Demographic Paper

Demographic Paper Introduction As our nation’s population continue to grow, we also see that the cost of health care continues to grow. More people are aging and at the same time, more people are getting sick with chronic diseases. Herein, the demographics have impacted and influenced the health care market, wellness program, services rendered, and challenges associated with health care program. Cultural Demographics Pasadena is where I live and it is a beautiful city which is located 10 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. To the north, the city is bordered by the San Gabriel Mountains and other cities like South Pasadena, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, San Marino, Glendale, and Altadena. Pasadena is made up of diverse community. According to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey Estimates that, “55.8% are white, 33.0% are Latino, 13.4% are African-American, 12.7% are Asian, 0.5% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.0% are Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 17.5% are some other race.” (Retrieved at http://cityof Pasadena.net/Pasadena_Facts_and_ Statistics) Age Breakdown The 2005-2007 American Community Survey Estimates that, “The population by age is: under 5 years, 9,083; 5-9 years, 7,098; 10-14 years, 7,422; 15-19 years, 7,638; 20-24 years, 9,990; 25-34 years, 22,249; 35-44 years, 21,812; 45-54 years, 19,690; 55-59 years, 8,364; 60-64 years, 5,561; 65-74 years, 8,246; 75-84 years, 6,320; 85 years and over, 2,281.” (Retrieved at www.cityofpasadena.net/Pasadena_Facts_and_Statisctics) Demographics and Age Affects the Local Health Care Market “The median age is 36 years old.” This simply means that there are more working people that don’t have time to prepare homemade cooking instead they rely on fast foods most of the time which could be a health issue. Unhealthy eating problem that could lead to obesity. There are many factors that could cause obesity and primarily is genetics and family history with poor eating habits and limited education. Secondly, is the behavioral and social risk factors which lack of physical activities and poor nutrition. Major Health Needs of the Community
Obesity/Overweight
As Klein (2004) stated, “Obesity is defined as the percentage of adults ages 18 and older who self-report Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30.0.” (p. 201). It is a condition which has an abnormal and unhealthy proportion of body fat. Also, it reduces life expectancy and increases the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Diabetes
According to Zhang (2014), “Diabetes also lowers life expectancy by up to 15 years, increases the risk of heart disease by two to four times, and is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and adult-onset blindness.” (p. 56). Also, diabetes could be associated with being overweight, high blood sugar (or glucose), high blood pressure, physical inactivity, smoking, unhealthy eating habit, race, gender, age, and family history.

Hypertension As Zhang (2014) noted, “Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher”. “High blood pressure if untreated, can lead to heart failure, blood vessel aneurysms, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and vision changes or blindness.” (p. 212). It is also associated with eating high in salt and fatty foods, high cholesterol level, smoking, drinking excessively, obesity, and physical inactivity. People who have had a stroke previously are at higher risk of developing hypertension as well. Comparison of Community to the National Health Care Market Obesity has risen to epidemic levels in the

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