Question

Identify at least 3 major health issues internationally that would benefit from programs in health promotion and disease prevention. Then research existing programs that are addressing each of these issues, where they occur, who the target audience is, and whether there is any indication of effect.

Answer 1

Major health issues

Biggest Global health issues facing by today's world are non communicable diseases or the life style diseases and other health issues. Health promotion and disease prevention activities are aimed on good health for the people by empowering them to adopt healthy lifestyle and behaviour, thereby reducing the risk of transmission of communicable diseases or chronic diseases.

3 major Global health issues that would benefit from the programmes in health promotion and disease prevention are:

* Cancers

* Heart diseases and stroke

* Obesity

Health programmes for addressing these issues under health promotion and disease prevention ( Centre for Disease control and prevention- CDC):

* Cancer

A disease in which the cells of a tissue undergo uncontrolled and often rapid proliferation. Studies show that more than 10 million people in the US are affected with some form of cancer. Non Hodgkin's lymphoma, Breast cancer, Bladder cancer, Colorectal cancers and endometrial cancers are the most common cancers in US.

National Comprehensive Cancer Control Programme

This programme provides technical assistance and funding to prevent and control cancer. It is established in 1998.

The target audience are Public ( awareness through mass media),Close relatives of cancer patients and survivors, Cancer survivors, young women, people who are at risk for developing cancers.

Where the programme occur?

All the 50 states of US , US associated Pacific Islands and Districts of Colorado.

Effect: Around 99000 people are benefited from the programme. 69 strategies for preventing cancer have been created and implemented.

Heart diseases

One of the common cause of deaths in US are Heart diseases such as Coronary artery diseases and other cardio vascular diseases. Stroke is the loss of brain function, arising when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted.

Sodium reduction in communities programmes( SRCP)

SRCP is started on 2010 under Division for heart disease and stroke prevention to implement Sodium reduction strategies. In US the sodium intake by people were more than the Dietary guidelines for Americans, which in turn causes high blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the major cause of stroke and heart diseases.

The target audience are public population and the activities are aimed at public and private sector work sites, homecare centres, old age homes, hospitals and schools.

Currently 8 areas are having the activities such as Loss angeles, Indianapolis, Newyork, Philadelphia .

Effect: The programme can save 450000 lives and also can save 100 billion US dollar in health care cost in the coming decade.

Obesity

The state of being obese due to an excess of body fat is called obesity. Obesity is one of the major risk factor in developing Diabetes, Hypertension and Heart diseases. More than 80% of adults in U S are obese.

High Obesity programme

The target audience are people in Alabama, Arkansas,Georgia, Kentucky,Lousiana, Mississippi,Oklahoma,Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

Implementing Strategies to improve the food systems, to increase access to healthier foods and physical activity and breast feeding.

Effect; Under this programme many healthy food retail , moe access to fruits and vegetables, awareness regarding physical activity in work sites and walking , cycling programmes conducted in many towns and cities, also promoted in various states of the country.