Question

3. What does "BIG GEMS" mean as determinants of disease? How can "BIG GEMS" be applied to childhood asthma in downtown St. Louis? (20 points)

Answer 1

BIG GEMS is a mneumonic which summarizes the determinants of diseases including behavior, infection,genetics, geography, environment,medical care and socioeconomic status.

BIG GEMS of childhood asthma

1. Behavior: Behavioral factors such as smoking cigarette, weed etc., can cause one to acquire asthma or even the people living with the person can develop the disease.
2. Infection: asthma increases the severity of infections , the infections such as pneumonia and other respiratory tract related infections are seen very common with asthma and need special medical care, antibiotic resistant infections are another risk to asthma patients.
3. Genetics: Children with a family history of asthma has an increased chance to develop asthma in early age. how ever patients without any family history of asthma also seen developing the disease.
4. Geography: areas with allergens such as certain flowering plants or polluted cities or high altitude areas seems to have increased asthma cases.
5. Environment: Environmental factors such as pet dandruff, pollution, dust, certain cockroach waste, cigarette smoke etc can induce the chance of asthma.
6. Medical care: understanding individuals correct exposure, reducing the chronic inflammation with medication, managing the acute symptoms and avoiding life threatening conditions can be included under the medical care.
7. Socioeconomic status: the life style and urbanization can be factor that affect induced asthma rates, people living close to mold and cockroaches or areas with high air pollution can be at risk