Public Health Core Functions Ten Essential Services A 512672

Public Health Core Functions Ten Essential Servicesand Health Educat

Review the module’s Learning Resources related to the Public Health Core Functions and Ten Essential Services and the Health Educator Areas of Responsibility. Then, complete both Part I and Part II of this assignment. Part I involves analyzing four scenarios to identify the relevant Public Health Core Function and Essential Service. Part II requires selecting two scenarios to explain how a health educator could fulfill specific areas of responsibility through activities related to each scenario, supported by APA citations.

Paper For Above instruction

The framework of public health functions and services is fundamental in guiding professionals in promoting optimal health outcomes within populations. This paper examines four distinct scenarios to contextualize the application of the Public Health Core Functions—Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance—and the associated Ten Essential Services. Further, it explores the roles of health educators in implementing these functions through specific responsibilities, highlighting the multifaceted nature of public health practice.

Part I: Scenario Analysis

Scenario 1

Scientists in Australia discover a treatment for the Vivax strain of malaria found in the Asia-Pacific region. The new treatment also protects against re-infection.

Public Health Core Function: Policy Development

Identification of a specific Essential Service: Developing policies and plans that promote research, ensure access to new treatments, and support malaria prevention strategies. This aligns with the essential service of 'Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.'

Scenario 2

Public health professionals refer clients to the Palm Valley Clinic in Talmouth County, offering medical, dental, and pharmacy services to uninsured and underinsured populations.

Public Health Core Function: Assurance

Specific Essential Service: Ensuring the availability of healthcare services for vulnerable populations, exemplifying 'Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provisions of health care when otherwise unavailable.'

Scenario 3

The Cole County Health Department partners with the local school system to provide flu shots to over 2,215 elementary students.

Public Health Core Function: Assessment

Particularly, conducting a community health assessment to determine vaccination needs and coverage, aligning with the service of 'Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.'

Scenario 4

A childcare facility reports an outbreak of lice to the health department. The lead health educator addresses the issue.

Public Health Core Function: Assurance

Including activities such as investigating, controlling, and preventing health threats, corresponding with 'Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.'

Part II: Application of Health Educator Roles

Scenario 1: Malaria Treatment Discovery

Selecting the assurance core function, a health educator could play a pivotal role in community education by developing and disseminating culturally appropriate information about malaria prevention and the new treatment. The health educator's specific Area of Responsibility in this case would be 'Implement Strategies for Health Education Promotion and Prevention.' Activities include designing educational campaigns, collaborating with community leaders, and conducting outreach programs that emphasize the importance of treatment adherence, re-infection prevention, and awareness about malaria symptoms. Through these initiatives, health educators help empower communities to utilize the new treatment effectively and understand its public health significance (Thackeray et al., 2018).

Scenario 3: Flu Vaccination Drive

Fulfilling the Area of Responsibility of 'Develop and Implement Educational Strategies,' the health educator could organize school-based vaccination education sessions. These activities would involve creating informational materials tailored for children and parents, addressing fears and misconceptions about vaccines, and facilitating consent processes. The health educator would also coordinate with school personnel to schedule vaccination clinics and provide follow-up messaging to ensure compliance and enhance vaccine uptake. Such educational interventions foster community trust, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and maximize coverage—which are critical for achieving herd immunity (Batchelor et al., 2019).

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011a). Core functions of public health and how they relate to the 10 essential services. https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/publichealthservices/essentialhealthservices.html
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014b). The public health system and the 10 essential public health services. https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/publichealthservices/essentialhealthservices.html
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017c). National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs
  • Institute of Medicine. (2002). The future of the public’s health in the 21st century. National Academies Press.
  • National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. (2010). Areas of responsibilities, competencies, and sub-competencies for the health education specialists. https://www.nchec.org
  • Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice. (2014). Core competencies for public health professionals. https://www.phf.org
  • Thackeray, R., Neiger, B. L., & McKenzie, J. F. (2018). Planning and implementing health education campaigns. Journal of Health Communication, 23(2), 101-114.
  • Batchelor, H., MacDonald, N., & Lewis, N. (2019). Strategies for increasing vaccine uptake among children in school settings. Vaccine, 37(8), 1107-1113.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Leading causes of death in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov
  • Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support. (2014). The 10 essential public health services: An overview. https://www.cdc.gov

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