The well-being of communities is dependent on effective public health practice. In this assignment I will consider the above statement by looking at wellbeing, public health practice, epidemiology, and public health goals and their application. Using theory I will also suggest why public health practice is not always as effective in practice as it is in policy. Public health can be broadly defined as protecting the health of the population and addressing health promotion and disease prevention. However we are now in the fifth wave of public health and the issues of obesity, inequality, loss of wellbeing, population growth, and environmental challenge require our attention. (Hanlon 2010) Achievement of wellbeing is seen as a measure for quality of life and the Prime Minister asked the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to measure the nation’s wellbeing (Cameron, 2010). The ONS attempted to comprehensively assess wellbeing and predictably the outcome of the ONS ‘wheel of measures’ spins on the pivotal quality issues of health, family bonds, employment, financial security, training, and environmental factors (Powell 2014). These ‘determinants of health’ affect a person’s wellbeing, their health and how they function in a community. (Dahlgon and Whitely 2001, Barton and Grant 2006.) These are the determinants that public health practice is based on. This wellbeing measure in public health practice is evaluated in a population by using a Health Needs Assessment (HNA), a systematic approach from which priorities are identified and resources allocated dependant on the needs identified (Cavanagh and Chadwick 2005). Included on the HNA are the evidence of research and epidemiology. What epidemiology does is to ask practical questions ... ... middle of paper ... ...moving from an emphasis on sickness to one of salutogenisis. In effective public health practice there will continue to be health protection actions where danger from circumstances, the environment and illness are identified and planned actions result. Additionally there will continue to be the use of epidemiology to identify areas of need and what is happening in communities where pockets of deprivation and inequality can highlight areas where additional actions and resources are directed. Effective public health now is building on these foundation health promotion practices the bricks of salutogenisis where increasing control, self-efficacy, health improvement, productivity, and wellbeing help create a wall of life for individuals and communities that can withstand the bombardments throughout life, standing firm and not falling. (World Health Authority 2014)
Public health is a vast field that encompasses many issues. Generally speaking, it deals with the safety and protection of people in a society as well as education
The Open University (2010) K101 An introduction to health and social care, Unit 2, ‘Illness, Health and Care’, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
The World Health Organization (WHO) (2010) defines obesity and being overweight as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) as Arterburn et al (2008) put forward is a measure of body fat based on height and weight and further suggest that any individual with a BMI of more than 30 is considered as obese. Tannahill et al (1999) advocate that health education could be viewed as communication activity aimed at enhancing positive health and preventing ill health in individuals and groups by influencing their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour of persons with power and of the community. Butler et al (2008) defines health prevention as the measures for early detection of departure from good health. Whereas Heath (2002) concurs that the role and function of the nurse emphasise on health promotion and illness prevention, the Department of Health (2010) emphasises on the prevention of diseases, prolonging life and promoting health rather than treatment.
Inside any type of community there are many indicators of health, but now I am going to focus only in five of them. The proper good health of communities it is a very strong matter for governments and society in general. This indicators are important because gives us objectives, data, and resources to guide us in what are the mains community problems when we talk about health. The five indicators that I am going to discuss are: access to health services, physical activities, nutrition and weight status, sexual transmitted diseases, and immunization and infectious diseases. The government program that control and give us all this information is Healthy People 2020.
Healthy People are a nationwide program set by the United States Department of Health and Human Services with the objectives to promote health and prevent disease. The Healthy People program was first initiated in 1979, followed by Healthy People 1990, 2000 and 2010 with the same goals and objectives to promote health and prevent diseases. Due to the accomplishments that has been achieved in the previous years under this program, the Healthy People 2020 expanded or rather broadened their goals and objectives beyond disease prevention, health promotion and reducing health disparities, but to also eliminate healthcare disparities that has plagued this nation by the year 2020. The governing body, the United States Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for coordinating this program; track the progress of these objectives so as to improve the health of the population. Among the various goals set by this body, only three will be discussed in this paper to gain more insight as to what it entails. These include health equity to improve the health of all groups; social and physical environments that promote good health; and to promote quality of life, healthy development and healthy behavior across life stages.
Public health is a concept that will always be subject to conflicting opinion. Over the year’s different ‘models’ of health have been formulated in order to categorise public health into dominant areas of cause and effect. The two models in which this essay will be focusing on are the Biomedical Model and the Lifestyle Theory Model. Although both models have equally arguable advantages and disadvantages, it is difficult to state either model as being ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in defining the correct pathway to resolving the central health issues of today.
When one thinks of health, we think of our physical well-being, we think of the medicines we have to take to ensure our recovery in cases of illness, we think white-washed halls, doctors, nurses, candy stripers in their hospital clothes, we think vegetables and fruit juice, and the rest of that wellness-junk that the television infomercials make us buy, we think of sickness, we think of death, we think of life. We do not, or rarely, think of the underlying sociological implications of health and illness, through which we unknowingly dictate our actions, and through which our health manoeuvres through. Beyond the biological and natural conditions, through which our health is dictated, are the sociological factors affecting our wellbeing. It has been shown that the spread of diseases is heavily influenced by culture and tradition, and clearly, our socioeconomic statuses. Health therefore is much more than just an amalgamation of biological factors, but it extends to more socially-constructed sectors of our beings. And all these factors tend to procure inequalities.
...all these definitions define health and wellbeing in either positive, negative or take a holistic approach. There are many different criticisms regarding definitions. Although, it is vital to remember that these definitions have changed throughout the years and will carry on changing within the future regarding what people believe to be healthy. As established throughout this essay, there is a wide range of genetic, social and environmental factors which influence the health and wellbeing of children regarding the area or district which they live in both positively and negatively which have been analysed within this essay in depth. Factors such as the quality of housing in the area which they live, the availability and location of quality services and the type of people which live in that area and the influences which they have on others have been greatly analysed.
Public health is defined as the science and art of protecting and promoting decent wellbeing, avoiding disability, disease, and early deaths, reinstating good health when injury and illness impair it and make the most of the value of life. The intention of such public health is promoting, protecting, and improving people’s health, avoiding disease and provide benefit to the whole community as a whole (White, Stallones, & Last, 2013). Therefore, I am analyzing Dr. Jackson Richard’s episode on designing healthy societies for prospective generations and offer how people can shape healthier communities for their children. The Designing Healthy Communities episode covers a postindustrial generation and their health worries, environment, and
To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, an individual or group must be able to identify and to realize aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore, seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. Therefore, health promotion is not just the responsibility of the health sector, but goes beyond healthy life-styles to wellbeing. Health promotion goes beyond health care. It puts health on the agenda of policy makers in all sectors and at all levels. It directs policy makers to be aware of the health consequences of their decisions and accept their responsibilities for
Public health is the way protecting and improving health of a community and families through the implementation and promotion of healthy lifestyle. The aim or goal is to allow the public to have a quality of life by prevent spread of disease or infection, protecting form injury, facilitating aid and many more (Rima, Lipinski,2009). The interventions usually conducted by public health professional are to prevent any form of health related problem happening or recurring by implementing educational programs, designing and recommending policies, and conducting research. Additional duties and responsibilities of public health nurses are to work with communities and/or population as partners to promote health, and also taking leadership to assess assets and needs of the communities in order to propose a solution as partners
Kevin White pp: 5-8k introduction to sociology of health and illness second edition books.goole.co.uk accessed 11-04-2014
The five principles of HP include building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills, and reorienting health services (McMurray & Clendon 2015). The first principle aims to incorporate health into all public policy decisions beyond the health system so that living and working conditions become conducive to health and equity (Germov, Freij & Richmond 2015). According to McMurray & Clendon (2015), multi-sectoral collaboration is required among different sectors, such as education, industry and social welfare, with the reciprocally influential policies that guide the community health. The second principle emphasises the socio-ecological approach to health that promotes sustainable environment and broader social support systems that encourage a safe and satisfying life (Germov, Freij & Richmond 2015; McMurray & Clendon 2015). This principle requires to acknowledge the significance of conserving the physical or social resources that allow people to maintain health (McMurray & Clendon 2015). The third principle focuses on information and learning opportunities that enable communities to make knowledgeable choices for better health (McMurray & Clendon
According to the World Health Organisation health is “A state of well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (WHO,1946)
Public Health is the science of preventing disease and promoting health through many different ideas and functions by informing society and different community-based organizations. The idea behind Public Health is to protect and serve; it helps improve the lives of countless individuals through promoting a healthier lifestyle, education, research, prevention, detection, and response management. From the beginning, the idea of Public Health has become a stepping-stone that is essential to the longevity of humans and the environment. As society progresses and new advents are created or modified, Public Health