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When there is an uptick in illness, it is important to find out the cause and source of origin to prevent further spread. The first step is to collect data on who is getting sick and where they are located. Patterns may be seen by the locations of those affected. Through interviews with those who are ill, a hypothesis will begin to form about the root cause of the outbreak. 

Below is a bar chart of the location and number of people hospitalized from E.coli 0157:H7. The CDC investigated this outbreak and found a total of 109 cases with symptom onset from July 26th until August 24 2022. Although the carrier item of the E.coli was not specifically found due to cross-contamination among ingredients and possible food handler complications, the fast-food chain was identified. 

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Overweight & Obesity

Obesity is a common, serious, and costly chronic disease of adults and children that continues to increase in the United States (CDC.govLinks to an external site.). Obesity affects our health by slowing down our mobility and may lead to more serious complications such as diabetes and heart disease which can result in death. The cost of healthcare is also affected by overweight and obese individuals as costly medications and unnecessary hospital visits become common. The below bar graph is of a study that was conducted on 10,636 individuals, 5,223 Men and 5,413 Women of different races to determine the prevalence of obesity on that race. According to the statistical numbers women of combined races had the highest prevalence of obesity than men. Non-Hispanic Black women had the highest prevalence of all the races and women. What is already known about this topic? Studies have suggested that obesity prevalence varies by income or education, although patterns might differ in high and low income countries (CDC.govLinks to an external site.).

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This week for my discussion I chose to research Tuberculosis Cases vs Deaths in the United States. I work in an infectious disease office, and we recently discussed new cases and the increase in the number of patients being referred to the office.  I began looking into exposure cases, treatment, and deaths. According to the CDC “In 2022, reported TB cases and incidence rates (number of TB cases per 100,000 persons) in the United States increased for the second year in a row, but remained lower than levels reported prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.” (CDC, 2023). The CDC reports that “Ending TB will require a dual approach of maintaining and strengthening efforts to diagnose and treat TB disease and latent TB infection, especially in populations at increased risk for TB disease.” (CDC,2023). Treatment and prevention will help combat the growing number of cases. Healthcare workers must complete annual screening and mask fitting testing for proper mask type and size. 

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Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the US. Different communities are disproportionally affected by cigarette smoking and tobacco use. Data for this graph was taken from the webpage Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This graph illustrates the current smoking rates among different population groups. Adults with lower levels of education smoke at higher rates than the general population. People living in poverty smoke cigarettes more heavily compared to people with a family income three times higher. Tobacco companies often target advertising campaigns towards low-income communities and a higher density of tobacco retailers can often be found in low-income neighborhoods. Research shows that gaining insurance coverage increases the odds of quitting smoking due to more primary care visits (American Lung Association, 2024). Cigarette smoking is considered a very important problem for several significant reasons besides being a leading cause of preventable diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking-related illnesses result in substantial economic costs to healthcare systems and society as a whole. Exposure to secondhand smoke also poses health risks, especially for non-smokers who are exposed to tobacco smoke in indoor or enclosed environments. Cigarette production, packaging, and disposal contribute to environmental pollution, including deforestation, water pollution, and littering. The initiation of smoking among youth is a significant concern as it can lead to lifelong addiction and increased health risks over time.