Healthy People, Healthy Places, the Challenge for Public Health - Essay Example

?Health People, Healthy Places, the Challenge for Public Health Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Identifying Public Health Challenges in the 21st Century 3 The Necessary Changing Approaches for Future 5 Conclusion 7 References 9 Bibliography 11 Introduction A definition provided by the Acheson Report has been extensively accepted regarding public health, according to which, “public health can be defined as the science and the art of preventing diseases, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of the society” (Detels, 2009). The key focus of public health is reasonably more on mass population than on individuals. Moreover, primary responsibilities of public health are to identify, monitor and measure the health needs of communities on one hand, while on the other hand, it involves formulating, promoting and enforcement of sound policies related with public health in order to prevent and control diseases in a community. In relation to this, there have been several challenges that have emerged in the recent times with respect to public health (Donaldson & Banatvala, 2007). The challenges regarding public health can be associated with climatic changes, changes in the way of living, impact of globalisation and outbreak of epidemic (Israel & et. al., 1998). However, different administrations have been consistently involved in resolving these challenges efficiently and in the most economical way. Despite the significant efforts of the administrations, public health has constantly been threatened with the influx of new challenges. Thus, the paper intends to identify the challenges faced by public health in the 21st Century. Furthermore, the paper encompasses a brief discussion of the changing policies and approaches towards promoting sound health in the current situation as well as in the future context. Identifying Public Health Challenges in the 21st Century In the 21st Century, public health has been facing significant challenges in terms of demographic changes, globalisation and certain technological advancements related consequences. The health of the world population is increasingly being affected due to the globalisation accompanied with environmental changes and changes in the lifestyle. The increased extents of trade and travel along with a lack of proper diffusion of technology have also significantly contributed towards creating a negative impact on social and environmental conditions. Moreover, greater health inequalities between rich and poor, food security, outbreak of epidemic and environmental degradation are major challenges currently being faced by public health across the world. In addition, legal, social and ethical issues related with public health also have imposed imperative challenges in the 21st Century (Department of Health, 2012). The medical inflation has also sharply risen due to uncertainties in economic environment because of frequent financial crisis witnessed by the world. Evidently, various global nations have been able to reduce the impact of malnutrition significantly but they are faced with a new problem of obesity and overweight, particularly, Britain is the worst affected nation facing the challenges of obesity followed by the United States. Omoleke (2011) argued that obesity is associated with many negative consequences such as mental, social and physical challenges. It is also identified that obesity leads towards diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases followed by hypertension. Evidently, it can be affirmed that obesity in the 21st Century imposes one of the most serious threats to public health (Cooksey, 2006; Omoleke, 2011). At the same time, smoking and the use of tobacco have been among the major causes of premature death in many developed and developing countries. The problem related with the consumption of alcohol and the uses of other hazardous drugs have also added to the challenges faced by public health (NHS Bradford and Airedale Douglas Mill, 2012). It is worth mentioning that despite the increasing importance of public health in the current society, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of health professionals predominantly in nursing, epidemiology, environmental health and laboratory science. Ironically, rural and underserved areas are deprived of obtaining necessary healthcare services when there is a greater need for facilitating and promoting health. Consequently, the shortages in the healthcare workforce have immensely led towards the increasing threat related with bioterrorism and epidemic outbreak (Cooksey, 2006). Furthermore, challenges of privacy and security of health information exchange and sharing have also increased with the advancement of technologies and growth in the number of patient population (Anderson, 2013). Even though laws are enacted to ensure adequate privacy and confidentiality of patient health information, still there exist substantial gaps which limit the implication of these laws (Hiller & et. al., 2011). Precisely stating, the future of public health is going to be more rigid and cumbersome. Consequently, there requires more stringent efforts towards public health issues in order to promote healthy-people with healthy-places to live in. The Necessary Changing Approaches for Future A number of significant advancements have been made in the field of public health over the past few years. The continuous efforts of government authorities along with collaborated efforts of public health professionals have been able to considerably address many of the complex health challenges faced in the past. Despite the considerable success of public health, still many challenges lie ahead in the future. Government has been constantly engaged in improving health of the community through strategic partnership, investment and leadership (Health Resource and Services Administration, 2012). The current public health initiatives are based on broad determinants of public health including people’s living and working conditions (Nicholson, 2004). The scenario of health of the people in Britain has significantly improved. A major improvement in the life expectancy has been witnessed due to the public health care interventions. Moreover, the governmental efforts towards promoting public health have also resulted in the reduction of infectious diseases through the establishment of clean water and sewage systems. At the same time, adequate nutrition has largely been able to eradicate many birth defects (Jackson & Waters, 2004.) The mass immunisation programmes have also reduced the impact of infectious diseases and have resulted in promoting safe and healthy living of mass population. Nonetheless, there persists relatively high rate of health disparities in the 21st century. Despite this aspect, the prime focus of the health related efforts is more on reducing the causes that result in health hazards in order to promote healthy living for the future (Crown, 2010). Moreover, public health integrates at national, state, regional as well as community levels in order to address health concerns and further involve communities in planning and development of various health related programmes. Health and other sectors are also closely integrated for all round promotion of public health. Public health services are also related with certain disciplines like science and research for understanding the relationship between the causes and the consequences (Wanless, 2002). Due to the complexity in the nature of diseases and other health related threats, public health also involves in acquiring new technologies and approaches to ensure best health practices as well as to strengthen health professionals’ knowledge for properly addressing public health issues and challenges (NHS Sustainable Development Unit, 2011). In order to ensure the effectiveness of public health, it is necessary to bring in requisite changes in the fund allocations for the purpose of healthy future. Comparatively, the expenditure made on public health is relatively in smaller proportion than the expenditure in other sectors. Thus, the proportion of allocated fund available for public health should also be considerably reframed and coordinated in the best possible way. Moreover, it was stressed on the implementation of ecological model in order to overcome public health challenges (Ferlie, & Shortell, 2001). Notably, ecological model to public health promotion involves addressing multiple environmental factors that influence the health. Contextually, ecological model emphasises on pursuing long-standing alternations in all the aspects including physical, economic, social, environment and legal aspects in order promote public health (The UK Faculty of Public Health, 2009). In addition to this, various campaigns such as ‘Change4 Life’ has been introduced in the United Kingdom in order to promote public health. The government in the UK is also involved in eradicating child poverty for ensuring safe and healthy future. Moreover, Healthy Child Programmes and The National Child Measurement Programmes are also regularly engaged in providing services and generating awareness among the school going children related to health and healthy living (Crown, 2010). McMichael & et. al. (2006) argued that climate change would have a dramatic impact on the public health related aspects in the near future. Thus, it was stressed on seeking unanimous efforts against rising global temperature and climate change (McMichael & et. al., 2006). Furthermore, the need for privacy and confidentiality also requires serious attention in order to ensure proper treatment and thereby promote better public health services. For ensuring healthy future, it is also required that more and more health professionals having necessary skills are available to serve public health. However, it is crucial that more innovative and integrated approaches are undertaken in order to effectively deal with the challenges and empower people with healthier living conditions along with making the earth a better place to reside in (Donaldson & Banatvala, 2007). Conclusion Public health in its simplest meaning is promoting well-being of the mass population. There have been tremendous advancements in the 21st century due to globalisation, technology changes and industrialisation as well as urbanisation. However, the apparent advancements in the 21st century have been accompanied with many health related challenges. These developments have radical impacts on the current health of the public around the world and it is further viewed that their impact in future will have more serious consequences. In order to reduce the fatal consequences on the public health, respective administrations around the world are severely engaged in formulation and implementation of policies and programmes so that epidemics are quickly identified and controlled before they become more adverse. Additionally, several legislations have been passed to protect environment and refrain public from indulging in unhealthy practices. Although the current health policies are worthy to address the challenges of public health, more strict and effective policies along with programmes are required in order to efficiently deal with the potential challenges of future circumstances. References Anderson, R. J., 2013. Information Technology in Medical Practice: Safety and Privacy Lessons from the UK. Privacy failure – an example. [Online] Available at: http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/Papers/ausmedjour.pdf [Accessed February 09, 2013]. Crown, 2010. Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our Strategy for Public Health in England. Seizing Opportunities for Better Health. [Online] Available at: http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm79/7985/7985.pdf [Accessed February 09, 2013]. Cooksey, D. S., 2006. A Review of UK Health Research Funding. Analysis of the UK Health Research System pp. 1-119. Detels, R., 2009. The Scope and Concerns Of Public Health. Introduction. [Online] Available at: http://fds.oup.com/www.oup.com/pdf/13/9780199218707_chapter1.pdf [Accessed February 09, 2013]. Donaldson, L. & Banatvala, N., 2007. Health Is Global: Proposals For A UK Government-Wide Strategy. Lancet, Vol. 369, pp. 857-61. Department of Health, 2012. Factsheet: Local Public Health Intelligence. Summary of Local Public Health Intelligence. [Online] Available at: https://www.wp.dh.gov.uk/publications/files/2012/09/Public-health-intelligence-all-factsheets.pdf [Accessed February 09, 2013]. Ferlie, E. B. & Shortell, S. M., 2001. Improving the Quality of Health Care in the United Kingdom and the United States: Framework. 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[Online] Available at: http://www.sdu.nhs.uk/documents/routemap/Route_Map_FinalScreen.pdf [Accessed February 09, 2013]. Nicholson, P. J., 2004. Occupational Health Services In the UK—Challenges and Opportunities. Occupational Medicine, Vol. 54, pp. 147-152. Omoleke, S. A., 2011. Obesity: A Major Public Health Challenge of 21st Century In The United Kingdom (UK). Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, Vol. 3, No. 12, pp. 560-566. The UK Faculty of Public Health, 2009. Sustaining a Healthy Future. Climate Change – Causes and Consequences. [Online] Available at: http://www.fph.org.uk/uploads/Sustainable_development_guide.pdf [Accessed February 09, 2013]. Wanless, D., 2002. Securing our Future Health: Taking a Long-Term View. Public Engagement. [Online] Available at: http://si.easp.es/derechosciudadania/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/4.informe-wanless.pdf [Accessed February 09, 2013]. Bibliography Bayer, R. & Beauchamps, D. E., 2007. Public Heath Ethics: Theory, Policy and Practice. 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