Club Health

For many Americans, health insurance is a medical necessity and without it, many Americans would be left with medical bills that are too expensive to pay. Most people would agree that without some form of health insurance, purchasing prescription drugs would not be possible. Many Americans, such as those with diabetes cannot survive without certain prescription medications.

The upper middle and upper class citizens are generally able to afford health care, often times without needing health insurance and lower class Americans are able to obtain health care through organizations such as Medicaid, which usually pay for over-all incurred medical expenses.

So who did we leave out of this mix of American society? The lower middle class Americans who “fall between the cracks” of obtaining the quality health care they need.

Why can’t many lower middle class Americans afford quality health care? To provide an adequate answer to this question, we first need to define the American class system in terms of socioeconomics and its relationship to health insurance and the general health care system.

The working class or middle class is defined as a group of people who make up about 33% (the majority) of the population and bring home an average yearly income of $30K to $50K per year. The upper middle class also averages $55K to about $155K annually.
Compare those figures to the upper class, which make up only 2% of the population and contribute $155K to billions per year. (Source: [http://www.alamedasoc-tripod.com/handouts/soc2/Slides_Pt_2_Soc2.doc]). One can clearly see that there is a large economic gap between the classes and that income in part plays a significant role as to why many lower middle class Americans cannot afford quality health insurance or health care.

Another contributing factor as to why many working class Americans cannot afford health care is due to the continued rising costs of over-all health care. Total health care costs, including insurance premiums have gone up drastically since 2001 and many employers are “sticking” the additional associated health insurance costs to their employees.

While many working class Americans are presented with health insurance opportunities, (usually through employment) many cannot afford the high monthly and sometimes yearly premiums associated with a health insurance plan. Other working class citizens are able to afford the insurance premiums, but are unable to take advantage of a health care plan because such a large percentage of their monthly or yearly income is set aside to pay for health insurance. This leaves many Americans left with the dilemma of making a choice between basic necessities such as paying for a monthly mortgage note, groceries or health insurance.

In essence, American society has created and contributed to a highly flawed health care system that caters to the rich, cares for the poor, yet excludes the largest percentage of its population. As a society, we need to develop new ways of coping with the changes and rising costs in our health care system and develop a method that allows the lower middle class to receive the quality health care they deserve without going penniless.

This may require a change in the American healthcare system itself or quite possibly, a change within government medical aid. Either way, one thing is certain: Without the basic necessities of life, including quality healthcare, the working class over time is sure to crumble.

Prior to the year 1900, the records of death in Indiana are filed only with the local health department in the county where the death occurred. After the given year onwards, death records are kept in the State Vital Records section of Indiana Department of Health.

The access of death records in the state of Indiana is restricted to direct and extended members of the family,first cousins are included, and legal representatives. Relatives such as second cousins will only be allowed to obtain copies of the death certificate if there is an approval of the State Registrar unless the death record is at least seventy five years old.

With your request for a death certificate, enough information must be given: the name of the departed, date when the person died, place of death, your relationship to the dead, and your purpose for requesting the certificate, telephone number with area code, signature and complete mailing address of the requester. Identification such as photocopy of drivers license, work identification card, etc… is also needed. Original documents must not be sent in the mail. Request for death certificates without proper identification will be returned to the requester without processing.

The fee for the certificate is $8.00 each first copy and additional copy of the same record purchased at the same time can costs you $4.00 each. Fees are non-refundable.

A great way to access your records is to public records database. You will still have to pay a fee, but unlike mailing a request for your records you can receive a refund if no record is found.

Mental health is a state of emotional well being or an absence of any mental disorder. It is also the ability of a person to cope with normal stresses of life and make a contribution to the society. Recent studies also state that a mere absence of any mental disease doesn’t describe a sound mental health. It is only the health of the person’s mind. Hence, a person suffering from any one of these, social, physical or cultural impacts on oneself cannot be in a fit emotional state. Psychology is the study of mental health. The professional psychologists study the behaviour the human mind to establish the nature of the disease a person is suffering from.

Different people have disparate mental wellness. Researchers refer to the mental health as an attribute that enhances emotional well being and the ability to live a full and aesthetic life, combating changes and challenges effectively.

To maintain a sound mental health, one must follow many good, simple practices. Physical health is one important factor determining the quality of the mind. A robust healthy body will help in maintaining a sound mental state. Other little factors determining mental well being are good eating habits, enough sleeping hours, stress-free working and innovative recreation.

Simple meals through the day go a long way in ensuring that both the mind and the body stay fit. Skin must be kept clean by regular baths and a sound sleep must be enjoyed every single day, in an airy, comfortable room. Physical exercise is a fine way to maintain the balance of thoughts and actions. Exercising the muscles every day and making some time alone to even exercise the mind using meditation or relaxing to soothing music.

These practices help in controlling conflicting emotions like worry, anger and fear. Alcohol and drugs must be avoided at all cost to have a good emotional balance. Laughter is a significant part of one’s life. A good humour brings alive a happy mood that keeps mental trouble at bay. On the contrary, criticism can be taking its toll on a person’s mind. Courtesy and friendship show the good nature of a person and keep him stress free.

Moreover, one must find happiness in what one is supposed to do, as this keeps one in a fine feather. Satisfaction and pleasure in one’s duties adds to the positive healthfulness of the psyche. Apart from the duties, a person should maintain an active social life that can help him de-stress from the hectic schedule of work. Helping others, finding time to meet friends and have a hearty laugh with them and visiting parents and other relatives are sure fire ways to calm oneself.

Confidence building is another way to maintain a clean bill of health. By knowing our strengths and weaknesses, we must learn to accept them. Financial problems are another stress causing factor. We must learn to spend for our needs alone and not for our wants. All these followed every day will keep our mind happy and hale.