Health policy sets health goals at the international, national, and local levels and defines the necessary decisions, specific plans, and actions that should be implemented to achieve these goals. The strategic objectives of such a policy are to increase life expectancy, reduce the level of disability and mortality of the population, and increase the population. In addition, the goals include improving the availability and quality of medical care and respect for the rights of citizens in the field of health protection and ensuring State guarantees related to these rights. Although the primary goal of health care is to work with the health of the population, nevertheless, health policy should consider the cultural characteristics of patients.
Basically, culture is understood as human activity in its most diverse manifestations, including all forms and methods of human self-expression and self-knowledge, the accumulation of skills and abilities by a person, and society. Culture must be considered, as health policy aims to achieve certain results for the population’s health (Handtke et al., 2019). An approach that considers the cultural characteristics of patients more effectively performs its goals helps achieve higher diagnostic accuracy and prescribes appropriate treatment.
To develop a policy that will receive broad community support, it is necessary to implement a phased work plan. First, it is required to schedule meetings with the entire development team, as well as invite experts to create and evaluate several areas necessary for subsequent work. It is essential to think over the decisions and the assistance of which local authorities will be required to implement the policy. It is also necessary to think over the terms of work and assess the risks and possible legal aspects and difficulties.
The following steps will be to develop a political strategy and ensure the support of society. In order to achieve success in these areas, it is necessary to actively work with the population and provide them with the advantages of their policy. In addition, it is essential to find out which members of the community have concerns and objections and work them out competently. It is also crucial that people understand that there are no ulterior motives in the proposed policy and that everything is legally correct. It is vital for people that the proposed changes, especially those related to politics, are legitimate, reasonable, and beneficial.
To attract the community to participate in voting when developing policy, it is necessary to provide objective information. Also, it is essential to involve community members in decision-making and to accept the contribution that they make. This contribution should be further reflected in the proposed policy. If decisions have already been made, it is necessary to inform the community members, listen to their comments and objections and work with them. It is possible to create separate committees that will express the people’s opinion, which in the future is also recommended to consider and reflect in the policy being developed.
In conclusion, health policy is an essential and integral part of working with public health. It should consider the cultural characteristics of the population to bring the expected high results in the treatment of patients and promote their recovery and increase life expectancy. The development of health policy is important and responsible and often requires the active participation of the community. For the developed policy to be successful, it is necessary not only to ensure transparency of each of its points but also to enlist the support of members of the local community.
Reference
Handtke, O., Schilgen, B., & M̦sko, M. (2019). Culturally competent healthcare РA scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organizations and a model of culturally competent healthcare provision. PloS one, 14(7), e0219971.