Prevention of Obesity
As in most of the nation, the obesity epidemic threatens public health in Los Angeles County. Obesity increased from 13.6% to 22.2% in adults between 1997 and 2007. Most of the research shows there are marked disparities in the county based on income, education, and lifestyle choices. There are, however, similar risk factors that everyone in the county shares. This is actually crucial to an overall analysis of county problems. In 2006, the cost of obesity just for LA County was over $6 billion in health care and loss of productivity.
Pandemic flu: origins, spread, and public health response
Apart from the seasonal influenza epidemics caused by antigenic drifts, a significant change in the virus's virulence through antigenic shifts has been a major source of concern for healthcare professionals. These new strains may reach pandemic proportions. Predicting the next outbreak is an impossible task but historically, the longest period between two outbreaks has been forty one years and it usually occurs every 30-40 years. An outbreak can reach pandemic proportions in as little as 6 month's time, or even lesser. This fast spread can be attributed to globalization and urbanization.
Carafano, J., Weitz, R. (2009).
Carafano, J., Weitz, R. (2009). Swine Flu: What Every American Should Know. Backgrounder. 2315, September, 1-10.