Angela Cafferillo February, 2008 Consumerism and Early Health Health Coach from GE.
Health Care Consumerism Chapter 12. Includes making decisions about health providers, hospitals, ...
Transcript of Health Care Consumerism Chapter 12. Includes making decisions about health providers, hospitals, ...
Health Care Health Care ConsumerisConsumerismm
Chapter 12Chapter 12
Includes making decisions about health providers, hospitals, health plans, prescriptions, prevention strategies, quality of care, treatment choices, and reliable health information.
Consumer Health Defined
Health maintenance organization (HMO) Has the lowest cost. Choose physician from a list of plan
participants. Must see primary care physician first. Some procedures not covered by the
plan. Preferred provider organization (PPO)
Can choose own doctor. Out-of-network doctors are more
expensive. Some may require referrals to
specialists.
Finding the Right Health Insurance Plan
Costs of InsuranceThrough an Employer
Medicaid State administered for people with income below a
certain level. Pays the medical provider, not the patient.
Medicare Available to all who qualify for Social Security. Part A pays percentage of hospital visits, in-home
health care, inpatient skilled-nursing care, and hospice.
Part B covers outpatient care and doctor visits. Part C is a combination of parts A and B. Part D covers prescription drugs (premium
required).
Government Insurance Plans
Check credentials. Ask several people. Visit the doctor.
Does he listen? Do you trust her?
Does gender matter to you? Does the doctor understand
your culture and language? Find out where the doctor
has hospital privileges. www.Healthgrades.com
Choosing a Doctor
Betweeners – people that make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for health insurance
COBRA – the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (1986) - allows for continued health coverage through previous employer for a limited time often too expensive
People who are between jobs sometimes are uninsured because COBRA is too expensive.
Dangers of Being Uninsured
Complementary alternative medicine adds alternative medical treatment methods to traditional medical care.
Alternative medicine doesn’t use traditional methods at all.
Includes acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, massage, and herbal medicine.
Complementary Alternative Medicine
and Alternative Medicine
Comes from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
TCM is based on the belief that energy (chi) flows along meridians of the body.
Acupuncture unblocks flow of energy through acupoints.
The body has more than 2,000 acupoints.
Few complications arise from use of acupuncture.
Research has shown that changes in body chemistry do take place.
Acupuncture has no definitive results.
Acupuncture
The term chiropractic combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) (NCCAM 2007).
Chiropractic medicine is used to treat neuromuscular problems (e.g., headaches, joint pain, neck pain, and lower back pain).
Research evidence is inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Medicine
Massage is a type of body manipulation.
Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating pressure points on feet and hands.
Rolfing is a holistic system of body work that uses deep manipulation of the soft tissue to realign and balance myofascial structure.
Results on effectiveness are mixed; research shows hormones and brain chemicals are released during massage.
Massage Therapy
Herbs are used for flavor, scent, or therapeutic applications.
Conclusions from research vary regarding effectiveness of medicinal herbs.
Herbal Medicine
Aloe vera – may help heal burns Chamomile – little research either way Ginseng – may lower blood sugar Echinacea – does not shorten or prevent
colds Ephedra – does help with breathing but has
serious side effects Garlic – may slow hardening of arteries Ginkgo – inconclusive for dememtia and
memory improvements Green tea – inconclusive for cancer Hoodia – unknown for weight loss St. John’s wort - may help with minor
depression but inconclusive Soy – little research for heath improvements
Common Herbs Used for Medicine
1. Claims to provide relief from more than one disorder.
2. Offers special, ancient, or secret formula.3. Promises quick weight loss without diet
or exercise.4. Claims to provide a prompt, painless
cure.6. Advertises cures for diseases with no
known cure7. Uses testimonials that haven’t been
documented in medical literature.8. Requires advance payments.9. Promises a miracle cure or scientific
breakthrough.10. Offers money-back guarantee.
Spotting a Quack
EnvironmentEnvironmental Health al Health
Chapter 13Chapter 13
Science that studies how humans and nature interact to affect human health. It addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, including the assessment and control of factors that can affect health (WHO 2008).
Protection against environmental factors that may adversely affect human health or the ecological balances essential to long-term human health and environmental quality, whether natural or man-made environment (National Environmental Health Association 1996).
Two Definitionsof Environmental Health
Rangeland Soil Food Web
Forest Freshwater Grassland Agricultural
(agroecosystems) Urban Coastal
Ecosystems
Forests make up 25% of the earth’s land surface.
In most developed countries, laws restrict logging that depletes forests.
Underdeveloped countries with less strict laws clear their forests to supply wood to the world.
Forests
40% of fish species come from fresh water.
18% of fish are in danger of extinction.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests the balance of fish, insects, algae, plants, and other aquatic life.
Freshwater Ecosystems
Grasslands are biological communities (such as prairies, meadows, and savannas) with ground cover of grasses.
Grasslands have few trees. Many wild plants from
grasslands are used in alternative medicine.
The greater sage grouse population is an indicator of the health of grasslands.
Grasslands
Agroecosystems include the soil, plants, and animals that make up farms, croplands, orchards, pastures, and rangelands.
If 30% of land is used for cropland or pasture, the land is considered an agroecosystem.
Agroecosystems cover 28% of the earth’s land area, or 12.16 billion acres (4.92 billion hectares).
Agroecosystems
Plants, animals, and humans make up urban ecosystems.
Urban ecosystems can lack indigenous plants.
Washington, DC, has 115 bird species.
Chicago contains wild prairie grasses.
Urban Ecosystems
Trees remove up to 70% of particulates on a tree-lined street.
Urban forests in Baltimore and Washington, DC, remove 17,000 tons of air pollution per year. This air purification system is valued at $88 million.
Urban Trees
The United States has four coastal ecosystems: Great Lakes Chesapeake Bay Everglades Gulf of Mexico
They include estuaries, reefs, mangroves, islands, and salt marshes.
Natural disasters such as hurricanes have a devastating effect on coastal ecosystems.
Coastal Ecosystems
Environmental issues affect public health. People get sick from things in the environment. Humans must use environmental products
carefully and dispose of waste properly. See movie homo toxins!
Effects of the Environment on Health
Global warming is an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere that contributes to changes in global climate patterns.
Scientists now prefer the term climate change because it suggests more than just temperature changes.
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that helps regulate temperature. It’s said to be the major contributor to the current climate changes.
Greenhouse gases act as an insulating blanket, trapping solar energy that would otherwise escape into space.
Global Warming
47% of households with children have at least one pesticide stored in an unlocked area.
75% of households without children have chemicals in unlocked areas.
13% of all pesticide poisonings of children happen outside the home.
Toxins
Asbestos is a mineral fiber. Used as insulation Flame retardant
It’s found in pipe and furnace insulation, shingles, floor tiles, and paints.
Undisturbed asbestos poses no danger.
Asbestos can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, or cancer of the chest lining.
Asbestos
Radon is a radioactive gas.
It is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
It’s important to check for radon in all homes, regardless of the age or location of the home.
Radon Gas
Ozone Particulate matter Carbon monoxide Nitrogen oxides Sulfur dioxide Lead
Six Major Air Pollutants
Arsenic Benzene Disinfection by-
products Contaminated
sediment and dredged material
Lead Microbial pathogens
Major Water Pollutants
Strategies for waste management include: Designing products that turn
into clean garbage Reducing, reusing, and
recycling Recovering energy from
waste treatment The goal of waste
management is to reduce the toxicity of garbage before it gets into the landfills.
Waste Management
Waste Management Hierarchy
Some people are more susceptible than others.
Diseases or conditions caused by environmental factors include these: Asthma Myocardial infarction Cancer Lead poisoning (from
ingesting lead-based paint) Carbon monoxide poisoning
Environmental Diseasesand Disorders
To go green is to reduce your negative impact on the environment. Some ways to go green include reducing the amount of trash
that is sent to landfills, reducing the amount of water
that is used by households, using recycled products, and using energy efficiently. Reduce your ecological
footprint
Going Green