Running head: THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY 1
The Future of Health Services Delivery
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THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY 2
The Future of Health Services Delivery
Introduction
Initiatives such as Healthy People 2020 are helpful in influencing the delivery of
healthcare in the United States (Shi and Singh, 2010). Such efforts are necessary for ideal
circumstances to attain the highest possible health outcomes and are indicators of the delivery of
high quality health systems (Gauthier, Schoenbaum and Weinbaum, 2006). The practical aspect
of healthcare delivery is usually multifaceted, as a singular entity or sector that is bestowed the
responsibility and capacity to improve population health is lacking. As imperfect, rapidly
proliferating, duplicative and overlapping measures become widespread in health systems,
initiatives such as Healthy People 2020 acknowledge the value of all participant organizations in
the health sector (McInturff and Weigel, 2011). The initiatives define the quality of the system
based on the progress towards attaining not only long but also healthy lives for everyone.
8How can external initiatives such as Healthy People 2020 assist health care delivery
systems to implement quality-based measures to improve clinical outcomes.
Health comprises a wide array of factors that influence it with income levels as a notable
example (Scutchfield and Keck, 1997). A neighborhood with high levels of socioeconomic status
tends to have superior health outcomes regardless of a prevailing competent healthcare delivery
system (Oeyen, 2007). Life expectancy is a considerable measure of health that has been tracked
for a long time and is universally acknowledged as an indicator of a nation’s wellbeing (Sperling
and Shapira, 2011). The significant goals of Healthy People 2020 comprise longer and healthier
lives, health equity and environments that enhance health for all (Baker Jr and Koplan, 2002).
Other goals include the promotion of healthy development, behaviors and life throughout the
lifespan. The focus on population health outcomes is a means to measure the progress of a nation
THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY 3
and its capacity to meet health objectives (Salive, Mayfield and Weissman, 1990). Healthcare
organizations are expected to evaluate and assess quality using a well-defined and developed
portfolio of measures. These entail the available resources, policies, programs, health outcomes
and conditions that people live such as the social environment and behavior (Litman and Robins,
1997). The initiatives also enhance the delivery of healthcare by ensuring communities can
annually report the overall quality of public health besides applying particular measures regularly
to improve outcomes (Whitcomb, 2011).
Research previous Healthy People initiatives from 2000 to 2010. Track one of the initiatives
and monitor its progress over the 10 year period.
A considerable initiative in Healthy People 2020 is monitoring tobacco use, smoking
termination and accessibility to treatment plans, exposure to tobacco smoke as well as outlook of
adolescents towards smoking and tobacco control regulations (Shi and Singh, 2010). The
initiative sought to reduce or eliminate dependence on tobacco use among adolescents as well as
track the use of tobacco to enhance control measures (California Tobacco Control Program,
2010). The goal of the initiative was to lessen the disability, illness and death associated with
tobacco use alongside exposure to secondhand smoke (Shi and Singh, 2010). The number of
adolescents and young adults that attempted cigarette smoking between 2002 and 2012
increased. The increase of the lowest age of the sale of tobacco to 21 years has become a
probable strategy in tackling the use among the population (Wallace, Stratton and Bonnie, 2007).
The initiative is a quantitative assessment aimed at ascertaining the progress in the
achievement of the Healthy People 2010 objectives related to Tobacco Use (Longest, 2002). The
data for measuring the progress towards the initiative’s target was available for 40 objectives.
Six of these objectives were significantly met or even surpassed the Healthy People 2010 goals
THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY 4
while twenty-eight objectives moved towards attaining the 2010 targets. There was a noteworthy
statistical difference between the baseline and the absolute data points for eleven of the
objectives. However, three of the objectives did not portray any statistical difference, and the
data for testing the significance of the variance were inexistent for 14 objectives (Shi and Singh,
2010). Notably, six objectives deviated from 2010 goals. There was a statistical difference in the
baseline and the final data for two objectives, but there was no significant difference for four
objectives. While four objectives maintained the developmental status, three lacked progress data
while two objectives were deleted during the review of the course (Scutchfield and Keck, 1997).
The objectives displayed variations in inequalities from the baseline up to the most current data
point. The rating of the ten objectives indicated that the Asian populace had the unsurpassed rate
for three objectives. These were objectives that had statistically considerable health differences
comprising 10 percent or more in terms of ethnicity and race.
4. Prepare a SWOT analysis and discuss your findings.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Effective healthcare delivery
organizations.
Long and healthy lives.
Equal and accessible healthcare to all.
Quality healthcare.
Improved health systems.
Weaknesses
Requires all sector collaboration.
Probable disparities during
measurement of progress.
Inconsistencies in measuring outcomes.
Threats Opportunities
THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY 5
Health outcomes are not limited to
public health interventions.
Higher costs of attaining the set goals.
Inconsistencies in partner reports about
health outcomes.
Non-health factors contribute to
increased stakeholder involvement.
Quality performance of partners in
multisectoral system.
Health indicators display a small set of objectives in Healthy People 2020, which
communicate health issues as high-priority, including actions that will address them (Shi and
Singh, 2010). Notably, Healthy People 2020 does not infer to quality as the collaboration among
partners in a multisectoral system is essential to attain favourable health outcomes (Shalala,
Bolton, Bleich, Brennan, Campbell and Devlin, 2011). Healthcare organizations with effective
delivery of service offer patient-centered care, and public health agencies are sources of
information besides convening stakeholders in health improvement initiatives (Mueller, 1988).
The recognition of several non-health factors in influencing health outcomes increases or paves
the way for many stakeholders. The opportunity enhances the measurement of quality that
involves other parties besides departments of public health in government that possess direct
influence or responsibility (Schoen, Osborn, Doty, Bishop, Peugh and Murukutla, 2007). Healthy
People 2020 has an overarching goal to attain long and healthy lives for American citizens.
However, it necessitates collaboration with sectors within and outside government, including
geographical levels.
Conclusion
Healthy People 2020 and other related initiatives have overarching goals that seek to
ensure positive health outcomes in the population. Health systems are also improved using
these initiatives because the data that is gathered is useful in ascertaining the extent of
THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY 6
investment in terms of resources and personnel. Jeremiah 30:17 notes that “but I will restore you
to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion
for whom no one cares.” Health systems should aim at providing comfort and keeping their
clients in a prosperous condition. Healthy People 2020 initiative aims to ensure the American
population does not bow down to sorrows and afflictions but rather rise in full length and height
in a healthy and robust state. Notably, an intersection of Healthy People 2020 and quality
improvement generate an excellent opportunity to develop platforms that healthcare and public
health can pursue the same goal. The intersection ensures similar metrics are employed alongside
working together to create a shared goal involving long and healthy lives for all.
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