Maricopa County Public Health Trends

Macey Bleazard

Public Health 100

13 November 2012

Public Health Maricopa County Trends

Representative Name: Cheryl

Job: Works with Maricopa County Public Health Department, Office of Epidemiology

1.       Obesity

Obesity is defined as, “The excessive accumulation and storage of body fat” (Webster Dictionary). This seems to be an emerging health concern everywhere right now. With the increase of fast food, decrease in amount of physical activity, and a lack of health education promotion, it is no surprise that many populations are experiencing an increase in body weight. In my home town in particular, I have a theory as to why obesity is so prevalent. In Arizona, the temperatures are extremely high a majority of the year. This encourages people to stay indoors instead of going outside and doing something active.

2.       Diabetes

Diabetes can be closely linked with obesity; but, it can also be genetic. There are three kinds of diabetes: type one, type two, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Type one is identified mainly as an insulin deficiency. Type two is most prevalent and is heavily influenced by a poor diet and exercise habits that can lead to a higher risk of forming cardiovascular disease (which happens to be number four on this list). And the third is most prevalent in pregnant women.

3.       Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is also extremely prevalent in Maricopa County. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in Arizona and is most prevalent in whites. More than half of cancer deaths in Arizona can be attributed to lung cancer. In an effort to subdue these numbers Arizona has initiated many programs teaching about prevention, created helplines, and recovery groups. The goal is to prevent smoking which will then in turn decrease the number of those suffering from lung cancer. (http://azdhs.gov/azcancercontrol/documents/pdf/FS_lung-cancer.pdf)

4.       Cardiovascular Disease

I wasn’t entirely sure what cardiovascular disease was exactly until I did some more research. I found that really it is any disease that disrupts the function of the heart. Risk of developing a cardiovascular disease increases with the use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet, and participating in an inadequate amount of exercise. I was very surprised to see that these top four trends predominately are due to what is put into the body. I don’t think I realized just how crucial healthy eating habits and exercise are. Not just your physical appearance depends on these two things, but your inner health as well.

5.       Access to Care

I didn’t realize until I received information from a nurse in Arizona how big of an issue this is. Technology and health care policies are really affecting people’s access to care. Less coverage is being offered for the standard health care. Doctors are now under more liability and have more responsibility for their practices and need to be more selective in who they offer care to (offering to people who can afford it)—this results in less access to care. Hospitals have higher expectations from their staffs without offering higher benefits. This results in less staff and therefore less access to care. This overall change in economy is affecting the access people have to quality health care and they aren't getting all the help they need, which can potentially increase the other four trends.