Population-Focused Health Essay

As the years have passed, the concept of population-focused health has gained more attention. It is based on the social and environmental factors that affect health. For example, many diseases are caused by unhealthy lifestyles. By analyzing the social environment, it is possible to develop better health policies. But how do we get there? What is the best way to go about this? How can we make population health more accessible?

Social science

A recent change in funding policies has left many social scientists in the field questioning their value and role in public health. However, despite the difficulties, social scientists can leverage their role as communication and dissemination experts to advance public health. In addition to their ability to make a positive impact on public health, social scientists can also influence the development of biomedical innovations. This is particularly important when it comes to addressing the growing problem of aging in our population.

Sociologists study social stratification and discrimination, while anthropologists examine culture and life-course development. Economists study both individual actions and macro-level conditions. Political scientists study formal decision-making processes and the evolution of health systems. Psychologists study the cognitive, affective, and behavioral mediators of social environments. Finally, geneticists contribute their research to population-focused health. But the relationship between population-focused health and social science is complex and often difficult to measure.

This research requires integration with other disciplines. The National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute have announced a new research program that addresses social and cultural factors in health and disease. The institutes have set aside $15 million for awards in 2003. While the recommendations are not binding on the NIH, they are a step toward expanding health-related social science research. This will require proactive efforts on the part of social scientists and biomedical researchers.

Intersectoral public health system

An effective public health system must involve multiple sectors and the whole of government, including governmental public agencies, the health care delivery system, and the media. It must be backed by healthy public policy that takes health effects into account. This article discusses several examples of effective intersectoral public health systems. Let's consider two common types of interventions: preventative and curative, and a system that promotes health through education.

One common challenge faced by all sectors is achieving a single, shared purpose. A shared purpose will encourage all participants to participate, and a clear link to political levels will strengthen the initiative. This will create buy-in and enable partners to leverage their resources and implement their mandate in a more efficient way. For example, if a public health agency focuses on chronic disease prevention and control, it can work in tandem with a non-profit organization to help children with asthma.

When implementing an ISA, non-health sectors may be reluctant to engage. Often, a health sector dominates the perspective of other sectors, which makes it difficult for them to be involved. The ISA can also seem like an extra burden. Many participants in the study were not aware of their legal responsibilities. Moreover, the health sector may be less than forthcoming with information about the benefits and downsides of intersectoral collaboration.

Looking for Population Focused Health essay? Place your Order Here

Accountable care organizations

One of the most complex areas within the health industry is population health management. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act strengthened population health management strategies by creating Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to improve public health outcomes. The Center for Health Care Strategies at Northeastern University and the Urban Health Research and Practice found that traditional fee-for-service payment models have not been effective in strengthening population health management strategies. Alternative reimbursement methods could offer new pathways toward improving public health outcomes.

The most common goal of an ACO is to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. This model involves voluntary groupings of healthcare providers and their payment is tied to quality and cost. These organizations share in savings or potential costs and are a good way to improve quality care. However, the cost savings and quality results are modest. In addition, ACOs have minimal impact on the experience of providers. This new payment model is not the only reason to create an ACO.

The ACO model has many challenges. The most commonly discussed obstacle is the lack of publicly available data. The ACO model requires a provider to report on 34 nationally recognized quality measures across four quality domains. However, there are ways to collect and report on these data. This would allow a payer to make more informed decisions about how to improve quality and cost-effectiveness. However, the National Academy of Medicine recommends that ACOs segment patients to increase their ability to deliver high-quality care while allocating limited resources wisely.

Diabetes

In the United States, the prevalence of diabetes is approximately 12%, with the highest rates among minority populations. As obesity rates have risen, the number of people with diabetes has increased as well. The prevalence of diabetes in older adults has increased nearly 20 percent over the past two decades. The best way to treat diabetes and prevent its complications is through a targeted intervention aimed at improving family health. The CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation provides scientific leadership and technical expertise to improve the health of people with diabetes.

Increasingly, new models of care delivery are being implemented across the country to address the problem. These models are based on the effectiveness of health resources and outcomes of treatment. Tones et al. (2013) explained that by changing lifestyle and behavior, nurses can affect the outcomes of treatment. In addition, the essay emphasizes that community nurses should engage patients in the care plan for diabetes self-care, as this will free up nurses for more complex cases.

Prevention of type 2 diabetes requires high attention and focus on lifestyle interventions. Healthcare providers must evaluate the efficacy of these interventions and determine if they are successful in reducing the prevalence of diabetes in their community. Such programs often involve improving dietary and physical activity habits and altering personal risk factors. For this reason, they should be highly focused on diabetes prevention. These interventions should follow established guidelines and principles deemed to be effective at the community level.

Chronic disease prevention

Public health programs are vital for preventing chronic diseases. These conditions cause the highest number of deaths and are particularly prevalent among low-income populations and communities of color. Chronic diseases contribute 75 percent of U.S. health care spending, and they are preventable. Successful prevention strategies recognize the interplay between social determinants of health, including education, access to health care, and racism. The Partnerships for Population-Focused Health (PHI) program oversees a variety of chronic disease prevention programs that focus on policy change and implementation.

Secondary prevention focuses on early detection of chronic diseases and improving health outcomes by providing prevention services. It involves improving a person's lifestyle and changing social determinants. It may also include clinical preventive services. For example, oral hygiene education is important for preventing dental decay. Many studies show that preventive interventions and screenings help people avoid tooth decay and oral disease. However, there are still some concerns. It's important to remember that the best prevention is a combination of primary and secondary prevention programs.

Public health professionals should be involved in chronic disease prevention efforts. Their expertise can help people avoid complications, improve their quality of life, and reduce their health care costs. By improving links between clinical and community health settings, they can direct patients to proven programs that are supported by health insurance. They can also increase the use of community-delivered interventions and link them to health care systems. There are several important reasons for the CDC to support population-focused health.

Social determinants of health

Socioeconomic status is one of the strongest predictors of mortality and illness worldwide. People in the highest socioeconomic brackets generally have better health than those at the lower end. The same is true across the social gradient. Nevertheless, addressing social determinants of health will not only improve population health, but it will also reduce long-standing health inequities. Here are some of the ways to do so.

One way to address social determinants is through population health management programs. These programs focus on small pieces of the puzzle, such as housing stability. Studies show that health outcomes are better in states with higher ratios of social-to-healthcare spending. One study showed that states that increased their ratio by 20 percent had lower rates of mental illnesses and obesity, as well as reduced associated healthcare spending. However, it may take decades to reduce disparities and see significant improvements in health outcomes.

The main goal of addressing social determinants of health is to improve population health. Health outcomes depend on an array of factors, including genetics, behaviors, environment, and health care. Various studies have shown that social factors are the primary driving force behind health outcomes. For example, loneliness and social isolation are among the greatest risks for health among the senior population. These are growing trends, as baby boomers and other generations reach their senior years.