Global

Healthcare

Issue

 

 

Primary Health Care

Description

 

Although several studies have confirmed that strong primary health care can address more than 90% of health needs, the WHO in their latest report provided an estimate that at least 400 million people around the world still lack access to essential health services. WHO reported that the cost of health care, distance, lack of information, and low services quality are the barriers that prevents people from using primary health care as the foundation of health promotion.

 

Country
United States (U.S)
United Kingdom (U.K)

Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), The ACA was enacted by President Barack Obama in 2014 to allow every American to purchase health insurance for whatever reason. The ACA also provide special subsidies to the low income families to help them have full coverage. This policy helps in promoting the use of primary health care in the U.S because the cost of healthcare is made affordable.
The united policy on healthcare requires that all healthcare services and systems to be funded by the government (NHS). Healthcare in the United Kingdome is publicly funded through the taxes. The publicly funded healthcare services seem to be affordable to the majority of the population thus promotes primary healthcare.

What are the strengths of this policy
The Affordable Care Act makes health insurance affordable through the subsidies it provides. By lowering the healthcare costs, many people can seek primary health care.
This policy converts health services from a predominantly market commodity purchased by individuals or families to a basic entitlement financed through taxes (public sources).

What are the weaknesses of this policy
The ACA does not reduce the cost of healthcare for everyone, because subsidies are for the poor families and individuals with disability. This means that the cost might not be affordable to those who do not qualify for the subsidies and cannot also afford the insurance plans sold on the marketplace.
When the government takes an active role in healthcare services financing, it can weaken the functionality of market mechanism.

How has each country’ government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue?
The U.S government has made the cost of healthcare affordable by providing subsidies for the poor and those with disability.
The United kingdom has a number of regulatory bodies that monitor access the quality of the services provided by private and public health facilities. The quality and outcome framework also helps in measuring the quality of services provided by practitioners.

How has the identified health policy impacted the health of the global population (Be specific and provide examples)
Policies on health insurance have now been adopted by countries around the world to help their citizens pay for the health care expenditures to avoid issues of going without care because of costs. For example, in 2010, the ACA ignited the debate on Universal Health Coverage to ensure that all people get access to needed quality health services without financial hardships.
The UK health insurance policy makes healthcare coverage free at the point of need and paid through government taxation. This has made many countries to try to adopt the UK health care system that promotes Universal healthcare coverage.

Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples)
Primary healthcare begins with an individual initiative to take care of their health. To promote primary healthcare people must acknowledge that health starts at our homes, communities, schools, and workplaces.  For example, people should ensure that they take care of themselves by feeding on a balanced diet, getting recommended immunization, seeking health care when sick, staying active , not smoking and going for screening tests.
Primary healthcare begins with an individual initiative to take care of their health. To promote primary healthcare people must acknowledge that health starts at our homes, communities, schools, and workplaces.  Examples include availability of healthy foods, safe and affordable housing, availability of health services and life threatening toxins free environment.

Describe the potential impact of the identified health policy on the role of nurse in each country.
The ACA provides nurses with the new opportunities to expand access to care and improve quality of care but at a lower cost.
The policy help nurses to influence and improve their practice standards to promote quality and safety of care.

Explain how global health issues impact local healthcare organizations and policies in both countries. (Be specific and provide and examples)
The global health issues contributed to the increase in studies, research and practices aimed at contributing to the achievement of global health. For example, the USAID supports activities that improve the delivery of care, prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases. To be precise, U.S Funded programs are focused at increasing access to key services that help in preventing the transmission of HIV and TB.
UK government established a Primary CARE Trusts to assist in improving the health of their local population. Examples include the Country side agency, and the INSTITUTE OF Rural Health.

General Notes/Comments
Primary health care remains an essential issue in promoting preventive care. The main barrier to primary healthcare is costs of the care services and the efforts through insurance services to improve affordable is vital.
Although the UK has been successful in improving access to health services, they should promote primary care services to reduce the number of hospital admissions that can lead to elective health care.