I emailed the health department council of Nashville,
Tenessee because it is a place that I might want to live one day. Bo Mitchell
responded to my email with five trends that impact Tenessee the most and I
researched each health ailment.
1.
The number one trend affecting the community in
Tennessee is heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause for both women
and men dying in the United States. Caucasian followed by African Americans
have the highest numbers of people affected. About 47% of Cardiac deaths occur
outside of a hospital. Risk factors include diabetes, obesity, poor diet,
physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.
2.
Another trend that Council member Bo Mitchell
told me affected Tennessee was diabetes. It is interesting because this
connects to heart disease. Prevention methods include glucose control, blood
pressure control and control of blood lipids. Ages 45-64 have the highest
numbers of people reporting to have diabetes. In 2002 Tennessee was ranked top
10 for most cases of diabetes in the United States.
3.
Cancer is another trend that negatively impacts
the people of Tennessee. For women, breast cancer has the highest risk. For
men, lung cancer is diagnosed the most. Approximately 30 thousand new cases of
cancer are diagnosed every year in Tennessee. Preventative methods include
going to a doctor regularly for check-ups.
4.
Tobacco use is another lead trend. Once again, I
am sure this affects those who are diagnosed with lung cancer. About 25 percent
of citizens living in Tennessee have reported to be regular tobacco users. Not
only is that in itself a risk, but there are now things such as second-hand and
third-hand smoke that we have found to be dangerously affecting those around
tobacco-users. Bo said that there are many programs to educate and prevent
youth from developing that habit.
5.
Last, but most definitely not the least
important, is obesity. Tennessee currently ranks number 3 for fastest growing
obesity rates. 31.9 percent of men are reportedly obese in Tennessee, and 32.3
percent of women have reported being obese. 68.3 percent of Tennessee
individuals are obese or overweight. That is a very large and unhealthy number.
However, Bo said that the public health council recognizes this problem and is
pushing for more education about what individuals can do to prevent this from
happening, even in poverty.
Kiana Dabier
No comments:
Post a Comment