Natalie Williams-Top 5 Public Health Trends in Orange County, California

 Natalie Williams

Pauline Ries
Public Health Nurse
Hall of Administration
333 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714.834.5400
Top 5 Health Trends in Orange County, California

  
Orange County is my home town and I hope to live there again someday. In my study I was able to talk to a Public Health nurse, Pauline Ries from the Orange County department of public health. She explained to me some popular trends in the area that sparked my interest. First, issues involving Afghan refugees in Orange County. In addition, communicable disease trends found in Orange County. The trends I found are as follows.
    The first trend among Afghan refugees in Orange County, California are issues involving mental health. Refugees are at risk for mental health problems for a variety of reasons: loss of family members, traumatic experiences in and escapes from country of origin, culture shock, adjustment problems and culture conflict. They are also vulnerable to problems such as depression, somatic symptoms, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
    The next trend involving Afghan refugees in Orange County is the topic of challenges among Afghan refugee women. It states that refugee women face many challenges such as traumatic flight, loss of family members and property, and dramatic cultural differences in the country of resettlement. Interviews and observation was done and found that the elderly suffer from social Isolation and lack of respect; the middle generation struggle with the burden of being a house wife, employee and mediator between children and husband; young single women face culture conflict and lack of appropriate meals.
    Communicable disease trends in Orange County, California are as follows. First, Influenza activity remains elevated but is decreasing in Orange County. It is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, tiredness, and muscle aches. Prevent the spread of the flu by staying home and avoiding contact with others. Wash hands, cover mouth, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose will prevent you from becoming ill.
    The next trend has to do with the importance of flu vaccinations. The best way to prevent yourself from getting the flu is getting vaccinated each year. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly vaccine. It states that you can get a vaccine from a local health care provider, clinics, or pharmacies. Those most recommended are pregnant women, children younger than 5 years of age, adults 50 years and older, those with chronic medical conditions, health care workers, and people who live with or care for those who are at a high risk of catching the flu.
    The last trend among communicable diseases is Tuberculosis control. Orange County provides screening services including two full service clinics for TB screening, diagnosis and treatment; one clinic in Santa Ana and another in Westminster. They also provide evaluation and treatment of individuals with the disease. Tuberculosis symptoms are as follows: cough, coughing up blood, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and abnormal chest X-rays. People who most have the disease are newly arriving refugees, immigrants, persons with HIV/AIDS, clients of residential detoxification centers, and clients of shelters.