5 of the most important achievements in public healthcare to-date
Health care has evolved in the 21st century and will continue to do so as long as there is combined front – from governing bodies and the public at large. Besides funding and job placements, greater awareness is still needed to combat the most prevalent health issues still faced today. There is no shortage of resources online, for example master of public health online programs to help close gaps in the public health care workforce. Still, the more has to be done throughout communities to utilize the expertise of professionals to improve the quality of life everyone in the country.
It’s often said that in order to know where you are going, you need to know where you came from – truer words have never been spoken. Contrasts and comparisons of health care systems from as little as twenty years ago highlight inadequacies that have been resolved by modern day approaches. In the 21st century, we are faced with debilitating diseases and preventable epidemics that leave our governing bodies struggling to find solutions. But there is hope. A look back at what has been achieved will inspire all involved not to give up.
5 of the most significant achievements in public health care:
MOTOR-VEHICLE SAFETY:
There have been great advancements made in securing the safety of those who use motor vehicles as a mode of transport. Some of the improvements made include more sophisticated car engineering, safer highways and efforts to upgrade personal behaviors, such as the wearing of seat belts, car seats for children and stringent drinking-and-driving laws. While personal behaviors are the hardest to regulate, injuries now are no longer the result of ignorance.
TOBACCO USE AS DETRIMENTAL TO HEALTH
In 1964, tobacco use was finally recognized as hazardous to health. Since then that has been a barrage of developments and with the support of the Surgeon General, we’ve been able to outlaw smoking in many public places, more unattractive packaging to deter from use in minors and adults and the illegality of some forms of advertising cigarettes.
FAMILY PLANNING
With women becoming more empowered and outspoken and staking their claim to their human rights, family planning has had to evolve with every generation. Family planning has led to positive impacts on family size, unwanted / unplanned pregnancies, fewer infant and maternal deaths and barriers to prevent the transfer of STDs from mother to child.
VACCINATION
Not just in the US but globally, public health care has been able to eradicate the occurrence of and manage the outbreak of formerly fatal infectious diseases such as: smallpox, polio, rubella, measles, tetanus and yellow fever, to name a few.
SAFTEY IN THE WORKPLACE
At the beginning of the century, workers faced severe health issues as a direct result of negligence and ignorance in the workplace. No long are things like black lung and asbestos poisoning an issue as the government has created bodies to regulate and upkeep safety standards for the worker. Since the 1980s we’ve been able to enjoy a significant decrease in on the job injuries as well, especially on the industrial and manufacturing fronts.
Image source: http://integrallife.com/member/markallankaplan/blog/1-2-3-healthcare-reform
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