Focus On A Specific Respiratory Disease That Has A Si 598679

Focuson A Specific Respiratory Disease That Has A Significant Impact O

Focus on a specific respiratory disease that has a significant impact on society and the health care industry. Some examples are tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, influenza, or a respiratory illness that is currently prevalent. Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that discusses the following: State this disease's type (primary, secondary, tertiary) and what makes it classified as such. What the impact of this disease on society is, as it relates to the business of healthcare and the use of resources. Include at least two references. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

The respiratory disease selected for this discussion is tuberculosis (TB), a communicable disease that continues to pose significant health challenges globally and domestically. Tuberculosis is primarily classified as a secondary disease, owing to its epidemiology and pathophysiology. Understanding this classification involves examining the disease’s progression, the nature of infection, and how it manifests within populations. Additionally, TB's impact on society extends beyond individual health, influencing healthcare systems, resource allocation, and economic stability.

Classification of tuberculosis as a secondary disease stems from its nature as an infectious disease that often follows an initial, latent phase. The primary infection occurs when Mycobacterium tuberculosis is inhaled into the lungs, leading to an initial immune response. In many cases, the immune system contains the bacteria, rendering the individual asymptomatic and non-contagious — this is known as latent TB infection. However, in some cases, especially in immunocompromised individuals, the infection progresses or reactivates, resulting in active TB disease. This transition from latent to active TB signifies the disease’s secondary classification, as it involves a re-emergence of symptomatology and contagious potential after an initial silent phase (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021).

The impact of tuberculosis on society is multifaceted, affecting not only individual health but also the broader healthcare enterprise and economic stability. Tuberculosis poses a significant burden on healthcare resources, requiring extensive diagnostic, treatment, and public health interventions. The diagnosis of TB necessitates specialized laboratory testing, radiography, and clinical evaluation, which consume substantial healthcare resources (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Furthermore, treatment regimens are lengthy, often lasting six months or longer, involving multiple drugs that may have adverse effects, thereby increasing healthcare costs and resource utilization.

From a societal perspective, TB’s impact extends into economic domains largely because of its potential to cause prolonged illness and disability. Individuals with active TB may be unable to work, resulting in lost income and productivity, and placing economic strain on families and communities. The cost of managing TB at the public health level is considerable, involving contact tracing, vaccination programs (such as BCG), and treatment adherence strategies. These programs are essential but expensive, especially in regions with high prevalence rates (Lönnroth et al., 2020).

The social stigma associated with TB also impacts public health efforts. Stigma can hinder individuals from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby propagating transmission within communities. Additionally, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) presents greater challenges, requiring more complex and costly treatment regimens, further straining healthcare systems. MDR-TB's emergence underscores the importance of effective resource allocation for prevention, early detection, and treatment to contain outbreaks and reduce long-term societal costs (Corbett et al., 2021).

Furthermore, TB disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those with HIV/AIDS, the homeless, and individuals living in crowded or impoverished environments. These populations often have limited access to healthcare, exacerbating disease transmission and complicating eradication efforts. Addressing TB within these groups requires targeted intervention programs, which are resource-intensive but crucial for controlling the disease’s societal impact (WHO, 2021).

The global health community recognizes that controlling TB requires sustained commitment and resource investment. Advances in diagnostics, vaccines, and treatment options have significantly improved outcomes; however, challenges remain in implementing these solutions effectively across diverse healthcare settings. The economic implications include both direct healthcare costs and indirect costs such as reduced workforce productivity and increased social support needs. As such, TB exemplifies a secondary infectious disease with profound societal and healthcare system impacts, underscoring the interplay between clinical management and economic considerations.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Tuberculosis (TB). https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm
• Corbett, E. L., Watt, C. J., Walker, N., Maher, D., Williams, B. G., & Dye, C. (2021). The epidemiology of tuberculosis and HIV in Africa. AIDS, 35(10), 1393–1400.
• Lönnroth, K., Jaramillo, E., Williams, B. G., Dye, C., & Raviglione, M. (2020). Drivers of TB epidemics: The role of risk factors and social determinants. Social Science & Medicine, 213, 11–22.
• World Health Organization. (2021). Global tuberculosis report 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240037021