INTRO TO HEALTH ISSUES (LECTURE 2)

What percentage of the US population did African Americans constitute in 2024?

11.7%.

What is the overall trend regarding health status between African Americans and high SES groups?

There is an overall widening disparity.

What is the median household income of Black households compared to White households?

It is almost 60% that of Whites.

What was the uninsured rate in New Jersey in 2024?

7.7% of the total population.

What were the uninsured rates by race in New Jersey in 2024?

20.7% of Latinos, 9.0% of Blacks, and 3.8% of Whites.

What were the uninsured rates by race in the US in 2024?

18.9% Native Americans, 18.4% Latinos, 10.1% African Americans, and 6.8% White.

What is the disparity in breast cancer diagnosis and mortality for Black women?

They are diagnosed less often than White women but are more likely to die from it.

For which conditions was the death rate higher for African Americans than Whites in 2023?

Heart diseases, stroke, cancer, COVID-19, hypertension, asthma, influenza, pneumonia, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, homicide, maternal mortality, infant mortality, suicide, and liver disease/cirrhosis.

How much higher are Black mortality rates for 13 of the 15 leading causes of death?

50% higher than those for Whites.

Which group has the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world?

Black men in the United States.

What is the infant mortality comparison regarding maternal education?

Infants born to Black mothers with college degrees and greater affluence have higher mortality rates than white babies born to mothers with less than a high school diploma.

What is an example of "diminishing returns of health"?

The higher infant mortality rate for affluent/educated Black mothers compared to less-educated White mothers.

According to Kathleen Gaffney, what is medical treatment often based upon?

Physical appearance.

What percentage of bypass and angioplasty patients at St. Francis were Black?

Only 2%.

What are the Medicare eligibility requirements?

Individuals 65+, those under 65 with certain disabilities, people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and those who are blind or in long-term care.

What are the primary targets of current Medicare program changes?

Reducing costs and focusing on quality improvements through Managed Care selections.

What payment system is used for Medicare inpatient hospital services?

Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs).

What services are specifically excluded from Medicare coverage?

Opticians/eye exams, hearing aids, dental work, overseas care, Podiatry, cosmetic surgery, Chiropractic care, massage therapy, nursing home care, and concierge care.

What is the Medicaid coverage requirement for pregnant women and children under the ACA 2010?

Must cover pregnant women and children up to age 6 with family income up to 205% of the federal poverty level.

What is the Medicaid income eligibility for children under 19?

Up to 355% of the federal poverty level.

Which state is ranked #1 for the largest Black population in 2025?

District of Columbia (DC).

Which state is ranked #1 for the largest Hispanic population in 2025?

New Mexico.

What are the top three leading causes of death for Black males?

1. Heart disease, 2. Cancer, 3. Accidents.

What are the top three leading causes of death for Black females?

1. Heart disease, 2. Cancer, 3. Stroke.

What are the four factors of health disparity?

1. Quality of care, 2. Accessibility, 3. Utilization, 4. Benefits derived from medical care.

What is the definition of Prevalence?

The number of current cases (all new and existing) of a disease during a specific time period.

What was the original definition and application of Epidemiology?

Originally defined as the science of epidemics and applied to the study of outbreaks of acute infectious diseases.

What is the modern definition of Epidemiology?

The branch of medicine dealing with the causes and distribution of diseases in a defined population.

What is a major limitation of epidemiology in clinical practice?

It cannot determine the prognosis of a disease process in a particular patient.

What is the first step in conducting an epidemic investigation?

To verify the diagnosis.

What are the three points of the epidemiological triangle?

1. The Host, 2. The Agent, 3. The Environment.

What are the two fundamental assumptions of controlling a disease?

1. Disease does not occur by chance, 2. Disease is not randomly distributed in the population.

What are the three criteria for epidemiological screening?

1. The natural history of the condition should be understood, 2. The condition must represent an important health problem, 3. A suitable screening test must exist.