Health assessment
Health and Health Promotion Theory Paper
Sorleny Restrepo
Professor Pinky A Noble-Britton
May12, 2013
Introduction
In 2007, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the 31st Annual Report on the Health Status of the Nation that identified that the health status of Americans is declining (Health, United States, 2007). The report recognized an increase in the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors, specifically physical inactivity and obesity. Physical inactivity and obesity are risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 70% of all deaths and a majority of limitations of daily living activities in the United States are the results of chronic diseases. Many of these diseases are either preventable or manageable by adopting healthy living practices (CDC June 2, 2008).
Never before has health promotion been more important than it is today. Nurses in education, practice, and research settings can participate in the advancement of health promotion not only to the mainstream but to the forefront of nursing practice (King, 1994). Historically, nurse educators have taught patients how to manage illness; in the future, the focus must be on teaching people how to remain healthy. Nurses must have an evidence-based understanding of the significant effect that can be made through health promotion interventions and communicate this understanding to the public at large. As more people grow in their awareness of activities that lead to good health and become knowledgeable about their own health status and the health of their families, the overall health of the population will improve (King, 1994).
Health
Health is an elusive term. It is a term that many people think they understand until they are asked to define or describe it and then asked how they would
Sorleny Restrepo
Professor Pinky A Noble-Britton
May12, 2013
Introduction
In 2007, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the 31st Annual Report on the Health Status of the Nation that identified that the health status of Americans is declining (Health, United States, 2007). The report recognized an increase in the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors, specifically physical inactivity and obesity. Physical inactivity and obesity are risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 70% of all deaths and a majority of limitations of daily living activities in the United States are the results of chronic diseases. Many of these diseases are either preventable or manageable by adopting healthy living practices (CDC June 2, 2008).
Never before has health promotion been more important than it is today. Nurses in education, practice, and research settings can participate in the advancement of health promotion not only to the mainstream but to the forefront of nursing practice (King, 1994). Historically, nurse educators have taught patients how to manage illness; in the future, the focus must be on teaching people how to remain healthy. Nurses must have an evidence-based understanding of the significant effect that can be made through health promotion interventions and communicate this understanding to the public at large. As more people grow in their awareness of activities that lead to good health and become knowledgeable about their own health status and the health of their families, the overall health of the population will improve (King, 1994).
Health
Health is an elusive term. It is a term that many people think they understand until they are asked to define or describe it and then asked how they would