Hhs 200 Assignment Health Disparities

Health DisparitiesStudent’s NameInstitution AffiliationIntroductionRheumatoid arthritis, a systemic autoimmune condition characterized by degradation and inflammation of synovial joints affects approximately 0.6 percent of adults in the United States (Helmick et al., 2008). It is the leading cause of disability and imposes a significant health burden to the American public health sector (Kirkhorn, Greenlee, & Reeser, 2003). Research studies shows that various extrinsic factors such as smoking, lifestyle, environmental factors, among others are predisposing factors for the development of RA in genetically predisposed individuals. Example, research by Xu, & Lin, (2017) shows a high association between prevalence and incidence of RA among cigarette smoking individuals. Epidemiological studies shows that the prevalence of RA is approximately one percent in the world but this figure vary in different ethnic populations (Helmick et al., 2008). In America, the prevalence of RA is estimated to be 0.6 percent in adults above 18 years and 2 percent in adults above 60 years (Helmick et al., 2008).Multivariable data analysis from United States National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) shows that rheumatoid arthritis is positively associated with old age, regular smoking, obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes (Xu,& Lin, 2017). In addition, individuals covered by health