Healthy People 2020 Report

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Healthy People 2020 is a comprehensive nationwide program that utilizes input from numerous disciplines to set goals and monitor progress of initiatives that would achieve better health and promote disease prevention. The program began in 1979 with the Surgeon General’s report, Healthy People: The Surgeon General’s Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. In 1990, and every ten years after, a report has been developed outlining goals and objectives for the Nation on health promotion and disease prevention. (Healthy People 2000, Healthy People 2010 and now, Healthy People 2020). The goal of the program is to provide a baseline measurement, report reliable data and target specific improvements for the next 10 years. Once targeted areas…show more content…
Asthma is a chronic, reversible, controllable obstructive lung disease characterized by acute exacerbations of airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction and increased mucus production resulting from various stimuli. Diagnosis and appropriate treatment of asthma is imperative in controlling the disease and preventing exacerbations that require emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The American Lung Association reports that “asthma is one of the most common chronic disorders in childhood, currently affecting an estimated 7.1 million children under 18 years.” The American Lung Association also reports that in 2010 there were approximately 640,000 Emergency Department (ED) visits due to asthma for children in this age group with an annual direct cost at about $50.1 billion. Asthma can be life-threatening if not managed properly, but with proper self management, both Emergency Department and hospitalizations for asthma exacerbations can be reduced. Proper management includes; identifying and avoiding the triggers that perpetuate exacerbations, proper use of preventative and rescue medications, and follow up care with medical professionals. Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be managed with correct care so that people with the disease can lead full, active lives with less need for costly emergency department visits and…show more content…
In Ohio there is a statewide asthma plan called, Ohio Statewide Asthma Plan, that was developed in 2004 by the Ohio Asthma Coalition. The Ohio Asthma Coalition (AOC) came together in 2002 when the Ohio Department of Health Asthma Program (ODHAP) and the American Lung Association joined forces. The AOC worked to implement a plan that would improve the burden of asthma that included; advocacy, data/research, education, environmental quality and public awareness. These statewide efforts promoting education are focused not only to individuals, but also in schools and at the community level. In the pediatric hospital that I work, it is mandatory that all asthmatics, and/or their caretakers, receive education on triggers, environmental control, medication management and an Asthma Action Plan that helps identify and treat symptoms early. These services provide vital information and tools that help control exacerbations, ED admissions and hospitalizations for

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