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Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

Michelle Culver
HCA/240
March 29th, 2015
Carmen Griffis

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

There are many major concerns medical professionals worry about for the aging Baby
Boomers in terms of quality public health care, sufficient amount of resources available, and the
financial burden imposed upon the health care system. Can we consider the demographic aging
an epidemic? Do we blame the decrease in fertility as the causative agent? Or perhaps we fault
the increase in medical technology and medical knowledge as the crucial element in the extended
life expectancy? The fact of the matter is the Baby Boomers are living longer than the previous
life expectancy of generations past.
Aging
One of the greatest methods of understanding in laymans terms is expressing through
numbers. In 1930s America, the older population only accounted for 5.4%, or roughly seven
million people in the country (The Demographic et al., 2009). Not too remarkable compared to
2009 where the older populace amounted to 39.6 million or 12.9% of the American population
(The Demographic et al., 2009). However, the Baby Boomers enlarged the 46-65 older
population, growth from 2000-2011 to approximately 77 million (The Demographic et al., 2009).
As the Baby Boomers tail end hit 65 years old in 2030, the Census Bureau projects the older
population will total 61.3 million (Pollard et al., 2012). This generations more active lifestyle has
enabled them to live 20-25% longer lives; meaning one in five in 2035 are expected to be 65 or
older (The Demographic et al., 2009). To further expound upon this growing epidemic, we can
break them down to future demographic regions.
Research estimates by the year 2050, Europes older population will increase five times
the current rate, from 40 million to 219 million (The Demographic et al., 2009), making them
third place for the elderly population. First place in 2050 will be China with an elderly

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

population jump from 109 million to 350 million; while India follows in second place with
numbers growing from 62 million to 240 million old-age populations (The Demographic et al.,
2009). Which places the United State in fourth place with the prediction of a measly 89 million
older population growth by the year 2050 (The Demographic et al., 2009). These numbers are
astronomical when considering present day we are making human history with our planet
containing so many older people. How is it possible the baby boomers are living longer?
Due to medical advancements, generations X, Y, and Millennials now understand the
impact of overpopulation. Previously, high fertility levels paralleled high mortality levels
because of infectious diseases or degenerative illnesses. Medical breakthroughs such as
improved infectious disease control, public health initiatives, and new surgical rabilitation
techniques (The Demographic et al., 2009) have dropped infant mortality and delayed elderly
mortality rate on a demographic scale. The quality of life created from medical science can be
attributed to environmental factors.
Researchers have found that environmental factors over the course of a lifetime are key
drivers in Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases (The Threat et al., 2008). These two
neurodegenerative diseases stem from dietary patterns, toxic chemical exposures, and inadequate
exercise (The Threat et al., 2008). The chemical alters the biochemical pathways at a cellular and
subcellular level (The Threat et al., 2008). For example, the pesticides used in agriculture
increase risk for Parkinsons disease and doubles the chance of Alzheimers disease. Diets high
in saturated fat impair learning and memory, which are symptoms of Alzheimers. Inadequate
physical activity shows substantial progression of Alzheimers, especially when combined with
air pollution.

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

The changing demographic of Baby Boomers-older population- in regards to health,

disease will increase the need for more health care services. For example, diabetes occurs in
approximately one out of every five or 11.8 million Americans (Public et al., 2013). Diabetes is
ranked the 7th leading cause of death in the United States (The Demographic, n.d.). Ranking in
the first place is cardiovascular disease, taking 150,000 Americans over the age of 65 yearly
(Public et al., 2013). Both health diseases can be prevented through balanced nutritional diet,
exercise regimen, and well-ness checkups monitor their deteriorating age.
Obesity
Obesity is a condition explained as being grossly fat and 34.9%, roughly 78.6 million
adults in the United States are obese (Adult et al., 2014). More than 25 million of the 78.6
million have type 2 diabetes, 27 million have chronic heart disease, and 50 million have arthritis
(Adult et al., 2014). Over the course of the next 20 years, obesity is expected to increase
overwhelmingly with some states reporting a 60% adult obesity rate (Obesity et al., 2012). New
cases of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and arthritis could double the current rate by
2030 (Adult et al., 2014). The staggering trajectory is in part due to environmental factors.
American society lives in an environment where high consumptions of non-nutritious
diets and sedentary lifestyle are influenced by home life, care centers, schools, and work.
Starting at a young age, children are exposed to vending machines, concession stands, parties,
and events where sugary drinks and unhealthy food are served (A Growing Problem, 2013). The
vending machines, food services, and home recipes have taught us to consume larger portions
necessary for caloric intake (A Growing Problem, 2013). The Lack of daily physical activities in
school and work reveals only 33% of Americans meet recommended amount (A Growing

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

Problem, 2013). This is in part due to unsafe or expensive places in the community to be
physically active; in fact, half of Americans do not have a park, community center, and sidewalks
in their neighborhood (A Growing Problem, 2013). As a result, Americans are spending an
average 7.5 hours a day in front of TV, computers, video games, and cellphones (A Growing
Problem, 2013).
The growing demographic change compared to past generations is that Americans are
trending towards an obese nation. The adoption of higher caloric intake combined with excessive
consumption and increased sedentary life has created an increase in health cases such as high
blood pressure and stroke (What et al., 2012). It is estimated that roughly 68 million Americans
have hypertension and 795,000 Americans suffer from stroke every year (Adult Obesity et al.,
2012). Disability prevention efforts should focus on increasing a quality lifestyle and nutritional
diet. The Hunger-Free Kids Act should be enforced with new school meal standards along with
the update on nutritional guidelines for snacks and beverages all Americans have access to (F as
in Fat, 2012). Proper dietary balances can be corrected by following federal food programs.
Lastly, in participating in physical activity and obesity prevention programs, decreased obesity
can guarantee an improvement in health conditions (F as in Fat, 2012.).
The Future of Healthcare
The newer generations of older people are living healthier, more active lifestyles, and are
better educated than before. The three elements aimed to provide for the aging population are:
Information technology, patient centered care, and coordination of care (A Look et al., 2015).
Technology is part of every aspect of life, thus electronic databases, records, and management
elements can prevent future illnesses. Systems can be programmed to generate a reminder letter

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

or phone call for example; additionally, supplementing interactive web-based information should
help educate the aging patients (A Look et al., 2015). The patient centered care aims for personal
involvement with physicians and their team. This will make way for them to spend the necessary
time to educate and support the patients needs. Finally, the coordination of care among primary
care providers, nurses, staffs, and outside resources working together can make way for efficient
patient treatment. In doing so, communication with electronic medical records among
professionals will improve quality of care and reduce health care cost (A Look et al., 2015).
These resources will allow for older people to be monitored, informed of medical changes, and
receive faster more personalized care when medical illnesses do develop.
As the development of care of the elderly population aims toward better communication
and information, obese patients need better access to care, preventive care and teaching selfacceptance. Obese patients avoid doctors offices because the environment is optional for them.
The first thing physicians can implement is educating their staff on how to be respectful to
patients in regards to their body, weight, and size (Medical et al., 2002). Next, having appropriate
equipment and supplies such as sturdy armless chairs in the waiting room for obese patients to
easily sit and get out of. Wider examination tables, gowns, longer needles, larger arm cuffs, and
oversize vaginal speculae to help provide more accurate and comfortable care (Medical et al.,
2002). Once patients have lost excessive weight, teaching them preventive care and selfacceptance is of utmost importance. Teaching them to understand symptoms related to possible
health disease derived from obesity can prevent progression. Keeping yearly wellness checkups
can help monitor future progression or elimination of diseases. Finally, teaching self-acceptance
and life style changes to lead a full active life will increase their self-esteem and enhance
commitment to a healthier lifestyle (Medical et al., 2002).

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

Reference
A Growing Problem. (April 17, 2013). Retrieved March 29th, 2015. From
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/problem.html
Adult Obesity Facts. (September, 2014) Retrieved March 29th, 2015. From
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
Adult Obesity Rates Could Exceed 60 Percent in 13 States by 2030, According
to New Study. (September 18, 2012). Retrieve March 29th, 2015. From
http://www.rwjf.org/en/about-rwjf/newsroom/newsroomcontent/2012/09/adult-obesity-rates-could-exceed-60-percent-in-13states-by-2030.html
A Look to the Future: The Evolving Health Care System. (March 30th, 2015).
Retrieved March 29th, 2015. From
http://www.qualityprofiles.org/leadership_series/diabetes/diabetes_futu
re.asp
Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging. (October 23, 2008). Retrieved
March 29th, 2015 from http://www.agehealthy.org/
F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens Americas Future 2012. (September,
2012). Retrieved March 29th, 2015). From
http://healthyamericans.org/report/100/

Disease Trends and the Delivery of Health Care Services

Medical Care for Obese Patients: Advice for Health Care Professionals.
(January 1st, 2002). Retrieved March 29th, 2015. From
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0101/p81.html
Pollard, K., Scommenga, P. Just How Many Baby Boomers Are There? (2012).
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http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2002/JustHowManyBabyBoome
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Public Health and Aging: Trends in Aging --- United States and Worldwide.
(February 14th, 2013). Retrieved March 9th, 2015. From
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5206a2.htm
The Demographics of Aging. (2009). Retrieved on March 13th, 2015. From
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What Are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity? (July 13, 2012)
Retrieve March 29th, 2015). From
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