Preventative Health Care Essay

Submitted By nightngail1952
Words: 1128
Pages: 5

Evolution of Preventative Health Care

Evolution of Preventative Health Care
Preventative Health Care has exploded within the United States preparing for the present and the upcoming generations offering a variety of preventative programs while increasing longevity and an overall education to exercise and fitness, diet, nutrition and eating right, health screenings, vaccination/immunizations, healthy lifestyles, and finally the environment related to one’s health. This information is provided by HHS.Gov U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exploiting historical highlights from 1798 to 2010 that covers many services, but this research will involve preventative programs offered to protecting the health of all Americans.
Starting with exercise and fitness I would say since the 70’s gyms have increased through the United States catering to the entire American public; young, adults, and seniors the importance for physical activity. Physical activity provides energy, bone density, strength, agility, and increases prevention of disease. Per the National Institute of Health, encouraging the aging to improve balance, stretching, strength, and endurance while remaining safe at all times. Today we see more and more bicycle, sailing, running, and fast paced walking clubs in parks, lakes, or utilizing the bicycle lanes that are very popular through many cities.
In 1990 The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act were passed, authorizing the food label, stated by HHS. Gov. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Dietary guidelines for Americans was developed from 2 years to adulthood. The Department of Agriculture and HHS encouraged healthy eating habits to prohibit chronic health diseases. Choose My Plate.Gov learning about the five food groups and how to put them together was another program made available for healthy eating tips. Nutrition.gov was made available teaching the public how nutrition and general health are related exploiting, “You are what you eat.” The public learned that the body needs the right vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stay healthy.
In 1989 The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (now the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) was created. There are health care screenings for men and women both under and over the age of 50. Some of these screenings are free, and some are minimum amounts, or some are decided on a sliding scale according to incomes. In 1988 The McKinney Act was passed to provide health care to the homeless. These types of programs have to be available to protect the public and prevent communicable diseases from spreading. In addition, these programs enlighten the public on chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and much more.
Vaccination/Immunization is routinely recommended for most people, including polio, mumps, and measles, rubella, and tetanus vaccines states HHS.gov. Circumstances can be for people who travel abroad and their immune systems may be jeopardized. Babies have a particular schedule for immunizations per pediatrics. Many years ago the public did not have these vaccinations available and many lives were lost to a variety of diseases. Today we have whooping cough vaccination in addition to Hepatitis series being available and a vaccination for the Shingles. A Parent’s Guide to Kids Vaccines is available to make the benefits and risks available for the parents. There is a bit of a discrepancy of immunization verses autism, but nothing that is actually proven. Today the public can receive flu and pneumonia vaccines and is especially encouraged with the elderly. In 1955 Licensing of the Salk polio vaccine was initiated. I believe all and all vaccination/immunization has saved many lives within our United States.
Healthy Lifestyles, “Learn about weight loss and obesity, smoking and tobacco, drinking and alcohol, and injury and accident prevention. Avoiding or stopping risky behavior will help to