Coursework Example - Health in the Population in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

The Main Findings in Figure 1

From the figure 1, it is clear that violence has increased tremendously as a cause of mortality in the eastern Mediterranean region. There is a reduction in mortality from diarrheal diseases and an increase in mortality from diseases like diabetes and respiratory diseases. Population growth led to an increase in mortality from all the tabulated diseases, and it did not contribute to a reduction of mortality. This means that population growth has a negative impact on health. Population aging led to an increase in 18 causes of death and a reduction in a few. Aged populations have a predisposition to these diseases because they posses various risk factors. Elderly populations have low immunity, and they are likely to get ill. Also, they dont have enough energy to exercise, and they are hence predisposed to lifestyle diseases. Aged populations dont work, and hence they cannot afford to buy proper diets, and also they dont have enough money to seek proper health care. Population growth leads to increased disease burden and increased mortality. Changes in age and cause-specific mortality rates led to decrease in mortality from all diseases except for respiratory diseases, violence related accidents, and diabetes mellitus. These three diseases are not to be affected by age and cause-specific mortality because they occur in all age groups hence age is not a predisposing factor. There is a lot of air pollution in the region which is attributable to the increase in respiratory diseases. Also, poor diet and improper lifestyle have lead to an increase in non-communicable diseases like ischemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes.

The Main Findings in Figure 5 A&B, Which Presents the DALYs Attributable to Risk Factors for Men and Women in Eastern Meditation Region Respectively

According to the figure 5 A, diet was the leading risk factor of DALYs in men followed by high systolic blood pressure. In men mostly the diet risk factor was associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other endocrine diseases. Men tend to consume foods which are not healthy hence their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Poor diet consists of foods with low nutritional value and high cholesterol. According to figure5B, in the females, child and maternal malnutrition was the leading risk factor for DALYs followed by diet. Children and pregnant women have higher chances of suffering from malnutrition because they have high nutritional requirements. Children need nutrients for growth and pregnant mothers need high nutrients for the developing fetus. Malnutrition will lead to low immunity and increase the risk of women to get diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections and other infectious diseases. Child and maternal malnutrition contributed to diarrhea, lower respiratory system infections and other infections in women. When there is food insecurity this group has a high chance of suffering malnutrition. Child and maternal malnutrition had a great impact on diarrheal and respiratory diseases while the diet had enormous effects on cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Also poor sanitation, poor quality of water and not washing hands was a significant contributor to diarrheal diseases and respiratory diseases in men. Cardiovascular disease was the common leading factor of DALYS in both groups and the common risk factor for cardiovascular disease in both the men and the women was diet.

Immediate Efforts and Long-Term Effort to Improve Health in the Population in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

The immediate efforts include putting in place measures that will encourage early diagnosis and proper management of diseases like hypertension before they progress to cause disabilities such as cerebrovascular accidents. Policies should be implemented to support people to have balanced adequate diets to prevent malnutrition and noncommunicable diseases brought about by bad diets. Policies to discourage tobacco smoking and alcohol consumptions should also be implemented. This will also curb non communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The countries in this region should even put in place regulations to reduce the levels of air pollution to reduce the burden of respiratory diseases. These nations should strive for peace and cut wars to reduce the number of people suffering due to violence. Also with peaceful environments people will be able to eat appropriately and seek health care in good time.

The long-term interventions in the eastern Mediterranean region would include helping in reducing the risk factors which predispose the people to diseases. Another long-term intervention would consist of empowering women and educating both the boy and the girl child. Also, the governments in these places should implement proper housing and raise the living standards of their people. Robust screening and prevention methods need to be put in place as immediate efforts to prevent the development of diseases. Creating employment opportunities for these people will improve their social, economic status and they will be able to seek health care because they can afford.

The Role of the Private Sector in Preventing Chronic Diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

The private sector can play a crucial role in the prevention of diseases in the eastern Mediterranean region. The private sector will help reduce the financial burden which is in the public sector. The private sector will bring competition between itself and the public sector, and this will cause healthcare standards to rise in the region. The private sector can do extensive research and provide information about vital statistics, data sources and prevalent diseases and the best curative and preventive measures that can be put into place. The private sectors build projects and improve the existing expertise to promote environmental sustainability, economic and social equity. The private sector will also offer to fund for the training of public health officers who will provide health education to the people on prevention of diseases and healthy lifestyles. These private sectors also provide funding for training of policymakers. Also, provide opportunities for them to learn and acquire new skills which will be helpful in disease prevention and advocating for a healthy population. The private sector can support programs that promote peace and encourage them to spread peace. When the region becomes peaceful and stable, the health of the people will improve.