Sources of Premature Deaths

Sources of Premature Deaths

29 September 2013

Causes of Premature Deaths in the US

Unlike in most parts of the world, particularly third world nations, where premature deaths are caused by treatable and preventable infectious diseases, such diseases play an insignificant role with regard to mortality rates in America. This positive stride can be attributed to epidemiological transition within the healthcare system. Whereas this is good, it does not imply that there are no premature deaths occurring in America. Hereditary biological diseases that are present within the child’s system at birth for instance might increase their chances of premature death. It is important to note that these hereditary diseases have played a significant role in causing premature deaths.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, tobacco is one of the highest contributor of premature deaths in America (Jackson, 2007). Because the tobacco industry has seen reduced taxation in the past, tobacco products are readily available and affordable to all including minors at very cheap prices. Teenagers are lured into smoking because they can afford to purchase the cigarettes and the fact that they are readily available and accessible to them. Further, tobacco companies have in the recent past invested more in branding tobacco in ways that lure younger smokers. This has been achieved by making “sexy” cigarettes as well as associating them with the rich-and-famous culture that is attractive to young persons. This is a powerful marketing strategy because it ensures the recruitment of new customers at an early stage thereby making the addicted to smoking for a longer time. Unfortunately, long-term addiction to tobacco smoking is associated with cancer and other health complications which lead to premature deaths.

The other prevalent cause of premature deaths in America relates to the unhealthy eating habits. It is widely accepted that a person’s health and longevity are directly linked to their nutrition and diet because good nutrition supports the healthy functioning of body processes and functions. However, the dream of having healthy nutritious meals continues to be elusive for most families in modern America. The difficult economic times, for example, force most parents to work long hours in order to provide for their families. This prolonged absence implies that families are not able to make nutritious meals for themselves and have to rely on fast foods, which are readily available, convenient and affordable. Fast foods contain a high amount of fat and calories which leads to obesity. The resultant obesity becomes a precursor to other chronic conditions such as diabetes, coronary diseases and cancers which lead to premature deaths.

Medical malpractices and errors are also among the leading social causes of premature deaths in America. These mistakes made by medical practitioners account to more than 13% of the deaths which is a relatively high rate. The errors are fostered by medical misconduct, poor training among practitioners, understaffed medical facilities and unmotivated staff within most facilities. It is noted that facilities where the professionals are less motivated and overworked record higher mortality rates compared to those where practitioners are well motivated, trained and not overburdened. Pharmaceutical companies also carry the blame for the health inequalities in America. Besides selling their drugs at exorbitant rates, they are also guilty of selling “sickness” to the public. People are being urged to seek medication for non-existent conditions. According to Moynihan (2009), some cholesterol-lowering drugs have been linked to premature deaths (p.xv). Alcohol and infectious diseases are also considered to be causes of premature death albeit on a lower scale in America. Alcoholic drinks, for example, are affordable and accessible to most Americans. Alcohol is known to influence a person’s psychological and cognitive competences which can lead to fatal accidents and deaths. These mortality rates are whoever controlled by the strict legal mechanisms that restrict minors from consuming alcohol and the DUI laws that curb driving while drunk. Whereas these are positive efforts, it is important to also note that excessive alcohol consumption also leads to chronic health complications such as liver cirrhosis and cancer which cause early deaths. Other narcotic drugs, irresponsible sexual conduct, toxic agents and the unabated access and use of firearms can also be termed as peripheral causes of premature deaths in the nation.

Based on vignette 1, Xavier Jr. (Vito) is likely to experience premature death as a result of the various causes highlighted above. To begin with, he is likely to become a tobacco addict which will eventually lead to his early demise. This will result from the influence they have with the other poor farm kids with which they ride the bus to elementary school. Due to their impoverished state, the most likely source of solace and entertainment will be in engaging in tobacco smoking. This is particularly enhanced by the branding tactic that tobacco companies have adopted in order to lure young people from a poor background by associating smoking to the rich and famous culture. As such, the desire to look like rich people, the pressure of poverty, the torment of being born of unregistered immigrants and the collective peer pressure are likely to lure him into tobacco smoking. Further, the affordability of cigarettes and tobacco in general will make it possible for Vito to be recruited into tobacco addiction. This is a dangerous path as it leads to the contraction of chronic health conditions which are likely to take their toll on his life at an early age.

It is clear that first generation immigrants undergo several glass ceilings when it comes to full integration in the American system as well as getting gainful employment. According to Davis (2008), it is even worse in obtaining favorable financial conditions where jobs are hard to come by. As a result, Vito is more likely than children of wealthier families to engage in trafficking and using illegal drugs in order to be able to sustain his tobacco addiction, as well as possible alcohol addiction. As a result, he will not only be exposed to the health hazards of such drugs but also to the criminal underworld in order to survive. This implies that the use of firearms will also become inevitable as a way of protecting his trade and himself. Gang culture is also common among male immigrant’s families as they see this as the only way of protecting themselves and securing a living. The combined effect of firearms, narcotic drugs, alcohol and other high-risk activities will only serve as a catalyst to Vito’s early demise.

Vito is also likely to suffer an early death as a result of medical error or malpractice. As indicated earlier, unmotivated, understaffed and over worked medical practitioners are most likely to commit fatal medical errors that can lead to the deaths of the patients. Davis (2008) says that the current medical inequalities in the country imply that poor neighborhoods and communities only get such poorly equipped and staffed facilities. Wilkinson & Kate (2010) further state that greater inequalities within societies further increases health problems. Additionally, the poor status of Vito and his family implies that they cannot afford private health insurance cover. Further, the fact that their parents are unregistered immigrant workers, it is highly likely that they cannot apply for the public Medicaid. As such, Vito can only rely on substandard medical services that are prone to fatal errors.

The health Belief Model

Vito is also likely to experience health problems as a result of the health belief model. According to Mullen (2007), Vito does not seem to believe that his health can be negatively affected by risky behaviors such as using tobacco, alcohol, drugs and other dangerous activities; he is therefore more likely to succumb to serious health problems. This is because he does not feel the need to protect himself or live a risk free life. Pearlin et al (2005) offers a more in depth perspective by linking health disparities as well as negative health with social stratification and health inequalities. Social and economic stressors are more likely to push people towards risky habits like smoking, alcoholism and poor eating. Stress proliferation brought about by premature entry into the labor force at the expense of continued education and teenage parenthood further contribute to negative health within the family setting (Pearlin et al, 2005, p.214). From a health-preventive perspective, Vito is also at a disadvantage because his risky behaviors discourage health insurance companies from offering him a policy. Failure to adopt correct lifestyle practices leads to one being turned down for an insurance policy (Leichter, 1997, p.362). Economic reasons forces insurance companies to penalize poor lifestyle choices. It is simply more expensive to offer long-term cover to someone who uses tobacco, alcohol and is obese. Such people are more likely to experience health problems than those who practice healthy living.

References

Davis, B. (2008). The life American immigrants. American Journal Of Science. Vol. 23, issue 5, pg. 256-265

Jackson, B. (2010) Smoking Causes Nearly 5 Million Deaths Annually Worldwide. Accessed on 23rd October, 2013. Retrieved at HYPERLINK “http://archive.sph.harvard.edu” http://archive.sph.harvard.edu

Leichter, H. M. (1997). Lifestyle Correctness and the New Secular Morality. In A.M. Brandt & P. Rozin (Eds.), Morality and Health. New York: Routledge Press, 1997. Print.

Moynihan, R. (2009). Selling sickness: how the pharmaceutical companies are turning us all into patients. American Journal of Health, Vol., 12, issue no. 3, 4th October 2009.

Mullen, H. (2007). A meta-analysis of studies of the health belief model with adults. Journal Of American Medicine and Sociology. Vol. 12, issue 3, pg. 125-135

Pearlin L. et al (2005). Stress, health and the life course: some conceptual perspectives. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. Vol 46 (June) (2005).

Wilkinson, R. & Kate P. (2010). Greater equality: the hidden key to better health and higher scores. The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Society Stronger.

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