When people think of improving health and wellness, they often think about new medicine and cure that researchers are yet to discover. Notably, the government funds the majority of this research. This results in massive amounts of money being put towards attempting to improve health care across the lifespan. However, what some people do not realize is that sometimes the small changes have the biggest impact on their lives. As a result, the introduction and examination of the fundamental principle that guides the overall growth and development of one’s health across the lifespan from childhood to adulthood remain an essential parameter in understanding health care across the lifespan. Markedly, it is crucial to understand the methodology, concepts, objectives, and issues necessary for comprehending and evaluating empirically-based information about growth and development at different stages of life (Health across the Life Span: Frameworks, Contexts, and Measurements, 2011). Further, one should study and comprehend some of the factors that affect human growth and development; for instance, by measuring people’s health at the community level. The impacts of these factors on the health of individuals should also be of great concern to a health practitioner, as he/she can assess the implications on the health disparities
I believe that the best way to improve health care is not only just by new research but also by one simple thing called happiness. Remarkably, studies have shown that happier people live significantly longer than those who are not, and happiness comes with the type of lifestyle that one chooses. Happy people are not often stressed and neither depressed, therefore, they are less likely to smoke, drink, and eat too heavily and happiness seems to make people more resistant to both stroke and heart attack. These two health effects are common factors in American deaths. Health care providers seeking to prevent, diagnose and treat these diseases aim at improving the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone across the life span. Their goal is that people stay healthy and recover from illnesses, and live without chronic diseases or disabilities thereby reducing death cases.
A new psychological study shows that people who are regularly surrounded by their families and friends are the happiest; therefore, good health habits start at a young age. By finding a way to make children happy, the nation becomes healthy. These changes in the entire country’s health and wellness do not happen overnight and all the good things take time. There are many ways or important factors to happiness but I will name a few that have a strong relationship with friends and families: following your passion and practicing good sleeping habits. According to Stellefson, Dipnarine, & Stopka 2013, “We found that Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) generally improved psychosocial and clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes.” Nowadays patients are beginning to understand the early signs and symptoms of diseases. Moreover, many people are involved in the health care plan, and patients’ education is becoming a mandatory part of health care professional training programs. The patients’ education is also a basic health education to patients; therefore, they can achieve an optimum level of health. For that matter, it is negligent to assume that patients learn in their ways. Poor understanding leads to poor co-operation with treatment regimens. As a result, education is seen as an effective way of helping patients to understand and comply with doctors’ instructions as well as take on great responsibility for their health care.
The health care across the lifespan improvement within the past decade has experienced a significant change; the change with the health system does not only affect how health care is being delivered but also alters the cost of health care as well as the change in health care across the lifespan. The role of technology, financial and economic issues that will affect the health care industry, the improvement of health care now affects consumers and health care providers. The most significant change that has taken place within the healthcare across the lifespan is because the advancements of new technology and the new technology such as diagnostic, screening techniques, medical interventions, surgical techniques, and techniques for drug delivery has helped health care providers and hospitals to adequately serve and diagnosis the patients. The computer system is also a new technology that has not only helped entities to communicate efficiently but has also changed the way health care providers perform their duties. For example, through the system, a communication method is formulated; it enables the health management to share with all the patients on the trends, symptoms, and treatment of some diseases. The patients, on the other hand, can articulate their needs and decisions to the relevant authorities through the system. Therefore, the decision-making process can be quick, as there is no need to call for a physical meeting. The patients are also able to access changes in the risk factors, symptoms, and diagnosis through the automated system. Since information is power, the patients and the whole society remain empowered through the satisfaction of service delivery.
A recent study reveals that patients are now demanding more information and want to be involved in the decision-making concerning treatment options. The demands for more information are supported by trends in ethics and law regarding patients’ autonomy and informed consent. The patients within the last decade have become more involved with their health care plans and treatments. “Improving quality and reducing disparities require measurement and reporting, but these are not ultimate goals. The fundamental of improvement in health care is to make all patients’ and families’ lives better” (National Healthcare Disparities and Quality Reports, 2010).
Health care costs have been rising for several years, as a result, stemming this growth has become a major policy priority as governments, employers, and consumers increasingly struggle to keep up with health care costs. Notably, a study showed that the total health care expenditures grew at an annual rate of 4.4 percent in 2008. There is a general agreement that health care costs are likely to continue rising shortly, and, therefore, controlling health care expenditures requires a slight understanding of the factors that are driving the growth in spending. In addition, individualized care is projected to continue to grow as the population continues aging. The first round of Baby Boomer began their retirement in 2010 and health along with medical issues and specialized conditions like heart diseases and cancers continued to rise, this continued growth will necessitate quality improvements required for customer and employee satisfaction like the implementation of information systems that will save time and money and prove beneficial to everyone. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2012, some states have tried to reduce the prevalence of diseases that are related to smoking by reducing the smoking rate among their citizens. Notably, this approach has reduced the cost of treating smoking-related infections, thus improving the health of the citizens. This situation affects the normal health of an individual across the lifespan. One should avoid exposure to excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption.
Across the Lifespan, public health entails a vast population’s life process transitions. They include environmental, behavioral, and social issues that affect health across the lifespan (Prevention and Wellness Across the Life Span, n.d.). The environment in which a child is exposed to and behaviors at the adolescent stage influences his/her present and future health. Remarkably, negative behaviors can cause chronic diseases to an aging individual. The behaviors are risk factors, as they increase the rate at which chronic disease spread. Other factors that may affect the health of an individual across a lifespan include societal influences, peer groups, and the school environment. These are the social aspects of the environment. A detailed approach by the government bodies, schools, and community-based organizations is needed to complete the health objectives. It may involve an effective public health intervention that can alter unhealthy behaviors. Such bodies can inculcate learning on healthy practices among different groups of people (Prevention and Wellness Across the Life Span, n.d.). The learning process will impart permanent knowledge into the society on how to avoid certain diseases during their lifetime. Additionally, society will be empowered on how to minimize or control some of the adverse effects that arise because of unhealthy practices. Health is an essential life aspect that requires immediate attention so that other aspects can move on smoothly.
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention – Stroke Home. (2012). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Health across the Life Span: Frameworks, Contexts, and Measurements. (2011). Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Open Course Ware. Web.
National Healthcare Disparities and Quality Reports. (2010). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Home. Web.
Prevention and Wellness across the Life Span. (n.d.). American Public Health Association. Web.
Stellefson, M., Dipnarine, K., & Stopka, C. (2013). The Chronic Care Model and Diabetes Management in US Primary Care Settings: A Systematic Review. CDC Home, 10. Web.