Hcs 245 Culture and Disease
Culture and Disease
HCS 245
6/17/2013
Cathy Andrade
Culture and Disease
Asthma is a disease that is sweeping the country. With so many new cases being reported daily, it has become somewhat of an epidemic. It can be found in almost all corners of the world. Although it is most common in the US, Canada, and UK, it is growing more common in heavily industrialized countries like Brazil and South Africa. This disease can affect anyone; from women to men, children to adults, Caucasians to African Americans. However, it is most prevalent in African Americans, and even more so in African American women.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs and one of the most common long term diseases in children ("Asthma ", n.d). The actual cause of asthma is unknown and there is currently no cure, but certain things in the environment trigger the inflammation of the airways, ultimately leading to asthma attacks. However, it is manageable and can be prevented by avoiding your triggers. Triggers vary for every person, but the most common are tobacco smoke, dust mites, pets, and pollution ("Asthma ", n.d). The symptoms include tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing ("Asthma ", n.d). Asthma attacks can be deadly if they are not taken care of right away. During an attack the airways in your lungs shrink and do not allow enough air to pass through.
Since we do not know the cause of asthma, why is it that African Americans are three times more likely to be hospitalized from it ("Asthma Facts And Figures", n.d)? According to “Asthma data surveillance” (n.d) African Americans are at 11.6% for having asthma, compared to Caucasians at 8.2% or Hispanics at 7.3%. African Americans are also three times more likely to die from asthma, and African American Women have the highest asthma mortality rate of all groups, more than 2.5 times higher than Caucasian women ("Asthma Facts And Figures", n.d). Some researchers believe that it is socioeconomic while others believe it is
HCS 245
6/17/2013
Cathy Andrade
Culture and Disease
Asthma is a disease that is sweeping the country. With so many new cases being reported daily, it has become somewhat of an epidemic. It can be found in almost all corners of the world. Although it is most common in the US, Canada, and UK, it is growing more common in heavily industrialized countries like Brazil and South Africa. This disease can affect anyone; from women to men, children to adults, Caucasians to African Americans. However, it is most prevalent in African Americans, and even more so in African American women.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs and one of the most common long term diseases in children ("Asthma ", n.d). The actual cause of asthma is unknown and there is currently no cure, but certain things in the environment trigger the inflammation of the airways, ultimately leading to asthma attacks. However, it is manageable and can be prevented by avoiding your triggers. Triggers vary for every person, but the most common are tobacco smoke, dust mites, pets, and pollution ("Asthma ", n.d). The symptoms include tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing ("Asthma ", n.d). Asthma attacks can be deadly if they are not taken care of right away. During an attack the airways in your lungs shrink and do not allow enough air to pass through.
Since we do not know the cause of asthma, why is it that African Americans are three times more likely to be hospitalized from it ("Asthma Facts And Figures", n.d)? According to “Asthma data surveillance” (n.d) African Americans are at 11.6% for having asthma, compared to Caucasians at 8.2% or Hispanics at 7.3%. African Americans are also three times more likely to die from asthma, and African American Women have the highest asthma mortality rate of all groups, more than 2.5 times higher than Caucasian women ("Asthma Facts And Figures", n.d). Some researchers believe that it is socioeconomic while others believe it is
References: Asthma . (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/faqs.htm Asthma facts and figures. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=42 Asthma data surveillance. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/asthmadata.htm Castillo, R., Jordan III, M., & Tan, L. (n.d.). Prevalence of asthma disparities amongst African‐American children. , (), 1-3. Retrieved from http://publichealth.columbus.gov/uploadedFiles/Public_Health/Content_Editors/Community_Health/Minority_Health/Asthma%20dispatries%20amongest%20African%20American%20Children.pdf