Final PCQ 8

Chapter 13

 

            Although there are several cultural variations in the development of cardiovascular disease, there are many cross-cultural similarities in risk of heart disease. Some of the most important risk factors involve the physiological correlates of CVD. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed and occur cross-culturally, including age, sex, and family history. The risk of CVD increases when a person gets older, and men younger than 50 are more likely to develop a problem. The text explains that having a parent or relative with CVD greatly increases the incidence rates of CVD. Other physiological factors predicting the incidence rates of heart disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, inactivity, and obesity.

            Along with cross-cultural physiological risk factors, there are several psychological correlates of CVD that are present among all cultures. Type A personality, hostility, and anger are negative emotions that have are capable of triggering a heart attack and even sudden death among individuals who are already at risk for CVD. Feeling sad and depressed may also increase your likelihood of heart problems and the progression of the disease. Research shows that socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with the risk of CVD.

            Another important factor in the progression of CVD is social support. Strong social support could influence the development of CVD by buffering the person from the effects of stress, which would safeguard the person from the deteriorating effects that stress has on the entire circulatory system. Also, supportive networks ensure that a person is more likely to get help and to comply with their doctor’s orders.

            Stress, tobacco use, diet, and physical activity level are other important cross-cultural risk factors for heart disease. Studies show that although these risk factors are more prevalent in others, these factors are seen cross-culturally all around the world. After researching the many risk factors for heart disease that exist among many cultures, it is obvious that there is not just one major factor to blame for the extremely high prevalence of CVD all over the world. The large number of heart disease cases can likely be attributed to a combination of cross-cultural factors that put people at high risk.

 

Experiential 13

            I have picked to create an intervention to reduce CVD risk for Japanese men. I picked this cultural group because research shows that men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, and the Japanese have high numbers of CVD due to an incredibly high level of stress. Japanese men living in a city are at high risk for developing CVD because studies have shown that the stress from living in an urban environment can make you nine times for likely to develop CVD compared with living in a rural area. Because most Japanese men who are already at high risk for developing heart disease living in an urban environment, this cultural group must be taught better ways to manage stress.

            The text explains that in Japan, there is even a term for “death from overwork” because of the high prevalence of stress related CVD in the nation. Stress from work can be incredibly dangerous if you are overworked, have too many roles to fulfill, are not clear what your job is, are bored with your job, or do not have support at work. All of these problems can be seen in male Japanese patients suffering from CVD.

            An intervention for Japanese men living in urban surroundings should attempt to modify personal characteristics such as hostility, stress, and social support. This cultural group should be taught to manage hostility and stress by focusing on breathing exercises and beginning a daily exercise routine to let out their hostility, stress, and frustrations out in a proper was so that it does not lead to CVD. It will be essential for these men to alter their support systems to receive more aid in dealing with their stressful work situation. It is important for this particular culture to recognize and fully understand that they are at high risk for developing CVD and they must understand the very serious threats involved with the disease. Not only can healthy behaviors keep heart disease from worsening, but can actually reverse it as well. 

Final PCQ 8

Chapter 13

 

            Although there are several cultural variations in the development of cardiovascular disease, there are many cross-cultural similarities in risk of heart disease. Some of the most important risk factors involve the physiological correlates of CVD. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed and occur cross-culturally, including age, sex, and family history. The risk of CVD increases when a person gets older, and men younger than 50 are more likely to develop a problem. The text explains that having a parent or relative with CVD greatly increases the incidence rates of CVD. Other physiological factors predicting the incidence rates of heart disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, inactivity, and obesity.

            Along with cross-cultural physiological risk factors, there are several psychological correlates of CVD that are present among all cultures. Type A personality, hostility, and anger are negative emotions that have are capable of triggering a heart attack and even sudden death among individuals who are already at risk for CVD. Feeling sad and depressed may also increase your likelihood of heart problems and the progression of the disease. Research shows that socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with the risk of CVD.

            Another important factor in the progression of CVD is social support. Strong social support could influence the development of CVD by buffering the person from the effects of stress, which would safeguard the person from the deteriorating effects that stress has on the entire circulatory system. Also, supportive networks ensure that a person is more likely to get help and to comply with their doctor’s orders.

            Stress, tobacco use, diet, and physical activity level are other important cross-cultural risk factors for heart disease. Studies show that although these risk factors are more prevalent in others, these factors are seen cross-culturally all around the world. After researching the many risk factors for heart disease that exist among many cultures, it is obvious that there is not just one major factor to blame for the extremely high prevalence of CVD all over the world. The large number of heart disease cases can likely be attributed to a combination of cross-cultural factors that put people at high risk.

 

Experiential 13

            I have picked to create an intervention to reduce CVD risk for Japanese men. I picked this cultural group because research shows that men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, and the Japanese have high numbers of CVD due to an incredibly high level of stress. Japanese men living in a city are at high risk for developing CVD because studies have shown that the stress from living in an urban environment can make you nine times for likely to develop CVD compared with living in a rural area. Because most Japanese men who are already at high risk for developing heart disease living in an urban environment, this cultural group must be taught better ways to manage stress.

            The text explains that in Japan, there is even a term for “death from overwork” because of the high prevalence of stress related CVD in the nation. Stress from work can be incredibly dangerous if you are overworked, have too many roles to fulfill, are not clear what your job is, are bored with your job, or do not have support at work. All of these problems can be seen in male Japanese patients suffering from CVD.

            An intervention for Japanese men living in urban surroundings should attempt to modify personal characteristics such as hostility, stress, and social support. This cultural group should be taught to manage hostility and stress by focusing on breathing exercises and beginning a daily exercise routine to let out their hostility, stress, and frustrations out in a proper was so that it does not lead to CVD. It will be essential for these men to alter their support systems to receive more aid in dealing with their stressful work situation. It is important for this particular culture to recognize and fully understand that they are at high risk for developing CVD and they must understand the very serious threats involved with the disease. Not only can healthy behaviors keep heart disease from worsening, but can actually reverse it as well. 

Final PCQ 8

Chapter 13

 

            Although there are several cultural variations in the development of cardiovascular disease, there are many cross-cultural similarities in risk of heart disease. Some of the most important risk factors involve the physiological correlates of CVD. Some of these risk factors cannot be changed and occur cross-culturally, including age, sex, and family history. The risk of CVD increases when a person gets older, and men younger than 50 are more likely to develop a problem. The text explains that having a parent or relative with CVD greatly increases the incidence rates of CVD. Other physiological factors predicting the incidence rates of heart disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, inactivity, and obesity.

            Along with cross-cultural physiological risk factors, there are several psychological correlates of CVD that are present among all cultures. Type A personality, hostility, and anger are negative emotions that have are capable of triggering a heart attack and even sudden death among individuals who are already at risk for CVD. Feeling sad and depressed may also increase your likelihood of heart problems and the progression of the disease. Research shows that socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with the risk of CVD.

            Another important factor in the progression of CVD is social support. Strong social support could influence the development of CVD by buffering the person from the effects of stress, which would safeguard the person from the deteriorating effects that stress has on the entire circulatory system. Also, supportive networks ensure that a person is more likely to get help and to comply with their doctor’s orders.

            Stress, tobacco use, diet, and physical activity level are other important cross-cultural risk factors for heart disease. Studies show that although these risk factors are more prevalent in others, these factors are seen cross-culturally all around the world. After researching the many risk factors for heart disease that exist among many cultures, it is obvious that there is not just one major factor to blame for the extremely high prevalence of CVD all over the world. The large number of heart disease cases can likely be attributed to a combination of cross-cultural factors that put people at high risk.

 

Experiential 13

            I have picked to create an intervention to reduce CVD risk for Japanese men. I picked this cultural group because research shows that men are more likely to suffer from heart disease than women, and the Japanese have high numbers of CVD due to an incredibly high level of stress. Japanese men living in a city are at high risk for developing CVD because studies have shown that the stress from living in an urban environment can make you nine times for likely to develop CVD compared with living in a rural area. Because most Japanese men who are already at high risk for developing heart disease living in an urban environment, this cultural group must be taught better ways to manage stress.

            The text explains that in Japan, there is even a term for “death from overwork” because of the high prevalence of stress related CVD in the nation. Stress from work can be incredibly dangerous if you are overworked, have too many roles to fulfill, are not clear what your job is, are bored with your job, or do not have support at work. All of these problems can be seen in male Japanese patients suffering from CVD.

            An intervention for Japanese men living in urban surroundings should attempt to modify personal characteristics such as hostility, stress, and social support. This cultural group should be taught to manage hostility and stress by focusing on breathing exercises and beginning a daily exercise routine to let out their hostility, stress, and frustrations out in a proper was so that it does not lead to CVD. It will be essential for these men to alter their support systems to receive more aid in dealing with their stressful work situation. It is important for this particular culture to recognize and fully understand that they are at high risk for developing CVD and they must understand the very serious threats involved with the disease. Not only can healthy behaviors keep heart disease from worsening, but can actually reverse it as well. 

exp. 5

Anna-

With regards to your experiment #5, I found the same thing, that many Aramark employees on our campus are from other countries and may perceive stress at much higher levels than we typically do.  I have witnessed employees in D HALL being very confused as to what they were supposed to be doing, simply because often times there is a communication barrier when communicating with managers of the food service dept.  Simply being able to communicate effectively greatly reduces stress in the workplace.  Having english as a second language would minimize effective language and serve as a contributor to higher stress levels.  

FOOD MENU

Anna- 

I found the same results after comparing my unhealthy menu to a healthy menu.  Cereal that is sugary and unhealthy is usually very cheap!  However, the cereal like the Kashi Go Lean cereal is much more expensive to buy.  I found that items in the Organic section of Martin's Grocery Store were much more expensive, and the portions and quantity of food was much less!  It would definitely be cheaper to live off of hot dogs!

AIDS

Anna-

I agreed with you that AIDs is a disease that is considered mostly pertaining to the male population.  I knew that before it was considered the "gay man's disease", and after class this past Tuesday, I was intrigued to hear about Shawn and Ryan White's stories of contracting the disease although neither Shawn or Ryan were homosexual.  Great Blog!

PCQ 7

PCQ #7

Chapter 11: 

         Gender is an important cultural factor that influences the behaviors that put someone at risk for HIV infection.  AIDS was originally seen as a disease of White gay men and a large portion of studies focus on this group; therefore, little is known about the psychosocial processes affecting women with the disease. Studies show that gay men infected with HIVE tend to be more economically advantaged, better educated, likely to be European American, and often have no dependents, relative to women infected with HIV. The text explains that women account for 44% of all estimated HIV infections worldwide, and the proportion of women infected is rapidly increasing all over the world. Low income women of color are especially at risk and Hispanic women are seven times more likely to get AIDS than European American women.

            Women are more likely than men to be infected with HIV via heterosexual sex; male to female transmission of HIV is eight times more likely than female to male transmission. Because seminal fluids can reside within the female vagina for a long period, the chance of infection greatly increases, whereas vaginal fluids can be easily washed off the male anatomy after sex. Risk of infection also increases as research displays that it is harder for women to raise the issue of condom use than it is for men.

            Race and ethnicity also influence the extent to which sexual mixing takes place, which has been found to have a central influence on HIV transmission rates. The text defines sexual mixing as the extent to which people engage in sexual activities with sexual partners from other sexual networks versus partners from their own network. Studies show that women are more likely than men to be heavy mixers and that Hispanic males and females are moiré likely than other males and females to be heavy mixers with African American males and White females reporting moderate levels of mixing. Young adult Hispanic and females report the most heavy mixing.

            Along with psychosocial cultural factors that influence the behaviors that put someone at risk for HIV infection, genetic research and the ability to hone in on specific parts of genes provide new genetic insights into cultural differences in AIDS. The great ethnic discrepancies in incidence and prevalence of HIV and AIDS compel more cross-cultural research, but this has unfortunately been a slow in developing.

Experiential 11: 

 

To Whom It May Concern:

           

            Power and privilege greatly affect prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in infection and treatment of HIV/AIDS in several ways. HIV has no cure and is transmitted sexually, in blood and in breast milk. While a cocktail of drugs can keep patients healthy, treatment is expensive and often the virus mutates until older drugs no longer affect it. Therefore, the rich and privileged are able to live longer because they have the money and the power to obtain an expensive AIDS cocktail to keep themselves healthy. It is substantially more difficult for people of lower socioeconomic status to afford and have access to these drugs; and therefore, live much less-healthy, shorter lives. This inequity in treatment of HIV/AIDS is incredibly unfair and something should be done about the high cost of AIDS cocktails to ensure every infected person adequate, equal treatment. Just because someone may be wealthy, famous, or powerful does not mean that they deserve to live a healthier, longer life with AIDS than someone of lower socioeconomic status.

            Research displays that people who live in high-risk communities, make a low income, and do not receive a good education are at a higher risk of HIV infection than are those who come from a more privileged life and have a high level of education. The majority of HIV/AIDS education and prevention is given to the latter group, who benefit the least from the knowledge. The information about the dangers of unsafe sex and HIV infection is not getting to the groups who are at high-risk to become infected. Therefore, the more powerful and the more privileged are much less likely to become infected with HIV than are those of less privilege and lower socioeconomic status. 

            There are obvious inequities in the infection and treatment of HIV/AIDS. AIDS has become a world pandemic and although great strides are being made in understanding the epidemiology of the disease, the number of infected people worldwide continues to grow at an alarming rate. It is clear that something must to be done to both educate and provide adequate treatment not only for the powerful and privileged, but for all mankind.

 

Thank you,

 

Anna Carta

PCQ 6

According to the text, a person’s sociocultural environment has many implications for how he or she copes with chronic illnesses. Friends and family and the society surrounding a person can make a huge difference in how he or she copes. For example, shows that if you get a chronic illness that is distained in society, you are likely to be discriminated against for having the disease, and research displays that this discrimination is likely to negatively influence your ability to cope with it.

Not only can sociocultural factors explain how one copes with a serious chronic illness, but the same factors can also explain the most common causes of illness and death. The text explains that the environment that you live in can accentuate a disease of help control it.  IF there are any stressful events happening around you, your anxiety will also increase, which will influence adjustment to the disease. Research has traced the different ways that unhealthy environments can reduce social support and hurt adaptation to illness.

The importance of social factors, including family and community structures, increases when the person with the chronic illness is a child. It is important to have neighborhoods and surrounding communities that can assist not just the child, but also the family coping with chronic illnesses. When adolescents are surrounded by a dangerous neighborhood, they become much more susceptible to engaging in risky behavior that will clearly accentuate the course of their chronic illness.

 

Dear Hospital Administration,

 

            A strong understanding of cultural variations in death and dying is an important aspect of health care that should not be ignored. Because cultural variations in healthcare are so influential; both the patients’ and the providers’ cultural approaches to the course of disease and illness affect patients’ care-seeking behavior and treatment opinions, choices, and compliance Certain cultures, religions, and societies see chronic illness and death as something that an entire family or community has to cope with. Thus, it is important that support be provided to not only the individual, but also to the ill patient.

            Along with culture, religion plays a key role in understanding differences in coping with chronic illness and death. Religious coping is correlated with active but not passive coping and directly related to psychological well being. In order to better accommodate the terminally ill and their loved ones, interventions and community-based outreach approaches should embrace an appreciation for expressions and experiences of spirituality for both patients and caregivers.

            Finally, it is important that social support is given to terminally ill patients. Studies show that people with more social support have more positive adjustment to chronic illness. A socially supportive environment has been proven to make the patient more likely to use active coping and take a role in dealing with the illnesses versus disengaging and getting worse.

 

I hope you keep these suggestions in mind.

 

Thanks You,

 

Anna Carta