WVON

In the United States, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder or COPD affects nearly 16 million adults, and many more do not know they have it. More than half of those diagnosed are women. COPD is a major cause… of disability, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is that COPD can often be prevented. Reducing tobacco smoke exposure is important for both primary prevention of COPD and disease management.

Every human being has a right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Individuals and couples have the right to decide the number, timing and spacing of their children. However,… some individuals may face infertility. It is a common problem, affecting approximately 10% of women in the United States. It affects both men and women. However, in most cases, the cause may be with the female partner. Infertility can be a tough journey. It may happen because of a health issue with either you or your partner, or a mix of factors that prevent pregnancy. It’s important to understand how your body works so you and your healthcare provider can maximize your chances of starting or adding to your family.

When found early, breast cancer can often be treated successfully. In fact, 90-97% of patients with early-stage breast cancer are alive and well even 10 or 15 years after treatment. But survivorship is complex and can bring new… challenges. Survivorship means something different to everyone. Some patients feel they’re survivors from day one. It is also very personal and can mean more than just a year mark in a patient’s cancer experience.

Fathers are important for helping their children see all they can be. Often, good fathers can offer lessons in playfulness, care, support, courage and discipline. Despite media portrayal of Black fathers, 70% of Black fathers who live… with their children were most likely to have bathed, dressed, changed or helped their child with the toilet every day, compared with other groups. This involvement is important for many reasons, one of which is that data shows that children with involved fathers are at lower risk for developing disruptive behavior and mental health difficulties. Even when a biological father isn’t present, the role can be filled by other men who care about the child — an important concept in Black culture. Given the history of racism in the United States, some Black fathers may face disproportionate incarceration rates or have difficulty in obtaining jobs to provide for their families. But such hardships are only part of the story of Black fatherhood.

Mental health issues are common. In fact, more than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness. Mental health issues are treatable and often preventable, but not everyone has access to the resources they need. People… in some racial and ethnic minority groups face more challenges than others getting mental health care. Inequities in access to mental health care can arise due to myriad reasons. Untreated mental health is associated with negative patient health outcomes. Thus, ensuring equitable access is needed to not only close existing treatment gaps but to also improve patient health outcomes. Mental health is just as important as physical health throughout our lives.

The primary role of medical education is to produce a competent health care workforce capable of meeting the health care needs of our population. Therefore, the central goal of our health care workforce must be the… elimination of health inequity. The health care workforce as historically and conventionally conceived has not accomplished this goal, and in many ways has contributed to and compounded the problems. The effort to develop a workforce capable of addressing health inequity will produce a number of outcomes. Increased diversity and an improved sense of belonging will be among the most notable.

Trust is a key component in delivering quality and respectful care within health care systems. Trust in health care includes beliefs that providers and organizations have characteristics of honesty, competence, and good communication and that they… maintain confidentiality. Higher levels of trust in health care environments are associated with greater service utilization, improved provider-patient communication, and better health outcomes among patients. However, a growing lack of confidence in health care, particularly among specific subgroups of the population in the United States, could further widen existing health disparities. To achieve health equity, strategies to rebuild trust and reach diverse communities are needed.

Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer accounting for 10-20% of breast cancers. Triple-negative breast cancers tend to grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer and can return… after treatment. Because of this, this type of breast cancer is considered to be more aggressive than other forms of breast cancer. Research shows that some people have a greater chance of developing triple negative breast cancer if they are subject to certain risk factors. And like other types of breast cancer, catching triple negative breast cancer early through routine cancer screening can help improve prognosis.

Generally speaking, people in good health rarely need medications or have the need to see a specialist. So, it’s probably natural that most give little thought to selecting a primary care provider. At some point,… though, everyone is going to feel under the weather, which might call for a medical opinion. Primary care providers manage day-to-day health needs. A long-term relationship with one keeps you healthier and lowers medical costs. They can teach you ways to stay healthy, treat you when you’re sick and help you get more advanced care when you need it. The relationship you build with your primary care provider is one of the most important ones you’ll ever have.

About one of every three Americans will develop some form of cancer during his or her lifetime. Despite these grim statistics, doctors have made great progress in understanding the biology of cancer cells, and they have… already been able to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. But instead of just waiting for new breakthroughs, you can do a lot to protect yourself right now. Screening tests can help detect malignancies in their earliest stages, but you should always be alert for symptoms of the disease.

Homicide is the third leading cause of death for youth in the United States. Emergency departments treat over 800 young people for physical assault-related injuries each day. Youth violence is a significant problem that affects thousands of… young people each day, and in turn, their families, schools, and communities. It can also affect a community’s economic health, as well as individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being. Youth violence is preventable but cannot be accomplished by one sector alone.

Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit and should have no place in our world. It is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world. Human trafficking is… notoriously underreported. It can happen to anyone, but some people are more vulnerable than others. Victims can be found in legal and illegal labor industries. Just as there is no one type of trafficking victim, perpetrators of this crime also vary. Over the past decade, the FBI’s human trafficking investigations have been responsible for the arrest of thousands of traffickers and the recovery of numerous victims.