Question

What are the major causes of disease and death in the 21st century (e.g., chronic illnesses, communicable diseases, etc.) that continue to affect U.S. citizens in spite of the achievements in public health in the past century? What have been some of the strategies implemented to combat these illnesses on the local and national levels? Have they been successful? Include reference citations where appropriate.

Answer 1

In 21 st century chronic illnesses like Non communicable diseases are the major contributors for mortality in U.S.

Major causes for mortality and morbidity in the 21stcentury are

• Heart disease like Myocardial infarction, Hypertension etc
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Respiratory disease like COPD, asthma, pneumonia
• Arthritis and oral conditions

which are all preventable health problems (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014).

Although, tremendous progress has been made and death rates have decreased since the early 1960s regarding these diseases, they continue to affect U.S. citizens despite the achievements in the public health in the past century.

Major modifiable health risk behaviors that contributes to the above-mentioned conditions are

• Lack of physical activity,
• Poor nutrition
• Tobacco use
• Excessive alcohol consumption

that is responsible for much of the illness, suffering, and early death related to chronic diseases.

Strategies that were implemented by US center for Disease Control (CDC)are as below:-

(1) epidemiology and surveillance to monitor trends and inform programmes that can helps to reduce burden of non communicable diseases

(2) environmental approaches that promote health and support healthy behaviours;

(3) health system interventions to improve the effective use of clinical and other preventive services; that are establishment of additional health centers

(4) community resources linked to clinical services that sustain improved management of chronic conditions.

These strategies were some what effective and reduced the burden of non communicable diseases. But still in U.S. non communicable diseases are major contributors for morbidity.