Study on Diabetes in the United States - Public Health Coursework Example

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs due to the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Diabetes leads to serious health complication over time, amongst health complications including kidney failure, heart diseases, and blindness. There are two main types of diabetes, and one is the type 1 diabetes which occurs mainly in children and young adults. However, it can happen at any age. In the United States, type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5-10% of all diabetes (Glanz, Rimer, & Viswanath, 2008). Type 2 diabetes is prevalent and mainly affects the adults, although recently type 2 diabetes has started developing in children. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 % of all diabetes in the United States (Glanz, Rimer, & Viswanath, 2008). Presence of diabetes is manifested through various signs and symptoms, including unusual thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, and tiredness.

To determine and control the risk factors for diabetes in the United States, social, cultural, and environmental behaviors need to be evaluated to promote health care. In the United States, a high percentage of the population is at risk of acquiring diabetes due to the high smoking rate, poor eating habits and lack of exercising. To understand the diabetes problem and come up with reasonable solutions, there is need to employ theories and techniques that influence behavior change. Amongst them include teaching the population on the dangers of smoking and also counselling those already engaged in the smoking habit to enable them to quit. Educate the society on the need for regular exercising. Lack of consistent body exercises puts people of USA at the risk of acquiring diabetes. Daily physical activity helps prevent excessive weight gain and cholesterol build up. It also helps reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Creating awareness to the population of the USA on the importance of exercising will help reduce cases of diabetes.

There is need to evaluate social and cultural factors of the people in the United States and how these factors contribute to the risk of acquiring either of diabetes. One of the risk factors includes lack of social support. In case one lacks social support from friends, family, or community in life, one is likely to get type 2 diabetes. Inadequate social support leads to poor health, both mentally and physically. People who lack social support are prone to emotional and psychological challenges. The individuals are lonely and require people share feeling with, leading to stress build up, which later result to diabetes. There is need to educate the people of USA on the importance offering social support to friends and family to help reduce the risk of diabetes.

The cultural factor includes education levels. The level of education is likely to influence one's risk to diabetes. People with high education are expected to be aware of the risk factors causing diabetes. Therefore, they are less likely to take preventive measures against the disease. Education also determines the income level, access to health care and the health literacy. Knowledge is an adaptable tool that can be used in creating awareness on the causes and prevention measures towards diabetes. Education also helps raise peoples living standards, and as a result, their eating styles is improved.

After collaborating with my peers in the group discussion, I was able to learn and improve my understanding of the topic diabetes. The group discussion helps one to learn new facts through research and knowledge sharing among peers. The discussion involves the exchange of ideas and learning, and the student learns new things from each other. The study helped me identify my mistake and weakness in the subject of discussion, and this helped me identify the areas that needed improvement.

I will use the knowledge acquired in the course to prevent and identify the risk associated with diabetes. For example, by educating the population on the importance of healthy eating and regular physical activities.

References

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2008). Health behavior and health education: theory, research, and practice. John Wiley & Sons.