Public Health and Age – Managing Disease Among the Older Adults
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “the condition of a person so that he/she can lead a normal life with proper health and strength.” A wide variety of definitions have also been used over time. One of the major factors in determining health is diet. It is believed that a diet which is rich in nutrients and that contains minimum saturated fat is beneficial to overall health. The following are some health terms you may encounter and a brief explanation as to what they mean:
These three terms define health care; these are elements which are involved in determining an individual’s total well-being. A complete physical examination is an element which determines a persons general health. A complete physical examination will include checkups blood tests, X rays and urinalysis. The goal of health care is to provide the patients with services that help them maintain a complete physical and psychological wellness.
These terms are the elements that determine health care. The other elements which are included in this concept are demographics, social determinants and structural barriers. Health issues are determined by public health, community health, personal health, occupational health, physiological conditions and environmental exposures. These public health and community health determinants are complex and interrelated. They affect each other and cause co-morbidity, which is a situation where two or more diseases occur together and their combination can lead to serious health risks.
The concept of health care is closely associated with the concept of health discrimination. Health discrimination refers to situations in which health and well-being are threatened because of the existence of differences in social categories, such as race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or language. For instance, people who belong to certain ethnic or cultural groups are often denied access to health services or facilities. In addition, people who belong to certain socioeconomic class are denied opportunities to work in professions that require physical strength, such as in police departments and fire departments. This type of health discrimination leads to health disparities.
Managing disease can only be realized when there is a comprehensive effort by everyone in society to address health disparities. This involves reducing health disparities caused by social factors, while maintaining levels of overall health and well-being. For instance, a complete physical examination, treatment and prevention program for adults over 65 years old must take into account the social as well as contextual aspects of the aging process. These programs must not only address the increasing needs of the older adults, but also the current health problems of the younger generations.
A complete physical examination must be part of any health policy designed to meet the needs of the older adults. The management of diseases associated with aging must start from preventing and treating conditions that start in the childhood or adolescence. Prevention and early intervention strategies for chronic conditions that start later in life can have more beneficial results than traditional approaches. Health policies that include quality and preventive care, and services for the mentally ill and the elderly can go a long way toward addressing the rising needs of the older adults. In addition, a well-designed public health program that improves life course health and disability coverage can help older adults maintain their health and contribute to public health.