From the Archive: The Unrecognized Epidemic

This piece was written by Lois Hall, MS in 2019, and is one that has only become more relevant as years go on. Her point stays the same and stronger than ever, though: We can make a conscious effort to heal from the grief we experience. The message here being: It's not too late, we can recover.

        Before I begin, I’d like to tell you about a largely unrecognized and ubiquitous epidemic that impacts each of our communities and in fact, is likely something that each one of us is experiencing at some level right now.

        This epidemic literally affects 100% of us; it is impossible not to be struck by this one; it begins early in infancy and continues to ebb and flow in us until death. There are somewhat latent periods as well as major episodes that leave us unable to work, to provide for our families and even to attend to our daily needs.

        The side effects of this epidemic include likelihood for beginning or increasing addictive behaviors; increased outbursts of violence – both toward others and suicide; and it can also make other comorbid infectious and chronic diseases worse, and more difficult to treat.

        The cost of this epidemic was estimated to be over $75 million per year, based on 2003 figures. Knowing how our economy has changed over time, with the cost of everything increasing, that 2003 estimate would pale in comparison to today's estimates.

        This epidemic impacts businesses all across the US and around the world, not just with health care costs but also with increased absenteeism, and a new side effect called “presenteeism.”

        This epidemic is not new – though more people are beginning to recognize it – and to attempt to find ways to prevent and treat it. The Trust for America’s Health published a key report in 2017 and they have continued to follow this epidemic with annual updates and other associated reports. They estimate that the increase in the visible impacts of this epidemic will grow by 453% in Ohio by 2025. They’ve named these deaths as “deaths of despair.”

        Other professional groups have given the epidemic other names, and have launched awareness programs and meager training opportunities for professionals. However few seem to have any tools to give to the affected population to help them recover – and yes – recovery is possible.

        No major grant funds have yet to be established to study, prevent or treat this epidemic. Community based efforts, and the valiant attempts by health professionals, faith-based organizations and volunteers are the major ways in which this epidemic is currently being addressed.

        I first became aware of this epidemic when I worked at the Ohio Department of Health – in the late 1970s. It really became a passion of mine later – in the 1980s. Seeking help and support for my colleagues who I saw experiencing this epidemic, I found a program that seemed to work, and so I pursued this program and have been working hard to tell people about it ever since.

        I believe it’s our responsibility as Public Health professionals to be aware of this epidemic, to get the information we need to inform our communities and our colleagues, and to put programs in place to address it – to treat it and to prevent it. We are Public Health – it’s our job – our responsibility to protect our communities from epidemics – and this one is no different – I believe it is our responsibility to begin to address this epidemic – even with limited resources. That’s what we do, right?

        The name of this epidemic? Grief.