Health Economics of Diabetes Prevention, Coursework Example

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health epidemic in the United States that impacts many people across different age and population groups. Many people are vulnerable to the disease and its complications and may not take the necessary precautions to optimize prevention; therefore, their level of risk is increased. Healthcare experts have made efforts and strides to promote policymaking initiatives to encourage diabetes-related programs and funding, and to some degree, these efforts have been largely successful to date. However, some policies do not appear to target the appropriate interventions and educational efforts, thereby leaving many populations exposed to the disease in larger numbers, including African Americans. It is important to identify some of the policy-related challenges that are associated with type 2 diabetes represent deficiencies in addressing the condition on a large scale. For vulnerable populations, there are significant factors to address that require ongoing attention and policy-based support in order to accomplish the desired objectives to maximize prevention and increase focus on these groups. The following discussion will address type 2 diabetes policy in greater detail and will emphasize the importance of developing improvements to existing policies in order to optimize education and prevention efforts in an effective manner. In addition, the state of current policies will also be addressed in order to determine where directives should be headed in the future. This discussion will consider the importance of developing new policies and strategies to address diabetes from the health perspective, as well as the socioeconomic perspective  to ensure that the disease state is less prevalent over time.

Analysis

Policies reflecting the challenges of type 2 diabetes are somewhat insufficient in that they do not effectively target many populations, such as African Americans. The serious nature and impact of type 2 diabetes is well-publicized; however, prevention efforts remain difficult to manage. Much of the funding regarding diabetes is directed at research regarding its causes; however, there appear to be gaps in education and prevention strategies. Therefore, additional measures must be considered that will bridge existing gaps to educate populations who require the highest level of attention and need in preventing diabetes. At the root of these concerns is the increased recognition of socio-economic disparities and their role in diabetes, which appear to be a significant indicator of higher rates of diabetes and are separate from traditional risk factors (Agardh et.al, 2011).  Therefore, existing policies may not address the root of these concerns and label diabetes as a socio-economic issue in addition to a health issue, thereby increasing disparities even further (Agardh et.al, 2011).

Prior evidence supports the belief that poverty plays an important role in increasing the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, even in countries where universal health coverage is in place (Hsu et.al, 2012). Furthermore, the care provided for diabetes patients is highly inequitable, thereby contributing to poor care and treatment for many poor residents (Hsu et.al, 2012). These factors contribute to the weaknesses in current policy that limit access for the poor to necessary health resources due to insurance barriers or other concerns; therefore, this area of study requires further evaluation so that policies are specific to the needs of patients (Hsu et.al, 2012).  When access to healthcare is sorely lacking, there is a marked increase in diabetes cases that minimize access to care for many poor populations; furthermore, these circumstances promote an increase in diabetes-related cases over time (Hsu et.al, 2012). Many African Americans fit this profile and face a higher risk of diabetes because they lack opportunities to receive care because they are either uninsured or their insurance coverage is limited (Hsu et.al, 2012). These factors ultimately create even greater gaps in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of type 2 diabetes that ultimately expand the prevalence of the disease and its impact on quality of life for many patients who suffer from the disease and find it difficult to effectively manage their symptoms over time (Hsu et.al, 2012).

Public policies regarding type 2 diabetes are difficult to accept because they often prevent the most vulnerable populations from receiving the care and treatment that is required. In a practical context, policies must reflect the needs of patients across all population groups, and this includes the provision of support and education to promote lifestyle interventions to guide patients (Dunkley et.al, 2014). Diabetes prevention is not always successful, however, unless it addresses the needs of patients through a programmatic effort to initiate changes in the lifestyle to alleviate diabetes risks (Dunkley et.al, 2014). Therefore, policies should recognize these needs and support the growth of lifestyle changes as part of the life span in order to prevent diabetes or to effectively treat the disease to minimize symptoms and complications (Dunkley et.al, 2014). The process of policy development for diabetes, therefore, requires a comprehensive approach that encourages individuals to become healthier, which likely includes improved diet and exercise as a means of creating an environment for change and greater health (Dunkley et.al, 2014). These steps require healthcare experts to intervene and to motivate agendas regarding diabetes to the next level to benefit patients across different populations in a comprehensive manner (Dunkley et.al, 2014). If policies regarding diabetes continue at their current levels, they will not bridge existing gaps that create disparities and contribute to weaknesses in how populations manage diabetes within their own lives (Dunkley et.al, 2014).

Type 2 diabetes mandates a policymaking framework and agenda that supports a viable approach to education and prevention. Current policies address some of the key elements of the disease, but they do not capture all requirements, as there must be a greater focus on lifestyle management, self-care, and access to treatment services that will be consistent and appropriate for the needs of patients who either face the risk of diabetes or have already been diagnosed with the condition (Green et.al, 2012). From this perspective, policies must target new approaches that will accomplish the chosen objectives, while also considering other factors that ultimately create an environment for change and progress within the healthcare and public health spectrums (Green et.al, 2012). For instance, primary care organizations and physicians must possess a greater commitment to supporting lifestyle recommendations and policies that will favorably educate and impact all population groups, but in particular, those that are the most vulnerable (Green et.al, 2012). Therefore, community-based approaches to achieving greater lifestyle changes, prevention, and management must be considered in order to accomplish the objectives that are required to address diabetes directly and to encourage preventative methods on a consistent basis (Green et.al, 2012).

Current policies may attempt to target vulnerable populations to some degree, but they do not succeed in all practice areas (Pilkington et.al, 2011). Healthcare organizations in local communities have identified weaknesses in current policy frameworks that target vulnerable population groups; therefore, these factors must be considered as part of a socioeconomic approach to improving the prevention of diabetes in vulnerable populations (Pilkington et.al, 2011). Healthcare professionals must be able to recognize trends in diabetes and related risks and should possess the ability to exercise sound and reasonable judgment in preparing residents through education, lifestyle interventions, and other alternatives in order to reduce their risk and prevent the disease in patients who possess the highest level of vulnerability in regards to the disease (Pilkington et.al, 2011). This strategy requires policies to be more open and appropriate to serve the underserved more effectively and on a continuous basis in order to prevent serious complications and reduced quality of life for patients who face diabetes risks or who have the disease (Pilkington et.al, 2011).

Policies that are associated with widespread public health issues in the United States are not sufficient and do not emphasize all of the required challenges and implications of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Diabetes risk is impacted by many different factors, some clinical and genetic in nature, and others facilitated by behaviors and lifestyle choices (Babor et.al, 2012). These risks are exacerbated by some behaviors, including alcohol use and abuse, thereby creating an environment where the risk is substantial (Babor et.al, 2012). Under these conditions, it is important to identify areas where there might be poor outcomes as a result of weak policies and support systems to promote greater awareness of important public health issues such as diabetes (Babor et.al, 2012). These concerns represent a challenge to the status quo and may limit the ability of individuals in vulnerable populations to prevent diabetes if they lack the knowledge, education, and/or resources, such as access to routine care, that are required to prevent diabetes (Babor et.al, 2012). These findings suggest that public policy initiatives must be practical in nature and available to support the continued growth of efforts to educate and prevent diabetes in patients who face the greatest risk of developing the disease throughout their lives (Babor et.al, 2012).

Due to the epidemic nature of type 2 diabetes both domestically and throughout the world, it is necessary to address new and existing trends that impact diabetes education, prevention, and management, such as the disease burden in developing nations, metabolic disorder, and prediabetes in the younger population (Chen et.al, 2012). These perspectives demonstrate that policy-driven agendas are currently insufficient in addressing the most common concerns regarding diabetes and that other factors must also be considered that will have a significant impact on outcomes for patients across different population groups (Chen et.al, 2012). These concerns require new policies and educational efforts that address gaps in knowledge and resources that are key contributors to the diabetes epidemic as a whole (Chen et.al, 2012). Furthermore, obesity and overweight issues remain critical to the discussion and require new policy-based directives to promote proper nutrition and physical activity (Chen et.al, 2012). In particular, these policies must address vulnerable populations more effectively and target those who do not have access to many resources to prevent and/or manage diabetes successfully (Chen et.al, 2012).

Diabetes is a very serious health issue, but it is also a considerable economic issue, as it poses a significant financial burden for the healthcare system (Assembly et.al, 2013). This perspective is critical because it advocates for the improvement of system-based resources and policies to improve the prevention of diabetes to alleviate some of the financial burden (Assembly et.al, 2013). The reality of diabetes as a serious economic concern is necessary so that community-based resources, knowledge, expertise, and education are available in order to address the disease directly and without hesitation (Assembly et.al, 2013). This process supports the development of new measures to promote and advocate for prevention as a primary means of reducing its visibility and progression in a practical manner that encourages the growth of research and policy to encourage diabetes prevention in the most vulnerable groups, such as African Americans (Assembly et.al, 2013). Interventions must be in place to target vulnerable populations and to demonstrate the importance of organized efforts to alleviate diabetes in many populations where the disease is most prevalent and where limited resources to promote education and prevention are currently available (Assembly et.al, 2013). These findings suggest that there must be a viable set of approaches and subsequent policies in place in order to accommodate the needs of communities where diabetes is most critical, thereby increasing disease prevention and education to promote greater quality of life across all age groups (Assembly et.al, 2013).

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health problem that requires significant policy-driven agendas to address gaps in access to healthcare and quality. The efforts that are made by organizations to address diabetes are insufficient, as the problem remains serious and continues to grow in scope. Education and prevention of diabetes are critical to alleviating the strength of the disease and its overall prevalence; however, addressing these concerns in the most vulnerable populations is likely to promote effective outcomes and to demonstrate the value of policy in supporting long-term achievements in this area. Diabetes management and care is currently weak in a number of areas that have had negative impacts on many populations; therefore, additional steps must be taken in a public forum that will be effective in accommodating the most vulnerable patient populations and those without routine access to healthcare services or those who receive poor quality care and treatment, using policies as a guide in this process. These issues must be considered in supporting and expanding policies and methods to address the diabetes epidemic in the United States, particularly for the most vulnerable populations in need of education, lifestyle changes, and/or treatment for the disease if it persists. Therefore, creative approaches must be considered that will accommodate the needs of communities and populations where diabetes is highly prevalent, such as vulnerable or disadvantaged populations. Resources must also be used wisely in an effort to produce viable outcomes that will positively impact diabetes prevention and reduce the incidence of diabetes in the United States and throughout the world.

References

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