Effects of Disease and Illness Within Society

 The Spread of Diseases in Society

The invention of vaccines and development of new treatment methods have improved the health of society. Many diseases have become less widespread, and the life expectancy of Americans has increased. However, some lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are still on the rise, and this situation requires intervention. The distribution of these diseases in society varies in relation to social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors https://ninjas-essays.com/

Social Factors

Immigration

Immigration determines the living conditions of various people in the United States. This can, in turn, affect the distribution of diseases in society. Immigration is associated with overcrowded living conditions, insufficient health facilities, poor hygiene, etc. Due to that, immigrants are at higher risk of catching diseases than native citizens.

Race

Another social factor is race. There are some prejudices that lead to discrimination and disparities in access to healthcare facilities among different people living in the US, which negatively affects their health. According to Silverstein, whites have higher life expectancy than blacks. This means that blacks and other minority groups are at higher risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes than whites because they do not always receive medical care.

Economic Factors

Income

Income also determines the distribution of diseases in America. Middle-class and upper-class Americans are healthier than those who have low incomes. The disease rate is higher among blacks and Hispanics than among white non-Hispanics because there are income disparities between these ethnic group. As a rule, poor individuals suffer more frequently from diseases in comparison with the rich.

Unemployment

Furthermore, the unemployment rate can influence the distribution of diseases greatly. Unemployed people are more vulnerable to diseases since they can hardly satisfy their health needs. They may not have health insurance; therefore, sometimes they cannot access health care. The unemployment rate is high among Native Americas as compared to that among US citizens. Thus, Native Americans are at greater risk of getting diseases.

Environmental Factors

Neighborhood

Neighborhoods and areas where people live influence the distribution of diseases. According to Thomas and Quinn, many poor white individuals live “next to nonpoor people, whereas most poor black people are concentrated in high-poverty neighborhoods”. Such living conditions negatively affect the health of black people. Moreover, people who live in rural areas do not always have access to health care; therefore, they cannot receive medical help when they need it.

Occupations

Occupations can also accelerate the development of diseases. Employees working in the production industry are exposed to asbestos, fumes, smoke, paint, and chemicals. This is dangerous because they can get occupational diseases. For example, blacks and Hispanics often do dangerous jobs that can lead to the development of occupational cancer.

Cultural Factors

Diet

Culture has a considerable impact on dietary habits of different races in America. African Americans tend to consume fat and high-cholesterol foods. Consequently, they suffer more frequently from such diseases as a stroke, hypertension, and diabetes as compared to whites. Moreover, most of the African-American men smoke, which increases their susceptibility to cardiac abnormalities and various types of cancer.

Gender Roles

The division of labor also influences the health of people. Traditionally, black men work, while females stay at home with their children. As a result, women are at greater risk of becoming obese than men due to their physical inactivity. In addition, because many black men do dangerous menial jobs, they are likely to suffer from occupational cancer.

In conclusion, diseases significantly undermine the health and well-being of Americans. Although various treatment methods have been developed, some dangerous diseases are still on the rise, especially among blacks. The social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors play a key role in the spread of various diseases in society. For this reason, the government should take measures to minimize the influence of these factors.