Public Awareness and Human Diseases
Current disease trends in America include dramatic increases in obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, strokes, and other age- and lifestyle-related conditions. This suggests needs for community organizations to provide education and exercise programs for all ages; for employers to provide incentives for participation in health maintenance and wellness programs, gyms and exercise programs; and for hospitals to provide adequate follow-up instruction after discharge.
Resources: Appendix A and the appropriate Web site for the disease selected
Due Date: Day 7 [Individual] forum
Review the final project requirements described in Appendix A.
Select one of the following widespread health issues: obesity, congestive heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, or COPD. If you would like to choose another subject, you must contact the instructor by Week Five and seek approval for that disease.
Visit two or more of the following Web sites that are appropriate for your selected disease:
Use a minimum of two of the above Web sites and four additional sources other than the text.
Provide an overview of the selected health issue.
Review at least one current program within your local K-12 schools, your employer, or your community that educates people about that disease. If you‘re not sure where to find
HCA 240 Health and Diseases
Course Syllabus Page 25
information, check the school district‘s Web site, your employer‘s Web site or human resources department, the city‘s Web site, or the county health department Web site.
Propose an improved community-based education/awareness program, targeted at the population most affected by the disease, that builds upon the existing program you are researching.
Combine the disease overview, review of the education program for the disease, and your proposal to improve the program into a paper according to the following guidelines:
o Identify the disease and describe characteristics of the group most affected by the disease.
o Discuss the major causes of the disease, which body systems are affected, and how those body systems are affected by the disease.
o Discuss risk factors that can be controlled and how to control them, as well as risk factors that cannot be controlled.
o Discuss the evolution of treatment options available to patients; give a brief history of treatment procedures over time.
o Describe current treatment methods, and include what patients can expect in regards to medical tests and procedures, equipment involved, therapies, and medications.
o Discuss future treatment options based upon current research.
o Evaluate the effectiveness of the existing education program you found.
What kind of information and patient support is available in the program?
How is the information delivered?
Is the information readily available to those who need it most?
Is the information comprehensive, helpful, supportive, etc.?
What is being done well?
What needs to be done better? How can it be accomplished?
What new features would you add to the program in order to improve it?