Gender as a driver of risk to health

Introduction

Gender is an essential factor when dealing with specific health issues such as maternity services, family planning, and diseases that are specific to gender. The disorders include ovarian cancer for females and prostate cancer for males (Turner, 2003). Women and men are not equal when it comes to matters concerning health. Most health conditions affect both males and females in different ways. There is no main explanation as to why some states affects particular sex as compared to the other.

In most cases, doctors try to explain these by talking about complicated genetic makeup, physiological, and hormonal factors. It is essential to understand why some conditions affect males than females and vice versa. In understanding this, the doctors can trace the source of the disease and deal with it in a proper way (Zador, 2000).

Sources of data

There are several sources of data available to the public used to access the prevalence of gender as a risk to health. Surveys are an essential tool used to access chronic diseases and health-related behaviors. The classifications of the study include the national level, state, and local surveys (Jones, 2014).

National population-based surveys

The behavior risk factors surveillance system (BRFSS). Coordinated by the CDC and conducted by the state health departments. In all the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The survey collects information on the accessibility of health care, preventive healthcare practices, and risk behaviors (Peltzer, 2011). The state-level population health acquires information from BRFSS. BRFSS administers questionnaires continuously through telephone by use of a random-digit-dial sampling method. The respondents undertaking the survey are within the age of 18-99 years and should be one person per household who interviewed. Self-reported information is collected routinely on diagnosed health conditions. Such conditions include congestive heart failure, diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension also included in the core questionnaire.

Youth risk behavior surveillance system (YRBSS)- This surveillance method focuses more on monitoring the priority of health risk behavior. The health risk behavior includes dietary behavior, asthma, physical inactivity, and the prevalence of obesity between students in grades 9-12. The main aim of YRBSS is to give critical information on the behavior of adolescents throughout the nation. The survey is conducted annually in both public and private schools. Risk behaviors include sexual practices, violence and injuries, drug abuse, physical inactivity, and unhealthy dietary (Sambisa, 2010). Surveillance monitors the prevalence of asthma attacks, obesity, and diagnosed asthma.

State population-based surveys

California health interview survey (CHIS). It is the state’s primary source of data used in public health surveillance. It is also used for tracking changes in health insurance coverage as well as coverage programs eligibility (Lauderdale, 2006). It covers a wide range of health concerns, such as health insurance, mental health, health conditions and behaviors, and accessibility of healthcare. It also covers special modules on the health care of children, women, and persons over the age of 65years. The data obtained used for national research surveillance of social disparities such as ethnic and racial disparities. The survey mainly collects information on diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. It also gathers information on conditions and behaviors related to these diseases, which include smoking, diet, and physical activity.

Ohio family health survey (OFHS)-The study provides information about the health status, health insurance coverage, health care access, and healthcare use at the county and state levels. The survey interviews around 50,000 adults by use of telephone and acquire responses from around 13,000 children from each household. The questionnaires have three questions that are related to asthma, three issues related to heart conditions, and five problems related to diabetes. It also collects information about demographics, employment characteristics, and income. Data from Ohio family health surveys can be accessed through public-usee data files and even through confidential research data sets for restricted use.

Local population-based surveys.

New York City (NYC) community health survey (CHS)- It is a local health survey that collects information on health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, health conditions, and accessibility of health. The study used for surveillance and research of social disparities in health, such as racial and ethnic disparities. The NYC department of health and mental hygiene funds the survey (Juhn, 2013). One adult per family is required to participate in the study, conducted every ten months of the year. Information on nutrition and weight control, use of alcohol and tobacco, physical activity, and access and use of healthcare services is also collected.

Community health needs assessment and gender

A community health needs assessment is a structured process that involves the community to recognize and evaluate the health needs of a community. It provides a way to the community to give priority to the health needs, plan and take actions on the community health needs which are not met yet (Hammarström, 2014). Hospital Critical Access (CAH) is an organization that conducts a community health needs assessment every three years as authorized by the affordable care act. The methods that the organization uses in conducting community health needs assessments include community focus groups, stakeholder meetings, surveys, and interviews. Population health and other health-related data used to assess the health needs of a community.

Community health needs assessment should include agencies such as RHA boards, staff, health service providers, related provincial government departments, and community organizations to access the needs of the community. The general public should also include as a source of data to access the health needs of the community (Raleigh, 1997).

Conclusion

Health risks associated with the male gender, in most cases, are traced to their behavior. Generally, men mostly participate in actions that cause higher rates of injury and disease as compared to females. Male gender also does not eat healthy meals as compared to the female gender. The female gender, in most cases, is associated with the anatomy and hormonal changes in their bodies (Stoltenberg, 2008). Both genders are required to take care of themselves when it comes to matters concerning health.

I hereby attest that by submitting this assignment, that the work and writing are my own, that any direct quotations have been properly cited and that I have properly cited references where I have used someone else’s ideas.

References

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