Improvements in Health in the Population

Improvements in Health in the Population

Introduction

            Good health is the foundation of a good life, and our health and the health of our families and friends strengthen our capability to enjoy life. Being well enables many to seize opportunities in participating in activities in the family, community and the working life ( 1998). The modern society has accommodated many changes, such as changes in education, healthcare, technology and way of life.

The National Health Service or the NHS plays a very important role in providing healthcare services to the United Kingdom. It is the “public face” of the four publicly funded healthcare systems and provides the majority of healthcare, from general practitioners to Accident and Emergency Departments, long-term healthcare and dentistry ( 2006). Its significant contribution is in its recognition and investment in providing groups of staff and associate specialists group of doctors, who are crucial to the modernization of the National Health Service and the provision of improved patient care (2005). In addition, it also delivers as many services as possible in the most low-tech and local environment, with more support in people’s homes and the community, with increased investment in informatics and new medical technologies (  2003). With the services of the organization, many improvements in the society is being achieved, including the support of better provision of treatment to patients, and the training of doctors and other health professionals.     

History of the National Health Service

            The National Health Service or NHS was set up on July 5, 1948, to provide healthcare for all citizens, based on need, and not the ability to pay ( 2006). Plans for a health service had been made during the Second World War, where conditions are desolate. Food for many citizens was still rationed, building materials were short, there was a dollar economic crisis, a shortage of fuel, the war created a housing crisis, and distribution of services in hospitals were poor. The NHS was founded just at the time when massive innovation was occurring in the availability of drugs such as antibiotics, better anesthetic agents, cortisone, drugs for the treatment of mental illness, good diuretics for heart failure, and antihistamines. These advances, as well as better radiology systems, raised the cost of the National Health Service while improving patient care (2006). These gradually improved the services provided by the National Health Service, until present. Under a Labor government, the current decade has seen a wide and varying series of initiatives, financial and organizational changes, and alterations in policy, by the supervision of successive Secretaries of State, namely . Labor’s traditional desire to look at healthcare from a community and public health perspective led the organization to produce policies ( 2006) for the improvement of services rendered.

            The use of statistics for the evaluation of data gathered by the National Health Statistics is essential for providing and improving healthcare. Statistics are crucial in determining the life expectancy rates and infant mortality rates in the society. Aside from basing the statistics from hospital records, another way for the National Health Service to determine rates is through the provision of consultations per person in the NHS Walk-in centers sited in hospitals and city centers. Moreover, the National Health Service also launched a program called NHS Direct, which is a 24-hour nurse-led telephone hotline, in providing quick and convenient access to healthcare information and advice (2006). This has emphasized the advantages of using technology in response to gathering information, which becomes easier for the organization.

Factors affecting Health

            It is important to take note of the factors affecting our health for these determine our need for special medical attention and treatment. Some factors include nutrition, lifestyle, religion, culture, stress, geography, and medical care to name a few. Nutrition encompasses a healthy diet, use of supplements and drinking plenty of water, and goes hand-in-hand with exercise or physical activity, which aids cardiovascular and respiratory functions in the body, decreases the loss of muscular strength, enhances bone mass, helps in digestion, encourages sound sleep and prevents depression (2002). Another factor is lifestyle, which includes exposure to alcohol and cigarette smoking. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, bronchitis, cancer and emphysema, while excessive alcohol intake heightens risk of liver diseases and certain cancers ( 2002). This is also in relation to stress management that could trigger the cigarette smoking and drinking. Religion and culture also affects health through the exposure to certain practices that could harm health, in addition to specific diets the religion and culture could only allow. This is specifically in connection to the geography of individuals, which could also limit the nutrition supplements. Medical care can also be considered for the sustenance and survival of an individual can be determined by his or her willingness to be treated by medical professionals.

Problems in the National Health Service

            It has been reported that problems in the National Health Service includes under funding, long waiting lists, postal code variation in practice, and poor outcomes in cancer care, which caused the United Kingdom to lag 9th out of 15 European Union countries in the World Health Organization’s recent ranking of health systems ( 2000). Under funding of the organization is due to the financial crisis, caused by the introduction of a market-based system for healthcare. It has been reported that it is a financial madness to guarantee private providers’ huge volumes of work, while NHS hospitals are deprived of essential funding and their facilities are being left idle ( 2005). Long waiting lists defines the fact that substantial numbers of patients wait longer than six months for surgery due to limited numbers of hospital beds, operating theaters and doctors. This problem is being experienced only by a number of hospitals and is being supported by little evidence ( 2003). These problems serve as challenges for the National Health Service to improve their rendered services and their administration in the organization. These should not hinder the organization from further improving healthcare services in achieving better results in the society.

Conclusion

            The services provided by the National Health Service have proven to be essential in the improvements of health of the modern society. Tracing from what the organization has provided its citizens with healthcare support starting the Second World War is enough achievement for it to be regarded as a pioneer of healthcare improvements in the United Kingdom. Better healthcare using advanced technology can be one means of improving health, for technology can definitely increase the probability of prolonging the lives of many individuals. Advanced technology can also contribute to treatment and diagnosis of many diseases. Promoting healthy lifestyles, such as engaging in exercise and eating a balanced diet, can also contribute to improvement in health. The improvement of health of many individuals in the modern society can be attributed to a myriad of factors. The important idea to take note of is the positive chain of reaction happening to the modern society, resulting to an improved well-being of many individuals.   

 

Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com