Health programs seek to prevent disease, disability and premature death. They also work to reduce health disparities and promote healthy physical, social and economic environments. These efforts are a major component of achieving the potential for health and well-being of people everywhere.
Health program types include disease prevention, health promotion and public health education. Health promotion activities address modifiable risk behaviors, such as tobacco use, poor diet and physical inactivity. Public health education is more broadly based, and may be conducted in a variety of settings. It focuses on raising awareness of important health-related issues and empowering individuals to take action.
Often referred to as community-based behavioral change, health promotion is one of the main goals of public health and a core element in reducing the prevalence of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. By focusing on preventive measures and changing behavior, the cost of these diseases is reduced for individuals, employers, insurance companies and the government.
The most common health programs are designed to help people stay well. These include wellness programs, which encourage healthy lifestyles; and screening programs, which detect the early signs of disease. Other programs address the underlying causes of these diseases, such as ensuring access to care for people with low incomes and providing support for health professionals.
Some health programs are targeted at specific groups of people, such as adolescent girls, people with chronic conditions or ethnic communities. Others focus on particular conditions, such as mental illness, injury prevention or substance abuse control. In addition, some focus on specific aspects of health, such as childbirth, nutrition or sexual health.
Providing health services to the public is a core function of many government agencies, and is usually carried out through an agency-wide health department or agency. These services include clinics, community health centers and mobile health units. They can provide vaccinations, screenings and treatment for diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV or hepatitis. They can also offer information and guidance about nutrition, exercise, sexually transmitted infections and smoking cessation.
Many workplaces have wellness and health education programs, which are intended to improve employees’ quality of life. These may include employee counseling, health risk appraisals, health screenings, fitness classes and nutrition and exercise advice. Often, these programs are supported by the company through wellness incentives and health-related benefits.
Health programs are run by public, private and voluntary organizations. They can involve community-based initiatives to improve health and wellbeing, or national and international initiatives to address global health issues. Some health programs, such as those that help with HIV diagnosis and treatment, are funded by the federal government through agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other health programs are provided by the private sector, including companies, hospitals and foundations. They can include health education, screenings and prevention services, as well as support for the homeless, children and families. The CDC provides tools and resources for planning, implementing, evaluating and improving health programs.