Department of Health and Human Term Paper

Total Length: 4237 words ( 14 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 6

Page 1 of 14

However, many patients suffering with chronic renal disease do not explore this option.

4-6: Increase the proportion of patients with treated chronic kidney failure who receive a transplant within 3 years of registration on the waiting list. Again renal transplantation can improve overall quality of life for patients struggling with this condition.

4-7: Reduce kidney failure due to diabetes: Type II diabetes is a significant contributor to chronic kidney disease. Reducing and preventing diabetes can effectively reduce the number of cases of chronic renal failure.

4-8: Increase the proportion of persons with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and proteinuria who receive recommended medical therapy to reduce progression to chronic renal insufficiency. This measure would help improve health outcomes for the patient and reduce the overall impact of the disease on the general population.

Relevance of the Objectives and Desired Outcomes

The objective outlined as the principle focus of improving health in this area is targeted toward reducing the complications and costs associated with chronic renal failure. Reviewing the data provided with regard to the sub-objectives, it seems reasonable to argue that this target goal is the most feasible given the specific parameters of the condition. Research from DHHS (2000, Chronic Kidney Disease) demonstrates that chronic kidney disease is often a silent disease which has no specific symptoms. As a result, individuals diagnosed with renal disease often face considerable health challenges as their overall health quickly deteriorates. Further, data from DHHS indicates that there is no effective cure for the disease and the organization reports that treatment does not dramatically improve overall quality of life.

Based on this data, it seems reasonable to argue that efforts to improve health outcomes with regard to this disease must focus on preventative measures that: 1) prevent or delay the onset of the disease; 2) treat the disease at various points during its progression to reduce its impact and improve health outcomes over the long-term; and 3) more aggressively seek transplantation as a principle means to improve health outcomes for individual patients. The data included under each of the sub-objectives demonstrates the salience of each of the research objectives by clearly outlining the number of individuals involved in each of the proposed interventions. In total, the data indicates that the proposed sub-objectives would allow public health officials to effectively reach the bulk of individuals that will be or are impacted by this condition.

Is Each a Valid Strategy for the Outcome?

The sub-objectives outlined above clearly have merit with respect to improving outcomes for the population. However, a critical review of the sub-objectives indicates that there are some objectives that appear to be more difficult to achieve overall. For instance, the third objective outlined by DHHS is "Increase the proportion of treated chronic kidney failure patients who have received counseling on nutrition, treatment choices and cardiovascular care 12 months before the start of renal replacement therapy." Although this service can be provided to patients that are diagnosed with the condition in its early stages, the reality is that most individuals with this condition are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed substantially. As such, this goal does not appear to have real salience for meeting the target objective for the HP 2010.

Additionally, DHHS recommends that the number of dialysis patients placed on the renal transplantation list should be increased. Given that the total number of kidneys available for transplantation has remained stable over the last several years (Chronic Kidney Disease, 2006) it seems reasonable to argue that increasing the number of patients on the transplant list will not improve overall health outcomes for patients with this condition. Clearly, in this case, the issue is one of supply and demand. With no additional supply of kidneys available, the number of patients receiving these donated organs will not increase.

Rationale for a Personal View

Synthesizing of the data provided by DHHS with respect to chronic renal failure, it seems reasonable to argue that most of the objectives developed by the organization are valid and will have direct implication for reducing the number of cases and reducing the overall impact of the disease on public health. Based on the focus of the recommendations it is evident that treatment and prevention of chronic kidney disease represent the most salient means for improving patient outcomes when it comes to chronic kidney disease. Although DHHS has developed a wide range of potential areas in which improvements can be made, a critical analysis of these goals seems to suggest that some should be eliminated or redesigned.
Specifically, the two objectives noted above do not appear to have any real salience for improving health outcomes for patients with this condition.

Although health improvement with respect to chronic kidney disease indicates that there are a host of areas in which improvements can be made, preventative measures that stem from reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes appear to be the most viable means for prevention. Data in this area suggests that individuals that develop these conditions are most vulnerable to developing chronic renal failure. Considerable research on both cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes has been undertaken in an effort to reduce risk factors and prevent these diseases. Further emphasis in these areas could provide the needed to dramatically reduce the overall rate of chronic kidney disease.

Midcourse Review Data

Midcourse Review Outcomes

The Midcourse Review (2006) provided by DHHS states that there are two goals for improving overall public health. These include: increasing the quality and years of healthy life and eliminating health disparities. A review of the specific progress that has been made with respect to these individual goals suggests that while some progress has been made toward achieving both significant gaps in both improving quality of life and eliminating health disparities remains. With this in mind, it is helpful to consider the progress and problems based on each of the goals. Data for this was retrieved from DDHS (2006) Midcourse Review on Chronic Kidney Disease:

Increase Quality and Years of Healthy Life: With regard to progress in this area DDHS reports that arteriovenous fistulas have been developed and promoted as a central means to improve outcomes for dialysis patients. According to the organization "Fistula use results in lower complication rates, better flow and lower associated illness" (p. 4-4). Although improve health can be achieved, this technology is limited in application as more education is needed to advance its use. With respect to problems that remain in this area, DHHS reports that are currently five areas in which progress is moving away from targets. These include: new cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular disease deaths in patients with chronic renal failure, registration for kidney transplantation, waiting time for kidney transplantation, and kidney failure due to diabetes (p. 4-4).

Eliminating Health Disparities: Critically reviewing the data provided by DDHS (2006, Chronic Kidney Disease) it becomes evident that while the number of cases of chronic kidney disease became stable in some patients, various groups are still at higher risk for developing this condition. Despite this however, DDHS does demonstrate that the percentage increase in the number of patients with the condition has declined in most of the ethnic groups investigated. Thus, some clear progress has been made toward reducing the ethnic and cultural gap that exists with regard to this disease.

Additionally, DDHS (2006) Midcourse Review on Chronic Kidney Disease reports that of the eight original sub-objectives identified in HP 2010 for chronic kidney diseases, only one of the objectives was modified at midcourse: 4-8, medical evaluation and treatment of persons with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. According to the organization, "Issues concerning the availability of data for this developmental objectives led to rewording and the addition of two sub-objectives" (p. 4-4). The sub-objectives included the following:

4-8a: Increase the proportion of persons with type 1 or type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease who receive recommended medical evaluation.

4-8b: Increase the proportion of persons with type 1 or 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease who receive recommended treatment to reduce progression to chronic renal insufficiency.

DHHS argues that once these changes were made to the goals, it was possible to effectively measure outcomes with regard to this specific objective.

Classification of Objectives and Sub-Objectives in the Midcourse Review

While the above review provides a general overview of the specific changes that have occurred as a result of the implementation of efforts to improve outcomes in this area, it is pertinent to consider the two HP 2010 goals with respect to the specific chronic kidney disease outcomes that were achieved. Examining the data provided in the DDHS (2006) Midcourse Review on Chronic Kidney Disease, the following progress/problems were identified:

Increase Quality and Years of Healthy Life: Objective 4-4 was advanced at midcourse. However, objectives 4-1, 4-2, 4-5, 4-6, and 4-7 were not met. Data on 4-3 and 4-8(a and b) could not be effectively assessed. With respect to….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Related Essays

Health Industry Professional Boards

the AMA is: petitioning numerous governmental health-division organizations such as the National health IT Coordinator and the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) with regard to health IT matters. From time to time, the organization collaborates with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other entities in requesting reforms or improvements to current health policies affecting patients and the routine work of the nation's healthcare workforce (Rouse, 2015). The AMA defines its mission as: informing healthcare professionals of advances in the health sector, ensuring better ailment prevention and effectively delivering healthcare for maintaining a healthier nation (Rouse, 2015). Additionally, it disseminates research and practical data… Continue Reading...

Healthcare Administration and Diabetes

activity levels and diet (Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance, 2009). Current Scenario Pre-diabetics are increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S., with DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) figures of the year 2012 claiming that a minimum of 86 million citizens above twenty years were pre-diabetics (Prediabetes and Insulin Resistance, 2009). On a global scale, pre-diabetes is growing in prevalence, and can set in anywhere between seven and ten years prior to clinical diabetes diagnosis. At this juncture, risk factors typically exist and grow, including higher risks of contracting cardiovascular disease. Similarly, cardiovascular disease onset, particularly CAD (coronary artery disease), cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease may transpire as well, which lead… Continue Reading...

Reducing Patient Falls

Clinical/Organizational Problem According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2018), between 700,000 and one million patients in the United States fall while in hospital each year, and about one third of these falls could have been easily prevented with effective administrative procedures and best practice protocols. Yet many organizations lack the quality and safety initiatives they need to prevent patient falls in hospital. As a result of negligence to prevent falls, patients experience a number of injuries that could even lead to higher mortality rates. Hospitals like… Continue Reading...

Medicare Access Reauthorization Act or MACRA

is a piece of history of bipartisan legislation. Eventually, on October 14, 2016 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the department of Health and Human Services, and the regulatory agency which takes care implementing and putting into practice MACRA, gave out an ultimate rule with a comment duration putting into practice the provisions of MACRA. MACRA revokes the highly denounced Sustainable Growth Rate Formula together with its schedule for Medicare Physician Fee (MPF) cuts, substituting it with the Quality Payment Program, which is a new model that focuses on cost measurement and quality, as well as payment and reporting adjustments. Physicians and their assistants, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and… Continue Reading...

Role of Office of National Coordinator

order and the congress mandated associated legislation. The ONC is an entity within the US Department of Health and Human Services. The main purpose of the ONC is basically to promote the national health information technology (HIT) infrastructure and oversee its development. In the context of the healthcare providers, the ONC is seen as a close associate to the nationwide push to have electronic health records to the patients in different hospitals all with the aim of curbing errors in the medical field and to do away with paper records. The mission of the ONC is wide in scope and aimed at meeting the demands… Continue Reading...

Policy Implementation Dietary Guidelines

and how Americans eat, as well as public healthcare. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) are used in setting the standards for the National School Lunch Program, on which many children are dependent for their main source of nutritional calories for the day at low or reduced cost. Physicians are influenced by its guidelines, and ordinary Americans are influenced by the guidelines when they make decisions in the grocery store. As noted by the RWJF, a number of significant modifications were made in the most recent 2015 guidelines, including limiting the sugar… Continue Reading...

Affordable Care Act ACA Implementation State of Florida

penalty (with some exceptions). But Florida, if anything, is even more committed to the provisions of the bill than ever before, given that the Department of Health and Human Services deemed that residents affected by Hurricane Irma located in a FEMA-approved disaster area would have an extended enrollment period until March 31, 2018 last year (Norris, 2018). As a result of Irma, the entire state was classified as eligible for assistance, due to weather-related effects (Norris, 2018). Thus, the state’s unusually pervasive need for healthcare has been federally recognized, despite the current Administration’s hostility to the ACA, and residents continue to purchase ACA plans in large numbers. Initially, there were worries that cost premiums… Continue Reading...

Pledge for Homeless Families in Seattle

developed a white paper and presentation for Alan Painter as well as documents for Department of Social Services and the Department of Health and Human Services to see if they would allow a nurse to work in home for each homeless family with children or single women. To achieve these initiatives, we are proposing a budget increase of 50% from the Federal Government and the City government now. This will result in us providing additional space for the homeless families with children or homeless single women. Furthermore, the additional 50% budget will allow us to have funding to provide the necessities to the additional 812 people that we are trying… Continue Reading...

Why Parents Should Be Liable for Their Children's Bullying

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between one-quarter and one-third of all American school children report being bullied in some fashion, with the highest prevalence of bullying occurring during the middle school years (Facts about bullying 2). It is inappropriate to classify every type of aggressive encounter between youths as bullying because young people are undergoing a profoundly transformative period in their lives when experimentation, peer pressure and the search for individual identity assume truly enormous significance. When some types of unwanted aggressive behaviors persist, however, they conform to the… Continue Reading...

Opioid Crisis in the United States

types of commonly used analgesics such as codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, among numerous others (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019).  What caused crisis? Beginning in the late 1990s, there was growing support among both regulatory boards and the health care community concerning the value of prescribing strong opioids for chronically painful musculoskeletal conditions (Roth & Burgess, 2017). In addition, the pharmaceutical industry also began actively lobbying health care organizations and clinicians during the last 1990s concerning the efficacy of strong opioids for a wide range of painful conditions (Opioid overdose crisis, 2019). In addition, the pharmaceutical industry’s lobbying efforts also included reassurances to… Continue Reading...

Cyberbullying

Department of Health and Human Services, 2019).   When considered in the context of this definition, it becomes clear that bullying is extremely context dependent.  The very same behaviors that are bullying in one scenario may not be bullying in another scenario.  That is because of the balance of power.  “Kids who bully use their power- such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity- to control or harm others” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019).  However, it is also important to realize that power can shift,… Continue Reading...

Working Women and Breastfeeding

enjoy net economic advantages if they allow their female employees to combine breastfeeding and work. The "Business Case for Breastfeeding" initiative of the DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services) claims that, besides increasing experienced personnel's retention, breastfeeding decreases healthcare spending, boosts employee morale, improves organizational image, lowers absenteeism rates, and enhances productivity (Lindsey Murtagh & Anthony D. Moulton, 2011). Challenges from Community The key community-level breastfeeding obstacles may be classified under two broad heads. Literature extensively documents male displeasure with breastfeeding being done in public. Some research works clearly reveal males' greater likelihood to disapprove, as compared to females (Avery, A. B. & Magnus, J. H., 2011). One important discovery that emerged after… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Department Of Health And Human" (2007, November 11) Retrieved May 16, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/department-health-human-34454

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Department Of Health And Human" 11 November 2007. Web.16 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/department-health-human-34454>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Department Of Health And Human", 11 November 2007, Accessed.16 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/department-health-human-34454