Question

5.    Describe how the main functions of public health agencies at the federal level (i.e., assessment, policy development, and assurance) can be applied to efforts that promote healthy lifestyles (i.e., diet and physical activity).

Directions:  Carefully read and respond to each question. Please complete your responses using complete sentences. Your responses will be evaluated on the basis of content accuracy, clarity, correct usage of the English language, and demonstrated evidence of critical analysis.  

Answer 1

The main functions of public health agencies at the federal level, for the assessment, policy development, and assurance of the national policy of health requires the collaborative efforts of a complex network of people and organizations in the public and private sectors, an alignment of policy and practice of governmental public health agencies at all levels of national, state, and local. The governments at all levels have a specific responsibility to strive to create the conditions in which people can be as healthy as possible.

A strong and effective governmental public health infrastructure is essential and to address ongoing challenges such as preventing or managing chronic illnesses, controlling infectious diseases, and monitoring the safety of food and water.

The fragmentation of the governmental public health infrastructure is a direct result of the way in which governmental roles and responsibilities at the federal, state, and local levels have evolved over history. This history also explains why the nation lacks a comprehensive national health policy that could be used to align health-sector investment.

This recommends steps that must be taken to respond to these challenges so that governmental public health agencies can meet their obligations within the public health system to protect and improve the population's health. The federal government has the resources, expertise, and the obligation to assess the health and to make recommendations for its improvement.

It is vital that health care providers and facilities acknowledge their role of the larger system that assures population health, both in general and in times of crisis. Because frontline health care providers, those in urgent care and emergency room facilities, are often the first to see unusual illnesses or injuries, they must constantly be vigilant to the trends that seems ordinary and must report these trends to local public health departments. Once such observations are reported, public health investigators can provide appropriate follow-up through investigations.

Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.

Progress toward these estimated needs has been addressed by some of the new resources for improvement made available through bioterrorism related issues.

The monitoring of health hazards, including newly emerging diseases, and the creation of standards of protection are important for public health agencies. Within the public health system, governmental health agencies have a legal and constitutional responsibility for protecting the health of the public.

Iit is important to ensure that funding levels are sustained over time to maintain these improvements.Tthe improvement of public health preparedness capabilities will require the sustained involvement and commitment of policy makers at all levels of government, with ample attention being given to ensuring appropriate accountability. Doing so is crucial in assuring the safety and preparedness of all of the nation's communities.

With increasing cross border flows of people, pharmaceuticals, and food, countries need adequately protect their populations through unilateral domestic or foreign policy action. They must collaborate with other countries and within the frameworks of international agreements. This is especially true in matters of health and environment.

The World Health Organization is a forum for standard setting on issues such as international travel health standards, the quality of pharmaceuticals, and food quality and safety.

To most effectively protect and promote the health of the population, the nation's entire governmental public health infrastructure, its human resources, information systems, and organizational capacity, must be revitalized and strengthened. This will require federal, state, and local governmental collaboration to assess the needs in each community and to identify national and local strategies to meet those needs. The government at all levels will need to create innovative financing mechanisms that add new resources. It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that these actions at the federal, state, and local levels contributed to the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive, health system that serves to protect and promote the masses.

Health promotion as stated in WHO on Health Promotion, the process of enabling people to increase control, and improve their health. To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, an individual must be able to identify and realize aspirations, to satisfy needs, and cope with the environment. Health is, seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources and physical capacities. Therefore, health promotion is not just the responsibility of the health sector, but goes beyond healthy life styles to well-being.

According to the World Health Organization, an explicit health policy can achieve several things that defines a vision for the future, outlines priorities and the expected roles of different groups which builds consensus and informs people.

There are many categories of health policies, which includes global health policy, public health policy, mental health policy, health care services policy, insurance policy, personal healthcare policy, pharmaceutical policy, and policies of public health such as vaccination policy, tobacco control policy or breastfeeding promotion policy. They may cover topics of financing and delivery of healthcare, access to care, quality of care, and health equity.