HCA 255 TOPIC 1 DQ 1 The executive branch of the federal and state governments enforces health policies based upon the priorities that they give for scarce resources or funds. Explain why a specific priority may be given to fighting a local disease in your home state by the current government and what agencies may be tasked to head this effort.

HCA 255 TOPIC 1 DQ 1 (Two Responses)The executive branch of the federal and state governments enforces health policies based upon the priorities that they give for scarce resources or funds. Explain why a specific priority may be given to fighting a local disease in your home state by the current government and what agencies may be tasked to head this effort.

 

answer:

The Executive Branch of the federal and state governments enforces health policies based upon the priorities that they give for scarce resources or funds. In our home state of North Carolina, one priority is fighting a local disease called alcoholism and what agencies may be tasked to head this effort. We may see the efforts from the President or from Congress members. They may determine how to use the limited resources based on their preferences. Alcoholism is a concern to the government, just like other health issues such as mental illness or obesity.

Financial resources or funds can be allocated to combat a local disease in the state by the current government. The government may allocate funds in three ways: by creating committees, setting aside grants and cooperative agreements, and designating financial priorities.

The federal and state governments in my home state of Hawaii have given their resources to fight the spread of Dengue fever disease. This is because per the World Health Organization, this disease has become a growing public health nightmare in many areas of the United States and the world, including Hawaii. Fighting Dengue fever disease would be the current priority because it is a contagious, mosquito-spreadable illness that causes fever, headaches, joint pain, and red spots on the skin. In fact, according to an article by PBS NewsHour (2015), there are approximately 100 to 400 cases of Dengue each year in Hawaii. The governments in Hawaii publicize this issue as well as give education towards preventing it. The specific agencies tasked for fighting Dengue include the Hawai’i Department of Health Disease Outbreak Control Division under the direction of Dr. Sarah Park and her team; their mission is to prevent disease by monitoring its occurrence and controlling outbreaks when they occur (Hawaiian Department of Health 2015).

Presidents and governors are the leaders of their respective administrations. Both presidents and governors have final say for what their agencies do, within the framework that has been given to it. However, presidents use their bully pulpit to make the American public more aware of what the priority is. An example is President Obama’s mandate on health care reform so that everyone in this country has access to affordable health care. Presidents also have the executive order power to help in these efforts such as issuing a presidential taskforce order that would assemble experts to understand why there is an outbreak in a certain state or place. The governor may be out of state at times or cannot get there immediately so it is up to his or her staff, health department officials, and other state agencies who understand their mandates better than most officials would to enforce these policies.

The Health department of Texas state is in charge with health planning for the citizens. It helps to develop policies for illness prevention for better concern and attention. The agency usually has a set of specific priorities, which determine allocation of resources and efforts for fighting diseases such as AIDS, having adequate drug usage for patients and proper training for health workers. Currently, there are several agencies working together to achieve their duties and responsibilities in achieving the final goals.

The potential of the disease is not fully understood, but it has created much anxiety amongst the community members about the likelihood of its spread. The State agencies for Health and Emergency Management have partnered to create a plan to improve community awareness about how to deal with this disease and it’s prevention. Efforts will be intense during June and July, with community workers educating those who work in food processing facilities and farmers’ markets, as well as those who work with school children on playgrounds and in schools. A public-awareness campaign is planned utilizing social media accompanied by targeted radio announcements.

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