Unfortunately, many people harm their health by their personal actions and the lack of awareness. There are numerous patterns of behavior which negatively affect humans’ wellness and can be prevented at the same time. Therefore, healthcare professionals should work diligently to distinguish them and design various approaches to reduce destructive behaviors. Besides, it is essential to consider non-modifiable factors, such as gender, race, and family history, to address the issue more effectively. Without any doubt, obesity and pancreatic cancer are conditions which affect multiple individuals worldwide, leading to adverse consequences; thus, it is vital to pay more attention to them. Fortunately, it is possible to design beneficial approaches to deal with the diseases and improve population health in general.
The chosen groups, including individuals with obesity and pancreatic cancer, are interconnected; hence, it is a reasonable decision to analyze both of them in one project. Moreover, it is obvious that the conditions require more consideration nowadays due to various reasons. For example, obesity is an extremely prevailing health issue in the modern world. Xu et al. (2018) note that it caused approximately 3.4 million deaths and cost about $2 trillion in 2010. These numbers might seem surprising, taking into account the fact that solely destructive behaviors often trigger the disease. However, economic growth, along with the prevalence of processed food, contributed to worsening the situation. Furthermore, pancreatic cancer is among the most dangerous oncological disorders, leading to lethal outcomes. According to Xu et al. (2018), “it accounts for 3% of newly diagnosed cancers per year but 7% of cancer death per year” (p. 158). Obesity can be associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer; hence, it is crucial to consider both issues’ descriptive characteristics to develop useful recommendations.
First, a wide variety of descriptive characteristics can be distinguished among people suffering from obesity. Evidently, it can be caused by different genetic factors, which are impossible to control. On the other hand, individuals with the disease often have problems with their diet, require more physical activity, lead a sedentary lifestyle, and either oversleep or lack sleep (Hruby & Hu, 2015). Besides, those who have quality education and high income are less likely to develop the condition. Such individuals are more aware of the results of destructive behaviors and have more resources, including time and money, to eat healthy food and go to the gym.
Second, patients with pancreatic cancer also share some common characteristics, which are more difficult to distinguish. For instance, Rawla et al. (2019) emphasize that smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, dietary problems, and occupational dangers, such as exposure to metalworking and pesticides, are associated with increased disease incidence. In addition, genetic factors, gender, and ethnicity may also play an important role. Nevertheless, it is vital to consider destructive behaviors first, as they can be targeted more easily and effectively.
What is more, there are multiple epidemiological tools used to study the two groups. For instance, proportions are employed to compare a particular fraction to the whole, as only a small number of people with obesity develop pancreatic cancer. Ratios are also incorporated to associate individuals with two or more destructive behaviors and determine their influences on the diseases. Furthermore, healthcare providers and researchers use run and control charts to recognize trends over time, such as increased or decreased prevalence. Finally, interviews, surveys, and observations are useful epidemiological tools offering a multitude of insights about the patients suffering from the conditions.
Importantly, there is a wide range of effective recommendations for the individuals who belong to the two chosen groups. Evidently, in most cases, such people need to change their diet and become more involved in various physical activities, ranging from walking to working out in the gym. As Xu et al. (2018) note, “weight loss, especially the durable and significant weight loss after bariatric surgery, has been shown to reduce the risks of multiple cancers and may become a good intervention for pancreatic cancer prevention” (p. 158). Individuals who consume red meat, fried foods, and much cholesterol, overeat, and avoid sticking to meal plans should reconsider their behaviors which negatively affect their health (Xu et al, 2018). Undoubtedly, ten-minute morning exercises are also likely to make a significant impact and reduce the risk of obesity and pancreatic cancer.
In conclusion, managerial epidemiology plays an incredibly critical role in the modern world, as it helps to design approaches aiming at improving population health. Obesity and pancreatic cancer are dangerous and common issues nowadays across the globe. However, it is possible to address them properly, decreasing their prevalence. Both conditions are interconnected, as the former increases the risk of the latter. Moreover, negative dietary patterns considerably affect the development of the conditions. Healthcare professionals and researchers employ various epidemiological tools to determine the most effective recommendations for both groups, such as diet improvement and increase in physical activity. Considering and implementing these recommendations can largely improve population health worldwide.
References
Hruby, A., & Hu, F. B. (2015). The epidemiology of obesity: A big picture. PharmacoEconomics, 33(7), 673–689. Web.
Rawla, P., Sunkara, T., & Gaduputi, V. (2019). Epidemiology of pancreatic cancer: Global trends, etiology and risk factors. World Journal of Oncology, 10(1), 10–27. Web.
Xu, M., Jung, X., Hines, O. J., Eibl, G., & Chen, Y. (2018). Obesity and pancreatic cancer: Overview of epidemiology and potential prevention by weight loss. Pancreas, 47(2), 158–162. Web.