Health Care Health Care ConsumerisConsumerismm

Chapter 12Chapter 12

Includes making decisions about health providers, hospitals, health plans, prescriptions, prevention strategies, quality of care, treatment choices, and reliable health information.

Consumer Health Defined

Health maintenance organization (HMO) Has the lowest cost. Choose physician from a list of plan

participants. Must see primary care physician first. Some procedures not covered by the

plan. Preferred provider organization (PPO)

Can choose own doctor. Out-of-network doctors are more

expensive. Some may require referrals to

specialists.

Finding the Right Health Insurance Plan

Costs of InsuranceThrough an Employer

Medicaid State administered for people with income below a

certain level. Pays the medical provider, not the patient.

Medicare Available to all who qualify for Social Security. Part A pays percentage of hospital visits, in-home

health care, inpatient skilled-nursing care, and hospice.

Part B covers outpatient care and doctor visits. Part C is a combination of parts A and B. Part D covers prescription drugs (premium

required).

Government Insurance Plans

Check credentials. Ask several people. Visit the doctor.

Does he listen? Do you trust her?

Does gender matter to you? Does the doctor understand

your culture and language? Find out where the doctor

has hospital privileges. www.Healthgrades.com

Choosing a Doctor

Betweeners – people that make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for health insurance

COBRA – the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (1986) - allows for continued health coverage through previous employer for a limited time often too expensive

People who are between jobs sometimes are uninsured because COBRA is too expensive.

Dangers of Being Uninsured

Complementary alternative medicine adds alternative medical treatment methods to traditional medical care.

Alternative medicine doesn’t use traditional methods at all.

Includes acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, massage, and herbal medicine.

Complementary Alternative Medicine

and Alternative Medicine

Comes from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

TCM is based on the belief that energy (chi) flows along meridians of the body.

Acupuncture unblocks flow of energy through acupoints.

The body has more than 2,000 acupoints.

Few complications arise from use of acupuncture.

Research has shown that changes in body chemistry do take place.

Acupuncture has no definitive results.

Acupuncture

The term chiropractic combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) (NCCAM 2007).

Chiropractic medicine is used to treat neuromuscular problems (e.g., headaches, joint pain, neck pain, and lower back pain).

Research evidence is inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Medicine

Massage is a type of body manipulation.

Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating pressure points on feet and hands.

Rolfing is a holistic system of body work that uses deep manipulation of the soft tissue to realign and balance myofascial structure.

Results on effectiveness are mixed; research shows hormones and brain chemicals are released during massage.

Massage Therapy

Herbs are used for flavor, scent, or therapeutic applications.

Conclusions from research vary regarding effectiveness of medicinal herbs.

Herbal Medicine

Aloe vera – may help heal burns Chamomile – little research either way Ginseng – may lower blood sugar Echinacea – does not shorten or prevent

colds Ephedra – does help with breathing but has

serious side effects Garlic – may slow hardening of arteries Ginkgo – inconclusive for dememtia and

memory improvements Green tea – inconclusive for cancer Hoodia – unknown for weight loss St. John’s wort - may help with minor

depression but inconclusive Soy – little research for heath improvements

Common Herbs Used for Medicine

1. Claims to provide relief from more than one disorder.

2. Offers special, ancient, or secret formula.3. Promises quick weight loss without diet

or exercise.4. Claims to provide a prompt, painless

cure.6. Advertises cures for diseases with no

known cure7. Uses testimonials that haven’t been

documented in medical literature.8. Requires advance payments.9. Promises a miracle cure or scientific

breakthrough.10. Offers money-back guarantee.

Spotting a Quack

EnvironmentEnvironmental Health al Health

Chapter 13Chapter 13

Science that studies how humans and nature interact to affect human health. It addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, including the assessment and control of factors that can affect health (WHO 2008).

Protection against environmental factors that may adversely affect human health or the ecological balances essential to long-term human health and environmental quality, whether natural or man-made environment (National Environmental Health Association 1996).

Two Definitionsof Environmental Health

Rangeland Soil Food Web

Forest Freshwater Grassland Agricultural

(agroecosystems) Urban Coastal

Ecosystems

Forests make up 25% of the earth’s land surface.

In most developed countries, laws restrict logging that depletes forests.

Underdeveloped countries with less strict laws clear their forests to supply wood to the world.

Forests

40% of fish species come from fresh water.

18% of fish are in danger of extinction.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests the balance of fish, insects, algae, plants, and other aquatic life.

Freshwater Ecosystems

Grasslands are biological communities (such as prairies, meadows, and savannas) with ground cover of grasses.

Grasslands have few trees. Many wild plants from

grasslands are used in alternative medicine.

The greater sage grouse population is an indicator of the health of grasslands.

Grasslands

Agroecosystems include the soil, plants, and animals that make up farms, croplands, orchards, pastures, and rangelands.

If 30% of land is used for cropland or pasture, the land is considered an agroecosystem.

Agroecosystems cover 28% of the earth’s land area, or 12.16 billion acres (4.92 billion hectares).

Agroecosystems

Plants, animals, and humans make up urban ecosystems.

Urban ecosystems can lack indigenous plants.

Washington, DC, has 115 bird species.

Chicago contains wild prairie grasses.

Urban Ecosystems

Trees remove up to 70% of particulates on a tree-lined street.

Urban forests in Baltimore and Washington, DC, remove 17,000 tons of air pollution per year. This air purification system is valued at $88 million.

Urban Trees

The United States has four coastal ecosystems: Great Lakes Chesapeake Bay Everglades Gulf of Mexico

They include estuaries, reefs, mangroves, islands, and salt marshes.

Natural disasters such as hurricanes have a devastating effect on coastal ecosystems.

Coastal Ecosystems

Environmental issues affect public health. People get sick from things in the environment. Humans must use environmental products

carefully and dispose of waste properly. See movie homo toxins!

Effects of the Environment on Health

Global warming is an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere that contributes to changes in global climate patterns.

Scientists now prefer the term climate change because it suggests more than just temperature changes.

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that helps regulate temperature. It’s said to be the major contributor to the current climate changes.

Greenhouse gases act as an insulating blanket, trapping solar energy that would otherwise escape into space.

Global Warming

47% of households with children have at least one pesticide stored in an unlocked area.

75% of households without children have chemicals in unlocked areas.

13% of all pesticide poisonings of children happen outside the home.

Toxins

Asbestos is a mineral fiber. Used as insulation Flame retardant

It’s found in pipe and furnace insulation, shingles, floor tiles, and paints.

Undisturbed asbestos poses no danger.

Asbestos can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, or cancer of the chest lining.

Asbestos

Radon is a radioactive gas.

It is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

It’s important to check for radon in all homes, regardless of the age or location of the home.

Radon Gas

Ozone Particulate matter Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxides Sulfur dioxide Lead

Six Major Air Pollutants

Arsenic Benzene Disinfection by-

products Contaminated

sediment and dredged material

Lead Microbial pathogens

Major Water Pollutants

Strategies for waste management include: Designing products that turn

into clean garbage Reducing, reusing, and

recycling Recovering energy from

waste treatment The goal of waste

management is to reduce the toxicity of garbage before it gets into the landfills.

Waste Management

Waste Management Hierarchy

Some people are more susceptible than others.

Diseases or conditions caused by environmental factors include these: Asthma Myocardial infarction Cancer Lead poisoning (from

ingesting lead-based paint) Carbon monoxide poisoning

Environmental Diseasesand Disorders

To go green is to reduce your negative impact on the environment. Some ways to go green include reducing the amount of trash

that is sent to landfills, reducing the amount of water

that is used by households, using recycled products, and using energy efficiently. Reduce your ecological

footprint

Going Green