HS 3314 - 01 Community Health Written Assignment Week 2

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University of the People *

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3814

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Health Science

Date

May 21, 2024

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docx

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University of the People HS 3814 - 01: Community Health Instructor Phoebe Ohene Kwatia Written Assignment – Unit 2 April 22, 2024

C OMMUNITY H EALTH P ROGRAMS : S TRENGTHS , S HORTFALLS , AND T RENDS (2013-2018) Introduction Community health programs play a pivotal role in promoting and maintaining the well-being of individuals within communities. These programs aim to address a myriad of health issues through collaborative efforts, information sharing, and technology integration. As Lewis et al. (2019) and other scholars have highlighted, while community health programs offer significant benefits, they also face several challenges. This paper aims to identify the strengths of community health programs, discuss their shortfalls in the United States, and analyze the data trends from 2013 to 2018. Strengths of Community Health Programs Community health programs offer a range of strengths that contribute to improving health outcomes and enhancing community well-being. One of the primary strengths is the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare services to underserved populations, thereby reducing health disparities (King et al., 2016). These programs often focus on preventive care, health education, and early intervention, promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the burden of chronic diseases (Dennis et al., 2015). Additionally, community health programs foster multisector collaboration, leveraging partnerships between healthcare providers, community organizations, and local governments to address broader social determinants of health (King et al., 2016). Among these strengths, the most important to me is the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare services. Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and community health programs play a crucial role in ensuring that all individuals, regardless

of their socioeconomic status or geographic location, have equitable access to quality healthcare services (Hanson, 2020). Shortfalls of Community Health Programs in the United States Despite their strengths, community health programs in the United States face several shortfalls that hinder their effectiveness and reach. One significant challenge is inadequate funding and resources, leading to limited service delivery and capacity constraints (Lewis et al., 2019). Additionally, fragmentation of services, lack of coordination among healthcare providers, and insufficient integration of technology can impede seamless care delivery and patient outcomes (Owsley et al., 2020). Furthermore, disparities in healthcare access and utilization persist, particularly in rural and underserved areas, exacerbating health inequities (Owsley et al., 2020). Data Trends of Community Health Programs (2013-2018) Analyzing the data trends from 2013 to 2018, there has been a notable increase in the number of community health centres and the range of services offered, reflecting efforts to expand access to care (Lewis et al., 2019). However, there has also been a growing divide between rural and urban communities, with rural areas experiencing greater challenges in maintaining and enhancing community health programs due to resource constraints and workforce shortages (Owsley et al., 2020). Despite advancements in technology and collaborative initiatives, disparities in health outcomes persist, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to address systemic barriers and improve health equity (Health People 2030).

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