Social Determinants of Disease and the Measles Outbreak Essay

Measles OutbreakIntroductionIn 2019, the United States experienced a significant measles outbreak that swept across various states, including the CDC\'s Region C, with a notable impact in Florida. This paper discusses the Measles outbreak in CDC Region C during 2019 by looking at the specifics of the outbreak, the timeline of the outbreak\'s discovery, and its spread to other regions. It also describes the risk factors associated with the outbreak, the route of transmission of measles, and the epidemiological determinants that contributed to the spread of the disease.Risk Factors, Transmission, and Epidemiological DeterminantRisk FactorsRisk factors for the measles outbreak include the social determinants of disease, such as housing, access to care, malnutrition, low socioeconomic status, education, and so on. Another critical risk factor, however, was international travel. People traveling to and from regions where measles is more prevalent may have brought the disease into the United States, including Florida, which has several hubs for international travel, such as Miamis international airport, and many ocean ports. Travelers may have unknowingly carried the disease to the States.Route of TransmissionMeasles is known for its high level of contagiousness and spreads primarily through respiratory droplets. These droplets are expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can be inhaled by others nearby. The virus can also survive on surfaces for several hours, meaning that touching a contaminated surface and then touching the face can lead to infection. This ease of transmission contributes to the rapid spread of measles in populations (Bosetti et al., 2020).Epidemiological DeterminantIn some communities, there are groups that are more susceptible to measles, due to age, medical conditions, or socio-economic factors that limit access to healthcare. For example, certain socio-economic groups may have less access to healthcare services, leading to higher susceptibility in these populations. This concentration of susceptible individuals can create a scenario where even…

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…education is crucial. Educating the public about the importance of measles vaccination and dispelling myths about vaccine safety can increase vaccination rates. Second, community vaccine promotion is essential. Organizing and promoting vaccination campaigns, especially in areas with low vaccination rates, can help achieve herd immunity. These strategies are not only about preventing measles but also about strengthening the overall public health infrastructure to manage and prevent other infectious diseases (Bosetti et al., 2020).ConclusionIn conclusion, the 2019 measles outbreak in CDC Region C impacted schools, local governments, businesses, and healthcare systems, and its spread likely was facilitated by the social determinants of disease. The comparison with international outbreaks highlights the importance of having a strong healthcare infrastructure and preventive care programs in place that address the relevant social factors. The effective management of this outbreak through coordinated reporting protocols and the implementation of targeted prevention strategies, such as patient education and community vaccine promotion, should…