Health Promotion - Diabetes Control Program - Essay Example

?Running Head: Health Promotion - Diabetes Control Program Health Promotion - Diabetes Control Program [Institute’s Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 PART I 3 Introduction to Health Promotion 3 Factors Influencing Diabetes 3 Contribution of Public Policy, Health Services and Human Behaviours towards Diabetes 5 Prioritising Policy Change, Health Service Improvement and Health Education within the scope of Diabetes 6 Part II 9 Health Education Programme 9 Target Audience of the Programme 9 Aims and Objectives of the Programme 10 Health Education Method 11 Critical Evaluation 12 References 15 PART I Introduction to Health Promotion Health promotion is one of the dominant ways that involves multiple activities that can catch the attention of individuals, which leads to not only improved and much healthier lives of the inhabitants of the community in the distant future but also prevents several lethal diseases from spreading (Tones and Tilford, 2001, pp. 2-4). According to a definition, health promotion is "the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health" (Minelli and Breckon, 2009, pp. 82). Health promotion is a course of action that leads towards awareness amongst people to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition, subject under concern is also a stepping-stone for the societies and regions that confront common as well as grave health enormities to find a remedy by means of positive public attitude, favourable surroundings, educating and creating an understanding amongst the masses and healthy public policies and services (Tones and Tilford, 2001, pp. 2-4). Factors Influencing Diabetes Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in the body in which the level and quantity of the glucose is elevated to large extent. Following are few of the major and influential factors leading to diabetes: Obesity Obesity leads to excessive body fats that hamper the efficiency of insulin receptors present on the surface of body cells. They do not respond to the presence of insulin in blood. As an outcome, body is unable to store surplus glucose in the blood (Barnett and Kumar, 2009, pp. 68-71). Inactive Lifestyle Inactive, sedentary, or desk-bounded lifestyle had become a common routine in the today's life that is leading towards overweight, which is the main reason of obesity, particularly amongst the young generation. The escalating rates of obesity are a strong factor that a person becomes diabetics. This is because the blood sugar levels are low and in control when a person is active and lively (Barnett and Kumar, 2009, pp. 71-75). Unhealthy Diet Practices Eating habits, especially unhealthy consumptions have found to be one of the leading causes of diabetes. This is because having food with full of fats would be less in nutrients, fibers and carbohydrates that a body needs would contribute to flabby and obesity (Neinstein, 2007, pp. 469-471). Inheritance and Family History People come under greater risk of being a diabetic if this disorder is present in the family history. This is because diabetes is hereditary and the upcoming generations have a higher risk of adapting such disease. However, lifestyle is one of the prevalent and principal factors that can control this enormity (Neinstein, 2007, pp. 469-471). Increased level of Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Blood Pressure and Cholesterol are the two factors that not only escalate the probability of diabetes but also lead to several other serious health issues. Unhealthy diet, overweight and sedentary lifestyle accumulates fats in blood, thus increasing the level of cholesterol and high blood pressure (Barnett and Kumar, 2009, pp. 155-158). Contribution of Public Policy, Health Services and Human Behaviours towards Diabetes Concerning the matter of diabetes, public policy, health services, and human behaviours are the three interlined significant aspects that play a significant role in contributing towards diabetes. Public policies are prominent as it not only smoothes the progress of making healthier choices amongst the populace but sometimes it even become an interference in making such choices. However, the human behaviours and actions within their lifestyles come under association with either the preventions or creating complications (Shumaker, Ockene and Riekert, 2008, pp. 20-32). From various studies, it has come under witness that diabetes is a growing disease at an unprecedented rate, which makes this disease to come under public health concern on a wider platform. In addition, it has come under notice that the governments have launched and are maintaining educational and support programmes for diabetic patients on a continuous basis (Shumaker, Ockene and Riekert, 2008, pp. 20-32). Current studies also indicate that health service professional are not adequately equipped that can comprehensively educate or transfer the knowledge about the disease to the diabetic people. This results in patient education for self-management in diabetes. In addition, perceptions related to poor working conditions that include low earnings, limited space availability for educating the people and many more becomes a leading factor that affect the spreading of awareness (Shumaker, Ockene and Riekert, 2008, pp. 20-32). Human behaviors with respect to their eating habits largely contribute towards diabetes. This is because the masses are more concerned about their lavish and stylish living patterns and due to this; they ignore and fail to notice their health conditions that comes under adverse effect. The technological advancements also add to sedentary lifestyle that makes a person obese and increase the likelihood of being diabetic (Shumaker, Ockene, and Riekert, 2008, pp. 20-32). Prioritising Policy Change, Health Service Improvement and Health Education within the scope of Diabetes The three areas incorporating policy change, health service improvement, and health education are all of equal importance with regard to diabetes. This is because eliminating even any one factor would not lead to the achievement of the target that is to make people have good health conditions. However, the health education is the most imperative aspect that should be set first on the priority list. Health Education Health education as mentioned is top priority facet in advocating health amongst diabetic sufferers. It is vital to note that education centers that carry out diabetic counseling and information sessions should be accessible to all the people even including those who are not the sufferers, as it would aid them to take adequate preventive measures. Furthermore, measures must come under implementation due to which every individual must be able to afford the education related to diabetes (Zazworsky, 2005, pp. 249-255). The subsequent priority is that the target audience must come under definition and venues for the education campaigns should come under setting accordingly. This is because venues are also substantial for catching the attention of the target audience and is an effective means of delivering the content of knowledge as the environment would be suitable for private discussions. For instance, while focusing the members of young generation schools, sports clubs, fitness centers, and other relevant places should be the venues of concentration for such campaigns (Zazworsky, 2005, pp. 249-255). The consultants and the teachers responsible for imparting the related education on diabetes to particular group of people should have a proper plan as their following aspect of priority according to which they should carry out the sessions. These sessions must be interactive so that patients’ perceptions can come under consideration and the answers to the queries of each individual could come under resolution so that they can become active learners (Zazworsky, 2005, pp. 249-255). Health Services According to evidences, health professionals at many times are not completely aware of the steps and procedures that they should undertake in a particular circumstance while treating or educating a diabetic patient. Therefore, training and imparting the health professionals on an ongoing basis with the latest technological advancements, and the research related to diabetes is crucial and is of primary priority. It can improve the services provided to the diabetic patient, as the professionals would know the need and the appropriate and correct approach for remedies that includes the proper use of the equipments used in the treatment and medications (Davidson, 2000, pp. 143-148). For improving the health services, it is also essential and comes next in the priority list to design appropriately the clinics where treatment happens to provide comfort to the patients, which would encourage them not to only have regular visits but also follow and put the measures into effect. This participation on the part of patients is of significant importance in promoting a healthy community (Davidson, 2000, pp. 143-148). Public Policy Although public policy states that government is already working on several policies and procedures that benefit the population, yet a number of factors can come under consideration for providing a much better environment to the public for a better and healthy standard of living. Therefore, it is on the least priority. However, while talking about public policy, the government should set nutritional values as a foremost priority for school going students and should monitor that meals consumed by the students are according to the standard values (Davidson, 2000, pp. 143-148). On the second place, a group of health auditors should come under formation that would be responsible and accountable for keeping a check and balance on the supply of consumer goods containing the fatty substances in the market from the production units. Through this inspection, these auditors can limit the supply of those eatables that are high in trans-fats. Thirdly, health ministry in collaboration with other concerned governmental departments should take measures that can help encourage the common people to develop a habit of physical workouts to burn out excessive fats to curb obesity. Such measures include construction of parks, fitness centers, and other recreational facilities (Davidson, 2000, pp. 143-148). Part II Health Education Programme Health Promotion can come under usage as a prerequisite that facilitates the residents, families, and the society on a broad spectrum with an understanding and education about how to develop, adapt, and live a healthy lifestyle that would keep them far away from lethal and chronicle diseases. The health education programme for diabetes would facilitate in promoting early diagnosis of the disease and provide with proper and comprehensive education (Tones and Tilford, 2001, pp. 3-6). Controlling and maintaining the correct levels of blood sugar in the body is the prime objective of the health education programme that can help the patients prevent impediment from the disease and other people from developing this disease. Target Audience of the Programme The target audience that would best suit for the health education intervention would be the youth and the children. This is the most important group to target because the evidences have clearly shown that obesity is one of the widespread and leading issues amongst the young generation. Additionally, the young people are the audiences that have the maximum tendencies to learn and adapt new things, concepts, and ideas. The technological lifestyle in the present era has also been the most influential factor for the youngsters. The other target audience would be the health care professionals and community health workers. To educate and make the health care professional exclusively updated from the most recent information, procedures, and practices involved in the education and treatment of diabetic patients. This is indispensable, as before the patients come under treatments and awareness programmes, the health care professionals and community health workers must have relative adequate information. Aims and Objectives of the Programme Since diabetes is an ailment that is widely spreading with the passage of time due to various influential factors discussed above, therefore, a need to have a wide-ranging educational programme has become a necessity. The Health Education Programme for Diabetes intends to have the following aims and objectives: Increase awareness about the symptoms and factors influencing the disease. Create an understanding about the significance of the diabetes Provide the people with sufficient knowledge about the effective plans and approaches that can help prevent the complications. This programme would enable the local residents to learn about the proper nutrition and diet that incorporate meals planning, cooking procedures and practices, weight control and proper intake of minerals and vitamin supplements. Learning about the physical activities and exercising to maintain a healthy body. Educating with procedures of self-examination of glucose level in the body Reduce the number of people left undiagnosed through creating alertness. Providing revised and most current information about the injection equipment, monitoring devices and medications related to diabetes. Educating about the appropriate and proper doses of insulin with the knowledge of suitable equipments Health Education Method The health education method that would come under practice as an approach to a health promotion programme is the development of the community health club. The creation of community health club is one of the most effective and efficient methods that can come under implementation. This club would have a wide range of activities for the denizens of the society that would increase the awareness and education of diabetes. In the community health club, the health professionals should devote particular days within a specific time of months that should have proper examinations of all the members of the society, particularly the youngsters and children with family history of diabetes to find out the people prone to pre-diabetes. The people with pre-diabetes are the effected individuals who do not exactly fall under the criteria for diabetes diagnosis but are relatively close that are likely to become diabetic if not taken care. In addition, such individuals have blood sugar levels that are higher in comparison to the people with normal blood sugar levels. With the determination of the blood sugar levels, the natives of the community get an opportunity to prevent the development of the disease. With the development of new and healthy lifestyle by proper diets and meal intakes, exercise and weight loss with the help of the health professionals and community health workers, the citizens can make a substantial divergence in averting the disease (LeMura and Duvillard, 2004, pp. 320-321). The community health club ought to create a fitness center within the community with proper apparatus and equipments that can promote the physical activities and exercise. Nevertheless, the health professionals and community health workers must develop a day for the little inhabitants that can help them learn about the advantages and benefits of exercising and physically fitness in this fast-paced world of technology. Besides, engage these young people in activities that they can enjoy that include walking, swimming or cycling, and have their commitment on a daily basis that can help them prevent diabetes. This way, the adolescents of the community would develop a healthy lifestyle and their weights would be in control (LeMura and Duvillard, 2004, pp. 323 -326). Diet is one of the essential factors that must come under limelight in front of the young people of the society. This is for the reason that the young generation is fond of unhealthy and fatty food that comes under quick preparation, is not healthy in terms of its nutrients, carbohydrates, and supplements that a body requires. The community health club through various activities such as lecture programs by dietitians must promote the importance of correct and appropriate diet. In addition, the health club can also set days when dietitians and doctors are available to have one-to-one sessions with the young people that focus on how to have a healthy lifestyle and body weight including the diet patterns and physical activities. This would help the young people develop a diet practice that is full of nutrients and prepared at home (LeMura and Duvillard, 2004, pp. 323 -326). Another practice that the community health club should follow and implement is to have a group of health workers and health professions available for the community people at all times. In addition, the education and awareness amongst those health professionals and community workers is also necessary. Therefore, the health workers must be up to date with the latest scientific developments, equipments, procedures and the course of actions related to diabetes (Porta, 2005, pp. 40-47). Critical Evaluation From the above literature review and method that has come under enlightenment provides the fact that the people does not only need to pay attention to administer the therapeutic and medical issues but the everyday routines, family members support, cultural and economic facets are equally important that needs to come under appropriate management and attention. Extensive research and sources also demonstrate that an adoption of self-management course of therapy for the diabetic patients have proved to be effective and useful in their everyday routines. This self-management treatment takes account of workouts, proper nutritional diets, taking medications on a regular basis and many more. In fact, results have exposed the fact that self-management amongst the diabetes patients have become the foundation stone for controlling and preventing diabetic complications (Snoek and Skinner, 2000, pp. 86-90). With the help of the fitness centre in the community health club, physical activities such as exercising, cycling, and swimming would escalate amongst the youth. The permanent physical fitness activities would also control the weight of the people by burning the excessive fats from the body that gets on the body due to unhealthy diet patterns. The physical activities would also result in decreased sedentary lifestyles that have come under strong adoption by the young members of the society, which is a prevailing factor of obesity and diabetes (Hawley and Zierath, 2008, pp. 7-9). With the assistance of dedicated health professionals and local community health workers, the natives of the society would be able to communicate and have a transformation of thoughts with each other more freely at the time of their choice. Additionally, the local health workers would also eliminate the linguistic difference, which is a big and common issue faced by numerous people. Indeed, the linguistic disparities also lead to lack in confidence in the common people due to which they become hesitant towards discussing their problems (Snoek and Skinner, 2000, pp. 86-90). With the training of the health professionals, these health workers must be able to communicate and interpret the knowledge and wisdom related to diabetes to the people in such a way that a nonprofessional or a non-professional individual can understand all the terminologies in the correct meaning and implication (Porta, 2005, pp. 40-47). To put it concisely, the health education intervention for the young generation and adolescents is a very important matter of concern in the present epoch that needs serious consideration in order to have not only appropriate awareness but also comprehensive education and knowledge amongst them that can lead them to have suitable preventive and controlling measures from diabetes. References Barnett, Anthony H. and Kumar, Sudhesh. 2009. Obesity and Diabetes. John Wiley and Sons. Davidson, John K. 2000. Clinical diabetes mellitus: a problem-oriented approach. Thieme. Hawley, John A. and Zierath, Juleen R. 2008. Physical activity and type 2 diabetes: therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action. Human Kinetics. LeMura, Linda M. and Duvillard, Serge P. Von. 2004. Clinical exercise physiology: application and physiological principles. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Minelli, Mark J. and Breckon, Donald. 2009. Community Health Education: Settings, Roles, and Skills. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Neinstein, Lawrence S. 2007. Adolescent health care: a practical guide, Issue 414. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Porta, M. 2005. Embedding education into diabetes practice. Karger Publishers. Shumaker, Sally A., Ockene, Judith K. and Riekert, Kristin A. 2008. The handbook of health behavior change. Springer Publishing Company. Snoek, Frank J. and Skinner, T. Chas. 2000. Psychology in diabetes care. John Wiley and Sons. Tones, Keith and Tilford, Sylvia. 2001. Health promotion: effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. Nelson Thornes. Zazworsky, Donna. 2005. Handbook of diabetes management. Birkhauser. Read More