How do the indicators used by a city or metropolitan region differ from the global indicators12/24/2023 ![]() Indicates the current health status of a population.Infant mortality is a particularly useful measure of health status because it: These data include the leading causes of mortality (among both infants and the general population), and thus provide a broad perspective on the diseases and conditions that are having the greatest impact on the nation's health. While no single set of measures can completely characterize the health of a large and diverse population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies worldwide consistently have viewed life expectancy and mortality data as indicators of overall population health because they represent the cumulative effects of social and physical environmental factors, behavioral and genetic risk factors, and the level and quality of health care. The health status of a population can be measured by a wide range of factors: birth and death rates, life expectancy, quality of life, morbidity from specific diseases and conditions, environmental risk factors, use of ambulatory care and inpatient care, financial and geographical accessibility of health personnel and facilities, health insurance coverage, and many other factors. These diseases may require a different approach to prevention, detection, and treatment compared to the infectious and acute illnesses more common in the past. Over the course of the century, public health measures such as improved sanitation and drinking water treatment led to a dramatic decrease in deaths due to infectious diseases and a marked increase in life expectancy.Īs the population has aged, chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer have become the leading causes of death. population was characterized by a low standard of living, poor hygiene, and poor nutrition communicable diseases and acute conditions were major causes of most premature deaths. Tracking historical trends in general health status can help identify where interventions have improved the health of a population or where interventions may be needed (e.g., by exploring causative factors and preventive measures).įor example, at the beginning of the 20 th century, the U.S. ![]() 1 An overarching goal of public health agencies is to increase the quality and years of healthy life and to eliminate health disparities. Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not the mere absence of disease or infirmity. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |