Burden of Disease
Prevention strategies must account for the diversity of the population. Understanding how communities consume health information and access health services may greatly contribute to the prevention of disease within a community.
For this assignment, you will be required to consider how access to health information may contribute to the overall health of a community. You will be required to consider how to make prevention messages more effective and widespread.
Read the following case study from your textbook:
Case 10: The Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance
Then, perform the following tasks to complete this assignment:
Go to The Community Guide website at The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide) and review the intervention strategies used to reduce the burden of disease in that community or population.
Discuss these strategies in your paper and provide recommendations for improving upon those strategies.
Review relevant policies that impact your chosen geographic location and the health of the residents in this area. You may search for philanthropic organizations in your area that focus on health as a part of their mission. Often times, these organizations review and analyze health policies for your area. Examples of such philanthropic organizations are United Way, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Public Health Institutes.
Identify some of the local champions for health policy or health issues in your selected area. Discuss how these local champions have been effective in advocating for change in your selected area or location.
Sample Solution
The Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Obesity Alliance (STOP) is a non-profit organization that works to reduce the burden of obesity in Canada. The STOP program is focused on helping individuals and families make healthier lifestyle choices, such as increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and reducing exposure to unhealthy foods and drinks. To achieve this goal,
the organization has established several intervention strategies that are aimed at changing attitudes towards health, eliminating barriers to healthy living, building a supportive environment for making positive changes and providing access to information about healthy eating habits.
One strategy employed by STOP is community-level action plans. This involves collaborating with local governments or organizations in order to create policies that encourage healthy behaviors among citizens. For example, STOP may work with city officials to develop zoning regulations that limit fast food restaurants or implement incentives for businesses who offer healthier options for their employees or customers.
Another strategy used by STOP is public education campaigns. These campaigns focus on informing individuals about the risks associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and how they can take steps towards preventing it. This may include distributing flyers or brochures outlining proper nutrition facts, hosting seminars focusing on physical activity benefits or developing interactive websites with helpful resources regarding dieting and weight loss tips.
Finally, STOP relies heavily on partnerships between government agencies, healthcare providers and other organizations in order to provide effective interventions at the population level. An example of this type of collaboration is when healthcare professionals help spread awareness around diabetes prevention through PANAGED initiative which stands for Prevention & Awareness Network Around Gestational Diabetes Education & Supportive services.. By working together these partners are able to increase access points for people seeking preventive health care services like diabetes screenings or physical activity classes targeted specifically toward people who suffer from obesity related illnesses such as diabetes type 2 . Moreover , when various groups come together there will be more accurate data collection which can then inform better decision making involving policy makers .
In order to improve upon these existing strategies some recommendations could include creating programs which incentivize employers into decreasing sedentary workplace environments . Furthermore , having a greater involvement from employers during workplace wellness initiatives will not only benefit them financially but also prevent absenteeism due unhealthy lifestyles amongst their employees . Additionally , promoting functional fitness amongst citizens might also prove beneficial especially since it combines strength training along with aerobic exercises which have been known of reducing chronic diseases greatly . Finally , having more accessible community gardens would allow residents easier access fresh produce rather than using canned goods filled with preservatives which increases risk of disease development further down the line
In terms of relevant policies impacting my chosen geographic location I found out that most states follow similar policiy models where initiatives such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are enacted across state lines while others may have different versions depending on what they deem important within their own respective populations . However , regardless many states have implemented measures like increased availability whole grain products within schools/hospital cafeterias , reduced sodium levels throughout meals served etc ... In addition many philanthropic organizations like United Way see themselves being champions for creatingpolicy change specifically through Healthcare reform advocating increasing its affordability because no one should be deprived medical attention regardless income status etc... Many Public Health Institutes are also involved researching trends affecting entire populations as well as recommending any necessary policy changes/new implementations if needed
Lastly there are indeed certain local champions whose voices carry significant weight when speaking up against pressing issues particularly concerning public health such us Sheila Bair who has acted chairperson FDIC from 2006 - 2011 she fought hard regulation banks within US banking system therefore allowing those in lower income brackets ability t get loans build decent credit scores furthermore affording opportunity previously unavailable given economic climate prior her appointment .. Another remarkable champion whom goes unrecognized often times but deserves immense recognition day Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha pediatrician Michigan State University College Medicine she's been instrumental exposing Flint’s water crisis back 2016 when lead poisoning affected children drastically had clean water source restored same year after her report was released .. Overall these two examples demonstrate power behind single person pushing boundaries even if means taking stand against authority structure place thus improving overall health population going forward