Question

Identify a current health issue of interest to you e.g diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart disease etc. On the basis of current epidemiologic evidence, explain the factors that have contributed to the following: the observed trend in mortality rates for this disease, the changes in survival; the changes in incidence. A key concept in epidemiology is that of the levels of prevention. As a community health nurse, describe primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention interventions related to this health issue. Are there modifiable factors, such as health behaviors that lend themselves to better prevention efforts?

Answer 1

ANSWER :

1.Changing trends in mortality and incidence in heart disease :

• Cardiovascular diseases are declining in most high income countries,trends are increasing most low and middle income countries.
• Poor diet,tobacco use ,physical inactivity excess alcohol use and psychosocial factors are major contributory factors for cardiovascular diseases.
• Increase in consumption of energy dense diets and oils contribute to exponential increase incidence.
• In developed countries incidence and mortality decreased because of decrease in tobacco use and exposure ,healthful dietary shifts,population wide prevention efforts and treatment interventions.

2.LEVELS OF PREVENTION:

PRIMARY PREVENTION :

• Aims to prevent disease before it ever occurs.
• Altering unhealthy or unsafe behaviours that can lead to disease.
• Legistlation and enforcement to ban hazardous products.
• Education about healthy and safe habits( eating well and regular exercise).

SECONDARY PREVENTION :

• Aims to reduce the impact of disease that has already occured prior to any critical and permanent damage.
• Includes detecting and treating disease as soon as possible.
• Implementing programs to return people to their original health and function to prevent long term problems.
• Daily low dose aspirins and diet and exercise plans to prevent further heart attacks.

TERTIARY PREVENTION :

• Aims to soften the impact of ongoing illness.
• Aim to improve the ability to function,quality of life and their life expectency  as much as possible.
• Rehabilitation and chronic disease management programs.
• Further cardiovascular interventions are done wherever needed.

3.MODIFIABLE FACTORS :

• Smoking.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• Physical inactivity.
• High blood cholesterol.
• Obesity.