Health Data, Research Paper Example

The retrieval of health-related data from federal sources is an important tool for healthcare managers to evaluate patient population profiles and to promote future planning for the clinical environment. For example, statistics regarding older adults are critical in planning for the types of patients that hospitals and clinics might see over a period of time. The website AgingStats.gov provides important information regarding the aging population from a national perspective, such as common health risks, chronic illnesses, residency statistics, and other factors which are used to guide healthcare managers in making planning decisions for their organizations, particularly as this population group continues to increase on an annual basis due to increased life expectancy (AgingStats.gov, 2012).

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers additional information regarding older adults on a national level, including preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness and surveillance data with current statistics for all 50 states, including those persons who remain in their communities (CDC, 2013). In addition, the website offers statistics regarding mental health for older adults and data associated with falls in older adults (CDC, 2013). Each of these resources enables healthcare managers to effectively plan for the future so that the required resources are in place and easily retrievable when required to treat older adults in clinical settings in an effective manner (CDC, 2013).

The utilization of federal data by healthcare managers to address concerns in the older adult population is necessary to ensure that this population group is provided with the best possible resources to meet their needs. This is a critical component in managing an ever-increasing older adult population who requires specific clinical services and other treatments to manage chronic illnesses and other concerns. These efforts demonstrate the importance of developing strategies for healthcare managers to improve clinical performance in the treatment of older adults.

References

AgingStats.gov (2012). Older Americans 2012: key indicators of wellbeing. Retrieved from

http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/Main_Site/Data/2012_Documents/Docs/EntireChartbook.pdf

Centers for Disease Control (2013). Data and statistics. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/aging/data/index.htm