Access The Healthy People In Action Section Of The Healthy P

Access The Healthy People In Action Section Of the Healthy People 2020

Access the Healthy People in Action section of the Healthy People 2020 website: Select State Plans from the drop-down menu of the "Healthy People in Action" tab above the main page content. Pick a state (or territory) which has not already been selected by a classmate, and access that state's 2020 Healthy People Plans. Select and summarize one area in the plan you selected that pertains to allied health care delivery in that state (for example, medical sonography, respiratory therapy, radiography, speech pathology, etc.). For the area you picked, what do you think the state plan does well? What could it do better, and how so?

Paper For Above instruction

The Healthy People 2020 initiative provides a comprehensive framework for improving health across the United States, emphasizing targeted objectives to enhance public health outcomes. The "Healthy People in Action" section allows stakeholders to examine state-specific plans, which reflect localized priorities and strategies tailored to diverse populations. For this assignment, I selected the state of California, which has articulated specific goals related to allied health care services, notably in the fields of respiratory therapy and speech pathology.

In California’s 2020 Healthy People Plan, a significant focus is placed on increasing access to respiratory therapy services, especially in underserved and rural areas. The plan emphasizes expanding community-based interventions to ensure timely and equitable respiratory care, recognizing the critical role these services play in managing chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. Furthermore, California aims to improve the training and credentialing pathways for respiratory therapists to address workforce shortages and to bolster preventive education efforts among vulnerable populations.

One area in California’s plan that pertains to allied health care delivery is its initiative to improve access and quality in speech-language pathology services. The plan highlights efforts to expand telehealth options, allowing speech therapists to reach patients in remote areas and those with mobility challenges. This technological approach aligns with broader healthcare trends toward telemedicine and aims to reduce disparities in service delivery. The plan also seeks to increase funding for speech-language pathology programs in public schools, recognizing the importance of early intervention in communication disorders for children's developmental outcomes.

California’s strategy to incorporate telehealth for speech pathology demonstrates a commendable understanding of modern healthcare delivery modalities. It effectively addresses geographical barriers and enhances service accessibility, which is essential given the state's vast and diverse geography. Additionally, the emphasis on early intervention in schools is a vital strength, as it aligns with evidence showing that early treatment can significantly improve long-term communication and developmental outcomes.

However, despite these strengths, the plan could benefit from more detailed strategies on workforce development for speech-language pathologists, particularly in rural and underserved communities. While expanding telehealth is beneficial, there remains a need for increasing the number of trained professionals willing to work in high-need areas. The plan could also enhance its focus on culturally competent care, ensuring services are tailored to diverse populations with varied linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Improving community outreach and provider training in multicultural communication could make services more effective and equitable.

Moreover, California’s plan could better integrate data collection and outcome measurement specific to allied health services. Establishing robust metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth programs and early intervention efforts would enable continuous improvement and accountability. A clear framework for regularly assessing service quality, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes in allied health care delivery would strengthen the plan’s impact.

In conclusion, California’s Healthy People 2020 plan demonstrates forward-thinking strategies, particularly through its emphasis on telehealth and early intervention in speech pathology. Its strengths lie in leveraging technology to improve access and in prioritizing communication health early in development. Nonetheless, to enhance its effectiveness, the plan should focus more on workforce expansion, culturally competent care, and comprehensive data-driven evaluation. Addressing these areas could significantly improve allied health care delivery and health outcomes across the state.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Healthy People 2020 in Action: California State Plan. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/
• California Department of Public Health. (2020). California State Health Improvement Plan. CDPH. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2021). Telepractice in Speech-Language Pathology. ASHA. https://www.asha.org
• American Thoracic Society. (2019). Respiratory Therapy Workforce and Access. ATS Journals. https://www.atsjournals.org
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2020). Communication Disorders: Early Intervention and Treatment. NIDCD. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov
• World Health Organization. (2019). Global strategy on human resources for health: Workforce development. WHO. https://www.who.int
• Florida Department of Health. (2018). State Health Improvement Plan. Florida Health. https://www.floridahealth.gov
• National Board for Respiratory Care. (2022). Certification and Credentialing in Respiratory Therapy. NBRC. https://www.nbrc.org
• National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers. (2020). Telehealth Resources for Allied Health. NCTRC. https://www.telehealthresourcecenter.org
• Goldstein, R., & McCarthy, C. (2017). Advancements in Telehealth for Allied Health Services. Journal of Allied Health. 46(4), 246-253.