Community Health Roles
Name:
Institution:
Community Health Roles
Part I
A government agency is an organization mandated by the state to manage a specific function such as security, sanitation or transport. A quasi government is an organization that is very similar to government agency but the difference is that they enjoy operational and political autonomy. Most organizations in this category started out as fully-fledged government agencies. The government does not control them. Non-governmental agencies are non-profit organizations that are detached from the government. They engage in a wide array of activities such as health sensitization, education and implementing welfare projects.
One of the major differences is that public health is focused on populations while medical services concentrate on the individual. Another key difference occurs in their approach. Public health invests in solutions that benefit the whole community. In order to achieve this target, public health attempts to prevent diseases within the environment. Medical services concentrate on treating patients affected by diseases.
Part II
| COLUMN A | COLUMN B | COLUMN C | COLUMN D | COLUMN E |
| Health concern | Government | Quasi government | Non-governmental agencies | Why this issue a significant community/ public health concern |
| Obesity | American Society of Bariatric Physicians http://www.asbp.org | The Campaign to End Obesity www.obesitycampaign.org | Shape Up America! http://www.shapeup.org | Obesity has affected the greater part of the American population mainly because they are dependent on highly processed foods (National Research Council, 2011). Furthermore, most people in the cities live a very inactive life and this promotes obesity (Finkel, 2011). This disease is risky as lacks many symptoms and has the capacity to result in casualty in a short period (National Research Council, 2011). Combining efforts to come up with feasible ways of reducing this disease will save many lives (Finkel, 2011). |
| Diabetes | National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases www.niddk.nih.gov | American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) www.diabeteseducator.org | Project HOPE www.projecthope.org | Diabetes affects the way in which the body handles sugar. Diabetes restricts the dietary and lifestyle choices of people affected by it (National Research Council, 2011). Many people within the nation are affected by diabetes, which shows very little symptoms, and this is what makes it very dangerous (Finkel, 2011). Sensitizing the society on the risks associated with living sedentary lifestyles and consuming fast foods will reduce these destructive habits and save many lives in the process (Finkel, 2011). |
| Alzheimer’s Disease | Alzheimers.gov www.alzheimers.gov | Alzheimers Association http://www.alz.org | Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org | Alzheimers is a common condition among elderly people. However, in the United States, it has been increasingly emerging among middle-aged people around 45 (Finkel, 2011). This worrying trend needs to be addressed. This is because Alzheimer’s affects locomotion and sensory activities (Finkel, 2011). This in turn lowers the productivity of a significant percentage of the population (National Research Council, 2011). |
| Suicide | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov | American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) www.afsp.org | American Association of Suicidology www.suicidology.org | The United States is a fast-paced urban region that places great pressure on the population (National Research Council, 2011). Facing substantial financial and social pressure creates the temptation to commit suicide. These organizations are essential in the community in that they carry out two major roles. One is to dissuade citizens from considering suicide as the only outlet for depression and stress (Finkel, 2011). The other role is treating suicide victims and their families for possible trauma (National Research Council, 2011). |
References
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Finkel, M. L. (2011). Public health in the 21st century. Santa Barbara, Calif: Praeger.
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National Research Council (U.S.). (2011). Improving health in the United States: The role of health impact assessment. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
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