BUS FPX 3006 Assessment 2 Health Care Management Problem

BUS FPX 3006 Assessment 2 Health Care Management Problem

Student Name

Capella University

BUS-FPX3006 Developing a Health Care Management Perspective

Prof. Name:

Date

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, healthcare has transitioned from focusing on acute, reactive care to a more proactive approach by encouraging healthy lifestyles and choices. While treating the already ill is a reactive response, health promotion is a proactive effort aimed at prevention. Given the rapid increase in patients with at least one chronic disease, healthcare has shifted its focus towards preventing these diseases before symptoms emerge. Chronic diseases contribute to 7 out of 10 deaths annually and account for 86% of the nation’s healthcare costs (“Chronic diseases,” n.d.). By adopting health promotion and preventive measures, more than 100,000 lives could be saved annually. Health promotion is defined as the process of enabling individuals to increase control over and improve their health (“Economic Argument for Disease Prevention,” n.d.). The aim is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and society. While certain diseases are unavoidable, many chronic conditions such as heart disease, some cancers, sleep apnea, and arthritis can be prevented by leading healthier lifestyles. Evidence supports that increased physical activity, healthy eating, vaccinations, and avoiding smoking are effective methods for disease prevention. This paper will discuss the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, various prevention strategies, and the challenges healthcare systems face in adopting this approach.

Health Care Management Problem

The rationale behind the new healthcare model is that individuals should take responsibility for their health by adopting a healthier lifestyle, which will not only make them feel better but also reduce healthcare costs. The goal is to either prevent chronic diseases or detect them early enough to improve outcomes. This shift in healthcare is largely due to changes in modern lifestyles, as Americans have become more sedentary at work and busy at home, often opting for prepackaged or fast food meals. These factors have significantly contributed to the rise in chronic diseases. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in March 2010, including the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which supports workplace wellness initiatives. These initiatives include not hiring tobacco users, offering financial incentives for health screenings, providing fitness programs, and reducing insurance rates for nonsmokers or those within a healthy weight range. The goal of these initiatives is to create a healthier workforce and lower healthcare costs. With Americans living longer, the elderly population is increasing, and healthcare costs are projected to rise by 25% in the next 30 years (“Chronic diseases,” n.d.). Therefore, it is crucial to reduce healthcare costs now by promoting preventative measures against chronic diseases.

Types of Proactive Care

Four key areas of proactive care are tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. These are modifiable risk factors, and if addressed, could prevent up to 80% of chronic diseases (“Economic Argument for Disease Prevention,” n.d.). Though exact predictions of health improvements from proactive measures are difficult, benefits such as improved stamina, reduced pain, better sleep, mental peace, lower blood pressure, weight loss, and improved diabetes management are well-documented (Battles, 2013). Tobacco use is a leading cause of diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer, with COPD being the third leading cause of smoking-related deaths (“Economic Argument for Disease Prevention,” n.d.). Secondhand smoke poses risks for children, such as slower lung development and increased respiratory diseases. Reducing smoking rates would make these diseases less common, as the benefits of quitting smoking are quickly realized. For example, within three months of quitting, lung function improves, and the risk of heart disease decreases over time. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to various health problems, including liver, kidney, and heart diseases, as well as certain cancers. Moderating alcohol consumption according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans can help reduce these risks. Obesity is another major issue, contributing to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death and disability in the U.S., accounting for over 30% of mortality (“Economic Argument for Disease Prevention,” n.d.). Poor nutrition is linked to heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and osteoporosis, with over 60% of children and adolescents in the U.S. consuming more than the recommended amount of saturated fats (“Economic Argument for Disease Prevention,” n.d.). Improved nutrition and reduced reliance on prepackaged or fast food could prevent these conditions.

Table 1: Proactive and Preventative Healthcare Approaches

Preventative Care

Preventative care aims to address chronic diseases through education and support in community-based and workplace settings, not just in medical facilities. This includes routine check-ups, cholesterol and diabetes screenings, cancer screenings, and counseling for smoking cessation, weight loss, and healthy eating. Vaccinations against flu and pneumonia, along with early detection efforts, can offer better treatment options. Worksite wellness programs also help promote healthy lifestyles among employees by encouraging positive health behaviors and providing financial incentives for completing preventive screenings and tests.

Challenges to Shifting to Preventative Healthcare

Despite the clear benefits of proactive and preventative care, healthcare faces significant challenges in shifting towards this model. These challenges include resource allocation, utilization, and integration. Allocating sufficient resources to both acute and preventative care is difficult. Utilization of preventative services is also challenging for both healthcare professionals and individuals, as primary care physicians may lack the time and expertise to implement preventative strategies. Moreover, integrating preventative healthcare requires cooperation from healthcare professionals, educators, employers, and patients, which can be difficult to coordinate. Additionally, individuals face obstacles such as cost, lack of education, and limited access to healthy foods. As Obamacare reduces the number of uninsured individuals, the hope is that preventative measures will become more affordable and widely adopted.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with the increasing number of chronic illnesses, healthcare is transitioning to a more proactive and preventative approach. By addressing key risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition, healthcare costs and chronic disease rates can be significantly reduced. Effective health reform must focus on prevention and encourage personal responsibility for healthier lifestyles. While behavior change is difficult, educating both healthcare providers and patients will be essential in promoting preventative care and improving the nation’s health.

References

Battles, V. E. (2013, January 13). Proactive Health Defined. Retrieved from http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/proactive-health-defined

Chronic diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/index.htm

Economic Argument for Disease Prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2016, from https://www.prevent.org/data/files/initiatives/economicargumentfordiseaseprevention.pdf

The Power of Prevention: Chronic Disease…The Public Health Challenge of the 21st Century. (n.d.). doi:10.1037/e581002012-001

BUS FPX 3006 Assessment 2 Health Care Management Problem

Welcome to the IAFF Website. (n.d.). Retrieved May 15, 2016, from http://www.iaff.org/ET/jobaid/EAP/poor_nutrition.html