Community and Social Careers

(kum-YOO-nik-uh-bul) Capable of being transmitted from one person or animal to another

(dem-o-GRAF-ik) Pertaining to the study of people as a group, especially of statistical groupings according to age, gender, and environmental factors

Dependence

(dee-PEN-dents) Addiction to drugs or alcohol

Hallucination

(huh-loo-sin-AY-shun) Sensory perception that occurs in waking state but does not have external stimulus

Immunization

(im-yoo-niz-AY-shun) Process of becoming secure against a particular disease or pathogen

Pollution

(puh-LOO-shun) Condition of being defiled or impure

Vector

(VEK-tur) Carrier that transfers an infective agent from one host to another

Withdrawal

(with-DRAW-ul) Unpleasant symptoms resulting with stoppage of drugs or substances on which a person is dependent; symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, irritability, impaired attention, and physical illness

Community and Social Careers Terminology *

Term	Definition	Prefix	Root	Suffix
Anesthetic	Pertaining to a lack of feeling	an	esthet	ic
Arthritis	Inflammation of the joints		arthr	itis
Chronic	Pertaining to time		chron	ic
Disable	Opposite of fitness	dis	able
Euphoria	State of feeling well	eu	phor	ia
Gerontology	Study of aging		geront	ology
Hypertrophy	Increase in nourishment (size)	hyper	troph	y
Hypnotic	Pertaining to a state of sleep		hypnot	ic
Narcolepsy	Condition of uncontrolled sleep		narco	lepsy
Sociologist	One who works with society		sociol	ogist

^*A transition syllable or vowel may be added to or deleted from the word parts to make the combining form.

Abbreviations for Community and Social Careers

Abbreviation	Meaning
ACSW	Academy of Certified Social Workers
DHHS	Department of Health and Human Services
DSW	Doctorate of social work
FDA	Food and Drug Administration
GHB	Gamma hydroxybutyrate
MSW	Master of social work
NIH	National Institutes of Health
PhD	Doctor of philosophy
THC	Tetrahydrocannabinol
WHO	World Health Organization

Careers

Community and social health care has broad goals and focuses on the health needs of a population (Fig. 29-1). The primary goals of community and social health care workers are prevention of illness and injury and provision of care to a population (Table 29-1). The community and social health care worker is involved in the search for the source of disease and the use of technical and regulatory means to protect the population from environmental, social, and behavioral hazards. Health problems addressed by community and social health care workers are often related to environmental hazards, sanitation, and work and living conditions. Other health problems may originate because of population growth and social and behavioral aspects of life.

TABLE 29-1

Community and Social Career Educational Cost and Earnings

Career	Educational Cost*	Earnings^†
Occupational health nurse	University of Michigan 2-year program, weekends on job/on campus; master’s degree Fees include: Tuition & fees $35,050 Books $2384 Personal & miscellaneous $8184	Median annual salary: Ann Arbor, Mich.—$61,870

^*http://www.finaid.umich.edu/financial_aid:basics/cost.asp.

^†http://data.bls.gov:8080/oes/datatype.do.

FIGURE 29-1 Community and social health care workers may work in many areas, ranging from maternal and child care to advocacy for people with physical challenges.

Employees in community and social health careers may be trained as physicians, social workers, dentists, nurses, and counselors, as well as other health care providers (Box 29-1). These health care providers usually work for the government or volunteer agencies. They must develop the ability to consider many aspects of a problem or condition and analyze the many options that are provided by or limited by public health agencies. Community and social health care workers must also be able to function well in an environment that involves many regulations and agencies. Community and social workers may be required by law to document and report incidents of domestic violence or abuse as well as providing care for the victim (Box 29-2).

Community nutrition workers provide food and nutrition education through public health clinics and programs (Fig. 29-2). They screen patients to determine eligibility, based on health risk and income, for the program. Other job duties may include testing blood, taking dietary histories, assessing vital signs, and counseling on basic nutrition. The minimum qualification is a high school education and experience working with the public or training in nutrition education.