The aging process confers many limitations on any organism which is affected by it. Many structures within the body eventually become brittle and unstable, and skeletal structure is one of the major systems that is affected by aging the most. The weakening of bones in one’s organism is called osteoporosis, and it is a major global health issue. This essay discusses the possibility of slowing down or preventing osteoporosis.
As the human population on average became older, health complications that become regular late in life turned into a massive problem. The process of aging includes the degeneration of skeletal mass, which makes older people more susceptible to bone breaks and fractures (Chin & Ima-Nirwana, 2016). Several causes affect the bone structure in older people, such as hormone deficiency, inflammations, and oxidative stress (Chin & Ima-Nirwana, 2016). Osteoporosis is often encountered in people with unhealthy lifestyles who were not educated on the potential diseases from it.
Thus said, some of the factors that cause osteoporosis are preventable, and their effects are reversible through proper diet and exercise. To lessen the severity of this health problem, it is crucial to convey the impact that healthy food and a moderate amount of physical activity have on health. To achieve this effect, governments across the globe must modernize their community health programs (Nguyen, 2016). Nguyen (2016) suggests that “increasing calcium intake and weight-bearing exercises” are the primary methods for rising bone density (p. 19). Moreover, the study by Chin and Ima-Nirwana (2016) suggests that “live polyphenols have the potential to be developed as bone protective agents” (p. 9). Therefore, by promoting a healthy lifestyle and explaining the importance of exercises among communities that are the most prone to the development of osteoporosis, this disease can be prevented.
In conclusion, it is possible to reduce the rates of osteoporosis among the older population. However, people need to make significant changes to their behavior, which is troublesome to implement and make it become the norm. Nguyen (2016) recommends that “more research is needed to investigate further and advance the effectiveness” of community health programs (p. 30). Higher accessibility of calcium-rich products and physical education among older people could be the answer to that. In the meantime, merely raising awareness about the issue and promoting healthy behavior can prevent some cases of osteoporosis.
The safety of water is a necessary step in the establishment of a healthy population. Access to pure water is not a simple precaution, and it is one of the fundamental human rights. Modern civilization has developed numerous ways to decontaminate water efficiently. However, it is still challenging for people in some countries to obtain pure water, and sometimes these contaminants can appear in more developed countries as well. People need to understand what inorganic contaminants can be found in water, what health issues they can cause, and what are the primary methods for their treatment. This paper discusses the topic of inorganic contaminants, what problems they pose to society, and ways of their removal.
Several major contaminant minerals pose a severe health risk to humans. They include arsenic, nitrates from agricultural activities, metalloids, and various industrial byproducts (Fluence News Team, 2019). Their presence causes such health issues as damaged skin, weakened immune system, problems with the circulatory system, and higher risks of cancer (Fluence News Team, 2019). Jennings and Duncan (2017) state that “children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of unsafe drinking water, which include not only the diarrheal disease but also diseases linked to inorganic pollutants” (p. 1029). While the importance of clean, safe drinking water is evident, it can be hard to achieve in some cases.
Modern civilization has sophisticated quality control and monitoring methods regarding the purity of water, yet it is prone to be compromised due to various factors. To keep water safe for everyone, people must be knowledgeable about the effects of its potential contaminants and must not tolerate any behavior that can compromise its purity. Jennings and Duncan (2017) argue that “societies are obligated to make resources available and to prohibit conduct that violates this right, even if lower priority must be given to other social interests” (p. 1032). The reduction of contaminants, including inorganic ones, is a global effort, and people should be mindful of this topic.
In conclusion, the safety of water can be guaranteed by constant surveillance of its state, strict laws and policies regarding its purity, and communal responsibility. It is unwise to put any socioeconomic factor over water decontamination, as this sacrifice will lead to weakened health of an entire population, which, in turn, will cause higher expenses on arising issues. Citizens must not hesitate and test their tap water at the slightest suspicion about its state, as some contaminants are barely recognizable by human senses. By working together with health experts, people can prevent a significant portion of health risks that arise from inorganic and other contaminants.
References
Fluence News Team. (2019). Water contaminants and their treatment. Fluence. Web.
Jennings, B., & Duncan, L. L. (2017). Water safety and lead regulation: Physicians’ community health responsibilities. AMA Journal of Ethics, 19(10), 1027-1035. Web.