Research Paper on Washington: A Progressive, Wealthy & Healthy State

Introduction

Washington is among the wealthiest and most progressive states in the United States. It is highly ranked in terms of life expectancy and employment levels. It has been on the forefront in controversial legislation including the legalization of marijuana use, abortion laws, and even euthanasia. It is ranked the fourth-best state in terms of healthcare whereby it has good healthcare access, quality and public health infrastructure. Only 1 in 7 residents residing in Washington does not have health insurance, while 73% of children between 19 and 25 months have received the standard immunization (...). Even though the state is highly ranked in terms of health; the leading causes of death vary depending on Gender, age or even ethnicity. The paper explores the leading causes of death among different genders, ages and ethnicities. The reasons for the disparities are also explored and explained.

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Mortality by Gender

The section analyzes the differences in mortality rates between males and females in Washington State. The three leading causes of death which are malignant neoplasm, heart disease and Alzheimer disease are analyzed.

Figure 1: Figure showing the causes of females deaths in 2015 (Source: CDC)

From the image, the leading cause of female deaths in 2015 was malignant neoplasm. It affected people from all races taking the lead at 45%. It was followed by heart disease at 37% while Alzheimer disease came third at 18%. While malignant neoplasm is the leading cause of death, there is no established reason why the occurrence is high. Heart disease in the state comes second as the leading cause of death. It is estimated that one in five women die of the condition (Wa.gov). The sedentary lifestyle that most people lead is directly attributed to it being a significant cause of death for the period. Alzheimer disease came third at 18%; the low rate of deaths caused by the disease may be attributed to the fact that it is likely to attack elderly women as compared to young ones (Alz.org). When Compared to a heart attack, which may be brought about by leading poor lifestyles, Alzheimer disease will likely strike due to the effects of age, genetics or environment over time.

Figure 2: figure showing the leading cause of male's deaths in Washington, 2015 (Source: CDC)

Among all races in Washington, Malignant Neoplasm is the leading cause of death among males. It is slightly higher compared to females since it stands at 46% compared to females where it stood at 45%. Heart disease comes second at 41% while unintentional injury comes third at 13%. The high rate of deaths from heart disease may be attributed to lifestyles that men lead. The number of male smokers is higher compared to females, thus the disparity. Male smokers are currently 14.8% of the population, while females are only 12.2% (kff.org). Moreover, men are more prone to secondhand smoke as compared to females. The risks of unintentional injury are higher in males due to occupational hazards. More males are involved in higher risks jobs as compared to females, thus the higher rates of accidental injury. (Curtis)

Figure 3: a figure showing the three leading causes of death by Gender in 2015 (Source: CDC)

From the image, it is evident that more women are dying of Alzheimer disease while men die of unintentional injury. Heart disease and malignant neoplasm are also leading killers among both genders. However, more men are dying from them as compared to women. In total, the number of men who died during the period is higher by 1167(CDC).

Reason for the Differences

As per Alzheimer.org, it is evident that women are more prone to carrying the Alzheimer burden as compared to men. 1 in 5 women is at risk of developing the condition as compared to 1 in 11 possibilities for men (Alz.org). Out of the 5 million people residing in the United States suffering from the disease, 3.2 are women. Women in their 60s are more likely to develop the condition as compared to breast cancer (Alz.org). The gap between men and women suffering from the disease has been attributed to life longevity. Women are more prone to the condition due to genetic makeup. The gene ApoE-4 increases the risk of the condition (Alz.org). Men who have the gene have a slightly increased rate as compared to men who do not have it (Alz.org).

A look at heart disease reveals that it is slightly higher in males as compared to females. The reason is classic risk factors are the same in both genders. Women and men have a nearly equal possibility of hypertension, i.e., one in three adults is likely to be affected. Diabetes mellitus is higher in women as compared to males; however, the women survival rate is higher (Heart.org). The percentage of women with a high level of lipoprotein cholesterol was only 9.7% as compared to men, where it stands at 29.5 % (Mosca, Barrett-Connor, & Wenger). The higher level of lipoprotein cholesterol may explain the slightly higher prevalence risk in men. Lifestyles vary by Gender, even though the level of cigarettes smoking has fallen, it remains a little more common among men. The level of physical activity has decreased over the years; two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese (Mosca et al.). The increase in obesity levels is higher in men as compared to women. A higher level of cholesterol and overweight explain why heart disease may be slightly higher in males (Mosca et al.)

Malignant neoplasm is higher in males as compared to females. Even though the difference is insignificant. It is worth to note that it was the leading cause of male deaths in Washington in 2015. The primary reasons include genetics, smoking, obesity, toxic chemicals, viruses, sun exposures or immune disorders (Mosca et al.). Among the mentioned causes, it is evident that men are more likely exposed to them, thus the slight difference in the number of deaths.

Unintentional injury brought about 1893 male deaths in 2015. From 1981 onwards, the rate of accidental injury has dropped to 2.15% (Sorenson). The explanation is gender patters of injury do not align with the social justice analysis of health. Lifestyle and Behavioral risk, including masculine socialization and merit consideration significantly contribute to unintentional injury and related deaths in males. (Sorenson)

Figure 4: top three causes of death base on Gender in 2015 (Source: CDC)

There is a significant difference between the numbers of deaths for the years 2015. The male deaths were slightly higher by1167 in 2015 (CDC). The explanation is based on the difference in the primary causes of deaths. Male's deaths were higher for heart disease, malignant neoplasm and unintentional injury while women led in Alzheimer disease. The primary disparity contributes to the different figures observed in totals.

Mortality by Age

The section looks at the leading causes of deaths among different age groups. The age groups looked into is 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61 and over. In some instances, gender differences are also examined into among the age groups.

Figure 5: death by age groups (1-15 years) in 2015 (Source: CDC)

Among all races, the leading cause of death for people aged 1-15 years is unintentional injury; the rate of death was 46%. Malignant neoplasm came second at 34% while suicide among the young was 20% (CDC). Malignant neoplasm causes a significant number of deaths among genders and between people of different ages.

Figure 6: an image showing the leading cause of death for people aged 16-30 in 2015 (Source: CDC)

A look at the image indicates that there is a significant difference between the leading causes of deaths. While unintentional injury remains the highest at 56%, it is evident that the rate has significantly risen as compared to the previous age group, where it stood at 46 % (CDC.). The 10% increase in death rates could be attributed to the higher number of teenagers engaging in risky activities. At this age, most of them are free from parental care, and they have to make life decisions on their own. Activities like driving, skiing or getting employed in casual labour increases the risk of unintentional injury (National Research Council)

The level of suicide is higher for people aged between 16-30 years as compared to those aged 1-15. Suicide is defined as the intentional decision to end one's life. At this stage, suicide comes second after unintentional injury as the leading death cause, exceeding malignant neoplasm. The increased level of suicide is attributed to independence that comes with age (National Research Council). More people acquire their driving license at 16 years of age and thus tasked with more responsibilities. The sudden surge in duties increases the level of stress, and many succumb to it (National Research Council). Homicide was the third leading cause of death at the stage. As per the national coalition against domestic violence, 20% of the victims were not the partners but external players such as the friends, family members or individuals who intervened (Wa.gov). 72% of all homicide murders involved an intimate partner, while 94% of the victims were females (CDC). The cause for the high numbers is attributed to relationships. As people in the age blanket establish relations, they may be grieved if the relations fail to materialize (gov.uk).

Figure 7: the leading cause of death for people aged 31-45 in 2015 (Source: CDC)

From figure 7, the death rates caused by unintentional injury dropped from 56% for the 16-30 age groups to 49% for the 31-45 age groups (CDC). The drop is attributed to professionalism and experience in labour or risky work. The rates of suicide also drop from 32% to 26% for the age group. The drop may be attributed to experience on how to handle life issues. The people in the age groups have better ways to handle heartbreaks, termination or homelessness (National Research Council). Moreover, people in the age bracket are well established, have created connections and know where to seek for guidance, thus the lower suicide level. The age blanket presents malignant neoplasm as the third leading cause of death. Malignant neoplasm is high in the first age group, drops in the second then rise in the third category.

Figure 8: leading cause of death for people aged 46-60 years in 2015(Source: CDC)

Compared to other groups, there is a significant change in the leading causes of deaths for the age group. In this age group, Malignant Neoplasm takes the lead with 53% while heart disease comes second at 29% (CDC). There is a significant difference between the two leading causes meaning that malignant neoplasm has a higher toll on the body at the age blanket. The unintentional injury comes third at 18% (CDC). A look at unintentional injury shows that it is lower for the 1-15 age blankets, it significantly raises for the 16-30 groups, slightly drops in the 31-45 category and further drops to 18% for the 46-60 age groups. The changes for this are attributed to more experience at work, thus able to use the tools. The low number of unintentional injuries for 46-60 years is attributed to a decline in participation in tasks that may expose one to injury (National Research Council).

The increased level of heart diseases and malignant Neoplasms are attributed to the lifestyle that people lead (Heart.org). Based on the job that one is in, they may be exposed to carcinogenic. The risk of heart disease is higher as people exercise less as they age. Abuse of drugs, hypertension or other heart issues that they may have had earlier are catching up with them, thus the reason for the increased number of heart disease and malignant neoplasms.

Figure 9: leading cause of death for people aged 61-85 years in 2015 (Source: CDC)

The age blanket is unique in that the causes of death are differe...