Running Head: SCHOLARLY RESEARCH PAPER 1

Scholarly Research Paper

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Abstract

The paper reviews the past and current public health and health education initiatives and

utilizes the information to help build on the future of public health and health education. Since

the health of the community is determined by the public health and the health professionals

interaction, the paper aims at identifying how the future roles can be expanded. The review

shows that the role of public health and health education professionals has to shift from provision

of care to prevention through the creation of healthy communities. Based on the healthy people

2020, there is need to incorporate more goals into the healthy people 2030. Those goals touch on

the improvement of the living conditions, promoting communities of practice for professionals

and collaboration during policymaking. The paper also identified the need for scholars to use

their strengths to support and promote public health and health education.
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Introduction

A healthy population solely depends on quality public health and the professionalism of

health education professionals. Public health is the responsibility of several agencies that include

federal, state as well as the local government agencies. The ultimate goal is to achieve essential

health service to the Americans. Public Health is based on the pillars of prevention, use of

science, continued interdependence, and care for those who are medically underserved. This

paper will try to elucidate the emerging role of public health and health professionals in 2030 and

beyond. It is also aimed at understanding the potentiality of the health systems, programs and

policies and their possible impact on the future of public health and health education. The paper

also gives an assessment of personal strengths as depicted in the Strengths Finder results and

how they can be used to promote public health and health education. The methodology used

analysis of health-related journals and articles to reveal the gap that exists in offering health care

and the use of corrective thinking to inform changes. It is worth noting that multiple level

influences often define health and health behaviors (CDC, 2005). This entails the personal level

which is mostly biological, and psychological, institutional level, environmental and policy

levels. The inter-relationships of these standards are dynamic hence the most effective remedies

and interventions to be embraced must address the determinants at all levels. It is vital to expand

and bring in a new role for public health and health professionals before the public health

becomes insurmountable. Therefore, the role of public health and health professionals has to

expand to focus on improvement of living conditions since it creates a healthy community

instead of focusing on provision of care for the sick.

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An emerging or expanded role for public health or health education professionals in 2030

and beyond

In the past, the health field has had a tremendous focus on the individual health. Healthy

People 2020 initiative expanded the emphasis to focus on enhancing the social and physical

environments of health (CDC, 2011). The increase in the challenges towards achieving public

health calls for the integration of prevention into the continuum of education as a way of trying

to understand and improve health care. Currently, the primary threats to public health include the

impending threat posed by biological, chemical, and radiological terrorism, and natural

calamities such as floods, fires, hurricanes, chemical spills, tornadoes, and accidents. Also, there

is the increased spread of infectious diseases, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, mental

illness, substance abuse problem, rampant violence and environmental threats (CDC, 2005).

Despite this knowledge being at the disposal of all public health stakeholders, there is

still more to be done to ensure public health is excellent. The role of health care and health care

professionals in the past, and currently has been channeled to the sick-care business (CDC,

2005). The emphasis is on provision of care to those who are already ill rather than embarking on

prevention mechanisms that ensure the environment is safe. This poses the need for an emerging

and expanded the role of healthcare and healthcare professionals. The emerging and expanded

role for healthcare and healthcare professionals is the need to improve living conditions

impacting on the community well-being. Safeguarding the community from any kind of health

threat is more beneficial and cheap than to commit resources in treatment. The idea behind this is

to shift from the current health care system which is treatment-oriented into a health care system
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committed towards building a healthy community. It is essential to understand that health is

deeply embedded in the places of living, learning, and working, thus, all health agencies have to

focus their efforts towards a healthier community (Kresge Foundation, 2014). Therefore,

improving such places guarantees a healthy community.

The health care system is changing as well as the disease and the environment. Increase

in tsunamis, chronic diseases, and climate change necessitate for a different approach towards

public health. This can be achieved through the application of innovation and strong leadership

in the healthcare field. It is, therefore, necessary to expand the role of healthcare professionals to

come up with a community of practice. To pursue public health to excellence, there is need to

understand the community and have a shared future. Having enlightened self-interest is crucial.

It is clear that healthcare occurs at different levels and health issues do not conform to

geopolitical boundaries (CDC, 2005). It is essential to appreciate that most people live in local

communities hence the focus should be on them. This creates the need for the agencies to

connect with the community people served. It is through this cooperation with the local

community that public health will be achieved.

Similarly, the healthcare professionals have an expanded role to play in 2030 and

beyond. They have to transform and shape the public health law education. This can take the

form of faculty fellowship programs that promote educational innovations. This goal is

achievable through the promotion of the innovative teaching of public health law nationally

(Scott, 2016). The plan is viable through the creation of new curricular offerings in schools of

law as well as in public health. Besides, the healthcare professionals can build and share

resources. It is practicable beyond the fellows home institutions via online libraries which offer

an opportunity to foster model approaches not leaving behind the best practices for learning and
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teaching law. The professionals must also build a scenario of a dynamic and supportive

community of practice while working in their institutions (Scott, 2016). Consequently, this

would be a significant initiative towards ensuring personal growth and professional development

consistently.

The communities of practice may be used to refer to individuals having a shared interest

in their undertakings and collectively learn from each other leading to better performance as they

regularly interact (Scott, 2016). It is not just about a group of friends or a network but somewhat

more formal with an identity that is shaped by the shared realm of interest. Each professional has

to exercise full commitment to the domain. The shared competence is the different element from

other groups and people. Professionals need to engage in joint activities and discussions that are

related to public health (Scott, 2016). This will be helpful to each as they can exchange ideas,

learn new ideas together and be able to share this information to appraise future health care

decisions that will solve the existing challenges. The relationship must allow learning from each

other and development of a range of resources as a way of addressing the current public health

problems (Scott, 2016).

Three additional goals not found in Healthy People 2020 that should be added to the

Healthy People 2030.

The Healthy People is a national effort in the United States that focuses on setting goals and

objectives aimed at improving the health and well-being of its people. The healthy people 2020

initiative included several overarching goals which focus on;

Attaining high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and

premature death.
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Achieving health equity, eliminating disparities, and improving the health of all groups,
Creation of social and physical environments that promote good health for all,
Promoting quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life

stages (CDC 2011).

However, these goals seem not to be all-inclusive in terms addressing all the health care issues

facing the United States. Due to this fact, there is the need to incorporate additional goals in the

Healthy People 2030 to make it all-inclusive. Through a thorough assessment of the current

public health situation and a reflection on the future of the public health, I propose the following

goals to be included in the Healthy People 2030.

Create living conditions that promote and build healthier communities

Promote community practice for professionals to synthesize new knowledge
Engage all stakeholders in formulation of policies aimed at improving public health

These proposed goals are based on the understanding of the current federal health status

and the various future scenarios. The health of the population is greatly determined by the places

of residence and work. Consequently, there is need to ensure that improving the living conditions

of the population will lead into a healthy community. The healthy people 2030 should

incorporate this goal for it become effective in addressing health concerns of the citizens.

Currently, the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health account for the highest

variance in peoples health (Kresge Foundation, 2014). While the overall health can be attributed

to clinical care, there is need to increase the focus on prevention rather than care. This will help

improve the living conditions that promote healthier communities. Most professionals are more

focused on sick-care business. There is a need for the public health agencies and other partners to

collaborate through innovation to form community health networks of professionals across the

nation. The communities will be able to share best practices and strengthen the expertise of
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public health agencies. Engaging all stakeholders in policy formulation will help ensure that all

areas of concern are addressed through the representation of each group of interest (CDC, 2005).

This will ultimately lead to improved public health in the US.

Health systems, programs, and policies that might affect public health and health education

in future

Public health and health education will be profoundly impacted by the type of existing

health systems, programs, and policies. The effectiveness of the above mentioned will determine

how the public health status will be in the future. It is vital to have a public health system

characterized by shared eligibility and benefits (CDC, 2005). This means that the system should

be characterized by mutuality whereby each stakeholder has a role to play and also benefits from

the interaction. Public health encompasses the whole population hence the existence of a public

health system will ensure that the citizens will have an environment that supports their well-

being. A conventional health care system will also promote a learning culture among

professionals within the system (CDC, 2005). This will be influential in coming up with new

ideas on how to improve public health.

A range of several programs can be of great importance to the future public health and

education. Having a variety of programs that allow for subscription of students in matters related

to public health is of great importance. There are the desire and commitment by students in

issues of public health hence the need to have more programs that support such scholars.

Besides, programs related to family planning, treatment of STDs, and tuberculosis offer a

promising end to the future public health (CDC, 2005). These initiatives are population-based
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approaches and provide direct care. There is need to increase funding for training. This is

applicable at the federal level for public health, as a preventive mechanism. This will improve

the public health and health education.

There are also individual policies that can impact public health significantly. An example

is a policy on care of aging baby boomers. The baby boomers number is expected to be at

61million by 2030 (Knickman & Snell, 2002). This number will have an overwhelming impact

on public health. There will be an increased burden on health budget as increased financing of

the older adults will be required leaving behind other areas with minimal amounts allocated to

them. Public policy goals concerning the aging society must have a balance of providing

adequate services and transfers while ensuring favorable economic and social well-being for

nonelderly population (Knickman & Snell, 2002). Another policy is the integration of health in

local climate response. Public health can be viewed as an element that portrays the urgency

needed to adapt to climate change and reduction of greenhouse effects (Sheehan et al., 2017).

Since climate change has recently been a major harm to the populations health, incorporating

health in climate response will help improve public health. An integrated health and climate

response policy will ensure that health concerns are prioritized when addressing matters related

to climate.

A summary of Strengths Finder results from Module 2

The assessment is aimed at measuring the existing patterns related to my thinking,

feeling, and behaving (Gallupstrengthscenter 2017). This ultimately helps in discovering my

talents. It involved several domains which include strategic thinking, executing, influencing and

relationship building. They are aimed at describing how I use my abilities to work. This is about
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using information, making things happen, influencing others as well as building relationships.

From the assessment, I was able to get a summary of results based on the various themes. Under

the strategic thinking domain themes, I can look for reasons and causes as well as think about

situations, analyze the past to understand the present, inspired by the future and I inspire others

with their visions, fascinated by ideas and am always determined to know more. Similarly, I am

introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions, desire to learn and continuously improve,

and create alternative ways to proceed.

As far as the executing domain themes, is concerned, I have a great deal of stamina, I am

hardworking and I can figure out how resources can be utilized for optimal productivity. I have a

purpose defined by values, aware of the need to treat people equally, anticipate obstacles, have

focus, take responsibility, and can figure out whatever is wrong and resolving

Based on the influencing domain themes, I can turn thoughts into action and make things

happen, controls situations come up with decisions and am good at conversations and

presentation. I also strive to win, seek to transform strong into superb, I possess an inner

direction that acts as a source of confidence in viewing decisions as right, I am independent with

the desire to be recognized in most cases.

Under the relationship building domain themes, I believe in links between all core issues,

recognize and build others potential, sensing other people feelings, and looks for consensus. I

also accept others, figure out how diverse groups can productively work together, have

enthusiasm, enjoy being close to others, and work with others towards goal achievement to get

satisfaction.
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After reviewing all the themes under the four domains I found out that I had excellent

strengths that I can build on and utilize them to support and promote public health and health

education. This would be of great importance for the society since promoting health translates

into a safe environment.

Using personal strengths to support and promote the field of public health or health

education

The knowledge about one's strengths from each domain in the can be beneficial to an

individual. It gives insight into how one can use his or her capabilities/talents to bring about

change in the immediate environment. Personally, I can use my strengths to support and promote

the public health and education on health. This is possible through the use such strengths in

different areas of application that help explain the status and future of public health and health

education. Based on public health, I will use all the relevant strengths to identify the best

practices through the assessment of the history. This information will help in coming up with

recommendations that the can be implemented to improve public health. Similarly, in the

explanation of certain phenomena, it is essential to come up with a cause-effect explanation. I

will use my strengths to identify what brings particular threats to the public health as well as

coming up with an account of the effects of such concerns. On the side of health education, I

will use my strengths to collaborate with others and be able to create an environment of learning.

This will be vital in coming up with new insights on public health and how the impending

challenges can be better addressed through an innovative culture and strong leadership. Also, I

will use the enthusiasm and personal direction support and promote programs that are aimed at

increasing public health awareness and creation of healthier communities.

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Conclusion

Public health is a fundamental duty of all agencies including federal, state and local

governments. It is therefore essential to ensure that all possible efforts are made to better public

health and health education. The role of public health has to profoundly focus on improving the

living conditions to ensure a healthier community. Furthermore, health professionals have to go

beyond practice and build communities of practice. This helps them learn from each other and

come up with new knowledge of addressing the menace in public health and health education.

Scholars have to use their strengths to support and promote public health and health education.

Therefore, it is not a matter of choice, but the role of public health and health professional have

to expand and focus more creating a healthier community rather than offering care.

References
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CDC. (2005). Supplement to Managed Care: The Future Of Public Health. Retrieved 3rd

November 2017from:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/ephli/Resources/CARE_public_health_suppl.pdf

CDC. (2011). Healthy People - Healthy People 2020. Cdc.gov. Retrieved 3rdNovember 2017,

from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/healthy_people/hp2020.htm

Gallupstrengthscenter. (2017). The 34 Ways to Describe What You Naturally Do

Best. Gallupstrengthscenter.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017, from

https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/Home/en-US/CliftonStrengths-Themes-Domains

Knickman, J., & Snell, E. (2002).The 2030 Problem: Caring for Aging Baby Boomers. Health

Services Research, 37(4), 849-884.

Scott, C. (2016). Transforming the Future of Public Health Law Education through a Faculty

Fellowship Program. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 446-17.

Doi:10.1177/1073110516644215

Sheehan, M. C., Fox, M. A., Kaye, C., &Resnick, B. (2017). Integrating Health into Local

Climate Response: Lessons from the U.S. CDC Climate-Ready States and Cities

Initiative. Environmental Health Perspectives, 1251-6.doi:10.1289/EHP1838

The Kresge Foundation.(2014). 2030:What will public health look like in the United

States?. The Kresge Foundation. Retrieved 3 November 2017, from

https://kresge.org/news/2030-what-will-public-health-look-united-states