Analysis of COPD and Health Inequalities in Contemporary UK Society

This report examines Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) within the context of contemporary public health in the UK, focusing on health inequalities affecting vulnerable groups. It explores the extent and character of these inequalities, identifying socio-economic factors, gender variations, and ethnic disparities as key contributors. The report also delves into holistic factors influencing COPD levels, such as lack of knowledge, inadequate diagnosis, and ethical issues. It analyzes competing explanations for health outcome inequalities and proposes methods for reduction, including improved monitoring systems, policy implementation, and inter-sectoral coordination. Furthermore, the report appraises public health strategies aimed at enhancing the health, development, and well-being of individuals and communities, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions, community engagement, and sustainable policies. The report concludes by highlighting the importance of addressing inequalities to improve healthcare services and create a healthier society.

Contemporary public health

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
1. Extent of and character of health inequalities referring to vulnerable groups in relation to
COPD in...........................................................................................................................................3
UK...................................................................................................................................................3
2. Holistic factors that influence the health and level of COPD of vulnerable group in
contemporary...................................................................................................................................4
UK society......................................................................................................................................4
3. Competing explanations for inequalities of health outcomes and describe possible methods for
.........................................................................................................................................................6
reducing them.................................................................................................................................6
4. Appraise public health strategies which contribute to the health, development and well-being
of......................................................................................................................................................7
individuals, and communities.........................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Public health is a branch of science which deals with prevention of diseases thereby,
increasing the life expectancy of all the individuals in the overall population. Contemporary public
health refers to management strategies which are applied for prevention of various types of diseases
within a population. It also aims at improving healthcare services by enhancing and increasing
higher standards of living (Chrystyn, Small and Estruch, 2014). It also focuses on different social
and economical variables of health prevailing in today's generation which has both positive and
negative impact on healthcare practices and services. It identifies methods and plans to implement
community oriented primary care to all the individuals living in UK. Throughout the history, public
health organisations have been focussing on reducing and preventing communicable, non-
communicable, viral, bacterial and biological diseases (Gurman, Lebow and Snyder, 2015).
The report focuses on the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders in
Contemporary UK society. Further it will also study different health inequalities which is concerned
with the vulnerable group or diseased group of people residing in UK. The report will also explore
different health outcomes due to inequalities and various strategies adopted to reduce these
discrimination in UK.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in UK.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in UK is one of the most common and
prevalent respiratory disease which starts affecting individuals after the age of 32-35 years. Most of
the cases of COPD are not diagnosed before the age of 50 years. Every year more than 3 million
people are affected with COPD but only 27% of individuals are diagnosed in UK (Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2016). The main reason behind this is that many people confuse
the COPD symptoms with smoker's cough. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a syndrome of
various diseases including, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and lung disorders.
1. Extent of and character of health inequalities referring to vulnerable groups in relation to COPD
in
UK.
Health inequalities exists in all parts of the world with an increasing percentage in countries
like, UK, Scotland, Ireland and European countries (Hoaas, Andreassen and Zanaboni, 2016).
Although various health organizations such as NHS, local health authorities and education have
helped in tackling health inequalities in relation to COPD but there is a greater need to increase the
strategies in order to prevent discriminations at healthcare level in UK. The extent and character of

different health inequalities in relation to COPD are discussed below.
 UK is not only the country which is suffering from health inequalities, but there are many
other countries in the world who are subjected to inequalities in health sector (Hurst, Elborn
and De Soyza, 2015).
 The most important reason behind health equations and inequalities is the presence of socio-
economic groups that exist in different parts of the country.
 Individuals suffering from COPD in UK have higher potential for assets in diagnosis and
treatment which indirectly affects the health of vulnerable group (James, Petersen and
Donaldson, 2013).
 There are many reasons which contribute to health inequalities in UK. The foremost reason
is the difference in socio-economic class . All individuals are born with different
physiological stock which gradually depreciates with time (Lippiett, Gillett and Wilkinson,
2015).
 Diet, stress, smoking habits and exercises are also included in factors which contribute
towards health inequalities in UK (McMichael, 2013).
 Income, socio-economic groups, employment status, per capita income and educational
attainment are some variables which account for increasing inequalities in UK. These
discriminations have been narrowed in recent times but over the last ten years health
inequalities increased (Navarro, Kohl and Markel, 2016).
 The study suggested that discrimination in relation to COPD in UK have been increased to
13% in women and 7% in men by the end of 2011.
 These are not only noticed in individuals with socio-economic differences but it is also very
common in gender variations, ethnic groups, elderly people and individuals suffering from
mental health problems and learning impairments (Network, 2015).
 There is a greater need of subjecting different types of laws and policies which can
effectively eradicate the health inequalities. Discrimination at healthcare level is also one of
the major reasons which has increased the mortality rate of COPD patients in recent years
(Reducing health inequities, 2016).
2. Holistic factors that influence the health and level of COPD of vulnerable group in contemporary
UK society
There are many factors which are responsible for influencing the level of COPD and

health in population of UK suffering from COPD (Sørensen, Van den Broucke and Brand, 2012).
This includes lack of proper knowledge, inadequate diagnosis and evaluation,lack of proper
designs to diagnose and evaluate, improper communication and ethical issues.
 Due to lack of knowledge about COPD many individuals are confused with the symptoms of
COPD and smoker's cough. This further reduces the chances of diagnosis and recovery in
individuals suffering from chronic disorders (Thomas, Radwan and Marshall, 2014).
 Socio-economic difference in social groups is on of the most important reason which
influences the health in population of UK. People with low economic backgrounds are not
given assistance and treatment which further deteriorate the health conditions (Tiwari,
2016).
 A larger percentage of men are reported to suffer from COPD as compared to women.
Although the rate of females getting infected with COPD is much higher than men in UK.
 Gender variations and inequalities is also one of the prominent reason which influences the
level of COPD in both males and females (Chrystyn, Small and Estruch, 2014).
 Most of the cases of COPD and asthma in UK are not reported due to economic and social
variability that exist in UK. People who have assets and income to follow up the treatment
affects the vulnerable group in negative ways.
 According to baseline data and sources, a study suggested that out of 3 millions who suffer
from COPD every year in UK 12% of the cases are left unreported and undiagnosed due to
economic and social backwardness among different social groups that exist in UK (James,
Petersen and Donaldson, 2013).
 The main reason which COPD in individuals is excessive smoking habits and chewing of
tobacco. 90% of the people who suffer from the major symptoms of COPD are likely to be
unaware of reasons which causes COPD.
 Ethical issues and existence of inequality is also one of the factors which influence the
lifestyle, level of disease and health in the overall population of UK (Lippiett, Gillett and
Wilkinson, 2015). It has been reported that certain developed areas of UK are supported and
provided better healthcare services to all the people who are diagnosed with COPD.
 On other hand regions and areas which are under developed and poverty ridden lack all the
healthcare assistance and facilities which decreases the health issues in UK.

3. Competing explanations for inequalities of health outcomes and describe possible methods for
reducing them
Due to the existing health inequalities among different social groups the health issues have
been consistently rising (Thomas, Radwan and Marshall, 2014). Government of UK should enact
and implement different methods and strategies to reduce the health inequalities related to COPD in
UK. Different techniques and methods have been incorporated to address the issue of discrimination
at healthcare level.
 Inequalities in the field of health is generally noticed due to difference in various
distributions. UK is one of the countries which suffers from this issue because low income
generation in some areas of the country contribute to unfair healthcare service distributions
(Network, 2015).
 25% of the global disease burden is subjected due to economical and social distributions
which exist in major parts of UK.
 Only 3% of the total global health expenditure is accounted for healthcare services which
drastically affects the individuals suffering from COPD and other communicable and non-
contagious diseases (Gurman, Lebow and Snyder, 2015).
 In recent times, UK government has launched health inequalities prevention programs to
address the serious issues in all the parts of UK. An inter-sectoral coordination is required
among different healthcare organisations and local authorities to completely eradicate the
inequalities caused due to gender and socio-economic factors.
 In order to reduce health issue problems specially in relation to COPD in UK it is very
important to improve the monitoring systems which can report number of patients suffering
from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease each year in the country (Tiwari, 2016).
 A checklist of diagnosed individuals with COPD should also be maintained by the local
healthcare authorities so that effective treatment is provided to them.
 Different reasons which causes increased COPD cases should be addressed to create an
awareness among the citizens of all ages. It will help in reducing the rate of people suffering
from this disease each year.
 Government should implement policies which supports and provides equal healthcare
facilities to all the people irrespective of gender, annual income and social background
(McMichael, 2013).

4. Appraise public health strategies which contribute to the health, development and well-being of
individuals, and communities
Reducing health inequalities will directly contribute in increasing the healthcare facilities in
whole population of UK (Navarro, Kohl and Markel, 2016). A diseased free healthy society can
only be created by elimination the differences at gender, economic and social level. Different public
health strategies which can implemented to enhance health and development and well-being at
individual and communal level are discussed below.
 There is an urgent need for UK government to target those areas and communities which are
underdeveloped or considered as rural areas.
 Local authorities and healthcare organisations should make efforts to regain trust among
individuals who are residing in economically backward regions by providing them quality
healthcare services and assistance (Chrystyn, Small and Estruch, 2014).
 It is very necessary to maintain a connectivity and build strong relationship among members
of different social groups sot that the well-being of the overall population is increased.
 There is a great need of developing social and emotional awareness so that individuals are
capable of handling various issues independently.
 Various health promoting factors should be identified by healthcare professionals and care
homes to support the health and well being of the citizens of UK (Hurst, Elborn and De
Soyza, 2015).
 Effective policies and laws should be developed by healthcare legislations which help in
tackling and eradicating inequalities present in healthcare sectors.
 The shortcomings and factors which contribute in reducing healthcare services should be
identified so that the quality of services provided to individuals is not compromised (Tiwari,
2016).
 It is very necessary to develop strategies which are sustainable. It should be ensured that the
health outcomes produced by following strategies should not create a negative impact on
lives of the people in UK (James, Petersen and Donaldson, 2013).
 A Multi-strategy should be designed by the healthcare organisation which can include
training on weekly basis to increase the awareness among all the individuals living in rural
and backward communities.
 All the possible outcomes and influences should be taken into account to address all various
dimensions of healthcare issues which exist in UK.

 Inter-sectoral coordination and working is very important to promote better health care
services to all the individuals who are suffering from different diseases (Thomas, Radwan
and Marshall, 2014).
CONCLUSION
The above report mainly focussed on different issues related to Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease in UK. It included different variables and extent of health inequalities in
relation to COPD that affects the vulnerable group. It also focussed on various Holistic factors that
influence the health and level of COPD of vulnerable group in contemporary UK society. The study
included different types of inequalities which were based on gender, socio-economic backgrounds,
under-developed areas and communities in different part of the country. All these characteristics
have played a major role in increasing the health inequalities in recent times. The report also
contained a detailed study on different methods and strategies implemented by the government of
UK to reduce the health issues related to COPD. At last, the report was concluded by the study
based on various public health strategies and policies developed which can contribute and enhance
the health, development and well-being at individual and communal level in UK.

REFERENCES
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