The world has progressed a long way from the dreadful black plague. And developed countries, like the U.K. and U.S., are now providing care at quality levels that were unimaginable by our ancestors. However, some crucial health problems still require solving––for instance, chronic illness, drug abuse, and mental health issues. Even with the consistent efforts of healthcare professionals nationally and internationally, addressing these issues and bringing positive change isn’t so straightforward. What’s meant by a public health problem? Well, these problems can consist of any issues affecting a large proportion of a certain population. Contemporary public health issues include infectious diseases like tuberculosis, mental health disorders, chronic illnesses like obesity, and vehicle accidents.
Confronting these vital health issues necessitates the help and input of various stakeholders from the government, private medical institutions, and the nonprofit sector. We’ll have no cure without collaboration across these major industries and sectors. Consequently, most public health initiatives and medical treatments also rely on professionals with diverse specializations.
Suppose you are curious about public health today and want to address these health issues by yourself. In that case, you can opt for a masters public health online or other similar degrees for a successful career in public health. Online education allows you to perform your regular duties along with your studies.
Keep on reading the article below to know the Contemporary Public Health Issues
1. Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart disease and stroke are also among the leading causes of death worldwide. Heart disease takes the life of more than six hundred thousand people each year in the U.S. alone. Dealing with such illnesses starts with prevention. And prevention begins by addressing and controlling high cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking habits.
Similarly, strokes cause around 130,000 mortalities yearly. And since most strokes result in impaired mobility, they’re also a major reason for disability.
2. Food Safety Hazards
Are you aware that one in every six U.S. citizens is affected by foodborne diseases annually? And a lack of food safety results in 3,000 deaths yearly. The USDA has estimated the total cost of foodborne illnesses to be almost $15.6 billion yearly. Though daunting, these illnesses are preventable. The CDC has been making constant efforts to increase awareness and implement food safety at local and national levels.
3. Alcohol Abuse
Another tragic public health concern is excessive alcohol consumption that exhumes around 88,000 lives in the U.S. Some common short-term risks associated with alcohol abuse include injuries from road accidents, drownings; violence in the form of suicide and homicide; miscarriage during pregnancy; and alcohol poisoning. Besides these risks, alcohol poisoning also results in long-term detriments such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, gut problems, high blood pressure, liver disease. Long-term alcohol abuse can also memory problems, social conflicts and lead to alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is no laughing matter. Especially when you start reaching such an advanced stage in your addiction that you start mixing alcohol with other harmful drugs like opiates. If you or someone you know is abusing opiates and alcohol seek help immediately. This is one of the most dangerous combinations out there that can end up taking your life.
4. AIDS/HIV
Estimates show that people above 50 make up 15% of all HIV cases in the U.S. Elder already have weakened immune systems and a low probability of using protection. And when symptoms of aging and HIV are strikingly similar–for example, weight loss, dementia, fatigue, rashes, and dementia––it’s a mix for disaster.
Like many other critical and life-threatening illnesses, several stereotypes related to elders and sexual activity keep this problem from getting the proper attention and recognition. And for that reason, seniors remain underrepresented in clinical trials, research, intervention, and prevention programs.
5. Mental Health Disorders
Contrary to popular belief, dementia is unrelated to a person’s age. And infections, diseases, kidney failures, reactions to medications,sensory problems, infections, dietary imbalances are all possible causes of dementia. Dementia takes many forms, for example, Alzheimer’s, and can be a temporary ailment. If the patient is diagnosed timely, proper care and management can prove beneficial.
Anxiety and depression are among the most frequently complained about mental conditions of our age. The consequences of these disorders going untreated can be lethal as they can lead to suicide. Statistics have shown that the number of male suicides, older men in particular, far exceeds that of any other demographic group.
6. Physical Activity and Nutrition
There’s now plenty of research backing up the claim that keeping fit promotes disease prevention and can even delay some disorder’s progression. Exercise enhances mood, alleviates depression symptoms, and prevents/slows down diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and selective cancers.So, if you lack physical activity, you can hit up local gyms, community centers and get to know the exercise programs offered.
Poor eating habits are often a result of isolated living, which happens to be the case for most seniors. Yet, young and old alike must eata balanced and nutrient-rich diet to avoid binging and calorie crashes throughout the day.
In Summary
The last year was no less than a wake-up call for most industrialized nations. Our sheltered existence was shaken to its core as people all around started dropping sick due to the Corona Virus, and isolated living became the norm. Now that the world is slowly on its way to recovery, it’s imperative to highlight the critical public health issues that medical professionals are fighting to resolve constantly. This article mentioned such problems, for instance, food safety, HIV, and substance abuse.
