Blum's Health Model
Introduction
Health care in America has many aspects of delivery. The government is constantly trying to improve the health care delivery system. There are many different approaches to this improvement that range from health models and government programs to encourage healthy lifestyles while taking cultural beliefs and values into consideration.
Body
The Blum’s health model was proposed in 1974 in response to health determinants and how they affect health status of individuals and the population (Shi & Singh, 2015). There were four key elements that are discussed in Blum’s model: environment, lifestyle, heredity and medical care (Shi & Singh, 2015). These four elements must be considered together, that there is no one way to address the …show more content…
Genetic factors are the smallest element. “A person can do little about the genetic makeup he or she has inherited” (Shi & Singh, 2015, p.54). Medical care is considered to be a key determinant in health care. There is a link between having access to medical care and health status. If there is an issue with access, it is likely that there will be a poorer health status directly reflecting that preventable and treatable conditions are not assessed and cared for. Healthy People 2020 are working to address Blum’s models elements. As part of the Healthy People 2020 initiative, environmental, lifestyle and heredity concerns are being addressed with focus on public health programs and awareness of preventable diseases (Healthy People, 2017). These programs are designed to educate the general population on achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As for medical care, there are initiatives in place that help to address ensuring access to health services for a healthier and increased quality of life (Shi & Singh, …show more content…
However, with the beliefs and the current situation within the market for health care, the delivery is not optimal. There is no market justice or social justice in place for individuals. Health care is seen as a supply and demand in a capitalist society. With the incorporation of these concepts, health care delivery could become more fluid improving access. Improved delivery and access would assist the goals for Healthy People 2020 making for a healthier
Health care in America has many aspects of delivery. The government is constantly trying to improve the health care delivery system. There are many different approaches to this improvement that range from health models and government programs to encourage healthy lifestyles while taking cultural beliefs and values into consideration.
Body
The Blum’s health model was proposed in 1974 in response to health determinants and how they affect health status of individuals and the population (Shi & Singh, 2015). There were four key elements that are discussed in Blum’s model: environment, lifestyle, heredity and medical care (Shi & Singh, 2015). These four elements must be considered together, that there is no one way to address the …show more content…
Genetic factors are the smallest element. “A person can do little about the genetic makeup he or she has inherited” (Shi & Singh, 2015, p.54). Medical care is considered to be a key determinant in health care. There is a link between having access to medical care and health status. If there is an issue with access, it is likely that there will be a poorer health status directly reflecting that preventable and treatable conditions are not assessed and cared for. Healthy People 2020 are working to address Blum’s models elements. As part of the Healthy People 2020 initiative, environmental, lifestyle and heredity concerns are being addressed with focus on public health programs and awareness of preventable diseases (Healthy People, 2017). These programs are designed to educate the general population on achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As for medical care, there are initiatives in place that help to address ensuring access to health services for a healthier and increased quality of life (Shi & Singh, …show more content…
However, with the beliefs and the current situation within the market for health care, the delivery is not optimal. There is no market justice or social justice in place for individuals. Health care is seen as a supply and demand in a capitalist society. With the incorporation of these concepts, health care delivery could become more fluid improving access. Improved delivery and access would assist the goals for Healthy People 2020 making for a healthier