Legislative Initiative Plan From Senator Anitere Flores - Case Study Example

Legislative Practicum: Senator Anitere Flores  Jeannette Pilonieta Barry Introduction At the moment, the Health Sector need to implement public policies that would deal with the social determinants of health (SDH) and this is done mainly to minimize inequalities in health. However, only a few of these public policies involve other sectors. In the past, the health sector has taken care of health, despite the factual that the diseases burden are related to the conditions in which majority of people grew, working, living or even age factor. In addition, these SDH goes beyond the realm of the health sectorQn 5.Another public administration is required to address in an effective manner Social Determinants of Health, for instance, housing, water, education, income and others Qn1(Wilkinson, 1996). The paper would envision the adoption of a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Framework and Public Health Policy to advance the health of individuals and all residents in Florida as well as assisting the elected official to address the SDH. The progress of this structure would be an important step that can lead to important health care reforms. The adoption of this framework would illustrate a significant shifting in emphasizing from an illness based health care system to a better-based system that focuses on prevention of chronic and illness disease by addressing the social determinants of health. Section One: Senator Flores Initiative on Health,SDOH Framework Approach and Public Health Policy Senator Flores Initiative on Health The outcomes of using tobacco are negative to health, and it requires an urgent response and, therefore, funds were allocated to tobacco-related disease research in Florida courtesy of the Senator’s effort. It is expected the funds would offer support to an intervention program of smoking for those who fall into the category of low income, for instance, women from Spain. The funds are intended to assist women who had just given birth to avoid smoking. The research would explore on how the use of tobacco can lead to vision loss and would research brand drugs to assist those who might be negatively impacted. Additionally, the other funds would study the ways a patient’s immunity system minimizes the severity of stroke, and another would research therapy for patients facing challenges in swallowing after a stroke. Also, other funds and grants are expected to advance the curing of cancer, and diversity of cancer projects (Florida Health Care Association, 2015). Another research would explore an innovative approach to discover medicine that can prevent arsenic exposure-related cancers. In order to provide support in curing of one of Florida’s most common cancers, another study would attempt to determine whether a patient’s immune can be applied in lung cancer treatment. Other funds would explore on what might lead to therapy for today’s therapy-resistant breast cancers, and another research would work to determine why certain cancers spread throughout the body and resist treatment. The legislature is advocating for regulatory changes that provides better flexibility to care for skilled nursing centers’ for different population. Skilled nursing center residents need round the clock complex medical care. Skilled nursing centers also provides post-acute care, offering an efficient and effective rehabilitation environment for patients who requires occupational, physical, language therapy or speech so they can recover and go back to the society (Florida Health Care Association, 2015) . The Legislature is expected to make a review of Florida’s Medicaid Managed Care System and eliminate issues that impact individuals and providers in a negative manner. Despite full implementation of Florida’s Medicaid Managed Long Term Care Program across the state, skilled centers for nursing reports problems that affect individual’s access to transportations and care. In addition, service providers are facing delays in payment and processing claims; this impact seriously on and, therefore, residents would be affected negatively. Therefore, there is need to have skilled nursing centers that are cost effective and a high-quality for patients with short-term rehabilitative requirements. The rehabilitative care is designed to respond to individuals in a manner that enhance maximum independence. Majority of skilled nursing center residents are relying on Medicaid to cover their long-term health care needs and for Medicare funds as well. Florida is ranked the best second in the nation in the number of five-star rated centers, and there is a need of restoring previous funds that had been cut to skilled nursing center care. This would allow for equipment upgrading and physical plant that would meet the current and future care needs. Therefore, Florida’s economy is seeing improvements, and the state’s budget is no longer experiencing a deficit, cuts to funding for nursing center care should be restored. Many of Florida’s skilled nursing centers are above 30 years old, and they require capital improvements (Florida Health Care Association, 2015). A Social Determinant of Health (SDOH)Approach The modern lifestyles and the conditions in which individuals are living and working heavily influence their health status and longevity. In reality, poor conditions are leading to poor health. Medical care can have a prolonged survival after having some serious diseases, but the economic and social conditions that is affecting whether people become ill are more important for gaining health in the population as a whole (WHO, 2005). Income is a key determinant of premature years of losing of life and mortality from quite a number of diseases (Raphael, 2004). Most studies have shown that income levels throughout life during the toddler stage, adolescence, and adulthood are all independent predictors of who shall develop and in the end die from diseases (Smith, 2003). This provide suggestions that the SDOH can have a wider influences on health at every stage of life, meaning they have an instant influence as well as providing the basis for health or it can prolong life in coming development stages (Raphael, 2004). According to Shaw, Dorling and Smith (1999), good socioeconomic conditions in early life can result in minimum chances of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers later in life. Therefore, in summary those mostly affected are those who have low income and vulnerable groups Qn 6. A Social Determinant of Health Approach is not an entirely new development since it has origin, and it critically examine the causes of disease from the mid-nineteenth century. In the last 35 years, researchers have studied the sources of equalities on health among populations that have contributed much to understanding of the significance of SDH of health (Raphael, 2004). A mounting of evidences is supporting the notion that the socioeconomic statuses of people are more significant to health status Qn 8. This is less than personal health character and medical care, for instance, smoking (Evans et al., 1994). The weight of evidence suggested that the Social Determinant of Health have an instant and direct impact on the health of population and individuals. However, the better predictors of individual and population health, structured lifestyle choices, and interaction with each other produce health (Raphael, 2003). Precisely, disparities, the size of the gap or inequality in economic and social status between groups within a given population highly affect the health status of the whole. The greater the gap is the low the health status of the overall population Qn 7(Wilkinson, 1996). Public Health Policy The key function of the policy is to create social conditions that would ensure good health for the entire population. Equity in health is the core and explicit goal of the public health policy. The strategies are aiming to alter the historical patterns of social stratification that produces inequities in health. At the same time, the policy focuses on the intermediate level steps to address factors that particularly undermine the health of disadvantaged groups Qn 11 (World Health Organization, 2005). The objectives include participation and influence in society, economic and social security, favorable and secured environment during the stages of childhood and adolescence, promoting healthier working life, safe and healthy environment and products. The objectives relate to structural factors while the others are lifestyle choices that a person can be the influential factor, but where the social environment plays a significant function. Responsibility for meeting these objectives is shared among individuals, non-profit organizations and local/regional/national governments. In reality, this approach seeks in strengthening conditions that would tremendously improve health in society and that in turn raise the health standards of individuals, particularly among the most vulnerable groups Qn 4. This policy would tackle the social issues that affect health, but that happen out of the policy and health system other than health. This approach is building on earlier practices of healthy public policy and inter-sectoral collaboration, but it is focusing on the action in the policy sphere in a more systematic manner instead of applying to single issues on health Qn 2.However, intersectional policy-making is difficult because it requires set up of similar goals, delivery of integrated responses and offering increased accountability across government agencies Qn. 10. In harnessing well-being and health, governmentis required in institutionalizing processes that is valuing cross-sector solving a problem and addressing imbalances in power imbalances. This includes provision of the mandates, leadership, budget commitment, incentives, as well as sustaining mechanisms that is supporting government agencies to collaborate in order to reach on an integrated solutionQn 11.(Wilkinson, 1996). Section Two: Strategic Action Plan Integration and all-inclusive approach: multiple sectoral discussions, breaking down of barriers between ministries and jurisdictions, supporting health public policy decisions. Also, participation of community in meaningful manner, reforms on health care, very close collaboration with the private sector and non-government organizations is significant. In addition, promotion of Health and Population Health approach need to target the whole population, and majorly is required to focus attention on groups that are vulnerable. Also, integrating health promotion objectives and goals of building the capacities of people and society at large that enables them to raise control over and to improve their health, making healthy choices and developing healthy and supportive environment (World Health Organization, 2005). Raising awareness among the citizens is significant on the influences of the Social Determinants of Health. This can be achieved by launching a social marketing campaign about the Social Determinants of Health in order to coincide with adopting the framework(Evans et.al 1994).Collaboration across sectors and jurisdictions Developing and strengthen genuine partnerships across sectors and government jurisdictions, developing an inclusive/collaborative plan and processes for addressing Social Determinants of Health; external facilitator of the collaborative processes and plan development. Adoption of healthy public policies that address health and equity in all areas of policy would facilitate consultations among the public on the role of government in a debt, especially the role of promoting the public good. Additionally, there is need to examine in depth the healthy public policies that have been adopted elsewhere (Raphael, 2003). Table 1: Summary of the Action Plan Action Person Responsible Date Developing of effective surveillance systems that are charged with generation and distribution of information. Health Professionals’ (Senator Anitere Flores to champion) After passing of the Bill into law- 30th April 2015. Integration and adoption of all-inclusive approach: Multiple sectoral discussions, breaking down of barriers between ministries and jurisdictions, supporting health public policy decisions. Ministries, Community, Private sector and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) -Dr. Suite 2 months Prior-15th April,2015. Fostering of political good will would keep on nurturing a wider comprehension of the main influences of the Social Determinants of Health Politicians (Senator Anitere Flores) Ongoing and after passing of the Bill-30th February, 2015 and 30th April 2015. Raising awareness among the citizens is significant on the influences of the Social Determinants of Health. This can be achieved bylaunching a social marketing campaign about theSocial Determinants of Health Media Houses( Maria Chamoro to coordinate) Immediately before and after passing of the bill. 1st May, 2015. Source: Author, 2015 Section Three: Nursing Role/ Implication The enactment of the policy reforms would raise the chances for those in this profession in making of both care system and individuals systems as healthy as they can be. Passing of information among the patients as well as navigation across the vast medical landscape have been existing in America. Transitional care Nurses and Nurse Navigators would step up to key a role of coordinating the policy and framework. They participate in health care provision and are mandated collectively for their enrollees care. They can also divide among themselves of saves coming from effective health system. However, this would be integral to their professional values, skills, and knowledge base. It would enable them to earn the trust of Americans, and will use that trust, along with their health promotion expertise, to communicate with patients about the best preventative measures, as well as effective means of accessing required assistance as they navigate United States health structure. Nurses working as a team would provide a contribution to assessment and inputs in the implementation of the policy and framework. They interact with patients in their daily activities, and this shall enable them to pass information as well as creating awareness. Proper understanding of their roles as the nurses would provide protection and contribute to collaboration among various stakeholders as well. Summary of the Legislative Practicum This public policy approach and SDOH framework need to address the social factors that influence health, but that resides out of the policy and health system other than health. It should build on earlier practices of healthy public policy and inter-sectoral collaboration, but it need to focus on the action in the policy sphere in a more systematic manner instead of applying to single issues on health. The public health policy and SDOH framework is expected to alter the historical patterns of social stratification that had produced inequities in health. At the same time, the policy should focus on the intermediate level steps to address factors that particularly undermine the health of disadvantaged groups. Participation and influence in society, economic and social security, favorable and secured environment would promote healthier working life, safe and healthy environment and products. The objectives relate to structural factors while the others are lifestyle choices that a person can be the influential factor, but where the social environment plays a significant function. Conclusion The paper has attempted to explore how the elected official can address appropriately SDOH that are the key influencers on population health, through adopting SDOH Framework. The public health policy would also play a significant role in addressing the challenges as well. Although challenges are inevitable, the policy and the framework can be attained if the strategies proposed are adhered to properly. References Evans, R.G., M. Barer and T. Marmor. (1994). Why Are Some People Healthy and Others Not? New York:Aldine De Gryter. Florida Health Care Association.(2015). http://www.fhca.org/advocacy/issue_briefs, accessed 19th February, 2015. Raphael, D. (2003). Poverty Makes Me Sick. Presentation at the Community Forum on Poverty and Health.Calgary. Raphael, D. (2004). Social Determinants of Health.Introduction to the Social Determinants of Health. Canadian Scholar’s Press Inc. Toronto. Raphael, D. (2003). Addressing the Social Determinants of Health: Bridging the Gap between Research Findings and Public Policy 12(4),35-40 Shaw, M., Dorling, D. & Smith, G. (1999).Poverty, Social Exclusion, and Minorities.In Social Determinants of Health. M. Marmot and R. Wilkinson (Eds.). Oxford University Press Smith, D. (Ed.). (2003). Inequities in Health: Life Course Perspectives. Bristol: Policy Press. Wilkinson, R. (1996). Unhealthy Societies – The Afflictions of Inequality.Routledge. London. World Health Organization (2005). Action on the Social Determinants of Health: Learning from previous Experiences. Background paper prepared for the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Read More