Lifespan management in the United States refers to the reduction of deaths among the American populations by making them live longer and comfortably. The management includes those populations experiencing health challenges such as cancer patients. Examples of American populations that need lifespan management include Whites and African Americans.
The reason for disparities in health among Whites and African Americans is that these two populations have different access to better healthcare. The difference, for example, is that the Whites have more access to better healthcare than African Americans (Steele, 2018). This is influenced by the fact that poverty levels are high among African Americans than Whites. Another difference between Whites and African Americans is that the former population is more likely to have a better diet and nutrition than the latter population. The factor towards poor diet is the unemployment rate, which is higher among African Americans. The element of employment is applicable since it is through employment that people earn income that enables them to have a proper diet and nutrition (Lariscy, 2016). Typically, individuals with better income levels tend to observe better nutrition than those with low or no income.
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Demographics in lifespan management play the role of determining accessibility to healthcare. African Americans may, for example, have less access to healthcare than Whites due to the high poverty levels that exist in this population (Barry, 2016). The high poverty level is influenced by low educational standards that hinder members from employment. Also, demographics affect lifespan management as an indirect influence through crime rates. A population that is mainly made up of African Americans, for example, is more likely to experience high crime rates than a Whites only population. The high level of unemployment could influence the high crime rates in this particular population (Steele, 2018). A community with high levels of crime rates is more likely to be characterized with shorter lifespan since its members are exposed to factors that lead to death, such as shootings.
The effect of culture on lifespan management is on its influences on the attitude that different populations have on diet and nutrition. A population that, for example, believes that red meat is unhealthy, is more likely to avoid red meat than a population that has no negative beliefs towards red meat. Such societal views are passed from one generation to another through parental education (Lariscy, 2016). The belief held by any population is reinforced by the negative consequences that they observe happening to members of their community who act contrary to it. Seeing some of their members suffer diseases associated with eating red meat influences a population to stick to their beliefs.
Another effect of culture on lifespan management is its influence on beliefs that populations have towards different lifestyles. A population that has a negative attitude towards smoking of marijuana is more likely to have a negative attitude towards this lifestyle activity. In contrast, a population that has a positive attitude towards this activity is more likely to have members engaging in the lifestyle (Barry, 2016). Like in the case of the red meat, the effects that individuals of a population observe on members who smoke or avoid marijuana determines how strong their attitudes are.
Examples of communication techniques used by America's diverse populations include asking questions and also listening attentively to informative conversations. Americans are, for example, compelled to ask questions whenever they feel like there is a need for clarification to be made. This could be during health campaigns when healthcare professionals educate or create awareness to the public concerning particular diseases (Steele, 2018). The significance of attentive listening is that it prevents Americans from missing vital information about their health.
Differences in demographics affect the genetic makeup of individuals, which is crucial when it comes to exposure to particular diseases. The genetic difference between African Americans and Whites is the main reason as to why Blacks are more likely to suffer from cancer when compared to Whites. (Lariscy, 2016). Moreover, it means that an individual born black is less likely to live longer than other races when cancer risk is put into consideration. Additionally, differences in demographics contribute to change in communication through different exposure conditions among children. Children exposed to unhygienic conditions, for example, when young tend to have a shorter lifespan than those brought up in a clean environment. Unhygienic conditions increase the likelihood of suffering from diseases. Parents that bring up their children under unsanitary conditions are mainly the poor (Barry, 2016). Most of the diseases that result from unhygienic conditions, such as cholera, are fatal, hence reducing the lifespan of the affected individuals.
References
Barry, K. L., & Blow, F. C. (2016). Drinking over the lifespan: Focus on older adults. Alcohol research: current reviews , 38 (1), 115.
Lariscy, J. T., Nau, C., Firebaugh, G., & Hummer, R. A. (2016). Hispanic-white differences in lifespan variability in the United States. Demography , 53 (1), 215-239.
Steele, I. H., Thrower, N., Noroian, P., & Saleh, F. M. (2018). Understanding suicide across the lifespan: a United States perspective of suicide risk factors, assessment & management. Journal of forensic sciences , 63 (1), 162-171.
