Analysis of Data and Policies
Introduction
In producing the Community Health Assessment and Plan (CHAP), it is imperative to understand the interaction between the local, state, and federal policies with community health priorities. Therefore, this research will find out how the health policies we chose influence the three top health priorities mentioned above. It also tries to forward effective and palatable health interventions. Through the awareness of these policy contexts, we can adapt our strategies to navigate the regulatory landscape better and utilize the support mechanisms that will widen the reach and effectiveness of our health programs. Such practice eliminates the duplication of efforts, befitting resource utilization, and fosters linkage between communities, resulting in better health outcomes.
I. Choose 3 of the Top 5 Population Health Priorities for Intervention Programs |
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| Instructions: In the previous assignment, you selected your top 5 population health priorities for your CHAP. Now identify the top 3 health priorities that are most urgent to address in a population health intervention program. For each health priority, provide a rationale based on your previous data. | |
| Obesity Prevention: Chosen because of the high rate of obesity in the community, which is a significant cause of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Recent Health Survey data point to an alarming increasing obesity rate, especially among the young population; therefore, activities to curb this growing menace must be a top priority (Lavie et al., 2018). | |
| Mental Health Services Enhancement: The increased rates of depression and anxiety reported in community health assessments show that there is an immediate need for the improvement of mental health services. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crisis of mental health, with a more effective mental health aid system required to address it (Talevi et al., 2020). | |
Access to Preventive Healthcare: Preventing chronic diseases is the main reason for the importance of preventive healthcare services. Current data shows that preventive tools are underutilized in high-risk communities due to scarcity of resources and low education levels (Faux et al., 2018). |
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II. Health Policies That May Impact Your CHAP |
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| Instructions: After reviewing the eight laws below, explain how at least four apply to your top 3 health priorities. Include credible references. |
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| Q1 | How will the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA, 1996) impact your CHAP and CHAP process, including any interventions that may be needed? |
| Learner’s Response
A1 |
HIPAA will maintain the privacy and security of patient health information, which is essential when dealing with CHAP interventions requiring transferring confidential health data across health providers. The policy will create a foundation of trust among the participants, and thus, they will be more willing to participate in health programs. |
| Q2 | Will the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, 2010) affect your CHAP participants and participation? Explain. |
| Learner’s Response
A2 |
The ACA’s focus on expanding health coverage will indirectly increase the number of people eligible for preventive and mental health services offered by our CHAP. This expansion seems fundamental, as it will help us reach our target of improving accessibility to mental health services and preventive healthcare. |
| Q3 | Will the Public Health Service Act (PHSA, 1944) need to be taken into consideration regarding your CHAP? HINT: Is there a public health emergency that currently exists? |
| Learner’s Response
A3 |
The Public Health Service Act is directly related to our CHAP, especially in the case of potential public health emergencies, such as outbreaks of infectious diseases. This Act stipulates the organization of the response framework for health problems, which is the main success parameter in community health management. |
| Q4 | What important considerations and measures would the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990) impose on the CHAP and its participants, processes, and interventions? |
| Learner’s Response
A4 |
ADA would affect CHAP, so all health interventions must be accessible to disabled persons. This involves physical access to healthcare facilities and the provision of health communication and education, so nobody is left out of equitable care. |
| Q5 | Does your CHAP include school-aged populations, and if so, how does the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974) affect your CHAP processes and interventions? |
| Learner’s Response
A5 |
Regarding CHAP programs involving the school-aged population, FERPA demands the protection of students’ educational records. Our programs must be designed so that school health screenings and interventions comply with FERPA regulations and protect students’ privacy. |
| Q6 | Civil Rights Act (1964), or Title VI of this act, prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, which can include certain health programs. How will you address potential risks for your population within your 5 chosen health priorities? |
| Learner’s Response
A6 |
The Act will help the CHAP design and implement health services free from discrimination of race, sex, or national origin. Providing equal health services to the disadvantaged aligns with our mission to enhance the accessibility of preventive healthcare among all stakeholders. |
| Q7 | Are there any other disease specific laws and policies, such as Florida’s Ryan White Part B Program (established in accordance with the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, 1990). This program provides people living with HIV access to the health care and support services they need to live healthier lives. How might laws like this affect your CHAP, processes, and interventions. |
| Learner’s Response
A7 |
For communities with HIV, the Ryan White Part B Program provides primary healthcare and support services. This will be the CHAP in our New Direction. It will unite the specialized HIV care and prevention strategies so we can be whole-hearted in helping HIV-affected individuals. |
| Q8 | Public Health Service Act (1944): This act forms the basis of much of the federal government’s authority to monitor and control public health concerns. Section 301 of the Act currently mandates surveillance and reporting of over 120 diseases, conditions, or events (NDSS, n.d.). How will this act affect your CHAP, processes, and interventions? |
| Learner’s Response
A8 |
The Act’s disease surveillance will enable our CHAPs to observe the health situation wisely and implement quick solutions accordingly. This is what the initiative does to our prevention of healthcare priority by giving us data needed for the targeted health programs to work. |
Summary
Top 3 Priority Health Choices
Our CHAP’s emphasis on obesity prevention, enhancing mental health services, and improving access to preventive healthcare is the key to solving our community’s main healthcare challenges. These priorities are not selected randomly but instead based on a thorough assessment of community health trends over time and an alignment with the broader public health objectives that seek to enhance the general population’s health and reduce health disparities. Obesity prevention is essential because it is often a forerunner of many chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and various types of cancer. Our CHAP aims to address obesity by developing nutritional education programs, physical activity/sports programs, and healthy lifestyle choice programs, which will be offered to people of all ages.
Mental health support also plays an equally significant role because we are increasingly seeing an increase in mental health crises, especially among the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath. These services will be improved by increasing the number of mental health professionals, reducing the stigma of seeking mental health care and integrating mental health more deeply into primary healthcare settings. Making healthcare more available serves the purpose of removing the obstacles that many community people face while receiving care. This is accomplished mainly through the following measures:
- Promoting the affordability and accessibility of preventive services for underserved populations.
- Fostering early diagnosis and management of diseases to reduce the strain on the healthcare system.
- Educating the community about the crucial role of regular health screenings.
Altogether, these priorities create a robust framework for the CHAP, focusing on the immediate health benefits and the long-term sustainable health outcomes.
Conclusion
Health Policy and CHAP
Our CHAP is based on obesity prevention, mental health services enhancement, and improving access to preventive healthcare. It is in line with the national health objectives. With the aid of this knowledge, we can meet the goals of our interventions and comply with regulations that govern the health policies in play. The sustainability and equity of our health projects are directly improved by such a strategic integration, which ensures the long-lasting health of our community. The analysis of health policies is a clear roadmap for implementation because it helps us anticipate challenges and adapt strategies, ultimately leading to creating a healthier community through targeted, informed actions.
Reference Resources
Faux, S. G., Arora, P., Shiner, C. T., Thompson-Butel, A. G., & Klein, L. A. (2018). Rehabilitation and education are underutilized for mild stroke and TIA sufferers. Disability and Rehabilitation, 40(12), 1480-1484.
Lavie, C. J., Laddu, D., Arena, R., Ortega, F. B., Alpert, M. A., & Kushner, R. F. (2018). Healthy weight and obesity prevention: JACC health promotion series. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(13), 1506-1531.
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Directory of Local Health Departments. https://www.naccho.org/membership/lhd-directory
National Institute of Health. (2023). Evidence-Based Practices, Programs, and Resources. Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://prevention.nih.gov/research-priorities/dissemination-implementation/evidence-based-practices-programs
Talevi, D., Socci, V., Carai, M., Carnaghi, G., Faleri, S., Trebbi, E., … & Pacitti, F. (2020). Mental health outcomes of the CoViD-19 pandemic. Rivista di psichiatria, 55(3), 137-144.
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