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In 2013, West Africa saw the beginning of one of the largest and longest lasting Ebola breakouts in history, which lasted for over two years. In 2014, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that heart disease, killing some 614,348 individuals that year, was the leading cause of death in the United
States. These examples show two different types of disease—one infectious, the other chronic—that have become focal points of public health. How do public
health professionals work to solve such issues? The key is a thorough understanding of the etiology, behavior, and transmission of diseases.
The final project for this course is a disease brief, which will require you to select a chronic or infectious disease from the provided list and write a brief analysis
of that disease to inform your health professional peers. You will cover the etiology of the disease, research the incidence and prevalence of the disease, explore
treatment and prevention, and consider how the ecological model impacts this public health issue.
This project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five. The final product will be submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Analyze the etiology of infectious or chronic diseases to determine risk factors and modes of transmission
Discern the role of individual, community, and governmental levels of the ecological model in addressing public health issues and in impacting an
individual’s health
Determine incidence and prevalence of disease among affected populations by analyzing public health data and statistics
Distinguish prevention and treatment options for chronic or infectious diseases that can inform strategies meant to improve public health. +400 words
Public health professionals work diligently to address a wide range of chronic and infectious diseases. It is essential for public health professionals to have a thorough understanding of the etiology, behavior, and transmission of these diseases in order to effectively combat their effects on individuals and communities.
One example of an infectious disease that poses a significant risk to public health is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus which attacks the body’s immune system causing it to become weakened over time. HIV can be spread through sexual contact with an infected person, through sharing needles while injecting drugs, or from mother-to-child during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 36 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2018, with nearly 1 million deaths due to AIDS-related illnesses in 2017 alone. Despite advancements made in treatment options such as antiretroviral therapy (ART), there remains no vaccine for HIV/AIDS, making prevention efforts all the more vital. Such preventative measures include awareness campaigns about safe sex practices as well as needle exchange programs for intravenous drug users.
A chronic disease that also requires considerable attention from public health professionals is Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). CVD includes heart attack, stroke, and other conditions related to plaque buildup in artery walls which restricts blood flow and damages organs or tissues dependent upon oxygenated blood supply from them. This buildup can be caused by lifestyle factors such as smoking tobacco products or eating unhealthy diets high in fat and sodium content alongside risk factors like high cholesterol levels or diabetes mellitus type 2 being present already within an individual’s family history or genotype makeup itself. According to 2019 figures reported by CDC , around 655 000 Americans die annually due causes stemming from CVD; this translates into roughly 1 out every 4 deaths occurring each year being attributed directly towards CVD – easily making it one of the leading causes amongst deaths within USA boundaries . Preventive measures employed against CVD encompass lifestyle changes like adopting healthier dietary habits alongside regular exercise regimens along with taking any prescribed medications meant specifically designed too help reduce chances & occurrences associated with suffering from CVD .
In conclusion , both infectious & chronic diseases pose substantial risks towards public health – thus requiring concerted effort & cooperation between multiple parties alike , ranging anywhere from individuals themselves up until governmental branch levels . Public Health Professionals must remain vigilant when studying & researching each respective organisms’ etiologies , behaviors ,alongside transmission patterns so as too adequately inform strategies & plans intended too bolster current initiatives aimed towards improving overall quality standards amongst society members .