Introduction
This paper will discuss the influence of research study findings on the development of workable plans to help individuals maintain the healthy lifestyle and increase life expectancy. The data collected from these three studies was analyzed and showed how the environment impacts a person 's overall health and wellbeing and how that can affect a person’s longevity. The application of the findings was used to make suggestions to improve environments like inner cities, by incorporating more green spaces, or health initiatives recommending greater awareness about positive lifestyle choices.
Summary
Today, with the aging population and lack of funds, society is looking for ways to keep elderly persons healthy and productive into there eighties, if not longer. The Duke study on Aging aimed to identify predictors of longevity. A follow-up study was done in 1981. When the data was analyzed they found that there were a variety of predictors of longevity like; physical function, non-smoking, alcohol and tobacco abuse to life satisfaction and health. This research has influenced the use of physical interventions like decreased smoking, drinking and increased exercise, which helps improve the health of older people. The methodology was clearly identified. The researchers used the observational research method and the participants went through a series of physical, social and laboratory tests. The study was initiated between 1955 and 1959 and followed 270 volunteers from
More people are living much longer lives than in years past. People are very surprised to be living much longer lives than they thought they would. Health care has played a large part in patient longevity. There are many normal changes that come along with aging, however, because people are living longer these normal changes can become chronic problems. Common aging problems that can make the older adult a vulnerable population are reviewed in Gerontological Nursing (Tabloski, 2014) and can include nutritional needs, medication management, sleep changes, oral or mouth care, renal problems and musculoskeletal concerns. According to A Profile of Older Americans: 2013 (http://www.hhs.gov), there are a large amount
As a person ages, theirs body cannot perform the way it used to. This will cause many elderly people to loose their job or choose to go into retirement. Both of these options cause a loss in health care as well and a reduced or exterminated income. Here alone lies a reason that the elderly population is challenged. The elderly population also has a tendency to develop a chronic illness that can be life threatening if not treated or controlled properly. This means that need for health care treatments also increases. At least 40% of those over age 65 will have nutrition-related health problems requiring treatment or management (Gigante, 2012). It is important to realize that 10% of people over the age of 65 and will develop Alzheimer’s disease and 50% of those over the age of 85 will develop this disease (Gigante, 2012). More elderly African American men and women use government aid than white men and women. Therefore, this population will be vulnerable because of the lack of funding, proper health care and insurance.
As the population continues to grow older age and life expectancy increases. As a result continued awareness, study and research concerning
Today we have a much greater understanding than any time before on what if affecting our health that has led to an alarming rate of chronic conditions, including heart disease, obesity, asthma, depression, and diabetes. These are directly linked to poor diet, lack of exercise, and land-use patterns, including access to transportation, urban design, and housing characteristics that can make an impact on people’s ability to participate in physical activity. The land-use pattern that has plagued the United States and Florida since the end of World War II has been suburban sprawl that has led to auto-dependence, air pollution, and a much higher risk of respiratory disease. However, we have the ability to combat these tragedies by shaping
Outdoors and nature have proven to improve an individual’s physical and mental health, however the population of the United States have disconnected from the outdoors causing a rise in health issues such as obesity, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and other chronic diseases (Bates & Stone, 2015). Obesity is defined as a disorder involving excessive amounts of body fat that can increase risks for health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some leading causes of preventable death (CDC.gov, 2016). Obesity is a growing health disparity that nearly more than one-third of American adults face due to an evolving society (CDC.gov, 2016). Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and they are the most common, costly, and preventable health conditions (CDC.gov, 2016). Aside from obesity, other chronic diseases include type 2 diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, and cancer (CDC.gov, 2016). Diabetes is known as the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness, and lower-limb amputations (CDC.gov, 2016). Arthritis is the most common cause of disability, with twenty-two million adults reporting that this prevents them from performing daily activities (CDC.gov, 2016). With over 30 years of research, urban nature has shown to enhance physical, psychological, and social well-being for the growing population (Shanahan, Fuller, Bush, Lin, & Gaston, 2015). Individuals with a sedentary lifestyle are more at risk for
Released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services each decade, Healthy People reflects the idea that setting objectives and providing science-based benchmarks to track and monitor progress can motivate and focus action (Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Healthy People 2020 represents the fourth generation of this initiative, building on a foundation of three decades of work (Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Over the years it has been modified, strengthened, and expanded to cover a wide range of health related concerns with its main focus aimed at prioritizing and emphasizing disease prevention. The goals of Healthy People 2020 are to attain high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability,
Education level, employment, income, family and social support, and community safety are all part of the social and environmental determinants in healthcare (Senterfitt JW et al., 2013). Public health has concentrated on improving clean water supplies, healthier housing, sanitation, workplace safety, safe food, and access to medical care to increase life expectancy (Senterfitt JW et al., 2013). Social and economic factors are not only the largest single predictor or driver of health outcomes, but also strongly influence health behaviors, the second greatest contributor to health and longevity(Senterfitt JW et al., 2013). In the lower social and economic population, unhealthy behaviors are more likely to
With the advances in medical care, better health practices, improved nutrition, and other factors help people live longer. As long as older adults are following the correct measures, they can help counter the effects of aging because this stage here most people retire, they need to stay active and keep eating healthy foods. By not living actively can lead to his or her body shutting down, and may also lead to an early death. Many programs are available that older adults can join to
Hello Jennifer, nice post! I learned about Healthy People 2020 in my Wellness Concepts class. This governmental health initiative is an excellent one, as the aim is to not to just increase “life expectancy” but to increase a “healthy life expectancy.” Healthy People 2020 focuses on wellness, which is multi-dimensional and concerned with quality of life and well-being, rather than plain existing. Today, the major causes of death are heart disease, cancer, and lower respiratory disease, which are all chronic diseases that are lifestyle related. Conversely, in the early 1900’s the causes of death were pneumonia, tuberculosis, and enteritis, which were acute and infectious. Therefore, today we have more of a chance to live a long and healthy life,
The Healthy People 2020 Agenda was launched on December 2, 2010, with the aims of improving the America’s health by 2020. The agenda provides objectives that are science-based to enable improve the health of the Americans and it has involved diverse groups and organizations from all over the country. One of the visions set in the agenda is a society in which all people live long, healthy lives. The other important part is the mission which entails identification of nationwide health improvement priorities and many others. I agree with this agenda because America lags far behind regarding health indices when compared to its peers such as Australia and Canada. The Agenda addresses the primary health concerns of the
In 2010, Healthy People 2020 was started by the Department of Human Health Services. Health programs and research topics were instituted to help Americans live healthier and longer lives (CDC, 2014). The 42 topics presented are all very important in maintaining the goals set by Healthy People 2020. If these programs were to be cut or budget restraints imposed on them, the impact would be felt by all Americans. There would be more unhealthy people, preventable chronic diseases would be more prevalent, and education and health associated programs would be
We all know someone who has suffered from heart disease. Whether it was from a heart attack, congestive heart failure, or stroke, some type of cardiovascular disease has taken the life of someone we loved way too soon. This epidemic of heart disease must be stopped through the collaboration of physicians, nurses, law makers, and concerned citizens. The purpose of this paper is to examine cardiovascular disease, the risks associated with heart disease and obesity per Milo’s framework, comparison of obesity and Healthy People 2020 national goals, and finally the long-term and short-term goals and interventions selected for this paper.
Aging is a universal phenomenon and humans are no exception. Gerontology deals with the psychological, social and biological aspects of aging process. A recent study shows that people aged 85 years and older are expected to augment from 5.3 million people to 21 million as the world reach 2050. In today’s world Gerontology has an enormous role to play so that the senior citizens could be analyzed and their needs may be addressed with compassion and empathy.
The Social Ecological Model (SEM) was created to develop an understanding of the relationships between an individual and their social surroundings. While many other models use narrowly conceived frameworks, the SEM considers multiple levels of influence. At the core of the model lies the individual, with three levels of social influence surrounding -- representing interpersonal relationships, organizational/community influence, and governmental policy action (CDC, 2015). Social Ecology is an all-encompassing body of work that seeks to establish theoretical frameworks by considering the interrelations of people and their distinct environmental factors related to health and wellness (Stokols, 1996). The SEM integrates individual approaches related to health behavior by utilizing interventions focusing on improving the physical and social surroundings. However, the SEM goes beyond environmental change by establishing theoretical models explaining the dynamic connections between individuals and their social settings.
Prior to reading the article “Creating a Culture of Healthy Living”, I had expected to learn about the different aspects of how communities maintained healthy living environments, and how cultures come together within a community. Instead the article enlightened me about the fact that so many Americans die from heart diseases and strokes. However, what shocked me the most was the fact that so many people still continue to engage in life threatening activities such as smoking, which causes 443,000 U.S. citizens to die prematurely each year.