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Health and Nutrition Article Summary, Mental Illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010 by Stein, Jeannine
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Health and Nutrition Article Summary, Mental Illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010 by Stein, Jeannine
This article is titled ‘Mental Illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010’, and is by the author Jeannine Stein. According to a survey, which was carried out nationwide, the highest rates are found in people from the ages of 18 to 25. More information regarding the American mental health status was obtained through surveys completed by 64487 respondents. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health had information regarding the survey. According to the report, children and adults are among the substance users. It was found out that mental illness incidents are lowest in people who are above fifty years (14.3%). On the other hand, the figure is at 29.9%, which is the highest among those between the ages of 18 to 25. Furthermore, as compared to men, women were the ones with high chances of suffering from mental illnesses (Stein, 2012).
The men had a 16.8% chance as compared to women, who had a 23% chance of being mentally ill. Moreover, the survey focused on ethnic and racial groups and their relation to mental illness seriousness. Those who were from at least two races were the ones most prone to suffering from mental illnesses, at a percentage rate of 25.4%. Thereafter, the others who followed were Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, blacks and whites, in the reverse order. As compared to the year 2004, the figure of adults with extreme mental illness in the United States increased significantly by 4.8%. The survey found out that highest incidences were in the age group of 18 to 25 at 7.7%. It was lowest for those who were older than fifty years at a percentage of 3.2%. It even seemed that the men were outpaced by the women at 3.4% to 6.5%. This means that those who have mental illnesses often suffer as they find it hard to function in a normal manner. In turn, they are not able to focus well on activities, which are key, in their lives (Stein, 2012).
The survey also broke down mental illness categories according to ethnic and racial groups. It focused upon, which people had mental illnesses that were serious in nature, and existed among the adults. It found out that those belonging to two races or more, had the highest rate of 9.3%. Thereafter, the others were Native Americans, whites, Hispanics, Blacks, Asians and lastly, the Native Hawaiians. The mentally ill are likely to think about committing suicide and others even commit suicide. Another impact of mental illness is engaging in substance abuse and such people have a 20% chance, as compared to sane people. Also, those between the ages of 12 to 17 were likely to suffer from serious depression. Furthermore, they were likely to take drugs during the depression period. It is quite evident that the report is credible as extensive research was done (Stein, 2012).
In conclusion, the article has given vital information regarding the mental health crisis in the United States. Many people are at risk of being mentally ill, yet they do not know. A lot needs to be done, in order to ensure that the mentally ill are treated early enough. The issue affects the entire American public and cannot be ignored. Indeed, the article has provided evidence that mental illness is an issue that needs to be monitored.
Work Cited
Stein, Jeannine. Mental Illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010’ . The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-mental-health-us-20120119,0,6619243.story” http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-mental-health-us-20120119,0,6619243.story, February 1, 2012.
Health and Insurance Benefits
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Does Mr. Smith fit the typical profile for an uninsured person in the United States?
Mr. Smith has the right profile that will qualify him to fall in the class of uninsured Americans. This is evidenced by his health condition and youthful age, hence falling the ‘youth invincible’ bracket. Mr. Smith knows that he has not been feeling well for some time and then he decides to take no action about it. Instead, he takes his health for granted and proceeds with his daily duties (Kyle, 2012). Smith is not motivated to enroll in any health insurance policy and therefore the government needs to create a common finance cover pool for the likes of Mr.Smith.
How will your hospital most likely be reimbursed for Mr. Smith’s medical care?
The Non-Profit making hospitals offering healthcare services to the uninsured Americans are reimbursed by the federal government. The hospital will only the reimbursed on a cost-based method where the hospital only receives an equivalent of the amount used in treating and offering medical services to Mr.Smith. However, the hospital must be a member of the CAH (Critical Access Hospital) to qualify for the reimbursement from the Medicare (Kyle, 2012). During the recent economic downturn, your community has experienced unemployment rates of approximately 9%. What can be done to mitigate the effects of the financial impact to your organization?
To mitigate the effects of the recent economic downturn that has led to more unemployment in the economy, it is important for the government to increase its healthcare insurance to cover for the unemployed members of the society (Kyle, 2012). By so doing, health institutions will not suffer huge losses by providing healthcare and services to the unemployed members. Hence, health institutions are protected from any further loss.
Reference
Kyle, H. (2012). Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare. NY: DIANE Publishing.
Myths of Aging in Relation to Memory, Perception and Attention
Running head: MYTHS OF AGING
Myths of Aging in Relation to Memory, Perception and Attention
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MYTHS OF AGING
Question 1: Three myths about aging related to what is supposed to happen to memory, attention and perception: Their description and validity.
Myths associated with aging have gained acceptance in life notably in the social and academic fraternity. Such myths usually originate from certain social and cultural circumstances that can be handled (Schulz and Salthouse, 1999). The first myth purports that older people are senile or forgetful. This myth holds that older people are more likely to forget things within their surroundings even the simplest things. In this regard, older people tend two suffer frfom memory loss especially short memory. This myth can be justified by the fact that the functioning ability of certain parts of the brain associated with short term memory tends to diminish with age. This can explain why some older people forget the names of close relatives. In addition to this, the brain is made up of sensory nerves whose development and functioning depends on availability of certain vitamins, e.g. Vitamin B6, and B12 as well as certain minerals like foliate. The deficiency of such vitamins and minerals tends to increase with age hence this explains the symptoms associated with forgetfulness or senility due to their deficiency.
Another myth associated with memory attention and perception purports that older people think slowly(Kimmell, C.D. 1990). This myth can be supported by the fact that as aging comes along; the brain suffers degeneration as much as the other parts of the body. Research has further proved that brain cells unlike other cells in the body cannot be repaired. The aging brain thus takes longer to get activated and respond to the stimuli. In some cases with more and more brain cell death, the brain function becomes impaired which would justify the validity of this myth. Another common aging myth holds that older people suffer from confusion and memory loss. Memory loss often MYTHS OF AGINGreferred to as Dementia is characterized by a reversible or sometimes irreversible loss of memory. Some forms of dementia are more severe than others. Severe forms of dementia are known to become more common with people over 65 years of age. These include Alzheimer’s disease which causes severe memory loss and confusion as well as Parkinson’s disease which causes loss of motor coordination. This can partly explain why some older people exhibit symptoms of memory loss and confusion hence justifying the myths associated with age.
Question 2: Three changes associated with alterations in attention, perception and memory functions from professional and personal experience and indicators whether normal or severe.
The functional alterations in memory, attention and perception which result to symptoms of forgetfulness, severe memory loss and confusion can be attributed to certain changes that occur to the individual’s brain with age. As the brain ages, the functioning of the frontal lobe and hippocampus; parts of the brain associated with intelligence and short term memory diminishes. This results from damage of nerve endings in these parts of the brain which leads to death of neurons which make up brain cells. The end result of this is the reduction in the capacity to retain specific memory hence explaining why older people tend to forget important things within their environment like the names of their close relatives or even lose their way. This phenomena is well illustrated in the film ‘On Golden Pond’ where the main character Norman, a 79 year old retired professor suffers from age related memory loss and loses his way when send by his wife Ethel Thayer to pick berries in the woods ( Thompson, E. 1982).
Severe and long time forms of memory loss can result from diseases which creates changes within the brain hence interfering with motor functioning of the brain. Some symptoms of memory loss are more severe than others; some can be reversed while others cannot be reversed. Those associated with malnutrition, drug interactions dehydration or even malnutrition tend to be reversed by taking the necessary interventions like counseling, adequate water intake, proper diet and appropriate medical advice on drug use among others. In addition to these interventions, early diagnosis of some conditions like Alzheimer’s disease is crucial since some medications can slow the progress of the disease. Another change that explains the said alterations is due to the deficiency of certain vitamins and foliates which exists among certain people and tends to worsen with age. Vitamin B6 deficiency may lead to peripheral neuropathy since it forms part of neurotransmitters. Vitamin B12 deficiency results to mood swings and delusions since it forms the myelin sheath which protects the neurons. Deficiency of foliate in the elderly results to forgetfulness and depression; these can be corrected through dietary intervention.
References
Kimmell, C. D. (1990). Adulthood and Aging: An Interdisciplinary, Developmental view. University of Michigan: Wiley.
Schulz, R. and Salthouse, A. T. (1999). Adult Development and aging: myths and emerging realities, 3rd edn, Michigan: Prentice Hall.