Analyzing and Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle in Your Community The Healthy Cities/Heathy Communities movement was created by the World Health Organization in 1986 (KU, 2017). The movement is a participatory process in which citizens have a hand in creating a healthy community where all systems work well together and where all citizens enjoy a good quality of life. In order to succeed in creating a healthy community, one must understand the social determinants they might face them and how to those factors may influence the health and development of their community. The Healthy Cities/Healthy Communities Movement relies on two basic principles: a comprehensive analysis on the health of one’s community and a commitment to promote health within …show more content…
The amount of time and money invested in housing is why it is a social determinant to the health of a community. Healthy People 2020 is a call to public health to address these issues, “Unhealthy housing is a near guarantee of poor health outcomes” (Wahowiak, 2016, para. 2). There are eight guidelines according to The US Department of Housing and Urban Development to maintain a healthy home: keep it dry, clean, safe, well-ventilated, pest-free, contaminant-free, well-maintained, and thermally controlled (Wahowiak, 2016). A wide range of health issues can be associated with poor housing conditions including respiratory infections, lead poisoning, asthma and mental health (Krieger & Higgins, 2002). By addressing the housing issues it allows local practitioners the opportunity to address the social determinant of health and public health departments can implement strategies to improve housing. Some strategies include enforcing housing guidelines and codes, creating a “healthy home” program, and advocating for a healthy and affordable housing (Krieger & Higgins, 2002). Sadly, the lack of affordable housing has been linked to inadequate nutrition which can cause chronic diseases. Additionally, because expensive housing may drive the price of real estate higher, low-income tenants are forced to use more …show more content…
Obesity in the U.S. effects nearly one-third of children and two-thirds of adults (Pann, Yehl, Wood, Schoepp, Solomon, & Enders, 2013). Obesity can lead to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, respiratory problems and certain cancers (Pann, et. al, 2013). The National Institutes of Health, estimated that 400,000 deaths per year, are the result of a poor diet and physical inactivity (Pann, et. al, 2013). To address this epidemic, the Health Foundation of Southern Florida (HFSF) invested in Healthy Eating Active Communities (HEAC) foundation. The overall goal of the HFSF and HEAC is to create an environment within a community that promotes nutrition and physical activity. Their approach to improve healthy eating habits and physical activity is grounded in an education (Pann, et. al, 2013). For example, HFSF teamed up with The Broward Educations Foundation Garden Delights, to teach students nutrition and plant science through a “seed to table” curriculum. Their aim is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to change their nutritional behavior (Pann, et. al, 2013) Furthermore, the long term goal of the program is reduce childhood obesity by increasing awareness of nutrition and engaging families to participate in practicing a healthy
Lastly, housing first is an approach that emphasizes stable, permanent housing as a primary strategy for ending homelessness. ( “Housing First”, n.d.) An evaluation of this strategy in San Francisco found that the number of people living on the streets dropped by 41 percent in three years. More than 1,000 units of "permanent supportive housing" were established, and, of those who moved into such units, 95 percent remained housed. (Chamard, 2010)
The Healthy People 2020 (Healthy People 2020, 2014) is a nationwide program created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to achieve objectives for promoting health and preventing diseases. Faith based communities may benefit tremendously in including these objectives in program planning. The main goal is for the American people to have long, healthy lives. The Healthy People 2020 program provides measurable objectives that can be applied down to the local level such as in faith based communities. These guidelines encourage high quality of life by being healthy, disease-free, accessible healthcare, and have an environment that promotes good health and wellbeing in all age levels.
“Healthy People provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans.” ( United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Healthy People 2020 , 2011). It acts as a national guide for disease prevention and health promotion. There are various objectives and goals which serve as the guideline to achieve overall improvement in health . ‘Educational and Community-Based Programs’ is one of them. According to U.S Department of Health and Human Services the main goal of these programs is to “Increase the quality, availability, and effectiveness of educational and community-based programs designed to prevent disease and injury, improve health, and enhance quality of life.” (HHS, Healthy People 2020, 2011). This particular goal of Healthy People 2020 focuses on increasing the number educational and community based programs to increase awareness about disease prevention and health among every individual of the society. It focuses on educating them on various topics including chronic diseases, substance abuse, prevention of injury and violence to encourage and enhance health. It emphasizes on increasing the quantity and quality of such programs so that a larger population could benefit from the program and gain effective knowledge to achieve a healthy life.
Healthy People 2020 is a program for the promotion of health and the prevention of diseases, launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in December 2010. According to healthypeople.gov, this program has four overarching goals which are first to achieve healthy, longer lives free of preventable diseases, injuries, and premature deaths; to achieve health fairness, eliminate differences, and improve all groups’ health; also to produce social and physical environments that encourage good health; and last but not least to promote life’s quality, healthy development, and healthy behaviors through all life stages. This program has a vision of a community where people live long, healthy lives. Healthy People 2020 offers a comprehensive
...). A future research idea piggybacks on this program by encouraging an initiation of state and/or national legislation, specifically for change moving towards healthier school nutrition and additional school nutrition education. This legislation would also mandate increases in the amount of time children are allowed for physical activity in their school day as a lack of physical activity is a huge risk factor for overweight and obesity. Another thought is to designate a school health coordinator who will be responsible for maintaining and continuing the positive work that this study began. Utilizing the success of this program and others like it in this regards will lead to action on all levels of the social ecological framework. Ultimately, a multilevel examination of determinants and interventions needs to be aimed at preventing child overweight and obesity.
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services there have been a notably large number of deaths due to obesity since it leads into other diseases like heart disease, type two diabetes and high blood pressure. Over weight and obese people in general
Low income can lead to high levels of stress and pressure, which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Overcrowding can be negative for a person because it causes frustration and family breakups, and means that their personal space is invaded, and their right to privacy is ignored – this can lead to tension in the family, and issues such as domestic abuse. Inadequate housing can affect an individual’s health, as it can cause respiratory problems due to poor living conditions such as damp or mold. The lack of green spaces can mean that health and sociability are not encouraged, and mental and physical health
Within the last 30 years, the number of obese Americans has soared from 48% to 65%. To make things worse, the number of obese children has tripled from 5% to 15% (Wallis). The rising numbers should be cause for concern but seem to be doing the opposite, making obesity and its consequences more acceptable. Neglecting exercise and careless eating can lead to life-threatening conditions. People do not realize harmful effects obesity can have on their bodies.
Housing in inner city areas was poor quality and in a 1991 census it was found that over 1 million homes in the inner cities still lacked the basic amenities of bathrooms, WC’s and hot water. The occupants have low incomes and are often elderly, young
Heathy People 2020 emphasized that social determinants play an important role in the health of an individual. Examples of social determinants include availability of resources to meet daily needs, transportation options, access to mass media and emerging technologies, or exposure to physical hazards and toxic substances. For example, unsanitary housing is associated with exposures to mold, moistures, dust mites, or even lead. Places that are absent of sidewalks, bike paths, or recreational areas can discourage physical activity for some communities. As a result, these conditions in different settings can affect a person’s quality of life. Poor health outcomes are often corresponding to the interaction between people and their physical or social environments. For that reason, policies and interventions are implemented to ensure a healthier
Nancy Milio proposed that an individual’s health and lifestyle choices are influenced by resources, availability, cost and convenience more than knowledge obtained from education. This thought provides the framework for influencing community habits by developing policies that protect and promote health (Nies & McEwan, 2015-a). In this paper, I will identify and analyze a community health problem using Milio’s framework for prevention, use Healthy People 2020 to find national goals that relate to my diagnosis and develop one long-term goal, three short-term goals, and accompanying interventions.
The purpose of this community profile is to discuss a particular health improvement issue within a chosen community. A community can be defined using many different terms. You can belong to a community through religious beliefs. Through shared experiences or interests. You can belong to a political community where all involved share the same political interests. A community can also be defined as ‘a family’ a small village where many have lived most of their lives who share the same desire to belong to that community.
This is a community profile that aims to identify a specific health improvement issue within a local geographically determined community. ‘A community profile is an attempt to describe a particular community or neighbourhood. It uses a variety of different techniques to build up a picture of the community from a number of perspectives’ (Barnardos.org.uk, 2004) including several components of a community such as its demographic characteristics, patterns and trends i.e. its epidemiology in order to make comparisons between different localities to determine areas needful of specific health improvements with the goal of improving local people’s health and reducing health inequalities. A core definition of community as distinguished by Macqueen and Mclellan et al (2001) is ‘a group of people with diverse characteristics who are linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and engage in joint action in geographical locations or settings’.
There are numerous public health problems that can be addressed in my Southside of Chicago community. Among the several public health problems facing my Southside of Chicago community there are two that are more urgent. Health education or one might say lack thereof is a problem that needs to be addressed. My community is plagued with many of the residents suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, and the killer virus known as HIV. In most cases these conditions can be prevented with healthier lifestyles and access to nutritious organic foods. In addition, environmental health is another urgent problem my community is facing. Access to clean, safe water and air is supposed to be a fundamental human right aimed at a healthy environment. Yet, my community consists a waste contaminated beach, numerous deteriorated building that are still occupied, and a countless number of restaurant and stores supplying our residents with services that are endangering their health.
What is your idea of a healthy community? Provide specific examples. What do healthy communities have in common? How would you provide care for a community if your idea of a healthy community does not match your community 's definition of a healthy community?