Federal and local Health Agencies

The goal of this homework assignment is for each student to become familiar with a chronic disease, and specifically the role of Federal and local Health Agencies in addressing this disease as a public health issue.

Select one disease to explore. There are several chronic diseases discussed in the textbook. You may also select a disease of particular interest to you, or go to the NIH website and find something new.

1. 1) What disease did you select. Provide the name and a brief discussion of the health effects. Specifically address if the effects of the disease change, progress and become worse across the lifetime.
2. 2) Go to the NIH and CDC websites. (You may access the Mayo Clinic website as well for general information)
   1. Is this disease addressed by one of the center’s within that Agency
   2. Does the Agency provide an overview of the disease and their effortsto address it? If so, what actions are being taken? Can you classify these as Primary Secondary or tertiary prevention?
3. 3) Do either of these agencies provide fact sheets or Public Health information on this disease? (Please attach)a. Summarize the main points
   b. What aspects of disease prevention are discussed?
   c. Are treatment options presented?
   d. From the above, discuss available options for Primary ,Secondary orTertiary Prevention.
4. 4) Go to the Research Pages of the NIH and CDC websites. Are there any research efforts ongoing for the disease or class of diseases?
5. 5) Search your state and county website – Is this disease or a class of related diseases addressed by your local and state Health departments. If so, provide a brief summary and attach the information. If not, speculate as to why the condition is not addressed at that level for the general population.