Approximately 34 years ago a covert infectious agent plagued a distinct group of individuals, and took its rightful place in medicinal history. Young homosexual men were succumbing to rare terminal malignancies at an alarming rate, causing doctors to notify the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention alongside other healthcare agencies of its disturbing effects. In the early 1980’s, light was shed upon a new illness formally described as gay compromise syndrome, GRID (gay-related immune deficiency), or gay cancer. After a significant number of heterosexuals were infected, those names were considered redundant and the acronym AIDS was adopted.
“In 1981, when the virus was discovered, being HIV-positive was considered a death sentence;
…show more content…
The initial steps taken by the CDC in the early stage of this rising health problem demonstrated two of the three core functions of public health, (assessment and assurance). Assessment calls for regularly and systematically collecting, analyzing and making available information on the health of a community. Assurance involves guaranteeing constituents that services necessary to achieve agreed on goals are provided by encouraging actions on the part of others, by requiring action through regulation, or by providing services directly. (Turnock, 2012, pg. 514)
The appointed epidemiologist fulfilled these functions by collecting data, providing risk factors, and providing recommendations about the cause of disease to the public. The World Health Organization (2015) states, “A risk factor is any attribute, characteristic or exposure of an individual that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury.” (World Health Organization, 2015) There are several risk factors associated with the spread of HIV which include, the practice of engaging in vaginal, anal, or oral sex in conjunction with having numerous and unspecified partners, while not using a condom. If people have a
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized as a new disease in 1981 when increasing numbers of young homosexual men succumbed to unusual opportunistic infections and rare
As decades pass, it becomes evident that medical research plays a vital role in saving lives and containing deadly epidemics. Without the advancement of modern medicine, these lethal diseases could undeniably erase mankind in its entirety. AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, was the fire that medical researchers were trying to contain since the first reported case of AIDS swept across American headlines on June 5, 1981 (“Timeline”). As mentioned in the Billy Joel’s song “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” AIDS played an influential role in shaping modern medicine and treatment. Acquired immune deficiency puzzled researchers from the start, however, physicians discovered the origin, method of transfer, treatment, and containment methods for
The same time of the gay culture boom the disease started also known as GRID (gay related immune deficiency dubbed by the media). The CDC curious
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mission is to collaborate to create information and tools for people and communities to protect themselves through health promotion, prevention of disease, injury and disability, and the preparedness for new health threats The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seeks to accomplish its mission by working with partners throughout the nation and the world to monitor health, detect and investigates health problems, conduct research to enhance prevention, develop and advocate sound public health policies, implement prevention strategies, promote health behaviors, foster safe and healthful environments, and provide leadership training. In order for the Centers for Disease to achieve their mission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relies on external partners including public health association, state and local public health agencies, schools and universities, and volunteer organizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a created a set of four health protection goals. The goals are all people especially those at a greater risk of health disparities will achieve their optimal life span, the place where people live, work, learn, and play will protect and promote their health and safety, people in all communities will be protected from infectious, occupational environmental, and terrorist threats, and people around the world will
By reading the book I learned what the core functions and essential public health services were. Turnock (2011 p. 224) describes assessment as public health’s responsibility to provide information to the public about the communities health and wellness, which
The following international, national, and local agencies are aimed at keeping the public safe while seeking optimum health and well-being for all citizens involved. They provide assessments, develop policies, assurance, meet unmet needs, and enable access to health care (McCowan, 2013). They hone communities’ capabilities to respond effectually to health issues by shielding and endorsing the health of the community and its residents (McKenzie & Pinger, 2016-b).
AIDS was closely linked with gay men within the American psychology.[iii] The first time that
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is related to HIV, but they are not one in the same. A person has AIDS only in the final stages of HIV, after the immune system becomes unable to defend itself against foreign bacteria, other viruses, and fungi, and allows for the development of certain cancers. The world first became aware of AIDS in the early 1980s. Growing numbers of gay men in New York and California were developing rare types of pneumonia and cancer, and a wasting disease was spreading in Uganda. Doctors reported AIDS symptoms under different names, including “gay-related immune deficiency” and “slim,” but by 1985, they reported them all over the world.
“For over 60 years, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been dedicated to protecting health and promoting quality of life through the prevention and control of disease, injury, and disability,” (CDC, 2012, p. 1). The organization has a focus of decreasing the health and economic disadvantages of the principal reasons of demise and incapacity through diverse programs, thus safeguarding an extended, prolific, vigorous life for people, (CDC, 2012). This paper will expound on The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and it is enhancement to the fundamental operations
As a disease, HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a blood-borne virus that is transmitted from person to person via sexual intercourse, mother to child, or intravenous drug paraphernalia. The virus itself causes, usually over a period of time, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. AIDS actually targets the immune system and causes an immunosuppression which makes people who have the virus more susceptible to cancers and infections. This is the most unique feature of the HIV/AIDS virus and is the most deadly since its implications are destructive if not properly treated (Moore 51). The significance of this disease is one that began in the 1980’s and initially was thought to be a virus only found within homosexual communities and was even originally called Gay-Related Immunodeficiency Virus. However, in 1981, it was found that the virus was spreading beyond the gay community when Blacks accounted for 25% of the HIV/AIDs population and a trend began where Blacks continued to contract HIV significantly more than
In a health care organization, it is important that the organization’s mission, philosophies, and ethics are followed through properly. . With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is no different. . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “mission is to protect people’s health and to support the quality of life in humans by prevention and control of diseases, injuries, and disabilities” (About CDC, 2010, page or paragraph number with quotes). With the organization's mission, philosophies, and ethics it is important that everyone’s health is protected and proper prevention of diseases, illnesses, and disabilities are given to the public in a timely manner. In this paper, the members of Team A will “describe
In 1981, mysterious cases of opportunistic infections began appearing in clusters (“Timeline”). An opportunistic infection is an unusual infection that appears in people with a weakened immune system (Ojikutu). One disease, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, surfaced in five gay men living in Los Angeles. Another disease, a rare cancer called Kaposi’s sarcoma appeared in patients in both New York and Los Angeles. When doctors at the time realized this, they noticed obvious similarities. The patients were separated geographically, they were only located in two cities. They were also all gay men, that were previously healthy (Ojikutu). Doctors were also finding that whatever they’re patients had was highly fatal. This mysterious disease was first called GRID, Gay-Related Immune Deficiency. Symptoms began lethargy, diarrhea, weight loss, sweats, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. Initial stages resembled the common flu
Next on the MAPP four assessments is Local Public Health System Assessment. Local Public Health System Assessment focuses on all of the organizations and entities that contribute to the public 's health. The LPHSA answers the questions: "What are the components, activities, competencies, and capacities of our local public health system?" and "How are the Essential Services being provided to our community?"(NACCHO, 2017). Any organization or entity that contributes to the health or well-being of a community is considered part of the public health system. Ideally, a group that is broadly representative of these public health system partners will participate in the assessment process. By sharing their diverse perspectives, all participants will gain a better understanding of each organization’s contributions, the interconnectedness of activities, and how the public health system can be strengthened (National Public Health Performance Standards Program, 2017). Essentials services should be provided to the community through community outreach programs. Community outreach programs provide the community with many informational resources not just in the aspect of healthcare alone but the overall well-being of
Assurance was the one of the three public health core functions that most strengthened or improved through constituency building efforts in this case study. Gebbie was a previous employment as an assistant director in a university
The first international report on this yet unnamed immunodeficiency syndrome described five young homosexual men in Los Angeles with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. This led to other reports of more patients who were abnormally immunodeficient. The fact that many of these patients were either homosexual or drug abusers led researchers to strongly suspect that the disease was blood borne and sexually transmitted (hivinsite 2016).