more than 50 known carcinogens. Alcohol drinking results in 10% cancer cases, in men, and 3% in females in US. Researches in lung cancer cases show a relationship with the smoking patterns. The decrease in smoking patterns in 1950s resulted in decreases cases of lung cancer. Presently, lung cancer disease is rising due to tobacco epidemic. Smoking also affects bladder, kidney, pancreas just to name but a few. Another main known cause of cancer is genetic problems. This is due to inheritance of defects causing growth of cancer with time. The inheritance runs down many generations. Statistics show that about 0.3% of the population carries cells prone to genetic mutation with a high chance of cancer risk (Thun, 2007). Cases of reported breast cancer in women and ovarian cancers are due to cancer causing genes BRCA1 and BRC. Colorectal cancer affecting about 3% of cancer patients is due to inheritance of nonpolyposis (Thun, 2007). Sex related cancers such as prostate cancer, testes and thyroid, are due to cell proliferation in hormones, and the problem passes down generations. Other environmental causes include exposure to excessive sunlight and radiations. There are other minor factors leading to cancer. In USA, about 3,500 women experience malignancy in their pregnancy every year (Thun, 2007). Malignancy may transform to development of acute leukemia that refers to cancer affecting blood tissues; currently no cure exists. Lymphoma and carcinoma spread from mother to the foetus (Ellberg & Olsson, 2011). From the overview of the causes of cancer, there are many types of cancer. Examples of the commonly known cancer types include prostate, colon, lung, sex organs, brain cancer and many other body parts. In USA, there are different types of cancer. In men, prostate, lung and colon cancer are most common and contribute a high number of deaths annually. Lung cancer leads to a higher number of deaths. In women, breast, colon, lung and cervical cancer are most commonly reported cases (Ellberg & Olsson, 2011). Graph showing types of cancer in male and female in USA Source: American Cancer Society, 2011 Source: American Cancer Society, 2011 Symptoms The symptoms differ with the spot of the affected part of the body. For example, coughing, breathe inadequacy and a lot of pain on the chest show possibility of lung cancer. Instances of diarrhea, frequent constipation, and blood in faeces show symptoms of colon cancer (Ellberg & Olsson, 2011). The worst part of cancer cases are the types that do not show any symptoms. The symptomless cancerous infection may develop to being chronic, hence deadly (Ellberg & Olsson, 2011). For example, pancreatic cancer does not show any symptoms until at an advanced level. It is, therefore, worthwhile for all people in risk of contracting cancer to seek diagnosis frequently. Common symptoms for most cancer cases are fatigue, malaise, lack of appetite, loss in weight and severe fevers. Treatment In the treatment of cancer, the method used varies with the infection and phase of growth. Surgery takes place if the cancer is at one location. It is not possible to remove all the parts infected through surgery, and, therefore, radiation or chemotherapy is essential. Most of the patients in USA prefer use of radiation. Treatment is in schedules of one week and not painful. Chemotherapy weakens the immune structure hence not preferred by many. Once cancer reaches advance stage, there is no treatment. The treatment is extremely expensive hence not affordable by many patients. Prevention In order to reduce risks of exposure to cancerous environment, several precautions exist. Proper diets and frequent exercises to maintain weight are necessary. Exposure to risk environments like radiations and hazardous chemicals is advisable. Avoidance to tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol drinking minimize the risks. To prevent the risk of cancer developing to advance stage, which is not easily treated, an early screening will help individuals know the actions to take incase infected. Fight against cancer in USA From the demographic data on effects of cancer in USA, it is evident that cancer is a serious problem in the country. In order to fight the effects of cancer, the government has set up a number of programs under an umbrella name “American Cancer Society.” The society has reduced health inequality in offering assistance in fighting cancer in the state. The reduction in health disparities has helped research funding in its objective of doing away with unequal treatment by 2015. From 1999, studies worth more than $99 million have taken place focusing on the poor (Ellberg & Olsson, 2011). American Cancer Society programs Society’s Intramural Research Department focuses on an assessment of resources needed in community-based interventions (Apostolides, 2011). It visits communities and does an assessment of cancer survivors and those in risk environments. The department has a mandate to assess the effectiveness of awareness towards cancer causes such as smoking and excessive drinking, and advise the government on the way forward. Another program known as Body and Soul exists (Apostolides, 2011). This is an initiative designed to reach the minority groups of people living in America. The target groups in question include African Americans and Latinos. Circle of Life is a program that familiarizes people with mammograms (Apostolides, 2011). The focus group is Native Americans and Alaska. Mammograms mainly affect women, and, therefore, the program ensures that the focus community has support from the local leaders. The Native Americans have tribal differences, therefore, are hard to deal with, hence the formation of Circle of Life group (Apostolides, 2011). The Latinos have mythical beliefs concerning cervical cancer. These beliefs led to the formation of Con Amor Aprendemos program to educate the Latinos. The meaning of this group is “With Love We Learn” and its mandate is to link educators with participants (Apostolides, 2011). Deep South Network initiative focuses on African Americans and educates the locals against the beliefs in breast cancer and cervical cancer (Apostolides, 2011). The increases in mortality due to cervical and breast cancer led to call for awareness. Ozioma group works together with the latter group explain the technological advancements in cancer treatment. Other programs include Patient Navigator Program which employs staff to handle cancer patients in the country. Finally, there is Road To Recovery initiative to improve conditions of the patients and transport services to and from their homes to treatment centers (Apostolides, 2011). Barriers to problem solving Cancer disparities due to differences in ethnic groups, in the State, are among many barriers to cancer prevention in America. The differences arise due to diversity in socio-economic activities of different races, and inequalities in work. The level of literacy varies from community to community leading to differences in understanding education on cancer (Hall et al., 2010). According to Dr. Broder, “poverty is a carcinogen” meaning a cause of cancer. Poverty makes most people not to afford the costly cancer treatments. Poverty is the source of all problems, hence making it hard for a large group of people access basic education. Other challenges include inaccessibility to all people during cancer awareness program visits. Graph showing barriers to fight against cancer US 2009 Source: (National Center for Health Statistics, 2010) Major stakeholders in problem solving The major stakeholder in fighting cancer is the government and American Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) (Hall et al., 2010). As one of the ways of fighting cancer, the government has developed a public cancer policy. ACS CAN is a nonprofit making organization formed by well-wishers and works under ACS (Hall et al., 2010). The government works in collaboration with ACS CAN to fund and supervise the projects towards cancer prevention, cure and care to the surviving patients. Provision of the Affordable Care Act is one of the goals of ACS CAN to improve on lifetime insurance for all the families (Faupel-Badger et al., 2011). Conclusion From the discussion on cancer cases in USA, it is evident that cancer is a deadly disease widespread all over America, and the world at large. The demographic data about USA show how cancer has affected the State’s economic progress. A lot of money is spent on fighting cancer cases. The programs set up by American Cancer Society are expensive to run. The treatment costs millions of dollars annually, which could instead contribute to economic development. The success in the fight against cancer will depend on policies and implementation of recommendations by research groups. The main causes of cancer cases in USA are environmental related (Faupel-Badger et al., 2011). The advancement in technology leads to release of hazardous pollutants in the air, which cause health problems in the future. Recommendation The causal agents of cancer in USA mainly fall under environmental conditions and behavior. Tobacco smoking, for example, contributes to 90% of lung cancer cases (Faupel-Badger et al., 2011). In order to reduce this high rate of cancer cases, I recommend that the government set policies that will reduce tobacco smoking in the country. In order to improve service delivery to all citizens, the governments need to set up cancer centres where all citizens can access. The cost of treatment is high, and, therefore, government can offer subsidy. The setting up of National Cancer Institute by the government has assisted in reduction of cancer spread in the country. References Apostolides, A. K. (2011). The US Cancer Program and specific types of Cancer, 1975-2007: A Failure: Part 3. Townsend Letter, 340, 56-60. Ellberg, C., & Olsson, H. (2011). Breast cancer patients with lobular cancer more commonly have a father than a mother diagnosed with cancer. BMC Cancer, 11, 497. Faupel-Badger, et al. (2011). Expanding cancer prevention education to national and international audiences: The National Cancer Institutes Principles and Practice of Cancer. Hall, M. J., et al. (2010). Barriers to participation in cancer prevention: Clinical trials. Acta Oncologica, 49(6), 757-766. doi:10.3109/0284186X.2010.485209 Moscow, J.A., & Cowan, K.H. (2007). Biology of cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. (chap. 187). Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. National Center for Health Statistics. (2010). National health interview survey public use data file 2009. Centers for Disease Control and Pre­vention. Thun, M.J. (2007). Epidemiology of cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. (chap. 185). Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. Read More