The documentary, Unnatural Causes (Adelman, 2008), highlights the phenomenon of excess death occurring among the poorer echelons of society in Louisville, Kentucky. In society, within given time frames, an estimate of the occurrence of death within a population can be fairly estimated. When the number of actual deaths surpasses this estimate it is termed excess death (Adelman, 2008). An analysis into this troubling find can be explained using systems theory, with particular emphasis on the theories’ notion of entropy, categorized by disorganization, chaos, stagnation, and eventual death (Robbins, 2012). Using systems theory, a system is looked at as a whole but can be broken down into interdependent, yet autonomous parts. It’s essentially systems
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As Dr. Adewale Troutman, M.D., leads the film crew through the low income districts of Louisville, there are limitless fast food chains speckled throughout the neighborhoods, with zero grocery stores in sight; making the attainment of wholesome food very difficult, if not impossible. This in turn, contributes to a lack of nutrition and increases health issues, as is demonstrated by high numbers of heart disease and cancer deaths (Adelman, 2008). Essentially the social systems and policies allowing so many fast food chains to be in existence, like a lack of zoning laws, will negatively affect the physical systems of the people within the …show more content…
Mary Turner, a resident of one of the poorest districts, presented the dilemma she faces towards ever getting ahead in life. She states that to make a supposed step in the right direction by getting a job will lead to the termination of her state funded medical coverage. If Mary gets a job she will go uninsured and risks living with untreated medical problems such as her arthritis, and complications from a recent heart attack. Mary requires medication in order to work, but as soon as she works, she risks losing the medication. Mary, and many others like her are caught up in a no-win situation, leaving very little control over the course of their
As Dr. Adewale Troutman, M.D., leads the film crew through the low income districts of Louisville, there are limitless fast food chains speckled throughout the neighborhoods, with zero grocery stores in sight; making the attainment of wholesome food very difficult, if not impossible. This in turn, contributes to a lack of nutrition and increases health issues, as is demonstrated by high numbers of heart disease and cancer deaths (Adelman, 2008). Essentially the social systems and policies allowing so many fast food chains to be in existence, like a lack of zoning laws, will negatively affect the physical systems of the people within the …show more content…
Mary Turner, a resident of one of the poorest districts, presented the dilemma she faces towards ever getting ahead in life. She states that to make a supposed step in the right direction by getting a job will lead to the termination of her state funded medical coverage. If Mary gets a job she will go uninsured and risks living with untreated medical problems such as her arthritis, and complications from a recent heart attack. Mary requires medication in order to work, but as soon as she works, she risks losing the medication. Mary, and many others like her are caught up in a no-win situation, leaving very little control over the course of their