Asthma Control and Treatment in Racial and Ethnic Minorities Essay Example

Asthma Control and Treatment in Racial and Ethnic Minorities Essay Example Asthma Control and Treatment in Racial and Ethnic Minorities Paper Asthma Control and Treatment in Racial and Ethnic Minorities Paper Abstract Asthma is the most common chronic diseases in the world. Economic and racial/minority disparities in the prevalence and extreme of asthma are researched well, with people belonging to low socio-economic status and racial/minority are more prone to have this chronic disease. It has been noticed that even after trying to control this disease, minorities and people from low socio-economic status are more likely to be hospitalized and yet still not treated fully. There is constant recurring of the same patients coming in for treatment of asthma. This tendency is particularly observed in the urban areas, where racial and ethnic minority who are normally economically disadvantaged people are exposed to asthma-related factors such as poor housing conditions, environmental tobacco smoke, crowding, air pollution, and other allergens. Additional research into these pathways is critical for the design of interventions to reduce the income and racial/ethnic discrepancies in the prevalence and ef fect of asthma as a leading cause of childhood morbidity. This paper discusses the prevalence, morbidity, mortality, factors contributing to a higher prevalence of asthma in racial and ethnic minorities. In the end the disparities in the asthma treatment in minorities is discussed. Asthma Control and Treatment in Racial and Ethnic Minorities Introduction Although asthma cannot be cured, effective treatments have been available for many years. Practice nurses can help to ensure these treatments are used effectively Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that presents as diffuse airways obstruction and is reversible either spontaneously or with treatment. Prevalence, Morbidity, Mortality of Asthma In Racial And Ethnic Minorities Asthma is the most common chronic disease especially in children, and thus prevailing in approximately 4.8 million children in the United States. Asthma is one of the major reasons for hospitalization. Different researches have found out that there is comparatively greater prevalence of asthma in people who belong to urban, racial and ethnic minorities, and low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Prevalence rates of asthma belonging to these backgrounds are found to be 10 percent to 20 percent while the prevalence for US children is 6 percent. These outcomes show that there is increased difference in the prevalence of asthma by racial/ethnic group: in Hispanics, Puerto Ricans have the highest asthma prevalence rate (19.6%), which is three times the prevalence for Mexicans (6.1%). Other racial/ethnic minorities include non-Hispanic Blacks whose prevalence of asthma is (13.8%) and non-Hispanic Whites (11.1%). (Homa, Mannino, Lara, 2000) In the US in 2000, asthma’s morbidity was 474,000 a sthma hospitalizations and 11.9 million medical visits for the disease. Among the diverse U.S. Hispanic population, Puerto Ricans have the greatest annual asthma mortality (40.9 per million) followed by Cuban Americans (15.8 per million) and Mexican Americans (9.2 per million). In comparison, non-Hispanic whites had an annual asthma mortality of 14.7 per million, and non-Hispanic blacks had a rate of 38.1 per million. (Carr, Zeitel, Weiss, 2002) In the US today, patterns of childhood asthma prevalence vary greatly according to socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic background. The highest prevalence and morbidity have occurred among Black children, particularly children of low socioeconomic status residing in large urban areas. It is argued that these racial/ethnic and economic asthma patterns are largely accounted for by social and environmental characteristics). Not often addressed are differences in asthma prevalence within low-income, urban, minority racial/ethnic groups. (Gent, Holford, Leaderer 1996) In particular, epidemiological studies of childhood asthma prevalence have found significant differences among Hispanic subgroups, with Puerto Ricans having the highest rates and Mexican Americans the lowest rates. In the United States, asthma prevalence, hospitalization, and mortality are higher for Black/African American   (racial/ethnic minority) compared to White Caucasian (majority) children and adults. In a Southfield, Michigan, cross-sectional study of childhood asthma in an integrated middle class population, the lifetime prevalence of asthma was twice as high for racial/ethnic minority compared with children from majorities; this finding suggests that even in middle class communities unmeasured socioeconomic factors (e.g., racial discrimination, differential access to medical care, differential access to housing, differential patterns of medical care use), and perhaps biologic factors, may contribute to these disparities. (Chen, Fisher, Bacharier, Strunk, 2003) The disparity in asthma morbidity is greater than the disparity in asthma prevalence, which suggests that once asthma is established, many factors converge to make asthma worse for children and adults who are from racial/ethni c minority. Factors Contributing To A Higher Prevalence Of Asthma In Minorities Environmental Factors After taking into account exposures including cigarette smoke, body-mass index, air-conditioning use, city of residence, parental respiratory illness, parental education, only-child status, and single-parent household. Younger maternal age, residence in the central city, family income, low birth weight, and measures of overweight or obesity partially, but not fully, explain the increased prevalence of asthma among racial/ethnic minority compared with majority children. (Chen, Fisher, Bacharier, Strunk, 2003) Children from the racial/ethnic minority do not seem to have higher rates of asthma, but living in an urban setting, regardless of race or income, increased the risk of asthma. Housing Conditions and Indoor Environmental Exposures Including Allergens   The degree of housing disrepair has been associated with increased cockroach allergen levels, which has been demonstrated to increase childhood asthma morbidity in sensitized children. (Homa, Mannino, Lara, 2000) Certain allergens, such as cockroach, mouse, or rat, may be more potent sources of allergic or non-allergic airway inflammation, or environmental cofactors such as community stress may increase vulnerability to the effects of these exposures in sensitized individuals and since mostly people having such living conditions are likely to belong to urban areas and also minorities (as explained earlier). Maternal Cigarette Smoking The respiratory health effects of smoking have been well documented. Maternal cigarette smoking is associated with high risk of asthma prevalence in early childhood, and with high risk of asthma morbidity, wheeze, and respiratory infection in children. Cigarette smoking varies by ethnicity and by national origin, and cigarette companies have targeted minorities in an attempt to increase smoking where rates have traditionally been low. Disparities in Asthma and Somatic Growth (Low Birth Weight, Pre-maturity, and Obesity) Smoking and other environmental factors influencing both fetal growth and asthma are more prevalent in many (but not all) socio-economically disadvantaged populations in the United States. Pre-maturity and low birth weight adjusted for gestational age can be influenced not only by maternal smoking, but also by placental insufficiency, maternal fetal nutrition, infection, and maternal psychological as well as physical stress. (Waser, 2002)The risk of all these environmental influences on adverse fetal growth may be higher in many socio-economically disadvantaged U.S. groups, increasing the risk of pre-maturity and low birth weight. Underweight and obesity may both be risk factors for wheeze or asthma, and paradoxically, they may even have similar origins in fetal life or early childhood. (Holgate, Price, 2005) The circumstances of urban living and socioeconomic disadvantage, as well as cultural factors, may contribute to obesity. Stress There is a renewed interest in the influence of psychological stress on asthma. Various socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., lower social class, ethnic minority status, gender) may predispose individuals to particular pervasive forms of chronic life stress, which may, in turn, be significantly influenced by the characteristics of the communities in which they live. (Busse, Kiecolt-Glaser, 1994) Minority group status may predispose individuals to pervasive chronic stressors (e.g., discrimination, racism) and societal factors that link minorities. Disparities In Asthma Control And Treatment Asthma is one of many chronic diseases in the United States in which disparities in treatment and access to care have been documented. Even those with apparently equal access to the same health care system may experience disparities in care, and communication with the medical system is far more subtle than expressions of overt racism. (Freidhoff, Togias 1996). Substantial disparities in children’s health and use of health services persist across racial, ethnic, and economic groups in the United States. Disparities in care for Hispanics and African Americans with asthma are well documented. Unfortunately, many patients with asthma suffer because of inadequate care provided by healthcare professionals. (Schaafsma, Raynorr 2003) Poor adherence by the patient to prescribed management, lack of access to care, or a combination of these problems are some the other key factors that result in increased morbidity and mortality. Difficulty in English language proficiency has been reported to have a significant impact on multiple aspects of the health care experience of Hispanic children, including access to care, use of services, and health outcomes, with some studies finding that English language proficiency explains much of the impact of Hispanic origin on barriers to care and on differences in pediatric care. (Sullivan, 2003) For parents with limited English skills, the availability of medical providers and office staff with whom they can clearly and comfortably communicate may be indispensable for ensuring adequate access to health care for their children. Race/ethnicity, language, and family economic status are closely associated with each other and with other factors that may influence health care experiences. Owing to this interrelatedness, it is important for understanding health care disparities and policy recommendations to evaluate these factors simultaneously to see their independent effects. Oth er related factors may include insurance coverage, child health needs, and geographic location. Access to health care is limited for children with no medical insurance coverage. (Weiss, Sullivan, 2001) Black and Hispanic children are more likely to lack health insurance, with Hispanics consistently found to be the most uninsured ethnic or racial group of children. Health insurance can have an important buffering effect on access to care among disadvantaged children, with public insurance helping to bring poor children closer to the levels of non-poor children with private insurance. However, disparities in care and the location of care can remain despite the provision of insurance. Children from different race/ethnic and economic backgrounds differ in the locations where they reside and in their health status, each of which can impact available options for care and interactions with medical providers.   (Britton, 2003) Secondhand cigarette smoke is documented to negate the benefit of inhaled corticosteroids in inner-city children. Unfortunately, many patients with asthma are smokers, including adolescents. It is generally found that people belonging to low socio-economic status are usually from the minorities and thus do not have enough income to afford the expensive medicines for treatment. (Clark, Brown, Joseph, 2002) Physicians normally know their economic status and avoid prescribing expensive medicine which is actually required to treat the patient of asthma effectively. At this point in time, the physicians prescribe those medicines which are easily available and easy to buy even for the poor family. This results in in-effective treatment of poor asthma patients and thus they tend to get hospitalized again and again which no output. Poor environmental control contributes to bad outcomes for inner-city children, while reduced exposure to aeroallergens improves outcomes. Significant racial disparities in asthma treatment have been found among patients in analyses of several state Medicaid programs. While Hispanics and blacks had a significantly higher rate of visits to the emergency department for asthma as compared to whites, the number of filled prescriptions for inhaled corticosteroids and visits to asthma specialists were more common in whites as compared to Hispanics and Blacks. (Britton, 2003) Although the mental health of the parents is not usually considered in analyses of pediatric asthma control, one study found that an independent risk factor for emergency department visits among minority children with asthma was the presence of depression in the mother. Conclusion Income, which is associated with race/ethnicity, explains some but not all of the disparity. Economic disadvantage is an important factor in the racial/ethnic readmission gap; however, the analysis shows that the observable economic factors do not fully explain the gap. The simple ability to afford health care does not fully explain outcomes. Health insurance plays an important role in the proper management of asthma. Medicaid patients have readmission rates that are 50% higher than privately insured patients, which show that improvements must be made in the discharge and follow-up of Medicaid patients. (Britton, 2003) Yet again, the racial/ethnic gap in readmission is not explained by Medicaid coverage. There are racial/ethnic differences in the prescription and the use of preventive medications within the Medicaid population. The effects of individual environmental factors on asthma morbidity and asthma development are likely to be modified by other environmental factors and by genes. (Freidhoff, Togias, 1996) With the exception of cigarette smoking cessation, policy makers should be cautious when recommending global solutions for protection against development of early-life asthma, given the lack of certainty regarding factors influencing asthma development and the likelihood that individual responses to environmental interventions will be significantly modified by genetic and other environmental factors. It is not trite to say that â€Å"more research is needed† to improve our understanding of factors responsible for disparities in asthma prevalence. However, where community-level or individual-level interventions have been demonstrated to decrease asthma morbidity with reasonable certainty, policy makers should develop the means to apply the lessons learned through changes in governmental and social policy as well as through recommendations to individuals. Subsequently, the outcome of changes in policy should be systematically evaluated. In the United States, effective reduction in disparities in asthma morbidity will be dependent only in part on specific measures like establishment of smoking cessation programs, home allergen reduction in sensitized asthmatic children, physician feedback, and/or health education. The long-term success of any of these specific measures is likely to depend, in great part, on more general improvements in living conditions and life opportunities . References Britton J. 2003. Parasites, allergy, and asthma. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 168:266–67. Busse W, Kiecolt-Glaser J, 1994. Stress and asthma: NHLBI Workshop Summary. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 151: 249–52 Carr W, Zeitel L, Weiss K. 2002. Variations in asthma hospitalizations and deaths in New York City. Am. J. Public Health 82:59–6. Chen E, Fisher EB, Bacharier LB, Strunk RC. 2003. Socioeconomic status, stress, and immune markers in adolescents with asthma. Psychosom. Med. 65:984–92. Clark NM, Brown R, Joseph CL. 2002. Issues in identifying asthma and estimating prevalence in an urban school population. J Clin Epidemiol:55: 870-881. Freidhoff LR, Togias A (1996). Inadequate outpatient medical therapy for patients with asthma admitted to two urban hospitals. Am J Med 1996; 100:386–394. Gent JF, Holford TR, Leaderer BP. 1996. Asthma among Puerto Rican Hispanics: a multiethnic comparison study of risk factors. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 154:894–99. Holgate S, Price D, 2005 Asthma out of control? A structured review of recent patient surveys. BMC Pulmon; 6 (Suppl 1): S2. Homa DM, Mannino DM, Lara M.2000. Asthma mortality in U.S. Hispanics of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban heritage, 1990–1995. Am J Respir Critical Care Med; 161:504–509. Schaafsma ES, Raynorr DK, 2003. Accessing medication information by ethnic minorities: barriers and possible solutions. Pharm World Sci; 25(5): 185-90.   Sullivan S. Asthma in the United States: recent trends and current status. J Manag Care Pharm. 2003; 9(suppl 5):3-7. Waser M. 2002. Environmental exposure to endotoxin and its relation to asthma in school-age children. N. Engl. J. Med. 347:869–77. Weiss K, Sullivan S.2001 The health economics of asthma and rhinitis, I. Assessing the economic impact. Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology;107:3-8.

U S Involvement in Vietnam From Truman through Johnson essays

U S Involvement in Vietnam From Truman through Johnson essays The United States first got involved in Vietnam when President Harry Truman extended official international recognition of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia on Feb. 7, 1950 (according to Professor Sandra Whittman, Oakton Community College, Des Plaines Illinois). This recognition by Truman was by way of taking sides with the south, as the north's communist-led aggression led American presidents to fear the "Domino Theory": when one country falls to the communists, such as Korea, others will fall like dominos, too; and if Vietnam was to fall, Truman, and later Eisenhower believed, all of Truman set up a group of "advisors" known as the Military Assistance and Advisory Group (MAAG), to advise the French, as they fought communist- led insurgents (Viet Minh) in the north of Vietnam. Truman initiated the training of "unconventional warfare operations and forces." And when the French were defeated by the Viet Minh at the battle of Dien Bien Phu, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established a CIA military mission in In July, 1959, the first American military deaths occurred as two "advisors" (soldiers) were killed. By 1961, under President John Kennedy, there were 1,500 Americans in South Vietnam. In August, 1964, President Johnson responds to an alleged attack on the U.S. Navy (in the Gulf of Tonkin) by getting Congress to approve the bombing of North Vietnam and later (in 1965), Johnson sends ground troops. Up to a half a million troops are engaged by the late 1960s. Question: What was the common link between all four U.S. presidents' Answer: Communism and the "Domino Theory." What caused the U.S. to commit to the war' The goal was stopping the communists. ...

Health Care Organizations, Mayo Clinic Case Research Paper

Health Care Organizations, Mayo Clinic Case - Research Paper Example This research paper examines health care organizations such as Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic positions itself in the topmost position in the market among many other rival players. Other than this, Mayo Clinic also enhanced its brand image and reputation in the market due to its vision to offer high preference to the needs and requirements of the patients as compared to others. However, in order to fulfill the needs of the patients in effective way, it works in collaborative way in diverse teams. As a result of which, Mayo Clinic became successful in amplifying its brand image and sustainability in the market among many other existing contenders. Furthermore, due to its honest work ethics, it became successful in attracting a wide range of patients of varying income groups and cultures that amplified its prosperity and profitability to a significant extent. Due to which, the consistency and popularity of the organization of Mayo Clinic increased that amplified its market share among others . The paper shows strengths of the Mayo Clinic: highly skilled Work-Force, 24 hours services, high quality of care and high advanced machines. It also describes Mayo Clinic's weaknesses: human resource roles need to be evaluated, confused signals to the patients, high experienced staffs need to be recruited. The research paper explores opportunities of this organization, gives overview and assessments of services provided by Mayo Clinic, explains competencies and resource of Mayo Clinic, identification of stakeholders of Mayo Clinic etc.

Impact of technology automobile Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Impact of technology automobile - Research Paper Example Most of the automobiles are dependent on petrol or diesel to run. This ground breaking technology is a blessing to the human race as it is capable of covering long distances within minutes (Abernathy, 1976). The intention of this research work is to cover all the major aspects of the automobile industry from its inception till date. How has this technology facilitated human beings and in what ways transactional activities have been affected? Discussion of positive and negative impacts of this technology will be illustrated along with its role in the society. Advantages and disadvantages of automobile industry and societal horizon will be demonstrated. The role of political invasion, economic side and massive usage will be critically examined so that all the essential parts would be covered. Environmental changes that have taken place due to this technology and its impact of people’s health remains the essence of this research work which will be scrutinized. In the last alterna tives to this technology along with the conclusion will be exemplified to present a clear picture about its impacts. Inception and Progress Historically it is reported that the first automobile was designed in the year 1672 for the Chinese Emperor, which neither had seating arrangement for the driver nor for the passenger. Emperor alone had to drive it. Another mechanical automobile was built in the year 1769 which was a stream powered tricycle created by Nicolas Cugnot. He built furthermore two tractors for the French Army to have a competitive edge in wars. His technology was dependent on the supply of water and steam that is why it could not sustain for long (White, 1971). (Abernathy, 1976) demonstrates that many innovational steps were taken in the preceding years by the different inventors but a promising automobile was yet to come. A French inventor Gustave Trouve presented his three wheeled revolutionary tricycle in the International Exposition of Electricity which was powere d by electricity. This was a big step taken at that time and got huge applause from the fellow inventors. Karl Benz- a German engineer is however considered as the father of the modern automobile technology. Benz designed his first engine in 1878 and got its patent in the year 1879. He produced his first Motor wagon in 1885. He brought his automobile technology into the consumer market in 1886 under the flagship of his company; Benz & Cie. After the inception of Benz technology in the market, rapid changes were seen in the industry and many French and German engineers came up with the innovatory automobile production. Companies like DMG and Ford emerged afterwards and gain huge acceptance and accomplishment in the market. Previously automobile technology was dependent upon steam, water and electricity but in the later years this was shifted to gas, petrol and diesel. In the later years focus came into designing of the exterior and interior of the cars came so that it would appear fi ne-looking. Comfortable seats and other technological specifications were uploaded making them eminent and impressive (White, 1971). Automobile industry is a big success in the technological world and the engine designing has been improved a lot. It has been more than a century since the inception of the first modern engine and till date massive advancements

Explain the guiding theory to which you adhere, combination of two Essay

Explain the guiding theory to which you adhere, combination of two theories, an integrated model of several theories or one dist - Essay Example I have compared aspects of Adlerian therapy, which to me seems to be a type of reform or broadening of the Freudian approach to psychotherapy to increase its application by focusing on family issues and personal problems, but decided that the Existential Theory represented by Carl Rogers and others would finally be the best field to specialize in for addiction therapy. I would like my work in addiction to relate to social functioning as a type of healing for the disfunctionality in the person suffering from substance abuse. When that person is able to return to a normal daily life and take part in activities that represent his or her own goals of self-realization, I feel that the counseling process will have been successful. In order to assist the individuals with this recovery process, there should be a combination of methods integrated into the counseling practice, and these should be based in a broad understanding of the schools of psychology and their unique benefits for treatmen t. I am personally focusing on Existential Therapy, Gestalt Theory, and Person-centered approaches for my counseling practice. ... In getting to know the people seeking treatment personally, the first aspect of counseling is to look through the substance abuse itself as a symptom to the deeper causes. An important aspect of this is being able to recognize aspects of abnormal psychology which may have roots in degenerative mental illnesses from adjustment problems and substance abuse related to traumas, childhood abuse, coping problems, peer pressure, or other factors that may have led to the behavior initially. The assumption in this process is that in identifying the root cause of the mental origin of the substance abuse problems by counseling, there can also be a conscious recognition of that issue by the person, and through this understanding the problem can be healed as that person becomes aware of methods through which the problems can be positively overcome. In seeking to provide an assistance role for these people to return to normal functioning in society on their own terms, the importance of Existential Theory in counseling becomes clearly evident. One assumption this method includes is that drug addiction and particularly the self-destructive aspects of it that lead people to counseling and recovery therapy are related to â€Å"deeper† problems of self –development and not genetically conditioned or caused by physical addiction to drugs like heroin or cocaine. Where there are physical addictions, these must be eliminated before the counseling can really progress, but in addiction therapy relapses are common so that the person may be constantly moving between treatment, substance use, abuse, and counseling. Thus the â€Å"detoxification† stage should be distinguished from the â€Å"treatment† stage, and the recovery itself proceeds from the treatment as the individual returns to normal

Food Cart Starting Mobile Catering Business Marketing Essay

Food Cart Starting Mobile Catering Business Marketing Essay Mobile catering business has become a ubiquitous feature of urbanization in many countries around the world. Countries such as the UK are a classic example of the popularity of this business, and a number of mobile catering vans can be spotted at the busy destinations of London and other cities. The good part about this business is that almost anyone with a basic knowledge and experience of food catering services may enter this business. It does not require much financial investment to start this business. At the same time, this business offers enough flexibility for the entrepreneur to scale up the scope of business along with the rise in market demand. Before going ahead with the steps of setting up the mobile catering business, it is important to understand what kind of vehicles can be used for this business. Food Cart: Starting Mobile Catering Business A food cart is a sort of trailer that has no motorized operation. It has to be manually hauled to the point of sale. Usually, such food carts operate in public areas such as parks, picnic spots, or busy sidewalks. Such carts normally maintain an automated heating or refrigerating equipment to keep the food absolutely ready to serve instantly. Mostly such carts sell snacks, breakfast items, or desserts such as Ice creams. Catering Van: Starting Mobile Catering Business A catering van is generally a motorized vehicle that can be moved from one place to another easily. It sells a substantially higher volume of food than a food cart, and caters to a bigger clientele. Ice cream vans are a common example of such catering vans in the UK. Their immense popularity among the customers has made mobile catering business into a highly lucrative business opportunity for many new entrepreneurs. Food Truck: Starting Mobile Catering Business A food truck is a larger vehicle converted into a mobile kitchen with a commercial built-in grill, a deep fryer, freezer, and other automated cooking gadgets. Due to the better availability of space and more equipment, this vehicle is able to offer a larger variety of food items to the customers, and manage larger volumes with efficiency. Fish and Chip vans in the UK are a good example of such food trucks. Concession Trailer: Starting Mobile Catering Business A concession trailer is not much different from a mobile kitchen, except that it is a stationary vehicle. Therefore, such trailers are ideally suited for large public events such as fairs and community celebrations where a large number of people are expected to converge over a period of few days consecutively. Such trailers add to the facilities and atmosphere of the event, providing the visitors with plenty of opportunities to enjoy different types of food at low cost. Anyone can launch a mobile catering business successfully, if one follows these basic steps to set up the business: Step 1: Setting up the kitchen facility The first step in this business is to decide whether the kitchen facility will be set up within the mobile van unit, or at another location. If the business owner decides to use his own home kitchen to prepare the food, it is important to obtain the approval of the local regulatory authorities in advance. Only after the conditions of the local law have been satisfied, the commercial kitchen can be operated out of home. Setting up the commercial kitchen may have to include separate provision for storage and refrigerating facility, dish-washing equipment, sufficient surface area for cooking, and larger size of cooking equipment. Step 2: Deciding the menu and the pricing A crucial part of the mobile catering business planning is to choose the menu, and decide the right pricing. This is the most sensitive business decision that may influence the destiny of the business over a period of time. A basic market survey and research can help to understand the local taste and preferences of food, and to identify the potential food items that are in high demand which is waiting to be satisfied. Similarly, the pricing must also be decided carefully to ensure that it competes successfully with other market players, and makes a reasonable profit margin for the business owner at the same time. Step 3: Organizing the mobile catering vehicle There are various options for vehicles available before the entrepreneur in a city like London or other cities within the UK. The choice of vehicle depends upon the ready availability of a vehicle, or the personal preference of the entrepreneur, and also keeping in mind the available financial budget for the business. The size of vehicle will also depend upon the scale of the business that the entrepreneur has planned. The heating, refrigerating, storage and preservation equipment within the vehicle will depend upon the kind of menu that has been decided for the mobile catering business. A fully functional kitchen may also be organized within the vehicle, depending upon the business plan of the owner. Step 4: Advertising and Marketing the Mobile Catering Business In the times of stiff competition, even a seemingly simple business such as mobile catering also cannot afford to ignore the importance of advertising and marketing. The menu of the business can be designed in such a way that it also serves as a brochure and advertisement for the business. Special brochures to advertise the business may also be printed and distributed to the local commercial establishments in the area to attract the potential office-goers to patronize the business. The mobile van itself can serve as the biggest advertisement for the business. The branding and slogan of the business must be displayed prominently and creatively on the vehicle. Usually the mobile vans in the UK and other countries can be seen parked in major locations where they can have high visibility for the local traffic in the area. Therefore, maximum advantage must be drawn by advertising on the mobile vehicle. Another key idea for many mobile catering business operators who are looking for alternative places to establish their kitchen can be to rent space at a local restaurant or a local church or hall. Such places do not normally use their commercial kitchens in the early morning hours, and many of them are happy to rent out their kitchens by the hour. This opportunity can be available by the mobile caterer who can make long-term tie-up with a local restaurant or other commercial kitchen, and use their facilities in the early morning hours to make his food ready for the day. With these innovative steps, it is possible to set up the mobile catering business successfully with a low investment. Over a period of time, as the business grows, the entrepreneur can expand the scope of the business by adding more facilities and more vehicles for the business.

America Censored: A Battle of Rights Essays -- Censorship Censoring Me

America Censored: A Battle of Rights Welcome to the United States of America. This is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. A place where our forefathers once gathered and drew up the foundation for which we live our lives. The Constitution of the United States grants us a certain amount of freedoms for which we cannot be punished for. The first amendment to this constitution of the Constitution allows us the freedom of speech, religion, the right to assemble, and to express ourselves in a way in which we feel fit. Under this amendment, people such as musicians and newsmen and able to write and speak what they feel without being told that it is wrong. They cannot be manipulated to change their thoughts or views on a topic, or can they? Even though the first amendment protects freedom of speech and press people everyday fight not to be censored because they write and speak what they feel. When people are censored for speaking their mind, it shows that the first amendment is nothing more than a falsehood that pr otects some but not all. Letà ­s start this off at the very beginning. What is Censorship? According to The American Heritage College Dictionary to censor is, "To examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable" (American Heritage College Dictionary 226). So basically it is when a select group of people go through books, movies, and music, and ask that anything that might be seen as offensive to a group of people or anyone in general be removed from the publication. Right away you can see how by doing this a personà ­s first amendment is being violated. If, as Americans, we are granted the freedom of speech and expression then having something you write or say censored directly violates th... ... day they die. Why donà ­t we let them use it and everyone just worry about themselves. If you donà ­t like something then stay away from it. Ità ­s as simple as that. If it wasnà ­t for the first amendment people like Tipper Gore wouldnà ­t even have the freedom to speak her mind of what she was against. I think people need to step back from trying to act as god and control their lives. The freedom of speech and expression is one of the greatest things that we, as a country, have. How many countries out there can you get arrested for speaking out in public on an issue. The first amendment is such a great thing but it needs to hold true for all. If something is censored it is as if the government is playing favorites and if that holds true then we are not a free country at all. For everyone out there who is against censorship I have just one more thing to say to all of you...