Smoking and COPD: Health Inequalities, Policies, and Nurse Role

This report delves into the critical relationship between smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), highlighting its increasing prevalence and the associated health inequalities within the UK, with a specific focus on Essex. It explores the causes of smoking, its effects on health, and the pathophysiology of COPD. The report analyzes existing policies and campaigns, both global and regional, aimed at addressing smoking-related health issues. It emphasizes the crucial role of nurses in educating patients, providing holistic care, and utilizing health promotion models to encourage smoking cessation. Furthermore, the report discusses the importance of understanding health inequalities, such as higher smoking rates among low-income groups, and suggests recommendations for improved public health strategies, including training for nurses in health promotion models to effectively support patients in quitting smoking.

Smoking and COPD.

 Behaviour/Topic: Smoking
 Disease: COPD

Introduction
 In present era, habit of smoking is increasing
day by day.
 There are many reasons behind the habit of
smoking which includes stress, unemployment,
personal issues, etc.
 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease is one
of the most common health problem which
causes due to smoking.

Definition of smoking
 It is a kind of practice in which some
substances are burned and the result is smoke
which is absorbed into the bloodstream.
 It causes various disease like coronary heart
disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary, etc.
 It affects the respiratory system negatively due
to the inhalation of smoke which effects the
lungs.

Target Audience
 Young adults of age group 15 to 25 years of UK
and Essex.
 This group might not be at risk but it is essential
to bring awareness regarding the health issues
in future.

Rationale of the choice of behaviour
 According to the British Lung Foundation, 2013,
smoking is causing 80% to 90% of COPD.
 NICE 2013 found that, smoking is the main
reason of preventable illnesses and premature
deaths.
 In 2013, North East England has the highest
percentage of smoking 22.3 whereas South
East England had the lowest rate with 17.2%

Statistics
 There are more than 8 million smokers are
present in the England in present time.
 In UK, two-third of the smokers starts smoking
cigarettes before the age of 18.
 In Essex adult smoking prevalence is
approximate 18.7%.

Brief Pathophysiology definition of
behaviour/disease
 Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease is characterized by
symptoms of lung conditions that makes a person difficult to
inhale and exhale breathe out of lungs (Edelman, Mandle
and Kudzma, 2013).
 This can lead to shortness of breath or breathlessness.
 It can also be used to describe a person who is suffering
from emphysema or chronic bronchial asthma.

Signs and Symptoms
 The major signs and symptoms of COPD is secretion of sputum, difficulty in
breathing and prolonged cough every time (Cauchi and Mamo, 2012).
 It is very difficult to identify whether COPD exists in different types or not
because it can be divided into emphysema, bronchial asthma or other lung
disease.
 Other symptoms may include high pressure on arteries and lungs, obstructive
air flow and tightening of chest.
 Treatment
 COPD can be treated by relieving the symptoms of disease with the help of
inhaler so that breathing becomes easier for the individual who is suffering
from COPD (Carter and et.al., 2011).
 With the help of Pulmonary rehabilitation, it can improve the capacity of
exercising so that symptoms will be reduced.

Causes and effects of behaviour on
health and disease
 Increased depression and anxiety
 Change in body image
 Change in lifestyle patterns (Rongen, Robroek and Burdorf, 2013)
 Loss of self esteem and confidence
 Impatient behavior

Risk Factors
 Exposure to smoking and chewing of tobacco
 Person encountered with asthma has the habit of smoking (Haber, 2013)
 Exposure to dust
 Genetics and Hereditary
 Age related factors

What is health
 Health includes state of physical, mental and
social well being not simply the absence of
illness.