Assignment 3: Descriptive Epidemiology Case Study
Managerial Epidemiology
May 19, 2013
Abstract
There is a serious impending epidemic of diabetes that is affecting the world, especially the United States. This paper will compare the incidences of diabetes within each region of the U.S. for the past year, as well as identify which state has the highest burden of the disease. There will also be an analyzation and explanation of modifiable and stable characteristics in which morbidity and mortality rates can be observed. Included will be biological and genetic factors. A suggestion of how the incidence and prevalence may vary across the dimension of time, both short and long term will be included as well. Risk factors and causes associated with diabetes, means or methods of transmission based on short term and long term trends are characterized. An explanation of how diabetes mortality has changed in the past 50 years, and diabetes patterns across the U.S. and within specific years will be formulated.
Keywords: Diabetes, Lifestyle, United States, incidence, prevalence, modifiable, Risk factors
Compare the incidences of diabetes within each region of the U.S. for the past year and identify which state has the highest burden of this disease.
The incidence of diabetes has risen across the United States as a whole. The region characterized by the highest incidence is the South with 9.8% of the citizens living with the diseases. The Midwest comes in next with a figure of 7.5%, followed by the Northeast and the West, both with a respective 7.3%. The Northwest region is plagued by 8.6%. The total cost of diabetes that have been diagnosed in the United States is a whopping total of 245 billion dollars, 176 of that billion is due to medical costs, and the other 69 billion is characterized by decreased productivity( Barber, 2012).
The Review on Diabetes Mellitus In Children And Adolescents In The Uk: A Look Into Interventions
Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a “growing epidemic” of the twenty first century (Wild et al. 2004) which is a medical and social problem in economically developed and, recently too, in developing countries. Professor Stig Pramming, director of the Oxford Health Alliance, in a report published by the Economist Intelligence Unit stated: “This epidemic is responsible for many more deaths than HIV/AIDS, ...
The Southern region has the leading new case of diabetes being reported over all. West Virginia has been determined to have the highest prevalence of diabetes of all states. West Virginia spent a total of more than 174 billion dollars in the previous year alone. Included in this total is 116 billion dollars in medical expenditures, and 58 billion dollars’ worth of decreased productivity in the work force. 27 billion dollars was spent for diabetic care, 58 billion for the treatment of chronic conditions due to diabetes, and 31 billion dollars in general medical costs. Individuals with type 2 diabetes incur medic al costs that are almost three times higher than individuals that are not diagnosed with the condition (Barber, 2012).
Analyze and explain the modifiable and stable characteristics in which morbidity and mortality rates can be observed. Include biological or genetic factors associated with any disparities.
There are many modifiable and stable characteristics in which morbidity and mortality rates can be observed. Biological and genetic factors include risk factors that are not under a person’s control. These factors are family history, race, age, and a history of gestational diabetes. These factors increase the risk of developing pre-diabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes. If an individual has relatives such as parents and siblings that have developed the illness, they are more likely to develop it themselves. Race and ethnical backgrounds such as African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latino/Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans or Pacific Islanders have a greater advantage of developing diabetes than Whites and other races (Center for Disease Control, 2012).
The Term Paper on Diabetes Health Campaign II
In the health campaign Part 1 paper, the issues of diabetes and some of the initiatives implemented nationally and locally was examined in the state of Georgia. Due to the in depth concern of the growing effects on diabetes, the initiatives of this paper focused on the impact of diabetes on all levels of government and communities. Furthermore, the paper also pointed out the importance of ...
Modifiable characteristics would be weight, diet, and lifestyle. Obesity, Physical inactivity, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol are modifiable characteristics in which morbidity and mortality rates can be observed. Statistics point out the fat that 50% of men and 70% of women who have been diagnosed with diabetes are overweight, managing weight is a way to manage diabetes. Physical inactivity is one of the most modifiable characteristic in which mortality and morbidity rates can be observed. Diabetes, and health for that matter, can be controlled by exercising regularly. Cholesterol levels are also modifiable, and a way to track morbidity and mortality rates. High triglycerides and low levels of good cholesterol increases risks (Center for Disease Control, 2012).
Although there are certainly biological and genetic factors that can be observed, there are more modifiable factors that contribute to mortality and morbidity rates. Type 1 diabetes is attributed to genetics; however behavioral (modifiable) characteristics are a better way to observe these rates (Center for Disease Control, 2012).
Suggest how the incidence and prevalence of diabetes varies across dimension of time, both in the short and long term.
The incidence and prevalence of diabetes varies across the dimension of time, both short and long term in many ways. From the year 1980 until 2010, there has been an increase in diagnosed diabetes in adults. Over the past 16 year period (1995-2010), there has been an increase in the prevalence of diabetes diagnosis. Age adjusted prevalence has caused an increase of more than 50% in 32 states, and an increase of 100% in 18 of the states. The mortality rates among diabetic adults in the United States have significantly declined thanks to health improvements, thereby lowering the risk factors that are associated. An increase in the prevalence of diabetes is attributed to the obesity prevalence (Botman, Moore, Mortality, & Parsons, 2000).
Diabetes is accountable for many cardiovascular deaths in the U.S. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) are considerably higher for diabetics in opposition to nondiabetics. Across the dimension of time, in the long and short term, diabetes is going to affect a host of individuals. In the long term scheme of things, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes will increase from 23.7 to a proposed 44.1 million. The fact that Americans are increasingly becoming overweight, diabetes is becoming more prevalent. The diabetic population and the cost associated will more than double over the next two decades. If there are no changes in strategies to prevent diabetes, this population growth will cost the United States billions of revenue, and it will overburden the health care system (Botman, et al., 2000).
The Term Paper on Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
... that cardiovascular disease are the major cause of mortality and morbidity in people with Type 2 diabetes. Indeed some studies have suggested a risk similar ... cohorts with particular risk factors have shown extreme risk. Assessment, but more particularly aggressive management, of CV risk factors in Type 2 diabetes is then seen as ...
Propose the risk factors and causes associated with diabetes, as well as the means or methods of transmission, based on short-term and long-term trends.
Diabetes has significant risk factors and causes associated with the chronic illness. Based on short-term and long-term trends, there are risk factors that can be determined as well as means or methods of transmission. If you are an individual that has a close family member that has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, or if you have had a heart attack or a stroke you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Other risk factors include being a woman diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, overweight, if you have impaired glucose tolerance, or have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you are at risk for diabetes type 2. Type 2 diabetes may also have risk factors due to abnormal cholesterol levels, obesity, family history, age, race and metabolic factors (Diabetes Care, 2013).
Type 1 diabetes is not characterized by a sedentary lifestyle or being overweight. This type of diabetes is due to the fact that your body does not make (or makes very little) insulin. Due to findings from conducted research, individuals that have the presence of diabetes autoantibodies develop type 1 diabetes. A few dietary factors have been established as links to type 1 diabetes, these factors are: low vitamin D, early exposure to cow’s milk, and exposure to cereals before four months of age. Race is another factor that is contributed to type 1 diabetes. White individuals are at more risk of developing type 1 diabetes than any other race, African Americans are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Care, 2013).
Analyze and explain how diabetes mortality has changed in the past 50 years and what this tells you about the causes of the disease.
The Essay on Chronic Disease Risk Assessment
... so with this certain risk factor of obesity I run the risk of developing diabetes, the assessment states “Compared to a ... types of diabetes, you have; Type 2, Type 1, Gestational diabetes, Pre-diabetes, lada, mody, Diabetes Insipidus, out of all these types there are some types of diabetes ... will lower your chances of developing diabetes or any other chronic disease that may reduce your longevity of ...
There has been a significant change in the mortality rate of diabetics over the past 50 years. Significant improvement has taken place, which is encouraging. The truth is that there are still many people being diagnosed with diabetes, and even more that have not. Even with those odds people are living longer with this chronic illness than they ever have. Unfortunately, diabetics have been known to lose an average of 10 years of their lives. Diabetes mortality rates have changed in part due to the delay or prevention of diabetic complications such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and amputations. Improvements in diagnosis, treatments, and preventions have improved diabetic chances.
A well- known fact in the medical world is that Diabetes is responsible for many premature deaths due to complications. Cardiovascular disease, strokes, kidney failure, etc. are complications of this chronic illness. Recently there has been a dramatic decrease in heart disease mortality in the US population that has been identified as diabetics. This is mostly due to the dietary and lifestyle changes taking place. There have also been preventative and therapeutic strategies implemented that reduce the risks associated with diabetes (US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, 2011).
Healthy lifestyle and diet changes have also increased the lives of individuals living with diabetes. One of those largest declines that have been observed is the fact that deaths from heart disease and strokes have dropped 40% in the past 50 years. Deaths from diabetic complications have declined by 23% according to the Journal of Diabetics Care. Smoking less, more exercise, and making healthy dietary choices have been attributed to these declines. Better medical treatments coupled with diet and exercise have aided in sharp declines of high cholesterol and high blood pressure, leading to a lesser death toll. These declines were seen in both males and females of all racial backgrounds.
This information about diabetes shows how dangerous, and yet preventable that it is. The onset of this disease proves that it is just about preventable (or delayable) due to the fact that lifestyle modifications help to maintain better health when diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is a serious chronic illness that causes other diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and kidney failure as a direct result of not living a healthy lifestyle. This illness is very expensive and causes many other preventable chronic illnesses.
The Term Paper on State Health Policy Analysis
It is projected that health reforms by the federal government will help states reign in health cost and slow the growth by 1% in all states by 2020. This would save $2571 per year per family under an employer sponsored plans for family coverage. It is thought that if the states and federal government can control growth by 1. 5 percentage points many agree in the insurance industry would save $ ...
Identify diabetes patterns across the U.S and within specific areas and formulate a theory for this pattern.
As with any other chronic illness, there are patterns distinguishable across the United States when it comes to Diabetes. The highest prevalence occurs in the Southern States, Epidemiologists have determined a “Diabetes belt” that consists of 644 counties and 15 states. This area includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, and Mississippi. The people that make up the “Diabetes Belt” are more times than not non-Hispanic African Americans that are obese and live sedentary lifestyles. The “Diabetes belt” was more associated with modifiable behavioral risks with only a 37% risk due to un-modifiable factors. The theory behind the Southern Diabetes dilemma would be obesity due to the lack of exercise, the unhealthy foods eaten, and poor health. The foods that are eaten were high in calories because of the need to work in an agricultural environment, now that there is more industrialized work; the need for more calories is not there (Medscape, 2012).
Other patterns in the U.S. would include many isolated tribal lands in the Western U.S. where there are also high prevalence of diabetes and obesity. Continuing with the patterns of diabetes, it is also worth noting that individuals that are more educated and make more money are less likely to have diabetes. Socioeconomically speaking, being more educated usually leads to a higher economic status. This creates a better status that allows for better food choices and more access to better health care (Medscape, 2012).
In conclusion, the chronic illness known as Diabetes has become a pandemic. Not only is is diabetes affecting the United States, but other countries around the world. In the United States, there are 4particular areas that are hit harder than others. Epidemiologists have named it the Diabetes Belt. The “Diabetes Belt” consists of many Southern States, although the rest of the United States is affected as well. This disease is manageable and in most cases, preventable. Lifestyle modifications can mean the difference between life and death.
The Essay on Ideal Political State Health Care
Is there an ideal political state in terms of geography? Realistically, the answer is probably no. But using bits and pieces of current political states, one can put together an almost near perfect country, with specific qualities and characteristics. From a Human Geographer's standpoint, there are several nations, states, and nation-states within the world which have one specific, or a few ...
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Barber, J. Diabetes Prevalence Sharply Increased in all US Regions. Medscape. Nov 15, 2012.
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Baker, L.E., Kirtland, K.A., Gregg, L.S., Thompson, T.J. Geographic Distribution of Diagnosed Diabetes in the United States: A Diabetic Belt. 2011
