The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
HCAD 3110 Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics
September 30, 2013
Introduction:
Health disparities across education status are remarkable and unjust. Eliminating these disparities is an ethical as well as a fiscal responsibility. This brief will analyze the disparity, the statistics surrounding it, and recommendations to mediate the imbalance.
Background:
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) report for 1993-2001 shows that those who had attended college (34.6%) had close to three times as many reported excellent health days as compared to those who had less a less than high school education-11.4% (5). This disparity carries throughout the remainder of the questionnaire’s measures in …show more content…
Moreover, educated persons generally have increased access to knowledge and resources that endorse better health demeanors. “The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation” Issue Brief number 5 states “ In addition, changes in health-related behaviors in response to new evidence, health advice and public health campaigns (about the risks of smoking, for example) tend to occur earlier among more-educated people” (2).
Schools are a crucial element in healthier adults. For instance, school health curriculums can impact health risk behaviors and outcomes that extend into adulthood (4). One particular study looked at the health outcomes in states where the children were forced to go to school. These children were shown to have lower mortality rates in in later adulthood than those states who did not have such policies in place …show more content…
Legislative bodies can also assist in deterring risk factors by way of increasing taxation on tobacco products and alcohol. Lawmakers can enact policies that improve educational institutions and install programs that impassion children to stay in school. Legislation that supports funding and scholarships to encourage continued education beyond high school could make a huge impact on mitigating the health disparity in the higher educated population versus those of lower attainment. These actions can cut costs to employers and insurance companies and more importantly, improve the quality of life for our
September 30, 2013
Introduction:
Health disparities across education status are remarkable and unjust. Eliminating these disparities is an ethical as well as a fiscal responsibility. This brief will analyze the disparity, the statistics surrounding it, and recommendations to mediate the imbalance.
Background:
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) report for 1993-2001 shows that those who had attended college (34.6%) had close to three times as many reported excellent health days as compared to those who had less a less than high school education-11.4% (5). This disparity carries throughout the remainder of the questionnaire’s measures in …show more content…
Moreover, educated persons generally have increased access to knowledge and resources that endorse better health demeanors. “The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation” Issue Brief number 5 states “ In addition, changes in health-related behaviors in response to new evidence, health advice and public health campaigns (about the risks of smoking, for example) tend to occur earlier among more-educated people” (2).
Schools are a crucial element in healthier adults. For instance, school health curriculums can impact health risk behaviors and outcomes that extend into adulthood (4). One particular study looked at the health outcomes in states where the children were forced to go to school. These children were shown to have lower mortality rates in in later adulthood than those states who did not have such policies in place …show more content…
Legislative bodies can also assist in deterring risk factors by way of increasing taxation on tobacco products and alcohol. Lawmakers can enact policies that improve educational institutions and install programs that impassion children to stay in school. Legislation that supports funding and scholarships to encourage continued education beyond high school could make a huge impact on mitigating the health disparity in the higher educated population versus those of lower attainment. These actions can cut costs to employers and insurance companies and more importantly, improve the quality of life for our