The reduction of infectious diseases such as TB, smallpox and influenza caused the decline in death rates. Tranter (1996) said that a reduce in people dying from these illnesses accounted for over ¾ of the decline in death rate. Tranter also stated that infants, children and young adults were the most at risk from these diseases. Also by the 1950’s, ‘diseases of affluence’ were the main causes of death. ‘Diseases of affluence’ were diseases of the wealthy such as heart disease and cancers.
After researching the 10 leading causes of death in the United states, I discovered that they were heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, accidents, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, nephritis and suicide. Heart disease being the leading cause of death is surprising to me because that is an illness that can relatively be controlled. Heart disease can be caused by unhealthy diet, smoking, lack of exercise and being overweight. Since this is known to everyone that heart disease is a huge risk, it's surprising that more people so not take more action to reduce this risk. In my opinion, a disease that can be controlled by just keeping yourself healthy, should not be a leading cause of death.
However, the infectious diseases had been replaced in the 1950s by ‘diseases of affluence’ which were illnesses such as heart disease and cancers, which were the main cause of death. These diseases affected usually the middle-aged, older generation, rather than the young. It's possible that the population began to develop some natural resistance to these infections, and a result of natural selection, some diseases became less powerful. Improved Nutrition has accounted for up to half of the decline in death rates, argued by Thomas Mckeown in 1972. This was particularly important in reducing the number of people dying from tuberculosis (TB).
It has a big impact on their health. For example it causes serious risks to respiratory health both in the short and long term. People who smoke are two to six times more susceptible to coughs and increased phlegm, wheeziness and shortness of breath than those who do not smoke. Smoking impairs lung growth and initiates premature lung function decline which may lead to an increased risk of chronic obstructive lung disease later in life. The earlier children become regular smokers and persist in the habit as adults, the greater the risk of developing lung cancer or heart disease.
People who are obese are more likely to have health problems such as: high blood pressure, raised cholesterol high insulin levels, impaired glucose tolerance, type two diabetes, heart attacks, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney problems and polycystic ovary syndrome. Not all children will have these health problems but doctors are finding these problems in children and the children are getting younger. As a whole childhood obesity puts children in harm’s way and the future of America. And that is why the cycle must be reversed. We owe to the country and the kids who live
Type 2 Diabetes – this diabetes which appears in adults, and where insulin, which reduces blood sugar levels, is no longer effective is closely linked with being overweight. Android obesity - is characterised by adipose tissue being present on the abdomen around the stomach near the chest. This poses a health risk e.g. increased risk of cardio-vascular diseases. Gynoid Obesity – is characterised by a distribution of fats, mainly on the hips, thighs and buttocks (this is well known in women).
Cardiovascular Disease July 5,2013 HCA 240 Joanna Puia Congestive Heart Failure, which is also referred to ad CHF, is one of the most common cardiac conditions amongst people. This condition affects more then 5 million people worldwide. There is can be up to a half million new cases that are diagnosed each year. Congestive heart failure is the cause of many other problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and Intermitted claudication. The risk factors that an individual had is based off of age, family history and being of the male gender.
The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%” (Childhood Obesity). To some it may not sound very serious, but children that are obese have a very large risk to suffer from many other health problems. “Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Also children and adolescents who are obese are also at a greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem”(Childhood Obesity). Not only does it put them at risk when they are younger, obese children also tend to become obese when they are adults, causing them to have the same, if not more serious health problems.
http://life.gaiam.com/article/how-stress-affects-womens-health This article was written by E.C. LaMeaux. LaMeaux writes about symptoms of stress in woman and how it affects them. Heart disease is the number-one killer of American women and the most prevalent consequence of stress. Stress causes high blood pressure, which compels the heart to work double time, increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure and diabetes.
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. When the coronary arteries become partially blocked or clogged the result becomes coronary artery disease. Therefore this blockage limits the flow of blood from the coronary arteries, which are the major arteries supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When the heart is working harder and needs more oxygen the coronary arteries expand. Here are a few examples of when the arteries expand, when a person is climbing stairs, exercising, or having sex.