Social Determinants of Health & Health Disparities
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If a health outcome seems to prevail to a great extent among a population, then there is health disparity. An example of health disparity is DiabetesDiabetes in our neighborhood. The area is predominantly occupied by Hispanic Americans and a few Chinese Americans (IDPH, 2020). Diabetes is the most significant cause of death in America, with Hispanic Americans topping the list of deaths and patients living with the condition.
The Hispanics are two times likely to develop any form of DiabetesDiabetes compared to the general population (IDPH, 2020). Currently, it is estimated that about ten percent of all Hispanics and Latino Americans suffer from the condition. The affected persons are not only the aged but also the young people aged 20. Given the poor healthcare conditions, many Hispanics are likely to have undiagnosed DiabetesDiabetes compared to other minorities such as Blacks and Asians (CDC, 2019). More than half of all children born between 2000
Various social determinants have caused the prevalence of DiabetesDiabetes among Hispanics (Clark & Utz, 2014). The first one has reduced education levels among many Hispanics. The population lacks information regarding DiabetesDiabetes and its prevalence levels. Many of them are not aware of the various symptoms of the diseases hence remain undiagnosed till the disease develops to chronic stages (CDC, 2019). Another social determinant is poor eating habits. The majority of Hispanic Americans are obese; hence chances of developing DiabetesDiabetes are also high.
The first intervention would involve influencing Latino Americans to go for body screening regularly to detect the disease in initial stages (Clark & Utz, 2014). Additionally, medical personnel should conduct mass education programs to the Hispanics, informing them of DiabetesDiabetes (causes, effects, and prevention) (IDPH, 2020). Last but not least, Latino Americans and Hispanics should develop healthy eating habits to avoid obesity and increased blood sugar levels.
References
CDC. (2019, October 18). Hispanic/Latino Americans and Type 2 Diabetes. Center for Disease Control (CDC). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/hispanic-diabetes.html
Clark, M. L., & Utz, S. W. (2014). Social determinants of type 2 diabetes and health in the United States. World journal of DiabetesDiabetes, 5(3), 296–304. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058734/
IDPH. (2020). Diabetes – Are Hispanics at Greater Risk? Illinois Department of Public Health. Retrieved from http://www.idph.state.il.us/idhp/idhp_HispanicRiskForDiabetes.htm