Today, the most important health issue of the population is that healthcare is focused on treating people’s sicknesses instead of preventing them and vaccine-preventable diseases outbreaks. It affects people in a significant way, making them more vulnerable to these issues. Among factors that impact and even aggravate health issues is the ecological and economic situation, and people who refuse to vaccinate (Walsham, 2019).
Bad ecology affects not only people in risk groups with existing health problems but also harms healthy population. It weakens their immune system and makes them susceptible to different diseases. Health professionals’ role in identifying such issues is quite important since they are the first ones to notice the problem (Walsham, 2019). When the unknown problem first appears, it is their responsibility to make it known to the public, and learn about its possible consequences. If a health issue is neglected, it can have an unpredictable outcome.
The best practice for infectious disease prevention so far is vaccination. Some infectious sicknesses have been almost eliminated by vaccinating the population (Walsham, 2019). When the outbreak happens, the best way to manage it is to contain it, so it does not spread further. When addressing the public about health-related information, authorities must consider cultural and environmental factors to achieve a better understanding of the issue among people (Walsham, 2019).
Therefore, the best strategy would be the combination of information and behavioral approaches, where the public is provided with information and tools to make healthy choices. CDC presents School Health Policy that promotes health issues to the young generation (“School Health Policies and Practices Study,” 2019). Educating the population on health-related issues is also essential to avoid legal, ethical, and financial problems.
The concepts of critical thinking, such as identifying, analyzing, and finding a solution for problems are crucial to health-related issues and presenting them to the public (Paul & Elder, 2008). When identifying the problem, it is essential to ask the right question and correctly evaluate the reasons for supporting a specific answer. The method of critical thinking is an important skill to use in public health, it can help to identify the health issue, choose the right strategy to address the public, and educate the population about a way to prevent and to manage it. It can help to connect a pass experience with newly received knowledge in current or future career.
References
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2008). The miniature guide to critical thinking concepts and tools. Foundation for Critical Thinking Press.
School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS). (2019). Web.
Walsham, G. (2019). Health information systems in developing countries: Some reflections on information for action. Information Technology for Development, 26(1), 194–200. Web.