Choose A Country Other Than The US And Research Its Governme ✓ Solved

Choose A Country Other Than The Us And Research Its Governments Rol

Choose a country other than the U.S. and research its government's role in public health. In two or more fully formed paragraphs, answer the following questions: What do you think the role of the federal government should be in public health? Are public health efforts worth all the tax dollars you pay for them? What do you think are the most important problems (besides COVID) for public health to address today? Describe the government's role in public health in the country you researched. How does it differ from the United States? Explain why you think this country's government's role in public health is better or worse.

Paper For Above Instructions

For this research, I have chosen to examine the government’s role in public health in the United Kingdom (UK). The UK operates a predominantly publicly funded healthcare system known as the National Health Service (NHS), which plays a significant role in ensuring the health and well-being of its citizens. The federal government in the UK shoulders a substantial portion of the responsibility for public health, focusing on prevention, healthcare access, and health promotion among the population. I believe that the government's role should primarily encompass education on health issues, funding for healthcare services, and creating policies that address social determinants of health. A government’s investment in public health is ultimately an investment in the population's productivity, well-being, and overall economic stability. This raises the question of whether public health efforts justify the tax dollars allocated to them. While some may argue that public health campaigns and services are a financial burden, the long-term benefits—reduced healthcare costs, enhanced quality of life, and a healthier population—teach us that such investments are worthwhile.

Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the most critical challenges to public health today include mental health crises, obesity-related diseases, and the rise in chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Each of these issues warrants attention and resources from the government to collectively mitigate health risks and improve lifestyle changes among the populace. In the UK, the government's approach to public health also involves integrating care services and emphasizing preventive health measures, which are analyzed and reported through public health bodies like Public Health England. In contrast to the United States, where healthcare is often privatized and access may be limited for many citizens, the UK government assumes a more proactive role in promoting public health initiatives. While the U.S. system emphasizes individual responsibility and private health coverage, the UK’s extensive public health framework provides universal healthcare access, potentially reducing inequalities. I contend that the UK’s government role in public health is more socially responsible and equitable than that of the U.S., as it prioritizes community health and ensures health services are accessible to all, significantly promoting the general well-being of its population.

References

  • Department of Health and Social Care. (2020). The NHS Long Term Plan.
  • Public Health England. (2021). Health matters: obesity and the food environment.
  • World Health Organization. (2020). Health System Strengthening.
  • Cameron, I. M., & Hegel, M. T. (2019). Management of chronic medical conditions in the UK: Coordination of services.
  • Friedli, L., & Parsonage, M. (2021). Mental health promotion: A review of global perspectives.
  • OECD. (2019). Health at a Glance 2019: OECD Indicators.
  • McKee, M., & Stuckler, D. (2020). The impact of the financial crisis on health in Europe: A review of the evidence.
  • Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. (2019). Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.
  • Rudolph, L., & Caplan, J. (2019). Addressing the Social Determinants of Health: A Public Health Perspective.
  • National Health Service. (2019). The NHS: 70 Years of the National Health Service.

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