Leading health indicators (LHIs) are the surveillance of public health which is normally used to measure health over a defined population. Many of these LHIs focus on major factors that create the basis of diseases and deaths in the United States and are crucial in assisting communities, organizations, and states in concentrating their efforts and resources on ways to improve the well-being and health of their people. In the past, health indicators were only based on the measures of survival and mortality, but in the recent past things have changed and many factors are now being considered, including environmental quality, injury, violence, mental health, and oral health, among others.
One of the most important indicators is access to health services with the pointers including persons with medical insurance and persons with the usual primary care provider. Access to health services has vast impacts on many aspects of the health of the individual acquiring it. Regular access to health services can prevent disease and disability, increase life expectancy and increase the quality of life (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP], n.d.). Primary care physicians (PCPs) have an important duty in maintaining the health and safety of the people they serve while developing sustainable and meaningful relationships with their clients (ODPHP, n.d.). The benefits associated with PCPs include gaining trust from the patient and the likelihood of the patients receiving good care.
Injury and violence leading health indicators involve homicides and injury deaths which can be caused by several factors and can occur anywhere. Injuries can be painful incapacitating emotional and physical sometimes serious consequences resulting in brain injury, disability also occasionally premature death affecting family members, coworkers even the community at large. Health equity and reduction of residential segregation are among the constituents left out of the list of leading health indicators. Equity has been highly overlooked in most sectors including business, transport, construction, and importantly in the health industry. Equity for all should be advocated because in many health cases, some institutions look down on people of color as their patients with the notion they cannot afford the services offered. People of all races should be treated equally no matter what condition they are in to raise the margin for health indicators. Residential segregation is another rampant issue in many parts of the United States and should be looked into for people being segregated does not paint a good picture for the nation. Residential segregations call for slowed development rates and this comes with many side effects ranging from the spreading of contagious and sexually transmitted diseases to the people living in low standard areas hence ways of eradication should be looked into.
Health indicators for African-Americans and Hispanic communities would prioritize mental health and environmental quality. Most people of color are more affected by mental health issues that are caused by racial discrimination that is experienced in many fields (Williams, 2018). Mental health causes people that are experiencing racism to indulge in unwanted practices like drug and alcohol abuse to try and cope with the situation at hand. Adverse mental health conditions can ultimately lead to a suicide attempts and drug overdose and if mental health issues are not looked into sooner majority of this population will lose their providers and friends to it. While many efforts are underway to reduce the weight of disability and death caused by chronic illnesses medical illness should not be left behind in trying to improve the health of all people irrespective of color.
Environment plays a major role in the quality of life and health inequalities of individuals living within it. With a polluted environment, there is the risk of premature deaths and damage to cardiovascular systems and respiratory organs. Safe environments encourage a healthy community and a productive generation. Environment quality should be encouraged for the chosen population since they tend to be pushed away into the polluted areas by the indigenous people. Not only should this be advocated for when there is a need but should be a regular exercise to encourage a healthy working generation.
References
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Access to health services. Web.
Williams, D. (2018). Stress and the mental health of populations of color: Advancing our understanding of race-related stressors. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 59(4), 466-485. Web.