Question

Where Do You Live? Health Disparities Across the United States

By Nancy Sayre

Highly variable health care and patient outcomes occur in different regions of the U.S. According to a report from the American Cancer Society, deaths from colon cancer have declined in all but three regions of the country: eastern Virginia/North Carolina, lower Mississippi delta, and west-central Appalachia. The U.S. colon cancer death rate has declined by half over the past decades, partly due to screening, but there are large differences between states (Preidt, 2015a). Another study showed that 36% of counties in the U.S. are more than 50 miles from the nearest doctor specializing in ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers, putting many women at a disadvantage for quality care and positive outcomes (Preidt, 2015b). Lastly, kidney dialysis rates in the U.S. are higher in poor neighborhoods (Preidt, 2015c). Possible reasons for these differences include less access to care, greater exposure to environmental toxins, and lifestyle habits.

Answer the following questions.

1. What can or should be done when populations are disproportionately unhealthy or at higher risk for certain health conditions?
2. If you were a health educator working for the state Department of Public Health, how would you help hospitals in the geographic region address these health disparities?

Answer 1

Answer: When populations are disproportionately unhealthy or at higher risk for certain health condition then it is necessary to indulge in providing preventive methods to the population. Primary prevention is better in this case as people can easily adopt healthy lifestyle to prevent themselves from illness or disease. It is important to remove the cause of the health disease or issues.

The public health educator should perform the epidemiological studies to that particular geographical reason. This is because it will enable the health educator to understand the cause of the disease. This will also provide specific preventive methods. Creating awareness among people is one of the most important thing.