Article Review of Health Disparities Research

Article Review of Health Disparities Research ARTICLE ONE (1) REVIEW Purpose This paper is a personal subjective review of the article Perspective: Challenges to Using a Business Case for Addressing Health Disparities,[1] further referenced herein as the literature. Definition Health disparity is defined as the difference in health among different populations[2] Discussion In our textbook, McKenzie and Pinger describe differential gaps between individuals as the cause for health disparities. To expand on this, they write[3]: recognized that some individuals lead longer and healthier lives than others, and that often these differences are closely associated with social characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, location, and socioeconomic status. These gaps between groups have been referred to as health disparities Health Disparity Problem Whereas our textbook briefly discusses health disparity, it doesnt delve into causes, nor how long it has existed. However, the how long answer can be found in a paper by Cindy Lawler in which she writes that the problem was recognized As early as 1899, W.E.B Dubois (1899) observed the existence of Racial and ethnic Health Disparities (REHDs), and through his social study of Blacks in Philadelphia he interpreted statistical data about their health and drew several conclusions that are similar to today. She also touched upon Dubois working with flawed health data collection in Philadelphia that sacrificed the accuracy of statistical analysis.[4] 80 plus studies, conducted between 1984 and 2004[5], have repeatedly stated similar, if not the same issues and viewpoint all point to the health disparity issues in the United States, but not enough data to identify a fix for the causation(s). So, if this is an age-old problem, why are we still facing this systemic problem after a full century of recommendations have been made? I believe the authors attempted to address this by writing the literature; but, it is my belief, they fell short as the literature only touches the tip of the ice berg. Challenges As written, the literature appears to be solely focused on the many challenges to using a business case for health care organizations. The common challenges that were identified included: lag-time in ROI, and disconnect between investor and the realized beneficiary. In discussing ways to tackle the problem, the literature laid out a litany of challenges faced by health care entities through use of a broad view of both business and social cases. Throughout, it outlined what businesses and health care entities must do to achieve a better ROI, while trying to attain equity, with the ultimate goal of achieving a reduction in health care disparity. The literature also points out that a great many health organizations remain reluctant to help combat the disparity problem. Their reasoning is based on concern for their bottom linethey are unsure about whether they may see a positive ROI return, or not. And, this is not without merit, especially since there is typically a lag between initiation and seeing the ROI. To emphasis this point the authors state it doesnt take much to begin the process. a combination of business and quality improvement principles may still be able to guide health care organizations seeking to reduce disparities. As a starting juncture, they suggest use of Pareto charts and application of the 80-20 rule. In doing so, stakeholders could initiate a process to re-focus their efforts, thus allowing them the ability to turn their energies toward redirecting threatened capital items, such as funds, manpower, and equipment more effectively. To prove their point, the authors referred to an 80/20 rule study which identified a disparity within an unidentified health care setting specifically, care afforded to African Americans. The study found that approximately 80 percent of African Americans were cared for by 20 percent of physicians, in an under-resourced setting, thus subjecting the group to a lessor form of quality care.[6] The literature goes on to identify another avenue to further increase effort effectiveness, and reap further rewards in doing so, and that is though collaboration with other interested parties within the community. By doing so, they hopefully will begin the process of reducing the disparities, one small step at a time. Who is at Risk? Health disparities commonly affect minority, low-income, and rural-based populations. One reason for this, in part, is due to location. Regardless of the setting, in town, low income housing projects, or rural environment, many may have little to no access to a quality care facility, or any type care facility, or provider at all. This forces these groups to travel greater distances, and in tight economic times, such as we are in today, these groups many not be able to afford the travel costs. This creates a socio-economic Access to Care disparity, as well as an inequity issue. Of course, many races and ethnicities are affected by these factors, and the literature explains that the authors believe this is rooted in racial segregation. Conclusion Individual health is the culmination of many factors. However, the most important factors are the social, economic, and environmental conditions in which we are born, live, work, study, and play. Engaging the social elements of health is a critical component of any comprehensive health equality strategy. Successful engagement could ultimately lead to reduced healthcare costs, and improvement in everyones overall health outlook. From a business standpoint, health care entities, stakeholders, and investors need to identify and implement the correct business model, ensure proper policies and procedures in place, and have buy in from everyone (community, workers, senior C levels, and ultimately clients) before they can begin to realize a faster, positive ROI. Furthermore, health care entities and business stake holders, in cooperation with community leaders and governmental agencies (regardless of level), need to realize there is a critical need to identify and improve community health environments and health policies. This can only be achieved though cooperative efforts by all; and, by supporting programs and policies that address the myriad of social and economic determinants of health. In doing so, only then can we ensure the root causes of health disparities, and the associated inequities, are adequately, and effectively addressed and eliminated. [1] Lurie, N., Somers, S. A., Fremont, A., et al., 2008 [2] McKenzie, James F., Pinger, Robert R. 2015. pg. 25, sidebar [3] McKenzie, James F., Pinger, Robert R. 2015, pg. 25, para 5 [4] Lawler, C. (2011), Introduction, pg. 15 [5] Lawler, C. (2011), Introduction, pg. 15, para. 3. [6] Lurie, N., Somers, S. A., Fremont, A., et al., 2008, para 12.

McDonalds is A Competitive Fast Food Firm Essay -- Fast Food Industry

A Competitive Fast Food Firm Firms within the fast food industry fall under the market structure of competition. Market structure is a classification for the key traits of a market. The characteristics of a market that is competitive would include: a large number of buyers and sellers, easy entry to and exit from the market, homogeneous products, and the firm is a price taker. Take McDonalds fast food restaurant for example. In 1954, Ray Kroc became the first franchisee appointed by Mac and Dic McDonald in San Bernadino, California. He opened his first restaurant in De Plaines, Illinois (near Chicago), and the McDonald’s Corporation was created. By 1959, the 100th McDonald’s had opened in Chicago. In the early years of the 1960’s, Ray Kroc had bought all rights to the McDonald’s concept from the McDonald’s brothers for $2.7 million. In 1963, the 500th restaurant had opened. By the end of the decade, McDonald’s was listed on the New York stock exchange, had opened restaurants in every state of the union and also outside the USA. By 1972, assets exceeded $500 million and sales surpassed $1 billion, a new McDonald’s restaurant was opening nearly every day. In 1984, Ray Kroc died, but his company was then serving 17 million customers a day, equivalent to serving lunch to the entire population of Australia and New Zealand. If McDonald’s lined up all the hamburgers sold since 1955, they would have circled the equator 103.75 times and reach to the moon and back 5 times. Today, McDonald’s remains one of the most competitive franchises ever created because they still have a large number of buyers and sellers, easy entry to and exi... ...dustry is the ease of entry into the market. Start-up franchises within this market structure can begin operating with relatively low initial investments (compared to other industries). This is not the case where monopoly companies, such as Microsoft is concerned. There are numerous barriers to entry into a Monopolistic market structure, capital being one of the most prominent barriers. If a new franchise offered the consumer a quality product at a reduced price, then the chance of success are greatly increased. McDonald’s established a name for themselves by offering quality food and fast, friendly service. This is a very important concept in the fast food industry. Once they established themselves to the consumers and became more visible, they created more demand, which lead to a greater revenue for them.

Radiocarbon Dating in Archeology

The scientific discipline of archeology has undeniably enriched mankind’s history and has helped to slake the quest to understand our past civilizations in a better manner. Understanding the age and period of being of the excavated dodos and other organic objects will assist the archeologist to unravel human history and development in a scrupulous mode ( Taylor 24 ) . Archeologists utilize one of the radical methods called the wireless C dating to find the approximative age of the organic stuffs including works and animate being parts up to 50000 old ages ( Long ) . Radiocarbon dating technique is chiefly based on the radioactive decay of Carbon-14 isotope. Developed by a squad of research workers under the leading of Dr. Willard Libby, this technique had revolutionized the manner the archeological promotions are made in larning about the past civilisation and civilizations, alterations occurred in the Earth and in its clime. Radiocarbon dating enable archeologists to supply cogent evidence of genuineness to the excavated artifacts’ period of use and therefore by join forcesing with the attempts with historiographers and anthropologists, the unwritten history can be exactly explained. Significance Desmond Clark ( 1979 ) sentiments that if wireless C dating technique were non discovered,â€Å" we would still be fall throughing in a sea of imprecisenesss sometime bred of divine guessing but more frequently of inventive guess †( Clark, 1979:7 ) . Harmonizing to Higham ( 1999 ) C14 method can be described as ‘the wireless C revolution’ which has significantly impacted our understanding about development and besides cultural outgrowth of human species. Taylor ( 1987 ) suggests C-14 technique as one of the most important finds of 20thcentury that touches the kingdom of many subjects including archeology. Prior to the development of carbon 14 dating it was hard to find the age of the artefacts unless it was accompanied with some chronologically specific things like a coin. Otherwise archeologists had to fall back T to the method of comparative dating where by comparing with stratigraphically close objects [ objects which are buried at the same deepness will be abo ut of the same epoch. ] clue sing the clip period and historical manners were assumed or instead guesstimated. But the coming of carbon-14 dating tools has opened up the new range of absolute dating where scientists could foretell the age of excavated artefacts and objects with great preciseness up to 50,000 old ages old. For illustration, if a tree was found to be used in an excavated piece of architecture, by finding the age of the tree or the period when the tree was cut down for building, the epoch to which the excavated architecture precisely belongs can be estimated ( Michels, J W ) . The Method of Carbon-14 Technique Archeologists rely on the assorted radiometric dating techniques- based on the radioactive belongingss of unstable chemical atoms to find the age of the stuffs. Research workers from the field of Physicss have discovered that radioactive molecules are unstable and they undergo decay to achieve a stable construction at a particular rate which is straight determined by the atomic figure and mass of the decaying atom ( Polach, H.A and. Currie, L.A ) . Based on this invariable of the radioisotope of C, 14-C or C -14 the age of the organic stuff is assessed. In the biosphere carbon-14 is created by the hit of a neutron, exited by the cosmic beam collides with a N atom. The isotope of C therefore produced is radioactive and it will undergo decay at a changeless rate ( Berger and H.E Suess ) . The C isotope is besides absorbed during photosynthesis by workss and ranges animal organic structure when they consume works parts. It besides reaches the beings through respiration along with normal carbon-12. It is assumed that in a life object carbon-14 which undergoes decay is replaced at a steady rate. The C dating technique takes the premise that all l ifes have reasonably same per centum of 14C isotope in their organic structure and besides that the ratio of carbon-12 to carbon -14 nowadays in the biosphere and inside the life workss and animate beings remain changeless. After the decease of the being the C consumption is stopped. Then the sum of carbon-12 in the organic structure will non cut down but the sum of carbon-14 undergoes decrease due its radiation. Carbon-14 isotope will undergo decay at an exponential rate to organize the stable nitrogen-14.Thus by comparing the comparative measure of C -12 and C -14 in an organic affair excavated scientists can foretell the age of the object ( R.E Taylor and M.J Aitken ) . The undermentioned equation is used to find the carbon-14 decay. Where N is the current sum, N_o is the original sum, lambda is the proportionality invariable for the growing rate ( which is negative for decay ) , and T is the sum of clip that has passed. Figure: 1 Carbon -14 lifecycle. Beginning: ( Brain, 2014 ) The half life of carbon-14 is 5730 old ages. This implies that it takes 5730 old ages for half of the 14C atoms in the organic affair to acquire decayed. When an being is dead the consumption of the carbon-14 Michigans and in a 5730 twelvemonth clip period, half of the sum of carbon-14 nowadays in the organic affair would hold undergone beta decay to organize stable Nitrogen-14. The combustion of a little piece of the excavated organic affair and mensurating the negatrons emitted during the procedure by the disintegrating carbon-14 by radiation counters enable to quantify the sum of C -14 nowadays in the stuff. This information will assist the scientists to relationship of Nitrogen-14 and Carbon-14 atom and can be used to foretell the age of the artefact straight. Restrictions This method assumes that the ratio of C-14 to C-12 in the ambiance and in the life being will be a changeless. But surveies have showed a little fluctuation in this ratio over the millenary and hence there is a possibility and attendant disagreement in computation excessively ( Currie ) . Another restriction is the trouble in gauging the age of things which are older than 50000 old ages as the sum of C-14 in such samples become perfectly undetectable due to finish decay. Decision Despite all the restrictions radio C dating will stay as a important tool for archeologist around the Earth to compare and understand the development of human civilization and civilisation. Promotions in this field like gas pedal techniques of carbon-14 dating ( C. Tuniz, J.R Bird, D.Fink, and G.F Herzog 60 ) conducted with the aid of mass spectrometer have increased the scope of the technique up to 100000 old ages ( Nave ) . Therefore doubtless radiocarbon dating remains one of the important tools for the archeologist to explicate the development and cultural outgrowth in a more accurate mode. Plants cited Brain, Marshall. â€Å" How Carbon-14 Dating Works. † 03 October 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. & A ; lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //science.howstuffworks.com/carbon-14.htm & A ; gt ; 18 March 2009. Berger and H.E Suess ( eds. ) . University of California Press, Los Angeles.. 1979: Pp. 7-31. Print Clark, J.D. Radiocarbon Dating and African Prehistory. In,Radiocarbon Dating. Proceedingsof the Ninth International Conference, Los Angeles and La Jolla, 1976. Currie, LLoyd A. â€Å" The Remarkable Metrological History Of Radiocarbon Dating [ II ] . † Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 109.2 ( 2004 ) : 185-217 Higham, Thomas. â€Å" The Method. † 1999. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.c14dating.com/int.html.04 Nov 2014. Long, Kelly. â€Å" Why Is Radiocarbon Dating Important to Archaeology. † California State Parks. & A ; lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.parks.ca.gov/ ? page_id=24000 & A ; gt ; 1 March 2009. Michels, J W. Dating methods in archeology. Seminar Press, 1973. Nave, R. â€Å" Accelerator techniques for C dating. † & amp ; lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //hyperphysics.phyas tr. gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/cardat.html & A ; gt ; 15 April 2009. Polach, H.A and. Currie, L.A. Exploratory analysis of the international carbon 14 cross- standardization informations: consensus values and interlaboratory mistake. Preliminary note.Radiocarbon,. 1980: -35-933.Print. Taylor, R.E. 1987. Radiocarbon Dating. An archeological position. Academic Press, Orlando, USA. Taylor R.E and M.J Aitken. ( explosive detection systems ) 1997.Chronometric dating in Archaeology. Progresss inArchaeological and Museum Science, volume 2.Oxford University, England Tuniz, J.R Bird, D.Fink, and G.F Herzog..Accelerator Mass Spectrometry: Ultrasensitiveanalysis for planetary scientific discipline.CRC Press. 1998. .

Socrates-Plato-Athens essays

Socrates-Plato-Athens essays The social and cultural conditions in the city of Athens between 440 and 370 B.C.E., a time when philosophers and military leaders such as Aristotle, Socrates and Pericles were at the height of their powers, can be compared to the current situation in the United States in three important ways. First, in the decades just before the Peloponnesian War, the city of Athens reached the pinnacle of its power and prosperity, often referred to as the Golden Age of ancient Athens. Economically, the city was much like any of a number of modern American cities like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, due to society being divided into classes based on economic income. For example, the wealthy citizens of Athens lived in private homes, either in the city or in the countryside; the middle class, usually those that did the hard work to support the activities of Athens, lived rather modestly in the city or in villages on its outskirts, while the poor were forced to live in rented houses or in tenements runs by the Athenian government. Second, following the end of the Peloponnesian War, the city of Athens re-established its democratic principles and became a major force in international politics. In the first half of the 4th century B.C.E., Athens and other city-states experienced shifting alliances among its citizens and political leaders. By the mid 350s B.C.E., Athens efforts to extent its power over all of Greece, with Sparta standing firmly in the way, ended in failure. This struggle for supremacy finally ended in a stalemate and allowed the kingdom of Macedonia, the stronghold of Alexander the Great, to expand its influence in Greece. This situation is very similar to what is now happening between the U.S. and Iraq, namely, that the U.S. is attempting to spread its influence and power in order to fight terrorism, something closely akin to Athens attempts to destroy Sparta and the Persian Empire (the current location of Iraq and...

Essay on Postpartum Depression

Essay on Postpartum Depression Essay on Postpartum Depression Postpartum Depression-Jess Beckett QUESTIONS: 1. In what century were the first references to postpartum depression? Why is it still under-diagnosed today? Postpartum Depression dates back to the 4th century BC. It has not always been recognized as an illness and as a result it continues to be under-diagnosed. 2. Identify the three types of postpartum depression and for each make notes on the following onset of illness/depression % of mothers affected by it the signs and symptoms typical length of illness BABYBLUES: -most minor form of postpartum depression -usually starts 1-3 days after delivery -characterized by crying, irritability, lack of sleep, mood changes, & the feeling of vulnerability -can last several weeks -estimated that between 50% and 80% of mothers experience them POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: -more debilitating then the â€Å"BLUES† -women suffer despondency, crying, feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety, and fatigue - physical symptoms include headaches, numbness, chest pain, & hyperventilation -mothers with this may regard the child with ambivalence, negativity, and disinterest -tends to be under reported because it’s under studied and still poorly defined -estimated that from 3% to 20% of births -depression can begin at any time between delivery and 6-months post-birth -may last up to several months or even a year POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS: -relatively a rare disorder -symptoms include: extreme confusion, fatigue, agitation, alterations in mood, feelings of hopelessness, shame, hallucinations, & rapid speech or mania -studies indicate that is affects only 1 in 1000 births 3. Make a general list of causes/risk factors for postpartum depression that women should be aware of. -maternal age -expectations of motherhood, -the level of support for the new mother. -women who have experienced depression before becoming pregnant are at higher risk for postpartum depression. -estimated 10% to 35% of women will experience a recurrence of postpartum depression -Women who have the most doctor visits during their pregnancy and who also took the most sick-leave days have been found to be most likely to develop postpartum depression. -The risk increases in women who have experienced 2 or more abortions, or women who have a history of obstetric complications. -Severe Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), -a difficult relationship, -stressful events during the pregnancy or after delivery. 4. What are some tips for â€Å"self-care† that can be done at home to help alleviate some signs and symptoms of postpartum depression? -Surround yourself with supportive family members and friends -Take care of yourself -Get as much rest as you can, nap when the baby naps. -Try not to spend much time alone. -Spend some time alone with your husband or partner. -Take a shower and get dressed every day. -Get out of the house. -Don't expect too much from yourself. - Don't worry too much about the housework. -Ask friends and family for help. -Talk to other mothers. You can learn from each other, and their experiences can be

Cour Issues Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cour Issues Analysis - Research Paper Example Moreover, there is a backlog of cases in the judiciary; this backlog is perhaps an attribute to the vicious cycle of crime fueled by the inefficiency of the judiciary to exercise deterrence in administering sentences. The aim of the penal system is to exercise deterrence and retribution to offenders and other like-minded individuals. It is therefore the role of the judiciary to uphold this principle and protect the rule of law. In that regard, this paper shall analyze the past, current and future issues affecting the court system. The justice system is faces a myriad of issues currently. Apart from the normal difficulty of administering justice and protecting the rule of law, courts are facing difficulties with the victim’s rights issues and translation issues due to language barriers. The most severe of issues faced by the justice system, courts, and administrators is the enormous task of handling huge chunks of cases piling everyday in the prosecutor’s desk. Perhaps t his is the major reason why prosecutors are under immense pressure, resulting in dropping cases daily. Nevertheless, the courts in current times are marred with a premise of delayed cases that never seem to see their day in court. This situation befits the legal maxim as quoted by William Ewart that justice delayed is justice denied. However, court administration may at times see it fit to rush the court proceedings to clear up the backlog and congestion of the cases scheduled for hearing. Dire consequences may result from such haste to hear and determine cases, since court cases affect human lives, and due care is paramount in discharging justice. After all, courts were not fashioned to operate in such a hasty manner. It is obvious that the criminal justice system is overburdened; this has in turn exerted a ripple effect in the prosecutor’s office. More and more felony cases are dumped as plea bargains. This is both good and bad. Since the perpetrator of a felony accepts a p lea bargain for a lesser charge and gets a lesser penalty for that charge. Although it is a beneficial tact in time conservation, but it grossly, undermine the purpose of existence of any judicial system anywhere. The purpose of the court system is to provide justice, and punish the wrongdoer. Furthermore, in the discharging of justice, the judicial system has a role of deterrence and retribution via the correction facilities. Therefore, if deterrence from crime is a function of the judicial system, then it should not merely dispense lesser sentence due to time management. Proper judgment should be administered to console and restitute the injured party. While it is beneficial for the court to manage their time through plea bargains, criminal offenders and other likeminded individuals are not effectively deterred from criminal activities since consequences are less severe. The prevailing uninhabitable conditions of correction facilities due to overcrowding, communicable diseases pre valence, intrinsic violence, and being strikingly counterproductive schools for crime that churn out hardened convicts (Muraskin, R. & Roberts, R. 2009), contributes to the courts reluctant state from issuing harsher sentences. Nevertheless, the tendency of the courts to ignore the deterrence factor of sentencing, has contributed to a vicious cycle of criminal activity that perhaps has contributed to the heightened backlog of cases. This is increasingly causing many challenges to the

Should the US gets itself involved in everything going on in the Research Paper

Should the US gets itself involved in everything going on in the middle east - Research Paper Example 78). This piece of research paper attempts to address how dangerously United States has been playing its diplomatic roles in the Middle East and explains five reasons why the US shouldn’t get involved in everything that go on in the region. This paper analyzes how the political languages the US repeatedly has been using like peace-making, anti-terrorism and weapon proliferation have but shown that they were absolutely meaningless due to the ongoing conflicts in the region, ever-increasing terrorism and devastating weaponry-political ideologies. Five reasons why the US shouldn’t involve in the Middle East United States shouldn’t play its diplomatic roles in military, political and all other activities that go on in the Middle East mainly for the following factors: 1. The main interest behind US’s involvement in the Middle East is to get wider access to oil-resources, which in turn can never be justified in terms of business or international politics. 2. Mid dle East is basically an Islamic region and therefore any involvement from the US side will be seen as an unnecessary involvement especially in religious affairs, and its interest in wars will be merely unjust. 3. As widely known, or as widely being debated in media worldwide, one of the main reason why US involves in the Middle East is to preserve the security and well-being of Israel (Pelletreau, p. 21), and therefore it will have a devastating impact on Middle East people’s perception of the US creating more hatred towards the US. 4. US involvement in Middle East will cause nothing more than giving excitement to the terrorists and thus making the region more vulnerable to ongoing conflicts and political instabilities. 5. The more the US gets involved in the Middle East, the highest the numbers of people, civilians and troops being killed in regions like Palestine, Iraq and other countries. Based on literatures and experts’ opinion, these reasons are detailed below: The US Interest in oil-resources When it comes to the case of recent war between Iraq and the US, for instance, the US gained full of oil resources that can help it fulfill its oil-requirements for years, where as Iraq lost their political and social stability in the country. As Krasner (p. 189) noted, the second World War has actually brought greater demand for oil and that bringing US attention to the Middle East as well. From 1940 onwards, America has been taking serious foreign policies to help it access oil from the Gulf countries. Pauly (p. 160) observed that Middle East has been a vital source for greater access to oil resources and this has brought the attention of the US foreign policy too. Without oil, many countries and many economies would face major disruptions. Similarly, the standard of living even will be greatly impacted if the US lacks oil resources and therefore America has increasingly intervened diplomatically, economically and militarily in the region. The ethi cal and moral sides of this intention and military operation can never be justified and therefore America should stop involving in the affairs OF Middle East. Involvement unjust Economical, diplomatic and military involvement of the US in the Middle Eas