Healthy People 2020, Coursework Example

Introduction

Healthy People 2020 emphasizes a number of different objectives that are likely to impact outcomes for many population groups. The primary health indicators include Access to Health Services, Environmental Quality, Maternal, Infant, and Child Health, and Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, among others (HealthyPeople.gov, 2014). These factors require a strong and cohesive approach to healthcare delivery in the United States, a concept which is challenging and requires expert knowledge and guidance from many focus areas. The objectives set forth in the report by the Institute of Medicine demonstrate that expanding knowledge regarding diverse populations is a critical step towards the discovery of new ideas to address the Healthy People 2020 objectives and to emphasize disparities within these groups (2011).

Analysis

The state of disease is critical to the success of healthcare organizations in the modern era and represents a means of examining the life span in its entirety (Wood, 2011). DNPs play a critical role in advancing the practice environment and in promoting disease prevention and other areas where healthcare services are limited (Lathrop & Hodnicki, 2014). These factors support the development of new ideas to facilitate change and to be proactive in achieving effective healthcare outcomes for patients (Lathrop & Hodnicki, 2014). DNPs and other advanced practice roles must be integrated into the practice environment in order to achieve successful outcomes and to be responsive to the needs of patients across a wide range of population groups and cultures (Kreitzer, Kligler, & Meeker, 2009).

Conclusion                                                          

The objectives set forth through Healthy People 2020 require a high level understanding and focus regarding the needs of patients and the ability to address their concerns effectively. DNPs must play a role in this process and promote disease prevention and health management solutions in different ways. It is believed that these practices will support and facilitate new directions in integrative healthcare to achieve the desired results.

References

HealthyPeople.gov (2014). Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx

Institute of Medicine (2011). Leading health indicators for Healthy People 2020 – letter report. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Leading-Health-Indicators-for-Healthy-People-2020.aspx

Kreitzer, M.J., Kligler, B., & Meeker, W.C. (2009). Health professions education and integrative health care. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Activity%20Files/Quality/IntegrativeMed/Health%20Professions%20Education%20and%20Integrative%20HealthCare.pdf

Lathrop, B., & Hodnicki, D.R. (2014). The Affordable Care Act: primary care and the Doctor of Nursing Practice nurse. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(2), retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-19-2014/No2-May-2014/Articles-Previous-Topics/Affordable-Care-Act-Doctor-of-Nursing-Practice.html

Wood, D. (2011). IOM announces Healthy People 2020 recommendations. Retrieved from http://www.nursezone.com/Nursing-News-Events/more-news/IOM-Announces-Healthy-People-2020-Recommendations_36536.aspx