Question

Health The purpose of this assignment is to explore a health issue (alcoholism in los angeles county) and reflect on populations affected as well as interventions to improve health outcomes. Research a health issue and the population affected. Write a 900-1,200 word paper that includes the following: 1. Identify and describe a health issue of your choice. 2. Identify and describe the population affected by the health issue. 3. Identify two or three interventions used to improve health outcomes of children or adults in case management for your selected health issue. 4. Locate the sources of data for determinants of health for this population. 5. Using analysis and benchmarking strategies, compare disparities of health for this population.

Answer

Health Population Health Issue: Alcoholism in Los Angeles County

Description of Alcoholism in Los Angeles County

           Alcoholism, also referred to as alcohol use disorder is the most severe alcohol abuse form involving the inability to manage drinking alcoholic drinks. Alcohol use disorder is severe, moderate, or mild. The side effects caused by alcoholism can be harmful to an individual if left untreated. The common signs of alcoholism include craving alcohol when an individual is not drinking, feeling the need to keep drinking more, behaving differently after drinking, spending a substantial amount of money on alcohol, inability to control alcohol consumption, and putting alcohol above personal responsibilities. People are led to alcohol consumption by several factors, including coping with loss, leisure, overcoming anxiety, lack of connection, trauma, shame, and relieving stress. 

           Alcoholism in Los Angeles County is a significant public health concern among adults and teenagers, negatively impacting health and the economy. Alcoholism is the third leading cause of preventable diseases in America, accounting for more than 2,500 deaths in Los Angeles yearly. Men are the most affected by alcoholism accounting for more than 75 percent of cases yearly. Alcoholism in Los Angeles county results in more than 78,000 years of potential life lost caused by the premature deaths resulting from alcoholism (Fielding, 2011). In addition, excessive consumption of alcohol affects racial and ethnic groups disproportionately. For instance, whites are the highest drinking rates, but the death rate from alcohol-related cirrhosis and liver disease is higher in Hispanics. 

Population Affected by Alcoholism in Los Angeles

           Excessive alcohol consumption in Los Angeles involves alcohol use disorder, binge drinking, and heavy drinking. Alcoholism in Los Angeles county costs has impacted the county more than 10.8 billion dollars and 2500 lives yearly. In 2017, 9% of the youth in Los Angeles County between the ages of 12 to 17 years abused alcohol at least once every month (SAMHSA, 20190. According to statistics, 16.2% of adults in LA are binge drinkers, and 3.3% are heavy drinkers. Regarding heavy drinking, the whites and people of a higher social class in society are the most affected (AAC, 2020). Binge drinking is popular among teenagers and young adults. Generally, the population leading in alcoholism in Los Angeles is the males and young adults.

Rehabilitation centers in Los Angeles have 4% of patients whose main drug problem is alcohol addiction. There is an increase in the number of alcohol abusers in Los Angeles because alcohol abusers started drinking early. Statistics show that 5% of the rehab patients began abusing alcohol at 12-17 years (SAHMSA, 2019). In addition, alcoholism accounted for 99 fatalities caused by car accidents because of excessive drinking and driving.

Interventions used to improve health outcomes of children or adults in case management for your selected health issue.

Alcohol-related problems results from excessive drinking are one of the rampant health issues in Los Angeles. Those affected by alcoholism struggle with controlling their drinking habits with no success. Alcohol addiction can be treated using different interventions. (Fielding, 2011) Research shows that about one-third of people treated for alcohol-related issues improve after one year of treatment. There are three types of interventions which are behavioral treatments, medication, and mutual-support groups.

Medications

There are three kinds of medications that are approved for use in Los Angeles for alcoholism treatment. Some medicines can help in treating alcohol dependence (NIAAA, 2020). The drug can only be prescribed by a primary care physician or a health professional. They work in a way that mends the changes in the brain that are caused by alcohol, hence treating alcoholism. Professionally prescribed medications are not addictive. The medicines can be used alone or combined with other treatments or interventions.

Behavioral treatments

Behavioral treatment aims at changing alcohol consumption patterns. It is achieved through counseling or therapy (NIAAA, 2020). A health professional conducts behavioral treatment. Drinking behaviors are identified and worked on for a change.

Mutual- support group

A Mutual-support group is a peer support program for people quitting or affected by alcoholism. The group provides support for alcohol and addicts as they share their progress with their peers. Mutual-support groups can be combined with professional treatment.

Sources of data for determinants of health for the alcoholic population in Los Angeles

Laguna treatment hospital is a rehabilitation center that treats alcohol addiction. The rehab center offers detox medical treatments for alcohol addiction. This hospital provides statistical data annually on the number of alcohol addict cases and the recoveries made in Los Angeles County. 

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) is an organization that deals with the treatment of alcoholics in the United States. The institution provides education and public awareness on alcohol abuse and its effects. Statistics obtained from the institute indicate that one-third of alcoholics who receive treatments and therapy recover entirely. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an organization that gathers information from licensed care physicians on alcoholics and alcohol abuse. They obtain information on treatments, addiction patterns, effects of abuse, and mental-related issues. 

Disparities of health for alcoholics

Excessive use of alcohol is one of the primary health risks in the world. Alcohol abuse causes significant health problems that sometimes lead to deaths or permanent damages. Alcohol abuse is outlined as the root cause of more than 60 types of disease and injuries in the world (SAHMSA, 2019). Alcohol abuse accounts for approximately 2.5 million deaths annually. About 4% of deaths directly or indirectly originate from alcohol abuse.

The number of emergencies and deaths related to alcohol abuse in America has increased by 47% between 2006 and 2014. Alcohol abuse is the third leading cause of death in the United States after tobacco use and poor dieting. This shows that there has been an increase of about 210,000 emergencies and fatalities due to excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, approximately 95,000 people suffer and die from alcohol-related complications each year (NIAAA, 2020). Men are led by 68,000, and women are 27,000 in alcohol-related fatalities. Alcohol has resulted in significant health risks in Los Angeles, which cost the county approximately 11.1 billion in 2018.

Excessive use of alcohol alters the brain. It converts the appearance and the functionality of the brain. The changes affect proper coordination, moods, behaviors, and good thinking.

The heart is also affected by excessive consumption of alcohol. Cardiovascular diseases are fatal, and many alcoholics do not survive them. The condition is brought about by heavy drinking

Alcohol abuse causes cancer. Many types of cancers are associated with heavy drinkings, such as breast, pharynx, liver, and esophagus cancers (WHO, 2018). Therefore, alcohol should be avoided altogether, and if not, it should be taken with moderation to prevent addiction.

References

America Addiction Centers (2020). Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles, California

Jonathan E. Fielding (2011). Reducing Alcohol Related Harm in Los Angeles County.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and alcoholism, NIAAA (2020). Alcohol Use in the United States

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA (2019). Methodological Summary and Definitions.

WHO (2018). Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2018. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press.