More Money but Poorer Health
1.Describe the 2 reasons why Schroeder gives to explain why the U.S. ranked poorly on
many health measures in spite of spending more money per capita than other countries on
health care. What other single factor would you suggest that might also contribute to this
paradox?
The two main factors that Schroeder gives to explain the U.S.’s poor ranking in health
measures is inactivity and obesity. Even though the country spends millions of dollars on
food, fancy diets, and other things that are supposed to be ‘the latest and greatest’ in dieting
and health improvement. One main reason for this is that the population has a greater access
to food resources than ever before along with becoming more sedentary. Throughout history,
the human body that was once adapted to hunting and gathering for food, is now able to get
fed with little to no effort and therefore not exercising and burning the calories that it took in.
This inactivity is how most Americans are able to store fat and therefore carry extra weight.
There is also greater access to carbohydrates and complex sugars thane ever before. The
human population is not built to sit behind a desk and eat the kind of fast-food, sodas, or
energy drinks that have become popular in recent years.
2.In what ways is the problem of obesity in America like the now decreasing problem of
tobacco use? In what ways is it different?
Currently, the trend has been to refrain from eating so many complex calories and fried foods
to focusing on healthy eating/ increased activity for a healthier body. There has also been an
increase in eating more organic and less processed foods due to the realization that many of
the preservatives that processed options are stored in are worse for the human body than the
food itself. Like the use of tobacco, the more research access and education that the
population has about the topic, and the chemical dangers in question, the more attention that
an individual gives to what he or she puts into their mouths and how often.
3.The pie chart illustrating the 5 proportional categories contributing to premature death in
the U.S. are based on total U.S. proportion mortality. How might these percentages
change if the chart were to be redrawn to reflect populations living in poverty in inner
cities? People living in poverty in rural areas. Suggest new percentages for each and
explain why you think as you do.
The 5 proportional categories that contribute to premature death in many populations include
genetics, social circumstances, environmental exposures, behavioral patterns, and health care.
There are many individuals who do not possess the Another factor is access to quality ingredients
at an economically attainable price. Some individuals face disproportionate access to sustainable
fruits and vegetables and more access to foods that are fried, prepackaged, or even preserved to
be able to last for a long time. Individuals and children are creatures of habit that learn by
watching what their parents or significant others eat and how they eat it. Many impoverished
populations that happen to be in the inner-city portions of America, are forced to eat what is
available and obtainable to a budget. Lots of people live paycheck-to-paycheck and are not able
to shell out the extra cash for fresh meat and produce that is not grown locally. Rural populations
References
1.
Schroeder SA, M.D. We can do better -- improving the health of the american PeopleShattuck
lecture: N Engl J Med. 2007;357(12):1221-8. http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A
%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fscholarly-journals%2Fwe-can-do-better-improving-health-
american%2Fdocview%2F223930667%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D12085. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa073350.
that live below the poverty level have an unexpected advantage of space. They can have the
ability to grow their own fruits and vegetables to supplement what they can find in the local
grocery stores. If they are not able to grow their own food, then there is a greater amount of
access through farmer’s markets and sales that many have a greater chance of eating healthily
than individuals who live in more populated areas. While there is not a specific percentage of the
population that have access to adequate food and other resources, it is appropriate to think that
this is a semi-fluid situation and based on the economic status from year to year it can fluctuate.
4.Social determinants of health are relatively new considerations as predictors of premature
death, yet a growing body of research indicates their contribution is strong. Name a social
determinant and describe a possible role for the Church in ameliorating(bettering) it.
A significant social determinant of health is the environment in which an individual lives, works,
and plays. If this environment is toxic and not supportive, then the individual has a greater
chance of participating in behaviors that are not the best for a healthy life. The environment that
a person grows up in provides certain exposures to activities such as addictive behaviors that can
be disastrous to a young individual and lead to unhealthy and unfaithful activities. The Church
can be a positive home for a young person to grow and learn in a positive environment and
limiting the exposure to unhealthy behaviors and allow for the refusal to peer pressures as well.
