The Public Health Crisis: Solving Public Health Issues in America
The world has seen many historical developments in healthcare including new inventions and systems. Countries have adapted and evolved their own processes for taking care of the citizens in their countries. The healthcare system in the United States has chosen a different approach than most, allowing for quick innovation and improvement of processes. However, public health issues in America are arising from a lack of healthcare availability. There is currently a health crisis that requires the help of caring hearts like yours.
Public health is the science of prolonging and improving the quality of life. It includes the studies of aging, disease, mental health, and more. Public health is a growing field that encompasses all things contributing to a person’s well-being. Workers in the field range from scientists and nurses to directors and other administrative workers.
Public health workers respond to emergencies like foodborne pathogen outbreaks, new viruses, sexually transmitted disease outbreaks, and substance abuse. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a crisis on January 21, 2020, communities around the globe have found themselves in a novel public health crisis.
The Public Health Crisis
Previously, one of the most pressing battles for public health workers was preventing and responding to opioid addictions. The COVID-19 pandemic came like a whirlwind, usurping resources from other public health issues in America. As a result, the opioid crisis worsened. In 2019, opioids caused nearly 50,000 deaths, but in 2020 the CDC found a steep increase in overdose deaths caused by opioids resulting in almost 70,000 casualties.1
Other public health sectors have also suffered due to the pandemic. In a New York Times survey of almost 300 public health departments, more than 220 of them stated that they had to “temporarily or permanently abandon other public health functions to respond to the pandemic,” leading to less attendance to drug overdoses, child abuse, and STDs.2
Healthcare workers are suffering immensely from the stressors associated with COVID-19. They report feeling unsupported by their workplace, communities, and the people they treat.3 Burnout has resulted in a shortage of public health personnel. Over 500 top health officials have left their jobs since the pandemic began.4
Still, hope is not lost. As Christians, we are called to care for all people. Whether a patient or healthcare provider, people in need are part of God’s creation and His plans for the entire world. We have the strongest obligation to serve others with our lives, just as Jesus demonstrated long ago. The potential exists in every person to do good. Together as principled professionals, we can provide support to the public health sector and revitalize America’s hope in a time where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are hard-wrought in the healthcare system.
We can help support our public health providers by:
- Saying ‘thank you’ to healthcare workers.
- Volunteering at a hospital or clinic.
- Giving a gift to nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers.
- Praying for health workers and their families.
The mass exodus of top leadership has resulted in frayed ends within the healthcare system. As healthcare management professionals burn out from the daily pressures of work during the pandemic, processes in health facilities break down. The world needs more people to bring their skills and insights to resolve the public health crisis.
That’s where you come in. You can help healthcare professionals carry the responsibility of America’s health. You can help change the world of public health for the better.
Equipped with innovative strategies, problem-solving skills, a caring heart and educated with a B.S. in Healthcare Management, you can help fill the growing need for leadership that will help develop the new wave of healthcare professionals in the United States.
With a healthcare management degree, you can be ready to initiate change from policy to processes. With more healthcare management professionals in place, care can be provided more expansively and more efficiently, bettering the well-being of others.
The work of healthcare management professionals is critical to the well-being of our nation. Public health issues in America are vast and quickly evolving. The brave and thoughtful people that step into the leadership roles in the public health industry are heroes in their own right.
Be the next hero. Apply for the B.S. in Healthcare Management today.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
References
- Ahmad, F. B., Rossen, L. M., & Sutton, P. (2021, June 11). Products – Vital statistics rapid release – Provisional drug overdose data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- Baker, M., & Ivory, D. (2021, October 18). Why public health faces a crisis across the U.S. The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- Hendrickson, R., Hoerster, K., & Neville, T. (2021, December 16). Health care workers’ suffering goes far beyond burnout. Self-care isn’t the cure. STAT.
- Baker & Ivory. Why public health faces a crisis across the U.S.