Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services2

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care ServicesMichelle CulverHCA/240March 29th, 2015Carmen Griffis

There are many major concerns medical professionals worry about for the aging Baby Boomers in terms of quality public health care, sufficient amount of resources available, and the financial burden imposed upon the health care system. Can we consider the demographic aging an epidemic? Do we blame the decrease in fertility as the causative agent? Or perhaps we fault the increase in medical technology and medical knowledge as the crucial element in the extended life expectancy? The fact of the matter is the Baby Boomers are living longer than the previous life expectancy of generations past. AgingOne of the greatest methods of understanding in laymans terms is expressing through numbers. In 1930s America, the older population only accounted for 5.4%, or roughly seven million people in the country (The Demographic et al., 2009). Not too remarkable compared to 2009 where the older populace amounted to 39.6 million or 12.9% of the American population (The Demographic et al., 2009). However, the Baby Boomers enlarged the 46-65 older population, growth from 2000-2011 to approximately 77 million (The Demographic et al., 2009). As the Baby Boomers tail end hit 65 years old in 2030, the Census Bureau projects the older population will total 61.3 million (Pollard et al., 2012). This generations more active lifestyle has enabled them to live 20-25% longer lives; meaning one in five in 2035 are expected to be 65 or older (The Demographic et al., 2009). To further expound upon this growing epidemic, we can break them down to future demographic regions. Research estimates by the year 2050, Europes older population will increase five times the current rate, from 40 million to 219 million (The Demographic et al., 2009), making them third place for the elderly population. First place in 2050 will be China with an elderly population jump from 109 million to 350 million; while India follows in second place with numbers growing from 62 million to 240 million old-age populations (The Demographic et al., 2009). Which places the United State in fourth place with the prediction of a measly 89 million older population growth by the year 2050 (The Demographic et al., 2009). These numbers are astronomical when considering present day we are making human history with our planet containing so many older people. How is it possible the baby boomers are living longer?Due to medical advancements, generations X, Y, and Millennials now understand the impact of overpopulation. Previously, high fertility levels paralleled high mortality levels because of infectious diseases or degenerative illnesses. Medical breakthroughs such as improved infectious disease control, public health initiatives, and new surgical rabilitation techniques (The Demographic et al., 2009) have dropped infant mortality and delayed elderly mortality rate on a demographic scale. The quality of life created from medical science can be attributed to environmental factors.Researchers have found that environmental factors over the course of a lifetime are key drivers in Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases (The Threat et al., 2008). These two neurodegenerative diseases stem from dietary patterns, toxic chemical exposures, and inadequate exercise (The Threat et al., 2008). The chemical alters the biochemical pathways at a cellular and subcellular level (The Threat et al., 2008). For example, the pesticides used in agriculture increase risk for Parkinsons disease and doubles the chance of Alzheimers disease. Diets high in saturated fat impair learning and memory, which are symptoms of Alzheimers. Inadequate physical activity shows substantial progression of Alzheimers, especially when combined with air pollution. The changing demographic of Baby Boomers-older population- in regards to health, disease will increase the need for more health care services. For example, diabetes occurs in approximately one out of every five or 11.8 million Americans (Public et al., 2013). Diabetes is ranked the 7th leading cause of death in the United States (The Demographic, n.d.). Ranking in the first place is cardiovascular disease, taking 150,000 Americans over the age of 65 yearly (Public et al., 2013). Both health diseases can be prevented through balanced nutritional diet, exercise regimen, and well-ness checkups monitor their deteriorating age. ObesityObesity is a condition explained as being grossly fat and 34.9%, roughly 78.6 million adults in the United States are obese (Adult et al., 2014). More than 25 million of the 78.6 million have type 2 diabetes, 27 million have chronic heart disease, and 50 million have arthritis (Adult et al., 2014). Over the course of the next 20 years, obesity is expected to increase overwhelmingly with some states reporting a 60% adult obesity rate (Obesity et al., 2012). New cases of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and arthritis could double the current rate by 2030 (Adult et al., 2014). The staggering trajectory is in part due to environmental factors. American society lives in an environment where high consumptions of non-nutritious diets and sedentary lifestyle are influenced by home life, care centers, schools, and work. Starting at a young age, children are exposed to vending machines, concession stands, parties, and events where sugary drinks and unhealthy food are served (A Growing Problem, 2013). The vending machines, food services, and home recipes have taught us to consume larger portions necessary for caloric intake (A Growing Problem, 2013). The Lack of daily physical activities in school and work reveals only 33% of Americans meet recommended amount (A Growing Problem, 2013). This is in part due to unsafe or expensive places in the community to be physically active; in fact, half of Americans do not have a park, community center, and sidewalks in their neighborhood (A Growing Problem, 2013). As a result, Americans are spending an average 7.5 hours a day in front of TV, computers, video games, and cellphones (A Growing Problem, 2013). The growing demographic change compared to past generations is that Americans are trending towards an obese nation. The adoption of higher caloric intake combined with excessive consumption and increased sedentary life has created an increase in health cases such as high blood pressure and stroke (What et al., 2012). It is estimated that roughly 68 million Americans have hypertension and 795,000 Americans suffer from stroke every year (Adult Obesity et al., 2012). Disability prevention efforts should focus on increasing a quality lifestyle and nutritional diet. The Hunger-Free Kids Act should be enforced with new school meal standards along with the update on nutritional guidelines for snacks and beverages all Americans have access to (F as in Fat, 2012). Proper dietary balances can be corrected by following federal food programs. Lastly, in participating in physical activity and obesity prevention programs, decreased obesity can guarantee an improvement in health conditions (F as in Fat, 2012.). The Future of HealthcareThe newer generations of older people are living healthier, more active lifestyles, and are better educated than before. The three elements aimed to provide for the aging population are: Information technology, patient centered care, and coordination of care (A Look et al., 2015). Technology is part of every aspect of life, thus electronic databases, records, and management elements can prevent future illnesses. Systems can be programmed to generate a reminder letter or phone call for example; additionally, supplementing interactive web-based information should help educate the aging patients (A Look et al., 2015). The patient centered care aims for personal involvement with physicians and their team. This will make way for them to spend the necessary time to educate and support the patients needs. Finally, the coordination of care among primary care providers, nurses, staffs, and outside resources working together can make way for efficient patient treatment. In doing so, communication with electronic medical records among professionals will improve quality of care and reduce health care cost (A Look et al., 2015). These resources will allow for older people to be monitored, informed of medical changes, and receive faster more personalized care when medical illnesses do develop.As the development of care of the elderly population aims toward better communication and information, obese patients need better access to care, preventive care and teaching self-acceptance. Obese patients avoid doctors offices because the environment is optional for them. The first thing physicians can implement is educating their staff on how to be respectful to patients in regards to their body, weight, and size (Medical et al., 2002). Next, having appropriate equipment and supplies such as sturdy armless chairs in the waiting room for obese patients to easily sit and get out of. Wider examination tables, gowns, longer needles, larger arm cuffs, and oversize vaginal speculae to help provide more accurate and comfortable care (Medical et al., 2002). Once patients have lost excessive weight, teaching them preventive care and self-acceptance is of utmost importance. Teaching them to understand symptoms related to possible health disease derived from obesity can prevent progression. Keeping yearly wellness checkups can help monitor future progression or elimination of diseases. Finally, teaching self-acceptance and life style changes to lead a full active life will increase their self-esteem and enhance commitment to a healthier lifestyle (Medical et al., 2002).

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