Community Health issue Impacting the Health Profession - Research Paper Example

Community Health Issues Community Health Issues Impacting the Health Profession (First and of (Institution’s Name)April 4, 2013IntroductionThis present research paper mainly intends to highlight on health issues in the community and how these issues are impacting on the health profession.Community health issues impacting the health profession In reference to the writings by Johnson (2011), he stated that some of the community health issues that are presently prevalent in the United States of America were not existing in the past centuries or there were few cases of such issues that it did not warrant any cause of concern or worry.

This is equally meant that the health profession remained unchanged without introduction or adoption of new practices since health workers were practically dealing with the same issues repeatedly. However, Johnson (2011) stated that in the 20th century new community health issues started sprawling up in the United States and therefore necessitated a change in the health profession more so the increased adoption or application of technology in the health practice.Cancer Presently, cancer is one of the most common and thorny health issue in the United States and it has contributed to the death of many people.

Johnson (2011) stated that previously cancer was not prevalent as it is today and it used to affect mostly the older people but nowadays there are cases of young children even below the age of one year being diagnosed with cancer. Johnson (2011) stated that these increased cases of cancer in the United States had lead to the health profession undertaking some changes in order to tackle this rising issue. For example, increased cases of cancer have lead to an increase in the number of health workers who are being trained specifically on how to care and conduct treatment for cancer patients.

Secondly, the health profession has adopted advanced technology for cancer screening and treatment. Thirdly, medical health professionals regardless of specialization are being taught on basic techniques of diagnosing cancer. Drugs and alcohol abuse Johnson (2011) stated that issues of drugs and alcohol abuse in the United States rose by 70% in the past decades, equally the disorders associated with drugs and alcohol abuse have also increase in equal measures as the national cost or government expenditure of dealing with cases of drugs and alcohol abuse.

According to Johnson (2011), alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine are the most common in the American community and recent figures indicate there is an increase in the abuse of prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs. The health profession has witnessed certain changes due to the issue of drugs and alcohol and one of the changes is the increased monitoring and control of controlled drugs within the healthcare centers. Additionally, health professionals have been made to be more accountable for the drugs they handle since findings show that approximately 19% of drug abusers get drugs from health professionals.

Other community health issues Johnson (2011) noted that other community health issues impacting the health profession are obesity, teenage pregnancy, and stress, which are also common and attributed to lifestyle behavior and choices. In regards to such issues, health professionals have been trained on how to participate in the community through counseling to prevent or resolve such issues.ReferencesJohnson, T. (2011). The Truth About Getting Sick in America: The Real Problems with Health Care and What We Can Do.

New York, U.S: Hyperion