For many centuries, humanity has been struggling with various epidemics, such as the plague, yellow fever, and others. During this time, people have developed many measures and tools that can reduce the risks of the disease and stop the spread of it. However, one of the main difficulties is that not all people have access to widespread medicine. In addition, many are not even aware of the danger. In particular, one of the critical problems is the high level of disease among negros, which has a significant impact on the population of the South. The purpose of this paper is to describe the problem, find its causes, and propose measures to eliminate it.
Now the government is concerned about the issues related to public health. Berridge (2016) states that “it refers to the health of a population, the longevity of individuals, and their freedom from disease” (p. 2). One of the particular problems is that at present some diseases are much more widespread among black people. Researchers state that it is “the most serious and the most difficult health problem with which the people of the South are confronted” (Warner & Tighe, 2001, p. 250). First, it has a substantial negative effect on the black race: people transmit diseases to each other and cannot cope with them. Second, this poses a great danger to humanity as a whole, since diseases are also transmitted to people of other races. Thus, the spread cannot be stopped, and everyone is at risk.
Diseases such as tuberculosis, gonorrhea, or syphilis are sometimes found in the disadvantaged areas of cities where people of color live. From there, they spread these diseases to the entire city. Contacts with infected people can occur in transport, in stores, at work, and in other public places. Unfortunately, this situation is a response to the days of slavery because since then, black people still stay apart. Statistics show, for example, that they are more prone to tuberculosis, but during slavery, the situation was different. What, in this case, affects the current state of affairs?
The fact is that slavery was associated with a high level of discipline, so people carefully monitored order, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and other things. Thanks to this, the level of human immunity increased, and diseases could not have a significant effect on them. Unfortunately, after getting rid of slavery, many people could not competently take control of their lives within the framework of the freedom that had formed. This led to irresponsible behavior, which, among other things, affected the health of the inhabitants of the South. Thus, now negros are indeed much more likely to be affected by various viral diseases.
Although the scale of the problem is large, there are many ways to solve it. One of the essential things in this situation is information. Many people who live an unhealthy and irresponsible life do not always realize the danger they and others are exposed to. They may feel psychological discomfort, but do not even think that their lifestyle can affect their health. Thus, firstly, the educational process itself will positively impact the intellectual abilities and awareness of the negros. Secondly, having an education, these people will be able to get a job. There they can get even more information about culture, purity, discipline, responsibility, etc. This is a long and complex process, but thanks to education, many people have already become more conscious of their lives and their health.
The easiest way to organize such education is undoubtedly the education of children in schools. Smith (2017) suggests that there are “four elements that are essential for any equity-based education: access, process, achievement, and transfer” (p. 46). However, the main problem is not in children, but in adults. For this reason, one of the ways of teaching negros is the creation of specific clubs dedicated to a healthy and rational lifestyle. The list of topics discussed at meetings of such clubs should be as long as possible. People need to learn about the diseases themselves, about hygiene, about adhering to a schedule, about the effect of bad habits on health.
Besides, it would be useful to teach people simpler everyday things that will help them make life more organized. Such items include, for example, cleaning, cooking, or caring for children. The number of topics is not limited; something new can always be found. The main thing is to correctly convey information to people and make them understand how important this is. In this case, the initiative will come from them, and they will be interested in changing the basics of their lives themselves.
Thus, there are simple and understandable ways to stop the spread of disease among people of color. In this situation, the main thing is awareness and control, which will allow people to look at the problem as a whole. When people get a proper education, they will become more conscious and even happier. Only then will they have the opportunity to change their lives and the lives of other people who are also in a difficult situation.
References
Berridge, V. (2016). Public health: a very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
Smith, W. D. (2017). Black education: a quest for equity and excellence. Routledge.
Warner, J. H., & Tighe, J. A. (2001). Major problems in the history of American medicine and public health: documents and essays. Houghton Mifflin.