Morbidity and mortality are broad subjects consisting of many parts that make the whole. As survival rates improve with modernization and populations age, mortality measures do not give an adequate picture of a population’s health status. Indicators of morbidity such as the prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities become more important (John Hopkins School of Public health, n.d.). While morbidity refers to your level of health and well-being, mortality is related to your risk of death. Morbidity doesn’t necessarily mean that your ill-health is immediately life-threatening. Over time, however, if an illness continues it may increase your risk of mortality (death).
There have been changes leading to different variations in morbidity and mortality in the United States. During the past century, many other chronic diseases were not able to be contained or minimized. Slight changes can occur in few years or many years. These morbidity changes could lead to understanding the impact of societal changes and life changes among U.S. communities. For example, the American Cancer Society (ACS), in its annual estimate of cancer deaths projected 2006 slight decline in the number of cancer deaths compared to estimates made for 2005 (Morbidity & mortality, 2006). Much of what was known about air contaminants and cancer come from occupational studies of workers who were highly exposed in the past, and could be identified and followed for long periods.
The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) suggests that a person’s behavior is determined by their intention to perform the behavior and that this intention is, in turn, a function of their attitude toward the behavior and subjective norms (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). The best predictor of behavior is intention or instrumentality (belief that the behavior will lead to the intended outcome). The theory of reasoned action can explain some of the reversal reduction of morbidity and mortality in the past century. Tremethick, Johnson & Carter (2011) explained quality end-of-life care as subjective and was based on people’s values. In many nations, advance directives are underused, leaving many vulnerable to end-of-life care that may be incompatible with their personal preferences. Through programs provided in the communities, individuals and older adults could be educated about advance directives, and the role they play in ensuring personal wishes are carried out relative to end-of-life care (Tremethick, Johnson & Carter, 2011). The application of the TRA is used as means of meeting the educational needs of older adults in regard to advance directives.
Other explanations further provide reversal effect of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. An article by Creanga et al. (2014) provides a brief overview of the work conducted by the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. The article presents the latest data and trends in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, as well as on maternal substance abuse and mental health disorders during pregnancy. Two relatively recent topics of interest in the Division include future directions of work in all related areas and adoption of best health practices.
Center for Disease Control. (2014). National Vital Statistics Report. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr63/nvsr63_05.pdf
Creanga, A. A., Berg, C. J., Ko, J. Y., Farr, S. L., Tong, V. T., Bruce, F. C., & Callaghan, W. M. (2014). Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in the United States: Where Are We Now?. Journal Of Women’s Health (15409996), 23(1), 3-9. doi:10.1089/jwh.2013.4617
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, Attitude, Intention, and Behavior: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
John Hopkins School of Public health. (n.d.). Mortality and Morbidity. Retrieved from http://ocw.jhsph.edu/courses/populationchange/pdfs/lecture6.pdf
Morbidity & mortality; American cancer society reports a drop in total U.S. cancer deaths. (2006). Life Science Weekly, 12(3). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/196150106?accountid=14872
Tremethick, M. J., Johnson, M. K., & Carter, M. R. (2011). Advance directives for end-of-life care and the role of health education specialists: Applying the theory of reasoned action. Global Journal of Health Education and Promotion, 14(1). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1730214324?accountid=14872
