course material

1. Discussion Board 1
Read Schroeder’s article “We Can Do Better—Improving the Health of the American
PeopleShattuck Lecture” NEJM, 2007 located in this link: https://search-proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/223930667?accountid=12085 for this module/week.
Discuss the following points in your thread. Review the Discussion Board Instructions and
grading rubric before posting your thread. Describe the 2 reasons Schroeder gives to
explain why the US ranks poorly on many health measures in spite of spending more money
than other countries on health care. What other single factor would you suggest that might
also contribute to this paradox?In what ways is the problem of obesity in America like the
now decreasing problem of tobacco use? In what ways is it different?The pie chart
illustrating the 5 proportional categories contributing to premature death in the US are
based on total US population mortality. How might these percentages change if the chart
were to be redrawn to reflect populations living in poverty in inner cities? People living in
poverty in rural areas? Suggest new percentages for each and explain why you think as you
do.Social determinants of health are relatively new considerations as predictors of
premature death, yet a growing body of research indicates their contribution is strong.
Name a social determinant and describe a possible role for the Church in ameliorating
it.Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, and your replies are due by 11:59 p.m.
(ET) on Sunday. These are the replies that you need to respond to as well:Moriah Hough DB
#1This article startled me with how low the United States is ranked in health status
compared to other countries of the world. Schroeder describes the reasons for this
being: 1) better health care does not equal better health, and 2) there are many
Americans who do not receive quality care or receive no care at all.1I would suggest that
another factor that contributes to this paradox is a lack of education and information
available to those living in poverty. Real change comes from adjusting behavioral patterns,
as Schroeder notes in his article. But how can people change their behaviors if they are not
taught why it is important to do so? There are organizations like Children’s Hunger Alliance
and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) that do this for healthy eating (therefore helping to
treat obesity), but it needs to be done on a larger scale for overall health status in the United
States to change.Although obesity and smoking do share many of the same characteristics,
treating obesity like smoking will probably not solve the rising obesity epidemic. Both
conditions are large risk factors for chronic disease and are more prevalent in lower
socioeconomic classes, not to mention the heavily influential promotions by their respective
industries.1 However, everyone eats and is at risk for developing obesity, while not

2. everyone smokes. Food is not addictive the way niotine is, and smoking is harmful to
yourself and others at any dosage while eating food is not. For these reasons and more,
tobacco control cannot be used as a complete model for treating obesity in America.The five
determinants of health contribute to premature death differently depending on the location
of the population. For example, those living in poverty in inner cities might be more exposed
to harmful environmental factors while those living in rural areas might have less access to
health care. There could also be changes in behavioral patterns as the inner city population
is more likely to be exposed to more advertisements for foods and medications. Below are
my suggestions for how these percentages could change if considering location of
population.