Journal 3 - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... These initiatives have two common goals: first is to enhance quality of life and expand life expectancy; and second, abolish health inequalities. These goals can be attained at both the individual and societal levels. In the article of William Marsiglio entitled Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids, the failure of U.S. healthcare system at the individual level is explained. The system fails to ensure the health of a large portion of its population, particularly the younger ones. The author explained that the health of the father has a substantial impact on the health of their children. Unhealthy fathers have unhealthy children. And the healthcare system greatly contributes to this recent pattern. Statistics show that “one third of American men are obese and one in 10 will become an alcoholic in his lifetime” (Marsiglio 365). The causes of this phenomenon are varied, ranging from internal problems (e.g. psychological, physical, emotional) to external ones (e.g. poverty, low educational achievement). According to the author, these causes are partly attributable to how the healthcare system works in the United States: “… individual’s health experiences are shaped by a multilayered social context and their call for prevention strategies” (Marsiglio 366). The veracity of this belief is substantiated by the commitment of Barack Obama to health care reform that could reinforce the relationship between good fathering and wellbeing. This kind of health care reform is crucial, especially because of the continued existence of barriers to health care access. Low-income fathers usually have lesser health choices and poorer access to health care, which consequently impede their ability to provide vital health care resources for their families and to become role models for their children. This article also demonstrates how the U.S. health care system could work at the individual level. Health care reforms should target the larger cultural and societal factors that contribute to poverty, such as barriers to better educational opportunities, negative stereotypes about masculinity, and racial discrimination. Men, especially fathers, should have a constructive frame of mind about their wellbeing in order to become good fathers. This goal is attainable, but will require both private and public support. As claimed by Marsiglio, “Getting large numbers of men to adopt such a mindset requires broad public support and will require an intense public health service campaign…” (Marsiglio 370) Health care organizations can encourage men to participate in projects intended to enhance their involvement in their children’s care. The U.S. health care system could help fathers develop good fathering skills and avoid unhealthy practices, such as drug use, drinking, and smoking. On the other hand, the article of Lisa Berkman entitled The Health Divide, explains how the U.S. health care system fails at the societal level. The author demonstrates how socioeconomic standing, or health inequalities, contributes to mortality rates and poor health outcomes. The country’s health care system gets a failing grade in this area. Even though the United States is a highly industrialized country and regarded as one of the most affluent countries in the world, it still ranks below in terms of health care delivery and ...Download file to see next pagesRead More