Introduction
To date, San Francisco has won national accolades and prides itself for offering affordable health services for over 150,000 uninsured residents since its inception in 2007. San Francisco organization was established by the City and County of San Francisco to provide lab, x-ray, surgery, and preventive health care services to the low and middle-income uninsured residents in the US. Notably, as elucidated inBayer & Fairchild (2013) study, San Francisco offers subsidized medical services to residents earning less than $10,800 annually.
Against this background, this report seeks to explain how Healthy San Francisco organization serves the health care concerns and needs of a population studied in the Windshield Survey. Particularly, a description of the primary health concern for a vulnerable population will be done. Giving insight on how Healthy San Francisco organization currently serves this health care concern will also be examined. Further demonstration on how the organization communicates to the population and identifying the gaps in the health care service provided to the population will constitute the scope of this study. Additionally, elaborating evidence-based strategies to bridge the gaps in health care service provided to the population and identifying possible barriers to implementing these strategies will be examined.
Primary Health Concern
Ingrained in Isaac & Knickman (2015) study, adolescents are most vulnerable group observed in the Windshield Survey. Notably, most of theadolescents are overweight and obese. Further observations establish that these adolescents were exposed to this condition at an earlier age. The study also established that statistically, 20.5% of the 12.7 million children of 12 and 19 in the US have been found to be obese with the highest prevalence in children from low-income families. Since obese is highly correlated with diabetes, hypertension, and the heart diseases, the population is faced with the health concern of addressing this problem
Addressing the Health Concern
In order to address this health concern, San Francisco plays a critical role in educating and inspiring the population in leading healthy lifestyles.Bayer &Fairchild(2013)elucidates that San Francisco’s program emphasizes on physical and cognitive domains of developmental psychology by ensuring that infants obtain nutritious food that helps them achieve physical and mental growth.
In addition, San Franciscoprovides medication, healthy foods, and 30 minutes sensitization program on the importance of adopting a healthy diet, increasing exercise, and observing weight management programs.
Gaps in the Health Care
San Francisco’sprogram holds professionalism in executing its duties but Garrett (2015) argues thatthe 30-minute nutritional sensitization period is too short to improving the nutritional status of participants.
In addition, the eligibility criterion locks out many needy individuals. Ingrained in the criteria, one qualifies if the family income is below185% as per the U.S Poverty Income Guidelines.
Bridging the Gaps
In order to bridge the gap, the program should be adjusted by increasing dietary educational time to at least one hour as this is fundamental to improving the health of breastfeeding mothers and infant children. Secondly, the eligibility criterion should be revised in order to accommodate more needy individuals.
Barriers to Effective Implementation of Strategies
This study cites funding as the major barrier to effective implementation of the strategies. Increasing the numberof needy individuals translates to more funding. Currently, San Francisco obtains monetary funding from business contributions and employers.
Limited access to educational and economic opportunitiesfor the population will also be a barrier in implementing the strategies. Notably, there is a strong correlation between education level, family low income, and accessibility to healthy diets.
References
Bayer, R. & Fairchild, A. (2013). Searching Eyes: Privacy, State and Disease Surveillance in America. Journal of Public health, 34, 52-57.
Garrett, L. (2015). Betrayal of Trust: Collapse of the Global Public Health. New York, NY USA: Hyperion.
Isaac, N., & Knickman, H. (2015). The Concept and theory of human development: Historical and Contemporary Views. Journal of an end of life decisions, 12, 73–82.