After investigating the leading health trends in my hometown of Riverside County in Southern California, I had not realized how area-specific many of these issues are. Eric Frykman, being a Riverside County Health Officer, identified current health problems that are affecting the city's population, which has remained consistent throughout the past many years with little fluctuation:
Asthma
Because of the terrain and high levels of smog detected throughout the county's atmosphere, children of all backgrounds have been diagnosed with asthma. This equates to roughly 14 percent of Riverside children up to age 17, being about 85 thousand people. Hospitalization rates for children with asthma have been ranked severely poor, being the 37th of 41 locales across the state of California. The CDC calculated that such hospitalizations for asthma attacks cost over $4,500, making it difficult for any of these children to receive adequate care and treatment, being below the poverty line. The Asthma Program in Riverside County has been striving to provide free education on asthma control, providing environmental evaluations to prevent exhaust pollution from getting out of hand and non-allergenic bed matting as well in order to prevent the problem from spiraling out of control.
Tuberculosis
Riverside's rate of tuberculosis morbidity has slightly increased throughout the years, having 69 cases of the disease in 2009 and then 74 in 2010. While tuberculosis rates have fluctuated and ultimately are decreasing nationwide, California is largely contributing to the problem, in which case Riverside has become extra vigilant in halting the spread of this disease. It occurs in senior population members, although care should be taken for young children, as there have been some cases that have risen in the past few years. Not only has tuberculosis been a growing threat to the county, but pulmonary disease has accompanied tuberculosis diagnoses, being a major reason why it is such a threat to the county. The Department of Public Health in Riverside is ensuring that all tuberculosis patients are placed on Directly Observed Therapy for tuberculosis treatment.
Heat Stroke
Annually, Riverside average 42 hospitalizations with heat-related incidents. During the summer, temperatures can reach up to (and occasionally surpass) 100 degrees Fahrenheit, especially affecting younger and older populations in the county. Due to the harsh environment, air conditioning systems have been installed in the majority of Riverside homes, and the health department has ensured to send out alerts when a particular heat spell is soon to pass through the county. Middle-aged males with physically-exerting jobs in the hot summer months are typically affected by the heat the most, as half of heat-related deaths occur in this age group. Air conditioning systems and hydration methods need to be better implemented in order to prevent any future rises in deaths due to heat stroke.
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
In a recent survey, nearly half (47 percent) of women of child-bearing age in Riverside reported that they ingested alcohol at least a month prior to completing the survey. This raises the potential for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome to occur, as women have the potential to become pregnant around this time. Infants were hospitalized twice as much in 2004 as they were in 2002, and while that rate has slightly decreased over the years, this has masked the chronic issues of this problem by bringing the acute and immediate issues into attention. Riverside infants hospitalized for prenatal exposure to alcohol remained in the hospital six times longer than uncomplicated births. Because the CDC has raised awareness that prenatal alcohol exposure is the main cause for birth defects in the United States, Riverside County will implement programs that further educate women on the matter so they can make beneficial choices for their children.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
STDs remain the leading health trend affected certain cities in Riverside County, with Chlamydia being the most prevalent. In 2007, over 6,000 cases of it were reported, nearly 50 percent of an increase from the year before. Certain zip codes in the county where STD rates were highest received a low income average and had limited education. The Department of Public Health in Riverside County has addressed this issue by implementing programs outside of school that inform teens of health decisions and effects, as well as educate the benefits of remaining abstinent in the teen years. By enforcing prevention with accompanied safe-sex discussions, the county is striving to bring its STD rate down.
~Kierstin Baak
No comments:
Post a Comment