Transcript The Public Health System

Chapter 24
SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC
SECTION 1 – THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
When you go to a doctor for regular checkups and
immunizations, you participate in the healthcare
system.
Healthcare system – includes all available medical
services, the ways in which individuals pay for medical
care, and programs aimed at preventing disease and
disability.
*Within the healthcare system, doctors work with nurses and
other healthcare providers to care for patients.*
DOCTORS
Primary Care Physicians (PCP) - take care of most
people’s routine medical needs.
*Most primary care physicians are medical doctors
who have specialized in one of three areas:
1. Family Practice
2. Internal Medicine
3. Pediatrics (Children’s medical care)
DOCTORS (CONTINUED)
After medical school and further training, a doctor must pass the
medical licensing test of the state in which he or she intends to
practice.
Once licensed, a doctor can diagnose medical conditions, provide
treatment, and write prescriptions for medications.
Diagnosis - is a doctor’s opinion of the nature or cause
of a medical condition.
Prescriptions – is a written order to a pharmacist
authorizing that a patient be given a particular medicine.
MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
If a doctor is not planning to become a PCP, he or she
usually specializes in one area of medicine.
Medical Specialists – is a doctor who has received
additional training in a particular branch of medicine.
MEDICAL SPECIALISTS (CONTINUED)
Medical Specialists include:
Neurologists
treat nervous system disorders
Dermatologists
treat skin disorders
Oncologists
treat cancers
Allergists
treat allergies and other immune disorders
Pediatricians
Provide primary care for children
Orthopedic surgeons
treat bone and joint disorders
Ophthalmologists
treat eye diseases
NURSES
Nurse – are licensed healthcare providers who work in
collaboration with doctors to care for patients.
Different types of nurses
Registered nurses (RN)
1. observe and assess patient symptoms, plan best approach to
promoting recovery and evaluate progress
2. Counsel patients of all ages ways to stay healthy and prevent
injury .
NURSES (CONTINUED)
Nurse Practitioners
1. Trained to do many tasks that only doctors used to Perform
such as :
Take medical history
Perform physical exams
Order tests
Treat routine medical problems
Prescribe medications
**When nurse practitioners see patients for routine medical
needs, they may be referred to as primary care providers.**
A nurse practitioner usually works with a doctor.
OTHER PROVIDERS
A variety of healthcare professionals provide services that
complement the work of doctors and nurses.
Physician assistants – perform many tasks that previously
done by doctors.
Tasks include:
Take medical history
Performing physical exams
Prescribing medications
*Physician assistants work under the supervision of a doctor*
OTHER PROVIDERS (CONTINUED)
Physical therapists - help patients with arthritis, muscle pain,
fractures, burns, strokes, or sports injuries.
Supervise exercise programs and may use heat and massage to
relieve pain and improve strength and mobility.
Registered dietitians - sometimes called nutritionists, may set up
and supervise food services for institutions such as hospitals.
They may also provide nutritional counseling to patients in a
healthcare facility or in private practice.
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
Healthcare facilities include doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and
long term care centers.
These facilities offer different levels of care:
Healthcare Facility
Doctors’ office
Care
Called Primary Healthcare – the most
frequently used healthcare facility, Can
be in a hospital or private building.
Here doctors, nurse practitioners, or
physician assistants do:
1. Routine exams and test to diagnose and treat minor illnesses
and injuries
2. Minor surgery, such as removing a wart
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES (CONTINUED)
Healthcare Facility
Clinics
Care
When a medical test of procedure
cannot be performed in a doctors’
office a person may go to an outpatient
facility. Clinic is a facility in which in
which primary healthcare is provided by
one or more doctors and other
healthcare providers. A variety of tests
and surgical procedures can be
performed at clinics
Outpatient – is a person admitted to a clinic for tests or treatments
that not require an overnight stay.
Outpatient care is less costly than a hospital stay.
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES (CONTINUED)
Healthcare Facility
Hospitals
Care
Diagnosis and treatment of serious
disorders require the service of a
hospital.
Hospitals are equipped to provide
healthcare services requiring
complicated procedures
Most hospitals also have emergency
Departments to treat sudden conditions
or injuries
Secondary Healthcare – healthcare that is given to a patient in a
hospital
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES (CONTINUED)
Hospitals provide overnight accommodations for patients who need it.
Inpatient - a patient that is required to stay in a hospital overnight or
longer.
The patient’s PCP and specialists (surgeons) visit the patient every day to note
progress and adjust patient’s care.
Types of Hospitals:
General Hospital – hospitals that treat patients of all ages and with
all kinds of illnesses
Specialty Hospital - specialize in treating one age group or one type
of disorder.
Teaching Hospital – Doctors train medical students and other
healthcare providers at these hospitals.
Tertiary Healthcare - care provided in specialty hospitals and
teaching hospitals
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES (CONTINUED)
Healthcare Facility
Long-Term Care
Care
provide services for patients with a
variety of medical needs
Facilities
Care Provided
Skilled Nursing
Facilities
Patients recovering from surgery, illness, or
injury may require basic nursing care for an
extended time before returning to their homes. A
skilled nursing facility provides care for people
in these situations.
Assisted Living
Facilities
People who can no longer live by themselves,
but do not require constant nursing care, may
live in assisted living facility. These facilities
provide help preparing meals, housekeeping,
and taking medications.
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES (CONTINUED)
Facilities
Care Provided
Nursing Home
Nursing homes provide long-term care for elderly
or chronically ill people who cannot care for
themselves.
Home-Health
Care
Some patients who need long-term care are
cared for in their own home. The medical care is
provided by nurses who visit the person’s home.
Hospice
A special kind of nursing care is available for
patients who are terminally ill. This care called
hospice, is usually given in the home. Hospice
care focuses on helping a dying patient live as
comfortable as possible.
TECHNOLOGY & HEALTHCARE
The internet, e-mail, and other technologies can make healthcare
more efficient, and can make patients feel more involved in their
care.
The Internet and E-mail
 Many people today gather health information on the internet.
 Some doctors appreciate that their patients are better informed.
Others however, worry that patients can get incorrect or biased
information.
 Doctors often spend time with patients correcting misconceptions
that stem from information the patients found on the internet.
 Should never rely on information you find on the internet without
first discussing it with your doctor.
TECHNOLOGY & HEALTHCARE (CONTINUED)
Some doctors now use e-mail to communicate with their
patients about non-emergency health issues.
Benefits:
1. Patients and doctors no longer need to be free at the same
time to discuss things, as was the case with the telephone.
2. There is also a written record of the communication, unlike
telephone calls.
**However, not everyone else is comfortable communicating
private healthcare via e-mail
TECHNOLOGY & HEALTHCARE (CONTINUED)
Computerized Imaging
 Many imaging techniques, including MRIs, CT scans, and Xrays, are performed with computerized equipment.
 Digital images allow doctors to share a patient’s results
more easily with other specialists.
 This can allow for quicker or more accurate diagnoses.
Robot Doctors
 In a growing number of hospitals, doctors can make virtual
visits to their patients.
TECHNOLOGY & HEALTHCARE (CONTINUED)
Electronic Health Records
 Patients benefit when their body scans, test result, or
medical records can be shared efficiently between providers.
 A doctor being able to access the patient’s records quickly
could save patient’s life.
 Lawmakers are pushing for nationwide electronic health
records that will allow the efficient treatment of patients – no
matter where they are when they get injured or become ill.
 Electronic health records could also cut down on medical
mistakes that are sometimes made when a provider does not
have access to a patient’s medical history.
SECTION 2 – PARTICIPATING IN YOU HEALTHCARE
Up to now, adults have probably made most of
the decisions about your healthcare. As you
grow older, however, you will take on these
responsibilities for yourself. So knowing some
basics about your healthcare choices help you
choose what is best for you.
CHOOSING HEALTHCARE
Choosing your doctor is one healthcare responsibility that will
eventually be yours. Deciding what doctor to see for routine
healthcare deserves careful consideration. After all, you want
your healthcare delivered by qualified people with whom you feel
comfortable.
Finding a Doctor
Tips one should use for finding a doctor who is suits your needs.
1. Ask for Recommendation
Start your search for a doctor by asking family
members, friends for recommendations. You
could also ask the opinions of other
healthcare providers you know, such as your
school nurse.
FINDING A DOCTOR (CONTINUED)
2. Do your research
Check American Medical Directory, this
directory lists the names of doctors, the
year they received their medical degree,
their areas of specialization and whether
or not they are board certified. Board
certified physician has completed 3 or
more years of additional training and has
passed a certification exam.
3. Identify your Preference
What are your preferences, Do you want
a young doctor or prefer an older one?
Would you be more comfortable with a
male or female doctor? Do you want a
doctor with an outgoing personality
or one who is more reserved.
THE DOCTOR APPOINTMENT
Have you ever put off seeing a doctor because you were afraid of getting a shot
or dread getting undress for the examining room? You are like many other
people. Instead try thinking of a doctor’s appointment as an opportunity. A
visit to you doctor allows you to find out more about your body and prevent
future health problems.
Reducing Anxiety at the Doctors office
 Write down your questions before going to the doctor.
 Bring along a family member or a friend for support
 Share your questions and concerns for your doctor.
 Take notes during the visit.
 Ask for an explanation if you don’t understand something
THE DOCTOR APPOINTMENT
Step 1 of Appointment
Take your Medical History which includes:
1. Record your present and past medical history
2. Record health members of your family
Step 2 of Appointment
Physical Examination:
Head–to–toe check of your body to
identify any medical problems you
may have.
THE DOCTOR APPOINTMENT (CONTINUED)
Doctors also may do:
 Measure your height, weight, blood pressure, and body
temperature
 Check your skin, eyes, ears, nose, and throat
 Listen to your lungs and heart
 Check your muscles and bones, including your arms, legs,
hands, and feet for signs of joint swellings or bone problems
 Check your nervous system
 Check your spine for abnormal curvature
 Test your reflexes, balance, and coordination
THE DOCTOR APPOINTMENT (CONTINUED)
If the doctor finds a medical condition requiring attention the
doctor will discuss it with you.
The doctor should explain:
1. What the condition means
2. Terms of treatment
3. Testing involved
4. Short-term and long-term effects
The medical examination should also include:
 Time for you to ask questions
* getting answers to questions about your body will help you participate
more fully in your own healthcare.*
YOUR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
You have certain rights as a patient. In 1998, the United States Advisory
Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry
adopted the Patients’ Bill of Rights.
The Patients’ Bill of Rights
 Information
You have the right to accurate and easily understood
information about your healthcare. If you speak
another language, have physical or mental disability,
or just don’t understand something, you will be
provided with assistance.
 Choice
You have the to a choice of healthcare providers and
to high-quality healthcare.
 Access
If you have severe pain, an injury, or sudden illness
that may put your health in serious danger, you have
the right to emergency care whenever and wherever
needed, without prior authorization or financial
penalty.
YOUR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Patients’ Bill of Rights (continued)
 Participation
You have the right to know your treatment options
and to participate in decisions about your care.
 Respect
You have the right to considerate, respectful, and
nondiscriminatory care from your healthcare
providers.
 Confidentially
You have the right to talk in confidence with
healthcare providers and to have your healthcare
information protected. You also have the right to
review and copy your own medical record.
 Complaints
You have the right to a fair, fast, and objective review
of any complaint you have against your healthcare
providers or facilities.
YOUR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Your Responsibilities
As a patient you also have certain responsibilities. You must fulfill these
responsibilities in order to receive the best healthcare possible.
 Ask your doctor about anything that concerns your health.
 Most doctors expect questions.
 If a doctor seems annoyed by your questions, it would be wise to look for
another doctor.
 Answers your doctor’s questions honestly.
 Information about symptoms, medications you are taking, and any
activities or behaviors that may affect your health or treatment are
important for your doctor to know.
 The more information you can provide, the more likely your doctor can
provide an accurate diagnosis.
YOUR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Your Responsibilities (continued)
Doctors and other healthcare providers vary in their attitudes,
professional styles, and how they relate to people. If you are not
satisfied with services provided by a doctor or clinic, you do not
have to continue there. Receiving good healthcare means being
satisfied with the medical as well as the personal treatment you
receive.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Out-of-Pocket
pay for all of your own medical expenses
Can be very expensive
Health Insurance
pays for a major part of an individual’s
medical expenses
Some companies offer health insurance options to their
employees and their families. Individuals can also purchase
their own health insurance.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Managed Care Insurance
Currently, the most commonly held health insurance plans in the United States
 Managed care plans characteristically have a network of doctors who agree to
provide healthcare at lower costs.
 Members are encouraged to see only doctors within the plan’s network.
 Premium – plan members pay a monthly or yearly fee
 Copayment – whenever they visit a doctor, they may also be required to pay a
small fee
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Types of Managed Care Insurance:
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO):
1. The most common manage care plan.
2. Members of an HMO choose a PCP who provides routine care.
3. PCP makes referrals to specialists within the network when
necessary.
4. HMOs usually only cover the cost of health services provided within
the network.
Point Of Service Plans (POS):
1. Like HMOs, point of service plans require you to choose a PCP
2. The difference is the PCP may refer you to a specialist outside the
network.
3. However, to see a doctor outside the network, you would have to pay
a higher copayment.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Types of Managed Care Insurance: (continued)
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO):
1. PPO also has a network of doctors.
2. The preferred providers- who charge reduced fees to plan
members.
3. Unlike HMOs and POS plans, however you can see a
specialist without a referral.
4. PPO covers services by out-of-network doctors but at a higher
cost to the patient.
5. In general, PPOs are more expensive than HMOs and POS
plans, but they allow more flexibility.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Traditional Insurance:
Traditional health insurance plans offer more flexibility managed care plans
because you can see any doctor at any facility you choose. However, this
flexibility comes with a price. Your out- of- pocket costs are likely to be
substantially higher in a traditional, or a fee-for-service, plan than in a managed
care plan.
Premium
Members pay a monthly premium
The insurance company guarantees to pay the
person’s medical expenses for the year within
set limits.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Traditional Insurance: (continued)
Deductible
Members are required to pay the first part of their
medical expenses each year.
This fixed amount, must be paid before the
insurance company begins paying for covered
procedures.
Example: insurance plan has a $300 deductible.
You will have to pay the first $300 of your medical
expenses for the year. Once your medical expenses
exceed $300 the insurance company starts to pay
its portion of the medical bills.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Traditional Insurance: (continued)
Percentage Covered
After patient has paid the deductible,
traditional plans general Pay only a certain
percentage of the rest of the year’s medical
expenses.
Example: insurance may cover only 80% of the
cost of a vision exam. The remaining amount
is the patient’s responsibility.
Services Not Covered
Some medical procedures and services are not
covered by traditional plans
It is very important to understand which medical
services are covered and which are not.
If you have a procedure that the policy does not
cover you must pay the whole bill
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Government-Sponsored Insurance:
Some people in the United States cannot afford private health insurance and are
eligible for government health insurance programs.
Medicare – federally financed insurance program for people age 65 and for
younger people who are disabled or who have chronic kidney disease.
Medicaid – a state program that pays for the healthcare of people whose incomes
are below a certain level.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Rising Healthcare Costs
Many factors that contribute to the rising costs of healthcare in the United States
An Aging Population:
The growing population of elderly Americans
is a major force in driving up costs.
People live longer on average that they used to
The result is a growing number of people who
are likely to need extensive medical services
Taxpayers of all age contribute to federal
programs such as Medicare that provide
healthcare to older Americans
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Rising Healthcare Costs: (continued)
Chronic Diseases
The increasing incidence of chronic diseases
Such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes
affects all Americans.
When individuals require more and more
medical care, health insurance companies
must raise everybody’s premiums to offset the
extra costs.
PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE
Rising Healthcare Costs: (continued)
Prescription Drug Costs
The research and development of
prescription drugs is very expensive, and
this cost is usually passed on to consumer.
One way to relieve some of the burden is to use
generic drugs.
Generic drugs have the same active ingredients
as brand-name drugs, but they usually cost
significantly less.
Unfortunately, there is not a generic version of
every brand-name drug.
SECTION 3 – PUBLIC HEALTH
What is Public Health?
Suppose that you could find no clean drinking water.
What if restaurants were not required to be clean and
pest-free? What if children could attend school without
being immunized against serious infectious diseases?
These are all matters that would affect public health.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Public Health – is the study and practice of protecting and
improving the health of people in a group or community.
The Public Health System – includes all the government
and private organizations that work with the public to prevent
disease and promote positive health behaviors.
PUBLIC HEALTH
The History of Public Health
 Throughout history, people associated disease with unclean or unsanitary conditions
and took measures to promote cleanliness.
 The ancient Hebrews, for example, established rules for the sanitary preparations of
foods.
 The ancient Romans built efficient systems to supply people with clean water and to
remove wastes.
 In Europe during the middle ages, cities became crowded with people and animals,
and their wastes.
 Epidemics swept across Africa, Asia, and Europe. One of the only ways people knew
to combat these disease outbreaks was through quarantine.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Quarantine – is a period of isolation imposed on people
who may have been exposed to an infectious disease.
 Quarantine prevents people who may be infected from
spreading the disease.
PUBLIC HEALTH
New Understandings
The latter half of the 1800s
 Scientists began to understand that microorganisms cause
many diseases.
 1850, London physician John Snow studied an outbreak of
cholera, an infectious disease that causes severe diarrhea
and vomiting.
 Dr. Snow learned that all of the outbreak victims had drunk
water from the same well. He was to show that the well was
contaminated with cholera-causing bacteria.
PUBLIC HEALTH
The Early 1900s
 Vaccines against a variety of serious diseases became available.
 The U.S. government launched nationwide programs to immunize the
public
 As a result , the incidence of many infectious diseases, such as measles,
was greatly reduced.
The field of epidemiology has also contributed to new understandings in the
field of public health. Epidemiologists look for patterns in the occurrence of
infectious and chronic diseases. Their findings are used to develop policies
and programs for disease control and prevention.
Epidemiology – is the study of disease among populations.
Epidemiology look for patterns in the occurrence of infectious and chronic
diseases. Their findings are used to develop policies and programs for
disease control and prevention.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Public Health Goals Today
 The public health system continues to combat infectious disease, but also
seeks to prevent a broad range of other health problems.
 Public health programs today emphasize the need for prevention in order to
avoid disease and other health problems.
 Many public health problems today relate to people’s behaviors.
For example: drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, obesity, violence, and
child abuse are major public health problems related to people’s
behaviors.
 The Department of Health and Human Services, of HHS , is a major public
health agency in the U.S.
 HHS developed an important public health document, Healthy People 2010,
that identifies prevention as the key to improving the health of all Americans.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Public Health in the United States
As the United States has grown and changed, so have its public health needs.
The public health system today addresses many more problems than ever
before.
Most programs, however, fall into one of three main categories.
1. Fighting Chronic Diseases
As in most countries with high
standards of living, deaths from
chronic diseases exceed those from
infectious diseases in the U. S.
Today, many public health programs
emphasize the importance of
behaviors such as regular exercise
and proper nutrition to reproduce
people’s risks of many chronic disease.
PUBLIC HEALTH
2. Helping Populations at Risk
3. Safety & Environmental Health
One of the greatest challenges in public
health is to provide services to high-risk
populations. High-risk populations are
groups of people who, because of age,
economic conditions, or some other factor,
are more likely to contract a particular
disease or disorder than the general
population.
Many public health regulation focus
on safety issues in all areas of society.
Safety Standards, for example, must be met in the workplace, in the design
and constructions of buildings, in the transportation industry, and in many
household and medical products.
Environmental Concerns, for example there are laws that limit pollution
levels from industries and motor vehicle.
PUBLIC HEALTH
The Federal Government
The federal agency with the widest range of responsibilities for public health is
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
HHS provides many services, including:
 Sponsoring health research and education
 Compiling and analyzing health information
 Setting health and safety standards
 Supporting state and local health departments
 Funding programs for people in need of public health services.
Federal Public Health Agencies
(Department of Health and Human Services)
1.
Administration for children and Families
2. Administration on Aging
Administers programs that improve the lives of children lowincome families and people with disabilities
Provides services to older persons and their caregivers
3. Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
Promotes improvements in the practice of medicine, the
organization and financing of healthcare, and access to quality
care
4. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease
Investigates and assesses risks to human health from hazardous
Registry
materials
5. Centers for disease control & Prevention (CDC) Collects data and conducts research on nearly all types of
diseases, disorders, and disabilities.
6. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Supervises Medicare and Medicaid
7. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
8. Health Resources & Service Administration
Inspects, tests, and assesses the safety of food, drugs, and a
variety of consumer goods.
Funds health services and resources for underserved populations
such as migrant workers, people with aids, and homeless people.
9. Indian Health Service
Provides comprehensive healthcare for Native Americans
10. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Serves as the primary biomedical research facility of the federal
government; provides grants to support medical research at
institutions throughout the country.
Supports programs that prevent and treat substance abuse &
mental illness. It assists states, communities, & healthcare
facilities in substance-abuse & mental-health services.
11. Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
Federal Public Health Agencies
(Department of Health and Human Services)
Other Federal Agencies
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
In the Department of Labor, identifies
occupational hazards and enforce laws
requiring minimum safety standards on the
workplace.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) IS responsible for inspecting and grading
meat, poultry, and other agriculture product;
manages nutrition programs such as schoollunch programs and food stamps.
Environmental Protection Agency Protect the public from environmental
(EPA)
hazards; enforces laws that regulate
pollution and sets standards for safe levels
of exposure to toxic substances and
radiation.
PUBLIC HEALTH
State Government
The Federal government depends on the states to carry out programs to meet
public health objectives.
 States distributes federal funds to meet its public health objectives.
 These agencies the carry out specific health programs, such as drug
rehabilitation and prenatal care.
 Most states have several departments or agencies involved in public health.
State Departments of: Public Health, mental health, rehabilitation,
environmental health, and social services, are common examples.
 State health departments are also responsible for other services needed to
maintain public health within the state. For example, they inspect
healthcare and food-handling facilities; test water, food, and medical
samples; compile health statistics; and monitor pollution levels.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Local Government
In most states, public health services are provided directly by local health
departments. Their services are usually free or have a fee based on a person’s
income.
Local Health departments are also responsible for enforcing state health
codes.
Health Codes - are standards established by state for certain factors that
affect health, such as water quality, sanitation in
restaurants, and sewage treatment facilities
Local Health departments also collect vital statistics.
Vital Statistics – the number of births and deaths and the numbers and kinds
of diseases that occur within a population.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Local Health Department Services
Insect control for prevention of mosquito-borne diseases
Counseling for people with drug or alcohol problems
Testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
Health Education
Prenatal Care
Immunizations
Screening for tuberculosis, high blood pressure,
cholesterol, and diabetes.
 Home Health services for people confined to their homes.
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PUBLIC HEALTH
Private Organizations
Many private organizations play important roles in providing public health
services. Some of these are national organizations. Other exist only at the
local level, in the communities they serve.
A number of national organizations raise funds to support specific health
causes. You may be familiar with organizations such as the American Heart
Association, American Cancer Society, and March of Dimes. Funds raised by
these and other organizations pay for medical research, health services, and
educational programs.
In most communities, churches and other community-based organizations
offer public health services. These organizations offer public health services.
These organizations may run programs such as food banks, counseling
services, training programs, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
SECTION 4 – GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
Why Are Global Efforts Important?
Global Efforts provide services and funding to developing nations that might
not otherwise have the resources to make their public health programs
succeed.
In times of crisis, people around the world work together to combat public
health problems in developing nations.
Developing nations - are countries with weak economies and low standard of
living.
75% of the world’s people live in developing countries.
Many suffer from serious health problems.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
International Health Organizations
International health organizations work in developing nations to
overcome public health problems such as malnutrition, lack of
basic medical care, poor sanitation, and lack of clean water.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
The United Nations
A number of United Nations agencies are directly involved in
improving the living conditions of people in developing countries.
World Health Organization (WHO)
 Send people trained in medicine, agriculture, water quality, engineering,
and other health related skills to countries in need.
 WHO workers seek to boost food production and prevent diseases through
education and immunization program.
 WHO also collects worldwide health statistics to evaluate and predict
future health threats.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
 Focus on programs that aid children, such as immunization programs, daycare and health centers, and school food programs
 UNICEF also runs training programs for nurses and teachers
International Committee of the Red Cross
 The world’s largest private international public health organization.
 Began in 1859 to aid victims on the battlefield
 The Red Cross organizes assistance anywhere in the world for victims of
disaster.
 The organization provides medical care, food, water, clothing and
temporary shelter.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
The Agency for International Development
The United States agency for International Development (USAID) was
established to provide support for developing nations.
 Major Focus of this support is the distribution of food to countries stricken by
famine.
 USAID also funds programs for immunizations, medicines, sanitation, healthcare,
training, and treatment of dehydration.
 Dehydration resulting from diarrhea is the major cause of death among young
children in developing nations.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
The Peace Corp
The Peace Corp is a United States government organization that trains
volunteers for public health work in developing nations.
 The work volunteers do depends both on their backgrounds and training
and on the needs of the countries that invite.
 Volunteers may help improve agricultural techniques, provide healthcare,
construct shelters, or improve sanitation and water supply systems.
 In addition to health programs, some Peace Corp volunteers serve as
advisors in the areas of education, technology, business, and industry.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
Other Agencies
The governments of many countries sponsor agencies that provide
international public health assistance. Also, a number of privately supported
organizations provide health services worldwide.
Examples:
 Oxfam International is known for its work in providing clean water and
sanitation services in disaster areas.
 The Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) provides
healthcare, food, water, and emergency assistance to refugees and
disaster victims.
 Many Churches and missionary groups provide hospital, diseaseprevention and relief.