Community as a Client

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nIntroduction

nStroke and heart diseases are one of the leading cardiovascular diseases in the world. In the United States, AHRQ reports 2013 have indicated that the incidences of these diseases have increased in the country. Moreover, the number of deaths due to these diseases has remained high in the US (AHRQ, 2013). For instance, in 2013, stroke and heart diseases caused approximately 801 000 deaths in the country. Statistics noted that these diseases in America caused one in every three cases of deaths. Nearly 2,200 people in the U.S. die every day from heart attack and stroke, which means that one American die in every forty seconds. Shockingly, these diseases cause many deaths annually than all type of cancers. The indirect and direct cost of stroke and heart attack exceeds more than $316.6 billion (Go, et al, 2013). The cost involves lost productivity and health expenditure.

nThe AHRQ reports 2013 suggest that although the quality of care for stroke and heart attack has improved over the years, the death rate of these diseases has remained high. For instance, heart attack is the leading cause of death across the globe. Similarly, it has remained as number one cause of mortality in the US because it kills more than three hundreds and seventy thousands people annually (AHRQ, 2013). Furthermore, heart attack is responsible of one in every seven deaths in the country. The AHRQ 2013 report also noted that the mortality rate of heart attack reduced by 38 per cent in the past decade. Nonetheless, the risk factors associated to heart attack are still frighteningly high (AHRQ, 2013). The nation loses one person in every 42 seconds due to this disease. More women than men in the US are more likely to die from heart diseases (Nies & McEwen, 2014).

nWith regard to stroke, the disease is the fifth cause of deaths in the country. More than 129 000 Americans die every year due to stroke. This means that an American die in every four minutes due to stroke. Studies suggest that the improvement of quality of care have had positive health outcomes (Go, et al, 2013). For instance, between 2003 and 2013, the mortality rate of stroke has reduced by nearly 34 per cent. In addition, the number of deaths due to this disease has reduced by 18 per cent. Nonetheless, the numbers of people who have stroke remain high. For instance, in 2013, more than seven hundreds and ninety five thousands Americans have stroke every year (Nies & McEwen, 2014).

nVarious factors such as smoking, physical activities, diet and excessive drinking contribute to high prevalence of heart diseases and stroke in the US. Studies have noted that tobacco smoking is one of the factors, which increases the risk of these diseases (Frieden & Berwick, 2011). The AHRQ report 2013 noted that there are five thousands seven hundred new smokers per day in the US. Among the adult population, nearly 15 per cent and 19 per cent of women and men are smokers respectively while 6 per cent of teenagers are regular smokers (AHRQ, 2013).

nLack of adequate physical exercise in the country contributes to high prevalence of these diseases. Nearly 33 per cent of adults in the US do not engage in any physical exercise during leisure time. Furthermore, 27 per cent of students do not participate in recommended level of exercise per day, which exposes them to heart diseases. Healthy diet is a challenge among the majority of people in the country (Frieden & Berwick, 2011). Fortunately, the report outlined that consumption of healthy diet has become better in both adults and children. For instance, the score for healthy diet among adult population improved to 1.5 per cent from 0.7 per cent while that of children reached 0.6 per cent from 0.2 per cent between 2011 and 2012 (Frieden & Berwick, 2011).

nConclusion

nAHRQ report 2013 has clearly indicated that the prevalence of stroke and heart attack in the US has remained relatively high despite recent improvement of quality of care. The health indicators have worsened over the past decade. Heart attack is still the top cause of death in the country while stroke occupies fifth position (Go, et al, 2013). Some of the main risk factors include poor diet, tobacco smoking and lack of adequate physical exercises. Therefore, more needs to be done to improve health outcomes (Nies & McEwen, 2014).

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nReferences

nAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ),. (2013). National Healthcare Disparities Report. www.ahrq.gov. Retrieved 16 February 2017, from https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/publications/files/2013nhdr.pdf

nFrieden, T. R., & Berwick, D. M. (2011). The “Million Hearts” initiative—preventing heart attacks and strokes. N Engl J Med, 2011(365), e27.

nGo, A. S., Mozaffarian, D., Roger, V. L., Benjamin, E. J., Berry, J. D., Blaha, M. J., … & Fullerton, H. J. (2013). AHA statistical update. Circulation, 127, e62-e245.

nNies, M. A., & McEwen, M. (2014). Community/public health nursing: Promoting the health of populations. Elsevier Health Sciences.