Mortality Rates and Ways to Combat Chronic Illness in Middle Adulthood
What I found in doing my research on the many health issues associated with middle adulthood is that when it comes to health, there are numerous variables that people in this age categories are subject to. It often depends on the mindset of the individual along with economic and social factors. In any event, at this age you cannot stop your body from changing, but you can slow down the process.
The hair on your body starts to show signs of gray and loss of hair is not uncommon. One of the positive signs in this age group is that you don’t have that many accidents and your susceptibility to cold and allergies seem to decline. If you are diagnosed with HIV\AIDS then you are susceptible to pneumonia and pneumonia like symptoms.
The highest mortality rate is amongst African American males. This can be attributed to black on black crimes in the inner-city, HIV\AIDS, tobacco use, and stress. According to The National Vital Statistic Reports of 2012, out of the 146,843 mortalities reported for males, African American males ages 35-64 accounted for 48,727 of them. That’s means that 1 out of every 3 deaths was an African American male. Overall men have a higher mortality rate than women in this group. The leading causes of deaths are heart disease, cancer, HIV, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic illness and conditions are the number one cause of death. Chronic illness is a health condition that is persistent and has long term effects. The term chronic is usually associated for a disease that last longer than 3 month and has debilitating results. This illness has a slow process that more than likely will lead to some type of disability before death. There are 2 types of chronic conditions. One is non-communal such as arthritis, asthma, stroke, or cancer and the other is transmissible infections like HIV\AIDS virus. Most of the non-communal chronic diseases can be attributed to poor diet, lifestyle, metabolic risk factors, and genes that are inherited from one or both parents.
According to the World Health Organization the two leading causes of death in high and middle income countries are heart disease and stroke with the two reverse, heart disease being number one in high income countries. This could be caused by poor diet, heredity, and the income to buy tobacco and tobacco products. Stress could also be factored in as most people in high income jobs are subjected more often than not to stressful situations. Stressful situations are not limited to employment because their may be family and social situations that have bearings on individuals. I found it interesting that in low-income countries that pneumonia was number one followed by heart disease. I believe that HIV is a factor here because pneumonia is a common symptom and before succumbing to HIV people with the virus may succumb to pneumonia. In these countries I must note that HIV was the fourth leading cause of death. In these low income countries infectious diseases continue to be a major challenge because of lack of proper male birth control, safe water, and adequate sanitation systems.
Some non-communal illnesses can be prevented by behavioral changes such as quitting smoking, changing to a healthier diet, and increasing your daily physical activities. The Healthy People 2010 reported that 75% of the 2 trillion spent annually in medical care went to those with chronic illnesses and conditions. With the everyday advancement in medical technology and treatments, those with these conditions are living longer. Besides the major cost to health care, chronic illnesses have put a burden on our economy because of the limitations in daily activities, loss of productivity, and loss of days at work.
A report by Trust for America’s Health July 2008 revealed that if we invest a mere 10 dollars a year in proven community based programs to promote increased physical fitness, proper nutrition, and preventing smoking and other tobacco use could save the United states 16 billion annually within a 5 year span. That’s a $5.60 return for every $1.00 spent. Out of the 16 billion, Medicare could save more than 5 billion; Medicaid could save 1.9 billion and private payers more the 9 billions. This would also reduce heart disease and stroke by 5% within 5 years. It would also reduce some forms of Cancer, Arthritis, and COPD by 2.5 percent within 10-20 years. In Georgia, the state spent 426 million in medical care and if they adapt the above concept the state would yield $4.80 per $1.00 spent.
There is not one miracle drug or cure to stop the aging process but the drug DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) has reduced Cancer growth, AIDS progression, and other physiological dysfunctions in animal studies, but has shown little to no positive results for humans at this point in time to combat the previously mentioned chronic diseases. It is used in the United States and other countries as a nutritional supplement and can be purchased at numerous retailers. It is a secretary product of the adrenal glands. Some available studies suggest that in women it restores some sexuality by restoring low circulating androgen to the normal range in women with some side effects. Some of the side effects are the deepening of the voice and body hair growth.
In conclusion there is only one way to an extended life. You must make a conscious effort to eat, sleep, and live right. Try not to be stressed out exercise at least once a day.
The hair on your body starts to show signs of gray and loss of hair is not uncommon. One of the positive signs in this age group is that you don’t have that many accidents and your susceptibility to cold and allergies seem to decline. If you are diagnosed with HIV\AIDS then you are susceptible to pneumonia and pneumonia like symptoms.
The highest mortality rate is amongst African American males. This can be attributed to black on black crimes in the inner-city, HIV\AIDS, tobacco use, and stress. According to The National Vital Statistic Reports of 2012, out of the 146,843 mortalities reported for males, African American males ages 35-64 accounted for 48,727 of them. That’s means that 1 out of every 3 deaths was an African American male. Overall men have a higher mortality rate than women in this group. The leading causes of deaths are heart disease, cancer, HIV, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic illness and conditions are the number one cause of death. Chronic illness is a health condition that is persistent and has long term effects. The term chronic is usually associated for a disease that last longer than 3 month and has debilitating results. This illness has a slow process that more than likely will lead to some type of disability before death. There are 2 types of chronic conditions. One is non-communal such as arthritis, asthma, stroke, or cancer and the other is transmissible infections like HIV\AIDS virus. Most of the non-communal chronic diseases can be attributed to poor diet, lifestyle, metabolic risk factors, and genes that are inherited from one or both parents.
According to the World Health Organization the two leading causes of death in high and middle income countries are heart disease and stroke with the two reverse, heart disease being number one in high income countries. This could be caused by poor diet, heredity, and the income to buy tobacco and tobacco products. Stress could also be factored in as most people in high income jobs are subjected more often than not to stressful situations. Stressful situations are not limited to employment because their may be family and social situations that have bearings on individuals. I found it interesting that in low-income countries that pneumonia was number one followed by heart disease. I believe that HIV is a factor here because pneumonia is a common symptom and before succumbing to HIV people with the virus may succumb to pneumonia. In these countries I must note that HIV was the fourth leading cause of death. In these low income countries infectious diseases continue to be a major challenge because of lack of proper male birth control, safe water, and adequate sanitation systems.
Some non-communal illnesses can be prevented by behavioral changes such as quitting smoking, changing to a healthier diet, and increasing your daily physical activities. The Healthy People 2010 reported that 75% of the 2 trillion spent annually in medical care went to those with chronic illnesses and conditions. With the everyday advancement in medical technology and treatments, those with these conditions are living longer. Besides the major cost to health care, chronic illnesses have put a burden on our economy because of the limitations in daily activities, loss of productivity, and loss of days at work.
A report by Trust for America’s Health July 2008 revealed that if we invest a mere 10 dollars a year in proven community based programs to promote increased physical fitness, proper nutrition, and preventing smoking and other tobacco use could save the United states 16 billion annually within a 5 year span. That’s a $5.60 return for every $1.00 spent. Out of the 16 billion, Medicare could save more than 5 billion; Medicaid could save 1.9 billion and private payers more the 9 billions. This would also reduce heart disease and stroke by 5% within 5 years. It would also reduce some forms of Cancer, Arthritis, and COPD by 2.5 percent within 10-20 years. In Georgia, the state spent 426 million in medical care and if they adapt the above concept the state would yield $4.80 per $1.00 spent.
There is not one miracle drug or cure to stop the aging process but the drug DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) has reduced Cancer growth, AIDS progression, and other physiological dysfunctions in animal studies, but has shown little to no positive results for humans at this point in time to combat the previously mentioned chronic diseases. It is used in the United States and other countries as a nutritional supplement and can be purchased at numerous retailers. It is a secretary product of the adrenal glands. Some available studies suggest that in women it restores some sexuality by restoring low circulating androgen to the normal range in women with some side effects. Some of the side effects are the deepening of the voice and body hair growth.
In conclusion there is only one way to an extended life. You must make a conscious effort to eat, sleep, and live right. Try not to be stressed out exercise at least once a day.
Additional Information
Information about disease prevention and cost of illness.
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Check out the National Vital Statistics Report for information about U.S. death rates and causes of death.
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