The future public health concerns are closely correlated with tendencies that become apparent in the present. According to Frieden (2015), in the future, the cost of healthcare will rise without changes in its quality. The problem is associated with the aging population and increased burden of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and allergies (Frieden, 2015). Additionally, the healthcare system may face the problem of insufficient staffing in frontline employees, including nurses and physicians. Therefore, in the future, the public health sector will need to improve the cost-efficiency of services and acquire adequate hiring and retention strategies to ensure sufficient staffing.
Global health concerns are expected to affect Miami Dade County with full force. According to Miami Matters (n.d.), the senior population in the county is snowballing. In five years, the number has grown from 14.4% to 16% between 2012 and 2017 (Miami Matters, n.d.). Therefore, the cost of care will increase, and the availability of services will decrease due to growing demand. The situation needs to be recognized and addressed at all levels in order to avert possible adverse outcomes and deterioration of the population’s health.
Even though the matter is best addressed systematically, as a nurse, I can improve population health in my workplace. According to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2017), all nurses are obliged to promote population health, “regardless of their education level or their work assignment” (p. 4). The most appropriate way of improving public health is by applying the principles of evidence-based practice.
I can continuously revise my knowledge about methods of patient education and promote increased physical activity, healthy nutrition patterns, and tobacco and alcohol cessation (Frieden, 2015). Moreover, I can participate in interdisciplinary projects to maximize the patient-centered approach to care provision (Frieden, 2015). In short, I have enough tools and qualifications to actively participate in the improvement of population health.
References
Frieden, T. (2015). The future of public health. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(18), 1748-1754. Web.
Miami Matters. (n.d.). Population over age 65.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2017). Catalysts for change: Harnessing the power of nurses to build population health in the 21st century [executive summary]. Web.