¶ … health is affected by behaviors, economics, and social structure.
Health is affected by behaviors in that if good habits are formed from the latter, the former is then influenced positively. However, if practices like smoking and excess alcohol consumption, the former is impacted negatively. Williams and Torrens (2010) has noted that intake of alcohol "beyond a moderate level is associated with numerous physiological complications including cirrhosis of the liver, various cancers, intestinal disorders, and brain function deterioration…Alcohol abuse results in illness and injury to others, including-but certainly not limited to-vehicular accidents, workplace injuries, poor fetal outcomes associated with fetal alcohol syndrome, and spousal and child abuse." The dietary behaviors people make in their lives has an effect in their lives, for example it may cause "enhanced morbidity and mortality…elevated consumption of fat, sodium, and sugar, leading to an epidemic of obesity and associated problems" (Williams and Torrens, 2010). Health is also affected and shaped by one's sexual behavior, which may cause problems like STDS, AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, cancer, and infertility. Health has an impact on society and economics in that the former has "tremendous power in aiding the allocation of resources and in assessing the relative importance of various diseases, from both human and financial perspectives." (Williams and Torrens, 2010). Furthermore, health is affected by economics and social structure by those who are in the lower socioeconomic strata; their access to quality health care is reduced. The availability and able to acquire comfortable housing, quality foods to improve their diet, and their overall mental and physical health are low when people don't have the financial ability. However, those who are fiscally capable have...
Describe the three stages of medical technology development.
The three stages of medical technology development are that a background of a concept is laid out by theoretical research and experience. Next, a basic empirical research provides a framework of knowledge regarding the mechanisms needed, and "discovers points in a natural process that are susceptible to technological intervention, and suggests strategies for technological development" (OTA, 1976). The proceeding step is that the applied research is then directed to apply this basic knowledge to a practical purpose and will demonstrate the viability of the proposed technology. Once it was proven to be feasible and able to work, prototypes are constructed but this is where issues transferring the technology from the laboratory to the market arise. However, once the technological item of manufactured, its efficiency and ability to function is evaluated through field tests or discussions with potential users. Next, the object is marketed and if successful, adopted by a number of consumers and the public. Medical technologies undergo the basic steps of basic research, applied research and development, clinical testing, and diffusion.
3. Describe the major trends in population demographics over the past 80 years.
The major trends in demographics over the past 80 years are, according to U.S. Consumer Demographics, "the Baby Boom generation is aging. The most rapidly growing age segment in the U.S., is and will be, the 55" (2011) and that by 2015, the median age will be 37.4 years old but by 2030, it will plateau to 39. Demographic changes include the diversity and cultural makeup, which has grown the past years…
