BSPH Cumulative Wellness Initiatives Project 
 

Health & Wellness Resource Guides: Promoting Healthier Lifestyles Through Intervention Burnetta Brooks Department of Kinesiology 4459-500 Cumulative Experience Professor Brandie Green Ph.D., MPH October 29, 2022 Health & Wellness Resource Guides: Promoting Healthier Lifestyles Through Intervention Promotion Of Health Literacy According to Healthy People 2030, one of their goals is to increase access high-quality healthcare services for those who have limited or no health insurance. 1 in 10 people in the U.S. do not have health insurance (Healthy People 2030). Not only is accessibility to healthcare a public health disparity, but health literacy is also a public health disparity because it is directly associated with health equity that promotes inclusion of those who are not able to comprehend and understand medical information. This implies that health literacy has to be a corresponding component to lack of healthcare, because one area of this disparity cannot be accomplished without the other. Communication barriers for health-related information has to addressed so that an individual would enable to, not only to access healthcare, but be knowledgeable in understanding how to manage their care because it is imperative that an individual perceives their illnesses and have the capacity and understanding of managing their treatment regimen. (JAMA 2022). Health Literacy is the driving force for all individuals from various socioeconomic, environmental, educational, and cultural backgrounds, it has to be the underlying component of creating the promotion of health care equity. Just imagine explaining to an individual how to care for themselves and they are not able to comprehend what is being told to them, such as getting them to understand the signs and symptoms of their health diagnosis, the importance of how to take their medications, and why the medication is being prescribed and to monitor for side effects. If they do not have this capability of knowledge, many people will spend most of their time in emergency rooms when they become ill, instead of understanding a treatment plan that can be managed in their homes. Health literacy is very important in today’s society with all of the innovative technology and advanced medical treatments that involve medical information that is easily accessible to the public via the internet and other web-based resources. There is an enormous rise with adult individuals of all ages desiring to become healthier which increases the longevity of life It is so important to be translate medical terminology in a way that would allow any individual to be able to identify and demonstrate understanding of health knowledge and use it in a manner that promotes a positive image in how they manage their health (Logan & et. al,2017). Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Health promotion and disease prevention has to be addressed through all levels of intervention, primary and secondary levels of care are prominent in preventing an individual from acquiring an illness or disease. Health education promotion brings self-awareness of the risks, symptoms, and treatment that may prevent an individual from acquiring a disease or illness that could eventually lead to a chronic condition that would require routine medical management by a health care provider that may include, routine or daily medications and treatments (WHO EMRO, 2022). Both of these interventions are different but are sometimes performed simultaneously depending on an individual’s genetic and metabolic makeup, which would include environmental and socioeconomic factors that may put them at higher risk for acquiring a disease or illness. First, there are primary interventions that focus on universal and worldwide prevention, such as communicable diseases and infections that are contributed to many factors, such as sanitation, self-care and hygiene, and immunization therapy, this type of prevention would protect and prevent recurrence of infection or disease over an extended period. Secondary intervention would be more of an individualized approach to handling illnesses or diseases, which would include treatment after an individual is diagnosed with a disease. An example would be, when a person gets an infection, the use of antibiotic treatment would be a form of secondary care to get rid of the infection, this is when you look at implementing lifestyle changes that would prevent you from acquiring a disease or illness again. Changing lifestyle behaviors creates an impact on the body’s metabolic system and how it functions as a whole. Some interventions include simple changes, such as nutrient maintenance through diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and stress management techniques that could decrease the risks of acquiring some medical conditions that can result in long-term care healthcare. Health Risks Behavior Modification This sounds easy to do, but behavior modification can be a very hard thing to accomplish, it is basically a life-long process. An individual has to weigh out what is important to them and what is not. Behavior modification can be achieved throughout processes and stages of life, and it starts by identifying and becoming aware of what unhealthy habits are and how they may contribute to acquiring a disease or illness. So, identification is the first step in what changes are necessary to avoid these conditions. An individual has to gathering information, creating an action plan, and using positive reinforcement focusing on the long-term benefit gained from making those changes (niddk.nih.gov). Therefore, this creates a healthy lifestyle rather than a behavior. There are health conditions and diseases derived from a variety of risk factors contributed to occupational and environmental exposure that influence behaviors that impact the mortality/morbidity rates of deaths which increases the global burden of disease that is evident through statistical outcomes. These statistical outcomes enable public health to identify health conditions and their risk factors that may be contributed to several exposures, such as poor quality of air and unsanitary practices. This creates the study of public health to research and implement preventative measures and interventions that address diseases and illnesses and their risk factors, which can change an individual’s behavior by making them knowledgeable through educational resources and initiatives that would promote and encourage them into a lifestyle that would provide them with the possibility of being healthier during the aging process. (GBD 2013 Risk Factors Collaborators et al.). Chronic Leading Diseases and Their Causes in the United States Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are some of the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. (cdc.gov 2022). This puts a financial burden on the economy because it increases healthcare costs and expenses that necessary to treat diseases and illnesses. So, public health professionals are a valuable tool in promoting preventative interventions and interactions in an effort through providing education and resources by addressing healthcare and risk behaviors. These interventions are not a cure-all method for increasing Longevity of life but can contribute to decreasing mortality and morbidity rates. Some chronic disease indicators are monitored by the Centers for Disease & Prevention and public health professionals who evaluate them to establish health interventions. (CDC. 2022). In the U.S. there are a variety of risk factors of diseases and illnesses that impact the global burden of disease and I have been researching some specific leading causes of illnesses and medical conditions that impact millions of Americans today, to list a few: Hypertension: Impacts one in three people and is more common in African Americans. It is considered one of the most common primary diagnoses in the U.S. and is responsible for 35 million physician office visits each year. It is estimated that the direct and indirect cost of the illness is about $75.6 billion. It is one of the leading risk factors for developing heart disease. (Trudel, Xavier et.al 2019). Diabetes: This medical condition is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and is estimated to affect 29 million people of the U.S. population and 1 out of 10 people have diabetes. Over 86 million Americans have pre-diabetes, and 9 out of 10 don't are aware that they have the probability of acquiring this disease which could contribute to chronic illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and loss of toes, feet, and legs (Schwartz, 2022). Obesity: The estimated cost of this condition was nearly $173 billion in 2019 dollars. Non-Hispanic Blacks had the highest age-adjusted prevalence of obesity, followed by Hispanic Adults, and non-Hispanic and Asian adults (CDC Adult Obesity Facts.2022). Obesity affects nearly 38% of adults in America and is more common in women than men. It can make an individual more susceptible to illness and those with diabetes and heart disease may increase the likelihood of having medical claims increased by 11.6% and 5.2 % respectively for each BMI (body mass index) unit (Yarborough, Charles M, et al 2018). Physical Inactivity: This is the 4th leading risk factor of global mortality. Because today about half of the American adults more than 117 million people have one or more preventable chronic diseases (Physical activity guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition). 7 out of 10 most common chronic diseases are responsive to regular physical activity. Some causes of physical inactivity include environmental factors that are influenced by the lack of areas that provide safe areas to walk, the use of electronic devices, and computer usage. Physically inactive people are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, depression, and cognitive impairment (CDC. Benefits of Physical Activity. 2022). Stress & Anxiety: These are mental health conditions that influence behavior risk factors that impact decision-making and coping mechanisms, which directly impacts how an individual perceives and manage caring for themselves (CDC. Data & Statistics, 2002). Stress is the most common mental illness that contributes to physical illness as well as psychological distress and mental illness. The cause of anxiety is unknown but could result from a combination of biological and environmental factors, which are disruptive to occupational, and psychological conditions that may harm an individual's quality of life (Bhui et al, 2016). These are only a few common medical conditions and illnesses that continue to evolve in high levels of prevalence in the U.S. for a number of populations and communities that affect all races and cultures. Promotion of health education through prevention of a variety of resources are the beginning of knowledge of self-awareness which should encourage individuals to want to change their health behaviors that would promote a healthy lifestyle. References “Adult Obesity Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 May 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html “Benefits of Physical Activity.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 June 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health Bhui, Kamaldeep, et al. “Perceptions of Work Stress Causes and Effective Interventions in Employees Working in Public, Private and Non-Governmental Organizations: A Qualitative Study.” BJPsych Bulletin, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dec. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5353523 “Changing Your Habits for Better Health.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diet-nutrition/changing-habits-better-health. “Data and Statistics.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Mar. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/data_publications/index.htm. GBD 2013 Risk Factors Collaborators, et al. “Global, Regional, and National Comparative Risk Assessment of 79 Behavioural, Environmental and Occupational, and Metabolic Risks or Clusters of Risks in 188 Countries, 1990-2013: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013.” Lancet (London, England), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 5 Dec. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685753/ “Health Care Access and Quality.” Health Care Access and Quality - Healthy People 2030, https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-quality. Jama Network, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2797393?resultClick=1. Logan, R.A. "Health Literacy: New Directions in Research, Theory, and Practice." Google Books, IOS Press, 18 Oct. 2017, https://books.google.com/books/about/Health_Literacy.html?id=kvA-DwAAQBAJ. Robert A. Logan, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD USA. Elliot R. Siegel, U.S. National Library of Medicine (Retired), Bethesda, MD, USA. Health Literacy, New Directions in Research, Theory, and Practice. “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition.” Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition - Healthy People 2030, https://health.gov/healthypeople/tools-action/browse-evidence-based-resources/physical-activity-guidelines-americans-2nd-edition Qualitative Study.” BJPsych Bulletin, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dec. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5353523 Schwartz, Stanley S. “Changing the Face of Diabetes.” International Journal of Diabetes and Clinical Research, 28 May 2022, https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijdcr/international-journal-of-diabetes-and-clinical-research-ijdcr-9-157.php Trudel, Xavier, et al. “Long Working Hours and the Prevalence of Masked and Sustained Hypertension.” Hypertension, 19 Dec. 2019, https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.12926 . Who Emro | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention through Population ... https://www.emro.who.int/about-who/public-health-functions/health-promotion-disease-prevention.html Yarborough, Charles M, et al. “Obesity in the Workplace: Impact, Outcomes, and Recommendations.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034693