How would a new Health Educator and cancer doctor utilize Healthy People 2030?

QUESTION

1) How would a new Health Educator and cancer doctor utilize Healthy People 2030?

2) With the Leading Health Indicators (Nutritious eating, physical activity, and obesity ), how can a health educator monitor success toward the Healthy People 2030 Objectives?

REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2016). Healthy community design. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/healthy_comm_design.htm

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Healthy people 2030 Framework. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/About-Healthy-People/Development-Healthy-People-2030/Framework

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2020. (2020). Leading health indicators 2030: Advancing health, equity, and well-being. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25682.

Video

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020, August 18). Healthy People 2030 Launch: August 18, 2020 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/atDcD86ChC8

ANSWER

Leveraging Healthy People 2030: A Guide for Health Educators and Cancer Doctors in Promoting Health and Monitoring Progress

As a new Health Educator and cancer doctor, Healthy People 2030 can serve as a valuable resource and guide in your work to promote health and prevent cancer. Healthy People is a set of science-based, 10-year national objectives developed by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its overarching goal is to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities across the United States.

Utilizing Healthy People 2030

  Targeting Objectives: Healthy People 2030 provides a comprehensive framework of health objectives across various domains, including cancer prevention and healthy living. As a cancer doctor, you can refer to the specific objectives related to cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment to inform your clinical practice and patient education efforts (Browse Objectives – Healthy People 2030 | health.gov, n.d.). These objectives can guide you in implementing evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention and improving patient outcomes.

 Educational Materials: As a Health Educator, you can leverage the resources available on the Healthy People website to develop educational materials and programs that align with the objectives outlined in Healthy People 2030. These materials can focus on promoting healthy behaviors, raising awareness about cancer risk factors, and providing guidance on early detection and prevention strategies. You can utilize the data and evidence-based recommendations provided in Healthy People 2030 to design effective educational interventions.

Collaboration: Healthy People 2030 encourages collaboration and partnership among various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, community organizations, and policymakers. As a Health Educator and cancer doctor, you can actively engage with local health departments, community-based organizations, and other healthcare professionals to collectively work towards achieving the objectives outlined in Healthy People 2030. Collaboration can help enhance the impact of your efforts by pooling resources and expertise to address cancer prevention and health promotion comprehensively.

Monitoring success toward Healthy People 2030 objectives with Leading Health Indicators (LHIs)

 The Leading Health Indicators (LHIs) identified in Healthy People 2030 serve as measurable targets to track progress toward achieving the overarching health goals (Ochiai et al., 2021). The LHIs related to nutritious eating, physical activity, and obesity can be particularly relevant for a health educator monitoring success. Here are some approaches to monitor progress:

 Data Collection

Health educators can utilize a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to assess the current status of nutritious eating, physical activity, and obesity rates in their target population. This can include conducting surveys, analyzing health records, and collaborating with public health agencies to access relevant data sources. By collecting baseline data, you can establish a starting point and track changes over time.

 Outcome Measure

 Identify specific outcome measures that align with the LHIs related to nutritious eating, physical activity, and obesity. For example, you can track changes in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, engagement in regular physical activity, and changes in body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. These measures can help you evaluate the impact of your educational interventions and programs on the target population.

 Evaluation and Feedback

 Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your educational interventions and programs using a combination of process evaluation (e.g., program implementation fidelity) and outcome evaluation (e.g., changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors) (Kien et al., 2018). Collect feedback from participants to understand their experiences and make necessary adjustments to improve the effectiveness of your interventions.

 Collaborative Efforts

 Engage with local health departments, community organizations, and other stakeholders to share data, monitor progress collectively, and exchange best practices. Collaborative efforts can provide a broader perspective and allow for a comprehensive assessment of success toward the LHIs.

By utilizing Healthy People 2030 and monitoring progress toward the LHIs, you can align your efforts as a Health Educator and cancer doctor with national objectives, contribute to improving population health, and track the impact of your interventions on the target population.

References

Browse Objectives – Healthy People 2030 | health.gov. (n.d.). https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives 

Kien, C., Grillich, L., Nussbaumer-Streit, B., & Schoberberger, R. (2018). Pathways leading to success and non-success: a process evaluation of a cluster randomized physical activity health promotion program applying fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. BMC Public Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6284-x 

Ochiai, E., Kigenyi, T., Sondik, E. J., Pronk, N., Kleinman, D. V., Blakey, C., Fromknecht, C. Q., Heffernan, M., & Brewer, K. J. (2021). Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicators and Overall Health and Well-being Measures: Opportunities to Assess and Improve the Health and Well-being of the Nation. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 27(Supplement 6), S235–S241. https://doi.org/10.1097/phh.0000000000001424