Evidence-based health programs help determine how well policy interventions improve health. With this knowledge, policymakers can develop healthier communities. Health educators conduct health risk assessments, develop educational materials, conduct research, and collaborate with other health care providers. Health educators also develop incentives for high-risk patients to use health services. They may conduct outreach to schools and communities, and write grants to fund projects. Some health educators are also involved in mass media campaigns. Their work addresses consumer health, environmental health, emotional health, and safety, and human development.
Community health programs offer special clinics and education and media campaigns to provide preventive services and health information. Without community health programs, many low-income populations would not be able to access these services. Typical community health services include sexually transmitted disease testing, gynecological conditions treatment, immunizations, substance abuse programs, and well-baby checks. They also encourage healthy eating and weight management. In addition, many of these programs provide food, hygiene, and education, thereby reducing costs associated with medical care.
States have latitude in determining which health programs they want to fund, but some basic preventive services are mandatory. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), health insurance providers must offer certain services. In addition to basic preventive care services, states also include special programs for high-risk patients. Hospital care, physician services, and laboratory and X-ray services are mandatory, and other programs evaluate child development and ensure population health. They can also be targeted to target a population, such as children.
Telehealth is becoming an increasingly common tool in the health care system, including remote treatment for children with disabilities. By using smartphones and wearable technology, practitioners can provide health-related information and alerts to their mobile devices. This helps them better understand health care issues. Further, the low-cost approach reduces other costs incurred by children. By avoiding long commutes to get to the clinic, parents can be more productive at work. Further, telehealth is especially useful for disadvantaged communities.
Several graduate schools offer public health degrees. Among these are the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, which offers Master’s and Doctorate degrees. The school offers several related titles, such as health education specialist, and the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC-certified health educator).
The Division of Public Health Programs houses several centers of excellence. These facilities span a range of expertise, from addiction research to environmental health. In addition, the Midtown Center, which specializes in HIV and drug addiction, provides outpatient care for PTSD patients. The Vincent P. Dole Institute, which conducts research into Hepatitis C, is the tenth lab of the National Center for HIV and Addiction Medicine (NCHS) Emerging Infections Program.
Children may have special needs that require specialized care. However, further research is needed to determine the proportion of children who will require such care. However, in general, health literacy programs should focus on teaching children to engage in decisions about their care. There are also many benefits to such programs. The first is that children can become more informed about their health. The second benefit is that it can help them to make better decisions and avoid complications. There is no reason to ignore the benefits of educating and empowering children.