Deck 2: Organizations That Help Shape Community and Public Health

Question 1

After having read this chapter, please respond to the following questions in reference to the scenario at the beginning of the chapter.
The Internet has many sources of information that could help Mary. Use a search engine (e.g., Google) and enter the word "cancer." Find the website of one governmental health agency at the national level and one voluntary health agency that might be able to help her. Explain how these agencies could be of help.

Answer 1

Internet is a global network where one can find any information at any place, time and from any corner of the world.
One governmental health agency at the national level that might be able to help Ms. M is Local health departments (LHDs ). These departments' works fundamentally for the first line delivery of basic public health services to the community people in the country. There are more than 3,000 LHDs in America that worked dedicatedly in making people disease free.
One voluntary health agency at the national level that might help Ms. M is American Liver Foundation that works for the non-profit and voluntary treatment of diseases like cancer, heart diseases, lung problems, etc. These agencies work relentlessly in helping patients get benefits of reasonably priced treatment of their ailments.

Question 2

Why has corporate America become involved in community health?

Answer 2

Corporate America is a voluntary organization that make significant contribution towards the health of the community and maintenance of an environment that is pollution free and disease free.
Corporate America started being involved in community health as a part of their CSR initiative to nullify the use of the natural resources, and the discharge of waste that are part and parcel of their business. In accordance to the kind of pollution and residue these business entities bring to the environment, it becomes their moral duty to make up for the loss and work for the betterment of community and health of its people.
Corporate America works for the provision of healthcare benefits for its employees and is very active in the development of community health. Apart from the wages and salaries, the employees receive good amount of health care benefits from its employers through Corporate America. To increase the healthcare benefits of its employees, several organizations make its employees to attend healthcare programs at the expense of the company to prevent incurring of cost in the healthcare due to accidents and other mishaps.

Question 3

What is the World Health Organization (WHO), and what does it do?

Answer 3

World Health Organization (WHO) is the widely recognized international governmental health organization. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland and it also possesses six regional offices spread around the world.
WHO primarily works for the welfare of the people so that they can achieve highest possible level of health.
The health organization directs and collaborates with international health work and assists government in strengthening the health services.
Besides that, the international health organization establishes and maintains administrative and technical services that include epidemiology and statistical services. It stimulates and advances work to eradicate epidemic, endemic, and other diseases.
Overall WHO works dedicatedly in the development of people's health and health service organizations so that good health could be achieved by all.

Question 4

Call a local voluntary health organization in your community and ask if you could volunteer to work 10 to 15 hours during this academic term. en, volunteer those hours and keep a journal of your experience.

Question 5

After having read this chapter, please respond to the following questions in reference to the scenario at the beginning of the chapter.
If Mary did not have Internet access, how would you suggest she find out about local health agencies in her area that could help her?

Question 6

Which federal department in the United States is the government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves? What major services does this department provide?

Question 7

Carefully review your community newspaper each day for an entire week. Keep track of all articles or advertisements that make reference to local health organizations. Summarize your findings in a one-page paper. (If you do not subscribe to your local paper, copies are available in libraries.)

Question 8

What are the three core functions of public health?

Question 9

What are the 10 essential public health services?

Question 10

How do state and local health departments interface?

Question 11

Using a local telephone book, list all the health-related organizations that service your community. Divide your list by the three major types of health organizations noted in this chapter.

Question 12

What is meant by the term coordinated school health program? What are the major components of it?

Question 13

After having read this chapter, please respond to the following questions in reference to the scenario at the beginning of the chapter.
What type of health agency do you think will be of most help to Mary?

Question 14

What is meant by the term quasi-governmental agency? Name one such agency.

Question 15

What characteristics of modern society necessitate planning and organization for community and public health?

Question 16

Describe the characteristics of a nongovernmental health agency.

Question 17

Make an appointment to interview someone at one of the organizations identified in Activity 1. During your visit, find answers to the following questions:
a. How did the organization begin?
b. What is its mission?
c. How is it funded?
d. How many people (employees and volunteers) work for the organization, and what type of education/training do they have?
e. What types of programs/services does the organization provide?

Question 18

What are the major differences between a governmental health organization and a voluntary health agency?

Question 19

After having read this chapter, please respond to the following questions in reference to the scenario at the beginning of the chapter.
If this scenario were to happen to someone in your community, what recommendations would you give to him or her on seeking help from health agencies?

Question 20

What does a health professional gain from being a member of a professional health organization?

Question 21

What is a governmental health agency?

Question 22

How do philanthropic foundations contribute to community health? List three well-known foundations.

Question 23

Obtain organizational charts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (a copy is in this chapter), your state department of health, and your local health department. Compare and contrast these charts, and describe their similarities and differences.

Question 24

How do service, social, and religious groups contribute to the health of the community?