Common Health Issues in the United States From Cancer to Orthopedic Impairments

Urgent care centers are able to address a variety of health concerns and injuries. Many of these facilities are dedicated to providing a specific type of care, such as women’s health centers and birthing centers. In addition to birthing centers, cancer radiation therapy, heart services, and orthopedic surgery centers are also available.

Cancer Diagnoses and Survival Rates

In the United States, 1 out of every 8 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis during her life. Given the treatments now available, however, more women are expected to survive. As of January 1, 2016, for example, there were 3,560,570 breast cancer survivors.

Cancer diagnoses continue to be projected with women as well as men. Older men are more prone to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis than younger men. Over 80% of prostate cancer diagnoses are for men that are 65 years of age and older.

While it is believed that there will be a 50% increase in worldwide cancer cases between 2012 and 2030, survival rates are expected to increase. By 2024, predictions show that nearly 19 million people will survive this disease.

The Prevalence of Heart Attacks and Heart Disease

Every 34 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a heart attack. While many individuals may survive these attacks, others do not.

Currently, the primary cause of death in the United States is due to heart disease. Approximately 610,000 Americans die every year as a result of this disease.

Bone Fractures and Orthopedic Issues

Every year, there are roughly 3.5 million emergency room visits because someone sustained some type of bone fracture. The elderly are particularly at risk for experiencing a bone fracture due to slipping and falling.

Many Americans have some type of orthopedic impairment. Recent figures indicate that 1 out of 7 people in the United States are living with a variety of impairments. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons conducted a study in 2014. The results showed that 4.7 million Americans had been through knee replacement surgery.

Finding Treatment

While many Americans choose to visit hospital emergency rooms for a variety of health concerns, many of these issues can be treated at an urgent care center. Given the advancement of urgent care medicine, the same level of care is available at these types of facilities. When a situation is life-threatening, such as a heart attack, it is important to go to the hospital emergency room or a facility that provides this type of emergency health care.