Identify A Health Problem In The US Healthcare Sector

Identify A Health Problem In The Us Health Care Sector From The List B

Identify a health problem in the US Health Care sector from the list below. Prepare a summary document using the required format. The table should be single spaced and total no more than 2.5 pages in 11 to 12 point font. Except in the case of titles, use complete sentences, i.e., write using narrative format. Include a cover page and a list of references in APA Format.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected health problem for analysis is tobacco dependency, which remains a significant public health challenge in the United States. Tobacco use contributes to numerous preventable diseases, including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory conditions, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking accounts for approximately 480,000 deaths annually in the US, representing nearly one in five deaths (CDC, 2021). The most affected population includes adults aged 25 and older, with higher prevalence rates among low-income populations, certain racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with lower educational attainment. This group also encompasses populations with limited access to healthcare resources, compounding the health disparities associated with tobacco dependence.

Patients suffering from tobacco-related illnesses bear the human and financial burdens of this health problem. They experience reduced quality of life, increased hospitalizations, and long-term complications that strain healthcare resources. Healthcare providers face challenges in delivering effective cessation interventions due to limited time, lack of resources, and insufficient integration of tobacco cessation programs within primary care settings (Fiore et al., 2008). Healthcare organizations, including hospitals and clinics, must allocate resources towards treatment and prevention programs, escalating operational costs. Insurance payers bear increased expenditures due to smoking-related diseases, which elevate insurance premiums and Medicaid costs, thereby impacting overall healthcare spending. The government responds through public health campaigns and regulatory measures, such as taxation and advertising restrictions, aimed at reducing tobacco use (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2014).

Healthy People 2020 explicitly acknowledges tobacco use as a critical health priority, aiming for a significant reduction in smoking prevalence and associated health disparities. The initiative emphasizes social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, education, and community influences, which substantially impact tobacco consumption patterns. For instance, lower educational levels correlate with higher smoking rates, highlighting the role of social and economic factors in perpetuating tobacco dependence (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP], 2020). Other public health organizations, including the American Lung Association and the World Health Organization (WHO), also underscore tobacco control as a global and national health priority, advocating for comprehensive policies and cessation support services.

The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) of 1998 is a landmark legislation addressing tobacco-related health issues by restricting advertising, funding anti-smoking campaigns, and establishing escrow accounts for funding cessation programs (Banzhaf et al., 2001). This policy aimed to reduce youth initiation and encourage cessation among adults, intending to diminish tobacco consumption rates over time. The scope of the legislation includes federal and state regulation of tobacco marketing, taxation policies, and funding for public health initiatives. Its anticipated impact is a gradual decline in smoking prevalence and related health disparities. Currently, the policy's status involves ongoing legal and legislative adjustments to strengthen tobacco control measures, such as increased cigarette taxes and expanding smoke-free policies (CDC, 2022).

The tobacco control legislation addresses social determinants by reducing exposure to tobacco marketing and increasing access to cessation resources, thereby facilitating healthier choices. However, some argue it may inadvertently hinder certain vulnerable populations by restricting targeted marketing efforts or imposing taxes that disproportionately affect low-income groups. Overall, while the policy has contributed to decreased smoking rates, persistent disparities indicate an incomplete resolution of the problem.

In conclusion, tobacco dependence remains a critical public health issue in the United States. The existing policies, including the MSA, have made measurable progress, but gaps remain, particularly concerning social determinants and health equity. A comprehensive approach that combines legislation, community engagement, and healthcare interventions is necessary to effectively reduce tobacco use and its devastating health impacts.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Smoking & Tobacco Use. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/index.htm
  • Fiore, M. C., Jaén, C. R., Baker, T., et al. (2008). Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2014). The health consequences of smoking—50 years of progress. A report of the Surgeon General. CDC.
  • Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). (2020). Healthy People 2020 Topics & Objectives: Tobacco Use. Health.gov. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/tobacco-use
  • Banzhaf, H. S., Maestas, M., & Sweeney, T. (2001). Evaluating the impact of the Master Settlement Agreement on youth cigarette consumption. Journal of Public Economics, 81(2), 231-251.
  • American Lung Association. (2022). State of Tobacco Control. ALA.org. https://www.lung.org/policy-advocacy/state-and-community-programs/state-tobacco-control
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic. WHO.int. https://www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2020). Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan. FDA.gov. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/advertising-and-promotion/youth-tobacco-prevention-plan
  • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2021). State & Local Tobacco Taxes and Funding. TobaccoFreeKids.org. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0016.pdf
  • The Truth Initiative. (2022). Ending Tobacco Use in the United States. Truthinitiative.org. https://truthinitiative.org/research/ending-tobacco-use-united-states

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