The US Health Care System And Lagging Life Expectancy Case

The Us Health Care System And Lagging Life Expectancy A Case Study

The US Health Care System and Lagging Life Expectancy: A Case Study ---This was the proposal from week one Initial Proposal For your Initial Proposal, you will address the concerns presented in your selected case study from Week One and give recommendations for improvement. Utilize one of the following sample proposals to draft your Initial Proposal: Sample Proposal 1 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Minnesota Department of Public Health and Environment QI Project Proposal, n.d.) Sample Proposal 2 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (TMIT Student Projects QuickStart Package TM, n.d.) Sample Proposal 3 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Harvard Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Training Program Quality and Safety Module, 2011) Sample Proposal 4 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Texas QIP, 2003) Your Initial Proposal must include the following components: Identify the needs that are present within your selected case study. Explain each of the Minnesota Department of Health QI project SMART and meaningful objectives (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. for your selected case study. Apply each of the SDLC phases as they related to your study. Demonstrate a clear understanding of HIT/QI acquisition by applying this in your Initial Proposal. The Initial Proposal: Must be three to four pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), double-spaced and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must follow one of the following proposal sample guidelines: Sample Proposal 1 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Minnesota Department of Public Health and Environment QI Project Proposal, n.d.) Sample Proposal 2 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (TMIT Student Projects QuickStart Package TM, n.d.) Sample Proposal 3 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Harvard Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Training Program Quality and Safety Module, 2011) Sample Proposal 4 (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. (Texas QIP, 2003) Must Include a title page with the following: Title of paper Student’s name Course name and number Instructor’s name Date submitted Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis. Must use at least three scholarly sources, including a minimum of one from the Ashford University Library. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Paper For Above instruction

The United States healthcare system faces significant challenges regarding its ability to improve life expectancy and overall health outcomes for its population. Despite substantial investment and technological advances, the nation’s life expectancy lags behind other developed countries. This discrepancy can be attributed to several systemic issues, including unequal access to healthcare services, high disease burdens such as obesity and chronic illnesses, socioeconomic disparities, and fragmentation within the healthcare delivery system. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach involving quality improvement (QI) initiatives, strategic planning, and the integration of health information technology (HIT) to enhance care delivery.

Understanding the needs within the case study involves identifying key areas where the U.S. healthcare system falls short. One primary need is equitable access to preventive and primary care services. Research indicates that underserved populations, particularly in marginalized socioeconomic groups, experience higher rates of preventable diseases, which contribute to reduced life expectancy (Marmot, 2015). Additionally, there is a need for improved management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory conditions, which are leading causes of mortality (CDC, 2020). Addressing social determinants of health—such as poverty, education, and housing—is also essential to improving health outcomes and ensuring that interventions reach those most in need.

Applying the Minnesota Department of Health’s Quality Improvement (QI) project framework, the SMART objectives must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For instance, a relevant objective might be: “Increase the percentage of adults aged 18-64 in underserved communities receiving annual blood pressure screenings from 50% to 70% within 12 months.” This goal is specific and measurable, directly addressing chronic disease management, which is a significant factor influencing life expectancy. Another objective could involve reducing disparities in access to primary care by 15% within two years, aligning with strategic efforts to mitigate health inequities.

Applying the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in this context involves several phases. The planning phase would include conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to identify gaps in service delivery and data collection capabilities. During the analysis phase, stakeholders—such as healthcare providers, public health officials, and community representatives—would delineate specific requirements for improved data tracking and communication systems. The design phase involves developing HIT solutions—such as electronic health records (EHRs) integrated with community health databases—to facilitate real-time monitoring and targeted interventions.

The implementation phase focuses on deploying the HIT tools within the healthcare settings, backed by training programs for staff to ensure effective use. During the testing phase, the system’s functionality and integration with existing workflows would be evaluated, with adjustments made based on user feedback. The maintenance phase involves continuous system updates, performance monitoring, and addressing emerging needs or challenges. These steps align with best practices in HIT implementation to enhance quality and efficiency in healthcare delivery.

Demonstrating a clear understanding of HIT/QI acquisition involves recognizing that technology is central to data collection, analysis, and reporting integral to quality improvement initiatives. Leveraging HIT systems enables real-time data analysis, identifying trends, and measuring progress toward objectives. It also supports personalized patient care and population health management. For example, integrating data from EHRs with public health surveillance systems allows for targeted outreach to high-risk populations, thereby reducing preventable mortality and increasing life expectancy rates (Buntin et al., 2010). Strategic HIT acquisition, coupled with effective QI methodologies, provides the foundation for sustainable health improvements.

In conclusion, transforming the U.S. healthcare system to improve life expectancy requires a multifaceted approach. Addressing systemic inequities, enhancing chronic disease management, and applying quality improvement principles—supported by robust health information technology—are essential steps. Strategic planning through frameworks like SDLC ensures systematic deployment of solutions that can lead to measurable health outcomes. Ultimately, a commitment to continuous quality improvement, combined with innovative HIT applications, holds promise for reducing disparities and extending healthy life expectancy across the nation.

References

  • Buntin, M., Burke, M., Hoaglin, M., & Blumenthal, D. (2010). The Benefits of Health Information Technology: A Review of the Recent Literature Shows Evidence of Savings and Improved Quality. Health Affairs, 29(10), 1620–1626.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Chronic Diseases in America. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm
  • Marmot, M. (2015). The Health Gap: The Challenge of an Unequal World. Bloomsbury Publishing.
  • U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. (2021). Health, United States, 2020. Hyattsville, MD.
  • Harvard Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Training Program. (2011). Quality and Safety Module.
  • Minnesota Department of Public Health and Environment. (n.d.). Quality Improvement Project Proposal. https://www.health.state.mn.us/communication/qi
  • Texas QIP. (2003). Quality Improvement Program guidelines. https://dshs.texas.gov/healthcarequality/QIP.shtm
  • System Development Life Cycle. (2022). In Healthcare IT. Journal of Health Informatics, 8(2), 45-55.
  • World Health Organization. (2019). State of Health in the Americas. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/life-expectancy-at-birth
  • Harvard Global Health Institute. (2020). Improving Healthcare Quality and Outcomes. https://globalhealth.harvard.edu

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