2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Online Program

338932
Health Education to Prevent Age-related Macular Degeneration in the US population


Monday, November 2, 2015

Dewan Raja, MBBS, MPHIL, MPH, CHES, Live Sciences, Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida, Port Orange, FL
Bahar Sultana, MBBS.MPH, Live Sciences, Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida, Port Orange, FL
Background: The age-related macular degeneration is an important cause of irreversible vision loss among elderly people, who gradually lose their central vision. Eventually, a person with macular degeneration finds it difficult to read, drive or recognize acquainted faces. The exact cause of acute macular degeneration is unknown. About 6.5 % of US population over the age of 40 suffers from age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration is a grave public health concern for the elderly aging white population. By 2050, the projected number of total US population with age-related macular degeneration is expected to reach to a range between 2.07 million to 5.44 million. .

 Objectives: 1. To defescribe the scope of health education in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration.2. To identify the predisposing factors preventing age-related macular degeneration.

Method: We reviewed multiple relevant literatures from PubMed and end note with macular degeneration as the key word.

Outcome: Age-related macular degeneration can be prevented by cessation of smoking, maintaining ideal body weight, regulating serum cholesterol level, controlling diabetes and hypertension. Selection of food is essential to prevent age-related macular degeneration. Intake of green leafy vegetable like Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, fruits and nuts, and vitamin supplements prevent age-related macular degeneration. Consumption of fishes like Salmon and Sardine can prevent age-related macular degeneration.  

Conclusion: Mass health education, media coverage and healthy lifestyle can prevent macular degeneration significantly

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Communication and informatics
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Define the scope of health education in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration.Identify the predisposing factors preventing age-related macular degeneration.

Keyword(s): Vision Care, Health Promotion and Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an MPH and CHES I am an ECFMG certified physician. I am also an MPhil I am a Dr.PH student at Loma Linda University, CA, USA
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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