Yuliya Shneyderman – HED 110 | Comprehensive Health Education

Culture and emotions

In our society in the US, we often view emotions in a particular way, and we don’t realize that different cultures will have different perspectives. We also live in a multicultural place, New York City, and often come across people from all over the world. To truly understand each other, we must know a bit about how cultures can shape emotions.

This article answers some questions about how culture impacts emotions – first, people in different cultures experience different emotions, and second, they may view these emotions different in the context of people’s lives (which emotion is good versus bad and what the purpose of these emotions might be). https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/201803/how-culture-shapes-emotions
You may have heard of emotions that people feel in other cultures like ennui or schadenfreude that we don’t have exact words for in English.

We also have studied whether how we express our emotions on our faces are similar across groups of people. View the video below to learn more.

Common relationship problems and conflict resolution

All relationships can sometimes have problems. Some common topics that lead to conflict or tension in relationships include: jealousy, sharing power and decision making, gender roles, finances, future plans, and unmet expectations. Some of these problems may lead to frustration and anger, which is normal – even healthy relationships have conflict. In some cases, these can be resolved with better communication. In other cases, the relationship may end through a break-up or divorce.

When discussing problems in a relationship, it’s important that people practice good communication like active listening and using “I” statements. Partners should have an open mind and be willing to really hear the other’s point of view. It can also be helpful to focus directly on the problem and come up with several possible solutions, then picking one to try. For some partners, relationship counseling may be helpful – https://psychcentral.com/health/when-to-seek-marriage-counseling.

Inevitably, most people will have to deal with at least one failed relationship in their lifetimes. It is normal to feel upset and grieve. Seeking social support, refocusing on one’s own goals, taking time before seeking other relationships are all normal and healthy ways to cope. https://psychcentral.com/relationships/coping-with-the-end-of-a-relationship. It is also good to continue focusing on maintaining and improving your mental health.

Disability

A disability is when a person’s condition makes it more difficult to complete certain tasks throughout the day. Disabilities can affect the mind or the body. Examples of disabilities include those that affect: movement, vision, hearing, learning, communicating, mental health and others. According to the Census Bureau, nearly 43 million people in the US had a disability in 2021.

People who are older, who live in the South and rural areas, who are of the American Indian/Alaskan Natives ethnicity are more likely to have a disability. People with disabilities tend to earn a lot less than those without. Read more facts about Americans with disabilities here: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/24/8-facts-about-americans-with-disabilities/.

The Disability Rights Movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 which provides for accommodations for persons with disabilities to be able to participate in society. There are limitations to this law, but it has expanded the access of persons with disabilities in many ways, like allowing for service animals in places of business, funding the creation of curb cuts for wheelchair accessibility, encouraging closed captioning for media, providing school accommodations for students with learning disabilities, and so on.

It is important to consider this population when it comes to health. People with disabilities can live healthy and fulfilling lives if their needs are met and they have accommodations available for school, work and everyday life. However, they tend to face discrimination, including medical discrimination, and thus are a special population that may need legal and societal protections.

Common chronic diseases

Many people will live with a chronic illness eventually. Some of these diseases affect one body system, and some may affect multiple. The medical and health professions may still be learning about some of these groups of conditions.

Cardiovascular diseases – these are diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. The most common of these is coronary artery disease caused by the narrowing or blockage of the arteries which supply blood to the heart. Others include: heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, and even cerebrovascular disease or stroke. Learn more here. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease.

Autoimmune disorders – this is a group of several different disorders in which the immune system of the body attacks its own cells. The symptoms may vary based on which cells are being attacked. Some examples include Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and others. Women are more at risk of having these disorders. https://www.healthline.com/health/autoimmune-disorders

Respiratory disorders – these diseases affect the respiratory system and can include things like asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and so on. In some cases, these disorders may be triggered by environmental factors – this includes infectious diseases like flu and RSV, as well as tobacco smoke, allergens, occupational exposures and so on. https://www.healthline.com/health/common-respiratory-diseases#common-respiratory-diseases

Diabetes – there are several types of diabetes, including type I and II, as well as gestational. In general, these diseases happen because of too high blood sugar, though causes vary from type to type. Treatments are available for diabetes, and in some cases, it can be prevented if detected in the early stages like prediabetes. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes

Chronic kidney disease – this disorder results from damage to the kidneys, which will be unable to filter the blood effectively. It can result from people having other chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, or family or personal history. When the kidneys no longer function properly, people may need to get regular kidney dialysis. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease

Alzheimer’s disease – this disorder is the most common form of dementia. The biggest risk factor for developing it is advanced age. Common symptoms include memory loss, difficulty completing familiar tasks, and changes in mood, personality, and behavior. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm

HIV – infection with the human immunodeficiency virus has become a chronic disease. Many people live long healthy lives while HIV positive. There are medications available to suppress the virus to very low levels, as well as prophylactic medications people can take to prevent infection. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/about/index.html

What is sexuality?

We each have a unique understanding of our sexuality and it includes a number of different aspects of our lives, including relationships and intimacy, sexual health and reproduction, sexual identity and others. Sexuality is something we have and develop throughout our lifetime. Look over the link for other definitions related to sexuality.

One holistic model of sexuality was created by Dr. Dennis Dailey and it’s called the 5 circles of sexuality.

Five overlapping circles: sensuality, intimacy, sexual identity, sexual health and reproduction, and sexualization. Sensuality - acceptance of one's own body, enjoyment of one's own body and the bodies of others. Intimacy - ability and need to experience emotional closeness to another human being. Sexual identity - development of who you are, including sex, gender, sexual orientation. Sexual health - attitudes and behaviors related to producing children, care and maintenance of sex and reproductive organs, health consequences of sexual behavior. Sexualization - use of sexuality to influence, control and manipulate others. — From Dennis Dailey, PHD (1981) Sexual expression and aging.

Read more about each circle of sexuality here – https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/sexualhealth/circlesofsexuality.pdf.

Suicide

Content warning: suicide and self-harm

When people direct harm against themselves and die because of it, this is called suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 19-24 and the third leading cause of death for children aged 15-18.

There are many risk factors for suicide, including a history or family history of mental illness, family violence, and having a gun in the home – read more here https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq/index.shtml.

Often, people thinking about harming themselves give indications, whether directly or indirectly. They may talk about planning something, or make references to harming themselves. Their moods and behaviors may change. They may start to use alcohol and drugs more.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these thoughts or feelings, getting help right away is vital. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be found here https://988lifeline.org/ and at the phone number 988. This was recently changed so that could easily dial this number to get help at any time. To find a mental health provider near you, go to SAMHSA’s site – https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ or check with your health insurance.

Healthy People 2020 and 2030

Our government and many health-related organizations put together a plan every 10 years to improve the health of the nation. This decade’s plan is called HealthyPeople 2030 – https://health.gov/healthypeople/about

Some of the main goals and target areas that Healthy People 2030 focuses on are:

Attain healthy, thriving lives and well-being free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death.
Eliminate health disparities, achieve health equity, and attain health literacy to improve the health and well-being of all.
Create social, physical, and economic environments that promote attaining the full potential for health and well-being for all.
Promote healthy development, healthy behaviors, and well-being across all life stages.
Engage leadership, key constituents, and the public across multiple sectors to take action and design policies that improve the health and well-being of all.

From: https://health.gov/healthypeople/about/healthy-people-2030-framework

It is important that we can measure how well the nation is achieving these goals. There are overall health and well-being measures, like life expectancy – https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/overall-health-and-well-being-measures; social determinants of health – https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health; and leading health indicators – https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/leading-health-indicators.

Leading causes of death

One way to track the health of the nation every year is with the leading causes of death which can be found here https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm for all ages in the United States. The rate of death is called mortality.

It takes time to fully finalize leading causes of death and the final figure for 2023 is not yet available. Patterns of leading causes of death have been changing with the arrival of COVID-19, which was was the third or fourth leading cause of death in the US since 2020.

We can also see how long people are expected to live – this is called life expectancy. Right now the average life expectancy is 77.5 years according to the CDC. You can also see differences by sex and ethnicity here – https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db328.htm.

Generally, life expectancy has been on the rise across most of the world, reflecting advances in medicine. However, in the US life expectancy has declined several years in a row, first as a result of the opiate epidemic, and then because of COVID-19 –https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/u-s-life-expectancy-compare-countries/.

In the Untied States, there exist health disparities – differences in health status and health outcomes in different groups. One of the missions of HealthyPeople 2030 is to achieve health equity, that is the improve health for all groups and to close the gaps that currently exist between groups. The CDC in partnership with many organizations, both public and private, work to reach health equity – find more information here https://www.cdc.gov/minority-health/racism-health/index-1.html.

What is health?

How would you define health? There are several interconnected and related
dimensions of wellness that are dynamic – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938. We can describe them as physical, emotional, mental/intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, financial, and occupational.

Model of determinants of health. In the middle of the image are biological factors, then individual lifestyle behaviors, then social and community networks, then socio-economic, cultural and environmental factors

What makes your health better or worse? All of the factors that influence
your health for better or worse, including your genetic code, your behaviors, and your environment, are called the determinants of health – https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Determinants-of-Health

Social determinants of health – https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm

To learn more about how social determinants of health can impact our lives,
watch this movie (this is optional). Go to the BMCC Library website – https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/library/ and click on Databases. Select Video Databases, then select Kanopy Streaming Videos. If you are not on campus, you will have to log in with your BMCC log-on (the same credentials you use to log into computers on campus). When you are in the Kanopy database, search for Unnatural Causes. Your result will say Collection on it. Watch the movie titled In Sickness and in Wealth.

Is the United States a healthy country? Many studies show that the United States spends a lot of money on average per person, but that health outcomes tend to be worse than similarly economically developed countries around the world. There are also many differences among individuals in health status in the US based on historic and current discrimination. Read more here – https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/health-rankings.

Stigma and mental illness

Content warning: suicide and abuse

There are certain times when mental illness becomes national news – when a celebrity or someone with a high profile mentions they are suffering, when someone in the public eye dies by suicide, and when there are news of mass shootings. While it is important that people speak up about and normalize their mental health, just like any other dimensions of their health, the fact is that a societal stigma against people with mental illness persists.

Dr. Freidman writes about mental illness stigma and why it needs to be a national priority here – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201405/the-stigma-mental-illness-is-making-us-sicker .

Stereotypes about people suffering with mental illness persist and can lead to a delay in people seeking help, social isolation, and a higher risk of suicide. Check your understanding about mental illness with this quiz.

You can help combat stigma by speaking up when you hear harmful stereotypes about people with mental illness, and by reaching out to those in your life who may be in need of support.

Author: Yuliya Shneyderman