Neighborhood News: Public Health Issues
Neighborhood News
In reading the articles, I chose the articles regarding smoking and flu deaths to focus on and believe that both of these articles were addressing public health issues. According to “Healthy People 2020" (2012, November 20), “Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States” (Tobacco Use). With regard to a possible flu pandemic in the article regarding a possible rise in flu deaths, according to the “Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (2012, November 8), “CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses” (Prevention-Flu Vaccine).
In the banning of smoking breaks article, employers are becoming increasingly aware of the severe health issues related to smoking and the impact of smoking on job performance, absenteeism, and the rising cost of insurance health care benefits. It is not uncommon to see an employer refuse to offer a job to a candidate that admits to smoking. Those employees whom smoke are given the opportunity to seek nicotine replacement therapy for quitting and this is routinely covered by most health insurance. There are also numerous public health organizations assisting with smoking cessation.
In the flu deaths article, public health was threatened by the emergence of influence A (H1N). As I previously quoted, the CDC’s first recommendation of preventing influenza outbreaks is obtaining the yearly flu vaccine. The article states that the most at risk are the elderly, those with chronic disease, and infants. The flu vaccine is presently available at most local grocery stores, pharmacies, or physician offices for a greatly reduced price or free. Currently, according to the “Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (2012, November 8), “The 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccine protects against three influenza viruses – one influenza A (H3N2) virus, one influenza A (H1N1) virus, and one influenza B virus”
In reading the articles, I chose the articles regarding smoking and flu deaths to focus on and believe that both of these articles were addressing public health issues. According to “Healthy People 2020" (2012, November 20), “Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States” (Tobacco Use). With regard to a possible flu pandemic in the article regarding a possible rise in flu deaths, according to the “Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (2012, November 8), “CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses” (Prevention-Flu Vaccine).
In the banning of smoking breaks article, employers are becoming increasingly aware of the severe health issues related to smoking and the impact of smoking on job performance, absenteeism, and the rising cost of insurance health care benefits. It is not uncommon to see an employer refuse to offer a job to a candidate that admits to smoking. Those employees whom smoke are given the opportunity to seek nicotine replacement therapy for quitting and this is routinely covered by most health insurance. There are also numerous public health organizations assisting with smoking cessation.
In the flu deaths article, public health was threatened by the emergence of influence A (H1N). As I previously quoted, the CDC’s first recommendation of preventing influenza outbreaks is obtaining the yearly flu vaccine. The article states that the most at risk are the elderly, those with chronic disease, and infants. The flu vaccine is presently available at most local grocery stores, pharmacies, or physician offices for a greatly reduced price or free. Currently, according to the “Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (2012, November 8), “The 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccine protects against three influenza viruses – one influenza A (H3N2) virus, one influenza A (H1N1) virus, and one influenza B virus”
References: Centers for disease control and prevention. (2012, November 8). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov Healthy People 2020. (2012, November 20). Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public Health Nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier. University of Phoenix. (n.d.). The Neighborhood News. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, NUR408 Epidemiology: Global and Public Health website.