Morbidity and Mortality Data in Your State

¶ … morbidity and mortality data in your state to facilitate planning for your community?

Morbidity and mortality data enables health professionals to target which preventable health diseases are particularly acute within a given community, and design preventative strategies. "Morbidity is an incidence of ill health. It is measured in various ways, often by the probability that a randomly selected individual in a population at some date and location would become seriously ill in some period of time" (Morbidity, 2012, Econterms). This is in contrast to mortality, which is defined as "incidence of death in a population. It is measured in various ways, often by the probability that a randomly selected individual in a population at some date and location would die in some period of time" (Mortality, 2012, Econterms).

If there is a high morbidity rate regarding lifestyle-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancers, public health officials can create laws construct educational campaigns to support reducing caloric intake and increasing energy expenditures. For example, in New York City, laws have recently been passed limiting public smoking (to reduce the spread of lung cancer) and the size of sugary soft drinks (to combat obesity). Understanding the causation of morbidity and mortality is essential because the prescriptions to improve health will vary. Many years ago, under-nutrition was thought to be a prime source of ill health. Now, the poor are disproportionately affected by diabetes.

Merely having a high mortality rate does not necessarily mean that a community is unhealthy. The community could have a substantial number of elderly people, for example. But a high morbidity and mortality rate is alarming, particularly if the morbidity rate is due to preventable illnesses and there is a high rate of deaths amongst young people.

2. Three important health problems

In Texas, there is a profound discrepancy between the quality of care in rural areas and urban areas. "Fifty-eight rural counties do not have a large enough population or adequately concentrated population to allow the establishment of a single hospital. Twenty-three rural counties have no direct physicians and 35 are without participating Medicaid physicians" (DeSoto, Tajalli, & Hofer 2001). Texas must address these inequities of care and provide additional financial incentives for physicians to practice in underserved areas.

The need for consistent, preventative care in Texas is underlined by Texas' high obesity rate. "Last year, Texas ranked 10th in the nation in the percent of the population who are obese -- one of 12 states with a rate exceeding 30%" (Landers 2012). Obesity rates in America as a whole are escalating, but Texas is suffering in a particularly acute manner. "Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs estimates obesity costs Texas companies $9.5 billion a year in health insurance premiums, absenteeism and lost productivity" (Landers 2012). On a personal level, obesity has devastating consequences for families and individuals; on a state level it is a financial drain. Texas must consider legislation to promote positive lifestyle changes, such as including calorie counts on menus, as well as expanding access to areas where people can engage in physical activity, particularly in poor urban and rural areas.

A final, often-overlooked issue is the question of mental health. "Texas has the second-largest number of people suffering from serious mental illnesses" (Bailey 2010). It has also one of the most permeable safety nets for individuals with mental health problems. Few social service agencies exist to provide counseling or other means of support for Texans with serious mental health problems. Although mental health problems are endemic to all sectors of society, for the poor who lack insurance the lack of appropriate services is particularly troubling.

Q3. Discuss the importance of health literacy in terms of delivering cultural compete care and within the social justice domain

Health problems are particularly manifest amongst the poorest members of society, and a lack of health literacy amongst the poor and under-educated is thus a critical problem. All too often it is assumed that 'everyone knows' what are the 'right' foods to eat; knows about the need for exercise; is aware of the dangers of smoking and understands how to prevent other critical health problems. "Healthy People 2010 defines health literacy as "the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions" (Health literacy fact sheets, 2012, Center for Health Care Strategies). Some people know very little about calorie counts, the dangers of sugar and trans-fats, despite the fact that the risks have been heavily publicized in the media. "The ability to read and comprehend prescription bottles, appointment slips, and the other essential health-related materials required to successfully function as a patient" is also important (Health literacy fact sheets, 2012, Center for Health Care Strategies). Education can enable patients and individuals to be able to make more proactive and healthy choices (Stolley & Fitsgibbon 1997).

A lack of access to knowledge because of a lack of time, financial resources, and above all the simple ability to read at an acceptable level to decipher health information results in poorer health. Impaired literacy function means that patients have a significantly reduced ability to engage in self-care or to follow physician's orders. Addressing the causes of poverty and a lack of education are vital components of improving the health of all of the citizenry, not simply the wealthiest members.