Health Inputs Highlighted in the Case
The key inputs to health highlighted in this case study include the different programs that Wyandotte County has implemented to prevent or reduce untimely death. One of these projects is the County’s 20-20-20 challenge, aiming to lengthen sidewalks, bikeways, and trails by 20 miles each to improve people’s health (Lee, 2009). Additionally, the Tobacco-Free action team in the County aims to improve supplies necessary for preventing, stopping, and reducing tobacco use. The county campaigns for health insurance also has a food systems action team that has fostered agricultural markets, school and community-based gardens, as well as students’ meals for summer. However, the case study has failed to include some essential factors that also affect the health of a community such as housing and mental health.
Health Behaviors that should get Priority
According to the statistics in the case, 37% of the population in Wyandotte County has the probability of getting obese. There is a 92% chance that the same people will smoke, and the likelihood of the people being physically dormant is 72% (Lee, 2009). Therefore, the County should prioritize smoking cessation, followed by lengthening sidewalks, bikeways, and trails by 20 miles to encourage physical exercises (Lee, 2009).
A Diet plan should also be in the County’s second Priority in its budgeting as it will eventually reduce the rate of obesity. Income levels play a significant role in enhancing health outcomes and are hence directly proportional. When the level of income increases, the consumers can afford foods that have high nutritional value and thus prevent various diseases. Besides, an increase in income would enable the residents of Wyandotte county to afford to pay insurance premiums necessary for seeking early diagnosis and treatment.
Importance of Health Insurance in Improving Health
Access to healthcare insurance is crucial to any individual as it improves health outcomes. With a health insurance cover, patients can seek early treatment to prevent death or reduce deterioration. Besides covering costs incurred in medicine, an insurance policy improves health by preventing illnesses through regular check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings. As highlighted in the case study, the proportion of residents without an insurance cover in Wyandotte county is 183% higher relative to Johnson county, hence likely to have lower health outcomes (Lee, 2009). Increasing the number of primary care physicians is not a priority for Wyandotte county.
The case shows that 29% of Wyandotte county’s population comprises Hispanics and 23% African-Americans who are less likely to take part in physical exercises (Lee, 2009). Additionally, this population should have diet plans that promote obesity (Zvonarev et al., 2020). Therefore, priority for this County should be promoting physical exercises by installing affordable gyms and successfully implementing the 20-20-20 movement. More importantly, the County should increase income levels through education and employment so that people can afford healthy diets and simultaneously reduce the rate of smoking.
Role of the Federal Government in Improving Health
The federal government should provide a balanced diet for the underserved populations and those with low-income levels. The diet should be a meal card where the beneficiary can only purchase healthy foods to improve health status. Furthermore, the government should offer free or subsidized education directly proportional to increased employment, high income, and eventually enhanced health (Lee, 2009). My answers would not be different, even if I were a Wyandotte County resident. However, I would be better positioned to provide more relevant and applicable recommendations to the government for improving health outcomes in the County. The reason is that the case study is not very comprehensive in terms of all the characteristics of the population, including mental health and quality of life.
References
Lee, R. H., Health Administration Press, & Association of University Programs in Health Administration. (2009). Economics for healthcare managers. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.
Zvonarev, V., Mamtani, S., Yadav, S., Sharazi, K., Syed, H., Giri, A.,… & Kotler, D. (2020). Neurocognitive Performance of African Americans and Hispanic Adults in Relation to Diet and Physical Activity: A Literature Review. Journal of Neurology Research, 10(3), 56-68. Web.