Introduction
The burden of disease in the United States and the world is increasing rapidly. Consequently, there is an increased need for health promotion, which entails a combination of political, educational, environmental, organizational, and regulatory actions or conditions for adopting a lifestyle conducive to individual and community wellness. For approximately 85 years, numerous initiatives and campaigns have been implemented to enhance health education (Cottrell et al., 2021).
For instance, the job of Dr. Regina Benjamin, an American physician interviewed by C-SPAN, is to communicate complex health issues and try to increase the number of Americans who are well throughout their lifespan (C-SPAN, 2011). It is vital to implement cheaper preventive measures to reduce the high cost of treatment. Although the government has some policies and a supportive role in this agenda, individuals should be empowered to adopt positive health changes that will lead to improved wellness.
Importance and Impact of Health Promotion
Health promotion empowers people with information on disease and mortality prevention. During the interview, Dr. Benjamin mentions that five leading causes of death can be prevented (C-SPAN, 2011). For example, drugs and substances such as tobacco can cause cancer and mental health disorders, increasing mortality rates. Informing people about the consequences helps them take precautions before engaging in risky behavior. Moreover, health promotion empowers people to recognize that they have control over their wellness, enabling them to be better stewards. Thus, health promotion leads to improved quality of life and longer lifespan.
Furthermore, health promotion has a positive impact on a nation because it enables citizens to enjoy life and work hard, ultimately saving taxpayers money. Furthermore, it can help organizations to implement sound policies that protect the employees and the public. During the Trump administration, most policies destroyed the environment and led to racism in the healthcare sector (Woolhandler et al., 2021). The result was an increased burden of disease and rampant inequalities evident in the marginalization of some ethnic communities. Positive health promotion in a country promotes equality and proper distribution of government resources.
Additionally, the impact of health promotion on the world is that it reduces the likelihood of transmitting contagious diseases. For example, public education on prevention and management of HIV has led to reduced rates of infections in both developed and developing countries. Currently, communicable diseases are no longer the leading cause of death because people are well-informed about safety measures. There is an ongoing emphasis on lifestyle changes due to the realization that there is an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes. Public health promotion ensures that underdeveloped countries remain independent and avoid borrowing money and devices for healthcare.
Role of Government in Community Health
The government has a mandate to implement healthcare policies that promote individual and community health. For example, President Obama and his Administration enacted the Affordable Care Act to cushion low-income earners and people who did not have insurance from the high cost of health services. Moreover, the law led to the enactment of delivery systems that improve quality. In other cases, the government protects the public by placing warning signs on tobacco and other substances of abuse (C-SPAN, 2011). The implication is that the government has a mandate to protect its citizens and ensure the health of the population.
In addition, the government can provide leadership and guidance during an epidemic or disease outbreak. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government urged people to wear masks, remain indoors during lockdown, and adhere to travel restrictions. The daily guidance and measures were a form of health promotion (Woolhandler et al., 2021).
Moreover, the government has the responsibility to decide how to redistribute the resources and promote health. For example, the Lancet commissioners advised President Joe Biden to reduce the 3.4% of the gross domestic product spent on troops and allocate it to health promotion (Woolhandler et al., 2021, p. 706). Therefore, it is up to the government to understand areas with dire needs and redistribute its income wisely.
Role of Individuals in Health Promotion
People play a crucial role in ensuring their health by making informed choices. Every individual should actively seek practices and processes that address all aspects of a person’s health to minimize illnesses and promote optimal well-being (Cottrell et al., 2021). Individuals are often the first to notice changes in their bodies, particularly as they transition into adulthood. For example, a person can notice weight gain after discovering that their dresses no longer fit. At that point, it is up to them to take the initiative to implement lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a proper diet.
Another role of individuals in health promotion is to utilize the available information, programs, and resources. For example, the government can organize a free community workshop. It is up to the individual to take advantage of such programs. The government cannot do much for individuals without taking personal initiatives towards positive health measures. In addition, people must be aware of any detrimental policies and practices and launch campaigns and protests to advocate for better reforms (Cottrell et al., 2021). For example, individuals can protest against pollution by companies in their neighborhood, inorganic food, or any matter of health concern. People are the custodians of their children and should learn to teach them to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Prevention Over Treatment
It would be more effective to invest in preventive measures than in treating sicknesses and diseases. The reason is that preventive measures are holistic and ensure that all people have equal access to information, helping them achieve better health outcomes. For example, during the Shanghai Declaration for the 2030 Health Promotion Agenda, attendees recognized that the foundation of health literacy is “inclusive and equitable access to quality education and life-long learning” (Nutbeam, 2018, p. 708).
Preventive measures are objective and provide information to everyone without discrimination. People can control their bodies and minds and decide the future they want. Thus, they are empowered to make informed decisions and plan their lives to delay the onset of diseases.
Furthermore, prevention reduces the burden of disease, the cost of treatment, and the complications of healthcare. Notably, in 2016, the cost of treating non-communicable diseases exceeded $1 trillion (Levine et al., 2019, p.1). The most expensive conditions to treat include diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s, all of which are chronic and require frequent hospitalization.
Moreover, the loss of economic productivity due to the burden of disease was $3.7 trillion, nearly one-fifth of the United States’ economy (Levine et al., 2019, p. 1). Treatment is expensive to the taxpayer and the individual. Moreover, the pain, hospitalization, and taking medication can be burdensome and reduce the quality of life. Thus, the cost of prevention is lower, as it increases the health of the population, rather than waiting until people are sick and require advanced care.
Rationale For and Against Health Promotion
Health promotion is crucial in empowering individuals with accurate information to make informed choices. It is based on preventive public health measures that aim to reduce sedentary lifestyles and establish standards for individual care (Cottrell et al., 2021). Moreover, the strategy holds the government and producers responsible for the goods they produce. For example, it provides a policy that requires food labels to direct consumers to the product, enabling them to make informed decisions (C-SPAN, 2011). Health promotion offers a constant reminder to make wise decisions that enhance their wellness. Moreover, the concept is based on continuous education, which is necessary in this era where new knowledge and development are constantly being unveiled.
The drawback of health promotion is that it requires additional labor, intense planning, and taxpayer money. For example, Dr. Benjamin and the other 6500 workers are health promoters and additional human resources who do not necessarily work within the hospital setting (C-SPAN, 2011). The government needs to allocate an additional budget for health promotion. Sometimes, a significant amount of resources can be spent, and yet the public response is poor. For example, after organizing a workshop on health education, only a small number of people attended. Thus, the possibility of wasting time and money is high unless people appreciate the relevance of the health campaign.
Conclusion
Health promotion is essential in creating awareness of preventive health measures. The government can implement policies and allocate money to support health promotion. However, most of the responsibility for adopting healthy practices lies with individuals. People must be ready to make lifestyle changes that promote wellness.
The adjustment is often difficult because it involves changes in food choices, exercise, and continuous learning. Only those who follow through with the health lessons can truly realize the benefits of health promotion. Otherwise, all the resources, planning time, and money invested in educating people are wasted.
References
Cottrell, R. R., Seabert, D., Spear, C., & McKenzie, J. F. (2021). Principles of health education and promotion(8th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
C-SPAN (2011). Health promotion strategy [Video]. C-SPAN.org.
Levine, S., Malone, E., Lekiachvili, A., & Briss, P. (2019). Health care industry insights: Why the use of preventive services is still low. Public Health Research, Practice, and Policy, 16(30), 1-6.
Woolhandler, S., Himmelstein, D. U., Ahmed, S., Bailey, Z., Bassett, M. T., Bird, M., … Venkataramani, A. (2021). Public policy and health in the Trump era. The Lancet, 397(10275), 705–753.