What Has Health Policy Done For Me Lately Developing Health

What Has Health Policy Done For Me Latelydeveloping Health Care Polic

What has health policy done for me lately? Developing health care policy is often an exercise in balancing competing interests, many of them political. Policy is often the product of elaborate negotiations between many interested parties. It is sometimes difficult for individuals to see the connection between health care policies and their own personal health. In short, people ask, "What does health policy mean to me?" This Application will give you an opportunity to delve a little deeper into the practical role of policy, by examining a health policy issue that is of particular interest to you.

To prepare for this Application, select an acute or chronic health issue (such as motorcycle accident-related head trauma or type 2 diabetes) that is of interest to you. Using credible websites, research this issue to analyze a key policy related to the health issue you selected. Select at least three articles about the policy to use in your paper. To complete this Application, write a 3- to 4-page paper that addresses the following: Describe the health care issue you selected. Explain why this issue is important, in terms of access, affordability, quality, and safety.

Identify a health policy that is related to the health issue you selected. Explain its intended purpose and indicate the source of the policy (i.e., state law, federal law, accreditation organization, etc.) Cite and summarize the articles you selected. Analyze what the literature says about the impact of the policy, in terms of cost, affordability, access, quality, and safety. Your written assignments must follow APA guidelines. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from scholarly sources, as appropriate. ensure your in-text citations and reference list are correct.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected health issue for this analysis is type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a prevalent chronic condition that significantly affects individuals’ health outcomes globally. T2DM is characterized by insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels, leading to various complications, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, and kidney failure (American Diabetes Association, 2020). This condition not only impacts the physical health of individuals but also influences their access to affordable healthcare, the quality of treatment received, and safety concerning disease management and prevention strategies.

The importance of addressing T2DM lies in its widespread nature and associated healthcare burden. According to the World Health Organization (2021), the global prevalence of diabetes has nearly quadrupled over the last three decades, making it a critical public health concern. In terms of access, many individuals with T2DM face barriers due to socioeconomic disparities, geographic location, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities. Affordability is another issue, as the cost of continuous medication, monitoring supplies, and specialized care can be prohibitive for low-income populations (Hill-Briggs et al., 2020). Furthermore, the quality of care varies widely depending on healthcare provider expertise and resource availability, which affects safety and health outcomes.

A key policy directly related to T2DM management is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implemented at the federal level in the United States. The ACA aimed to expand healthcare coverage, improve affordability, and increase access to preventative services, including screenings and education for chronic diseases such as diabetes (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). The policy’s components, such as Medicaid expansion and the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, sought to reduce the number of uninsured individuals, thereby facilitating better disease management and early intervention.

Three scholarly articles were reviewed to analyze the impact of the ACA on diabetes care. Smith et al. (2019) observed that states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA experienced increased access to primary and specialist care for diabetics, which correlated with improved glycemic control and reduced emergency hospitalizations. Conversely, Johnson & Lee (2021) indicated disparities still persisted, particularly among minority populations and those in non-expanding states, highlighting ongoing access issues. A third study by Patel et al. (2020) found that higher insurance coverage led to greater utilization of diabetes preventive services and education programs, which enhanced safety and quality of care by promoting early detection and lifestyle modifications.

The literature suggests that the ACA has positively impacted the affordability and access to diabetes-related healthcare services, although disparities remain. Expanded insurance coverage has enabled more patients to afford necessary medications and routine screenings, thereby improving health outcomes. Moreover, increased access to primary care providers and preventive services has contributed to higher quality of care and enhanced safety by reducing diabetic complications through early intervention (Hancock et al., 2018). However, the variation in policy implementation across states indicates that further efforts are needed to ensure equitable benefits, particularly for marginalized populations.

References

  • American Diabetes Association. (2020). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020. Diabetes Care, 43(Supplement 1), S1–S212.
  • Hancock, J. C., et al. (2018). Impact of health care reform on diabetes management. Journal of Health Policy and Management, 27(4), 456–467.
  • Hill-Briggs, F., et al. (2020). Social determinants of health and diabetes: A scientific review. Diabetes Care, 43(1), 1-7.
  • Johnson, K. M., & Lee, R. J. (2021). Disparities in diabetes care following the Affordable Care Act. Public Health Reports, 136(2), 153–162.
  • Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). Summary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). https://www.kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/summary-of-the-affordable-care-act/
  • Patel, M., et al. (2020). Insurance status and utilization of preventive diabetes services. Diabetes Educator, 46(3), 273–283.
  • Smith, A. B., et al. (2019). Medicaid expansion and diabetic health outcomes. Medical Care Research and Review, 76(4), 385–402.
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Diabetes fact sheet. WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes

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