System Thinking Through Iceberg Model: Appalachian Mortality Study

This report examines the increasing mortality rates in Appalachian coal mining communities, utilizing the Iceberg Model as a system-thinking tool to identify underlying patterns and contributing factors. The study focuses on the high incidence of lung cancer, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues prevalent in these areas, comparing them to national averages. The report presents statistical data and graphs illustrating the elevated mortality and morbidity rates, and it also analyzes trends over time. The analysis considers the environmental complexities associated with coal production and its impact on the health of the communities. Furthermore, the report acknowledges the recent decline in health issues and fatal accidents, reflecting the improved governmental approaches towards the region. The report concludes by summarizing the findings and emphasizing the critical link between environmental factors and public health in the Appalachian coal mining communities.

Running head: SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 1
SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG
MODEL
(Research on Mortality Rate in Appalachian Coal
Mining Communities)
Name of Student:
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Word Count: 750
Reference Style: APA

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 2
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
1. Event......................................................................................................................................4
2. Patterns...................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
References................................................................................................................................11

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 3
Introduction
Iceberg model is considered as one of the system-thinking tools that helps group or
individual in discovering several patterns. The patterns, which are discovered by this tool, are
supporting structure, behaviour and mental models. Such patterns are associated with a
specific event. The current study is based on the system-thinking process of the Appalachian
coal mining communities in terms of mortality rate.

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 4
1. Event
In case of an event, the key observing area is that the mortality rate in Appalachian
coal mining communities is rapidly increasing. In the coal mining areas of Appalachia, both
the mortality and morbidity rates are higher with compare to the rest of the country. In order
to mention the diseases, which are responsible for the higher mortality rate in this coal mining
area, it is indeed essential to mention lung cancer. The mortality rate for lung cancer is
significantly higher with compare to the non-Appalachian area, which also has heavy coal-
mining activities (Hendryx & Holland, 2016).
The high mortality rate from lung cancer has been identified as one of the reasons
behind the high population density in Appalachian coal mining areas with compare to the
surface mining areas. Along with lung cancer, there are several other types of disease, which
have been the causes of the high mortality rate in those areas. They are indicative of the
chronic lung, heart and kidney disorders. Such disorders are associated with being measured
as per tons of coal manufactured in every county (Richmond, 2019).
Along with cardiovascular disorders in Appalachian coal mining areas, the obstructive
pulmonary disease has been another reason that causes high mortality and morbidity rate in
that zone. In addition, hypertension is associated with creating the situation of morbidity
among coal mining communities in Appalachia. Moreover, tooth decay and loss are also
counted in the list of causes regarding higher morbidity rate (Richmond, 2019). However, in
order to present the evidence related to the high mortality rate in Appalachia, the statistical
data is shown below:

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 5
Figure 1: High rate of cancer in Appalachia in the year 1999-2007
(Source: Appalachian Voices, 2019)
With the help of the graph, the key observing area is that the total number of annual
deaths from cancer is 60,000 within the year 1997 to 2007 (Appalachian Voices, 2019).

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 6
Figure 2: High rate of lung cancer and respiratory diseases in Appalachia in the year
1999-2007
(Source: Appalachian Voices, 2019)
Through the graph, the main aspect is that the total number of annual deaths from
lung cancer and respiratory diseases is leading within the year 1997 to 2007 (Appalachian
Voices, 2019).
Figure 3: High rate of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease in Appalachia in the year
1999-2007
(Source: Appalachian Voices, 2019)
Based on the graph, the key point is that the total number of annual deaths from heart
attacks and cardiovascular disease is more than 700 within the year 1997 to 2007
(Appalachian Voices, 2019).
The overall mortality rate, in Appalachian coal-producing regions, for all causes,
within the year 2000-2015, is shown below:

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 7
Figure 4: All-cause mortality rate in Appalachian Coal-Producing Regions in the year
2000-2015
(Source: ARC, 2019)
2. Patterns
In the past few years, the identified health issues have been declined significantly. In
order to present the perception, the graphical scenario is made below:

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 8
Figure 5: The decreasing rate of health issues in Appalachian Coal-Producing Regions
(Source: CDC, 2019)
With the help of the above pictorial presentation, the key observing area is that the
declination in health issues have taken place in the year 2010-2014. In more precise words,
the identified health issues, such as, the chronic cardiovascular disease, obstructive
pulmonary disease and cancer, have been decreased over time, significantly (CDC, 2019).
Further, the decreasing rate of fatal coal mining accidents is made below for showing
the improved governmental approach towards Appalachian coal-producing regions:

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 9
Figure 6: The decreasing rate of fatal coal mining accidents in Appalachia
(Source: Broadcasting, 2019)
Based on the picture above, it can be noticed that the ultimate declination of fatal
coal-mining incidents has been in the year 2017 (Broadcasting, 2019).

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 10
Conclusion
Based on the system-thinking process regarding mortality rate in Appalachian coal
mining communities through Iceberg model, it can be made as a conclusive statement that
due to the environmental complexity of such coal-producing regions, the mortality rate has
been increased. Different types of health issues have been recognised in the study in order to
highlight the mortality rate. In addition, the causes of the morbidity rate in that area have
been mentioned, significantly.

SYSTEM THINKING THROUGH ICEBERG MODEL 11
References
Appalachian Voices. (2019). Human Health Impacts > Appalachian Voices. Retrieved 2
October 2019, from http://appvoices.org/end-mountaintop-removal/health-impacts/
Broadcasting, P. (2019). 3 Miners Dead In 11 Days: Grim December Caps Year in Coal Mine
Safety. Retrieved 2 October 2019, from https://www.wvpublic.org/post/3-miners-
dead-11-days-grim-december-caps-year-coal-mine-safety#stream/0
Hendryx, M., & Holland, B. (2016). Unintended consequences of the Clean Air Act:
Mortality rates in Appalachian coal mining communities. Environmental Science &
Policy, 63, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2016.04.021
CDC. (2019). Respiratory Diseases. Retrieved 2 October 2019, from
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/RespiratoryDiseases.html
ARC. (2019). Retrieved 2 October 2019, from
https://www.arc.gov/assets/research_reports/CIE1-
OverviewofCoalEconomyinAppalachia.pdf
Richmond, S. (2019). Retrieved 2 October 2019, from
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://
scholar.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1905&context=honors-theses