Healthcare Promotion And Chronic Disease

Running head: HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 1
Healthcare Promotion and Chronic Disease: A Case Study
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HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 2
Healthcare Promotion and Chronic Disease: A Case Study
Health promotion plays a key role in improving the healthcare of patients and the
community. As identified in the previous section, Ruby is facing three critical healthcare
problems that are affecting her quality of life. Ruby has limited health literacy, which explains
why she is not aware of the role and effects of diabetes medication as well as self-medicated
valium. At the same time, Ruby has a poor lifestyle that exacerbates her health condition.
Additionally, she is socially isolated and does not have close individuals to interact with and ask
for help. For each of the three problems, studies have ascertained the existence of health
promotion intervention and strategies that could assist Ruby and other patients facing similar
challenges. This essay provides evidence-based justification and discussion of the proposed
interventions and strategies to mitigate the three problems characterizing Ruby’s case.
Based on Ruby’s case, the lack of health literacy is the primary problem she is
experiencing. The intervention for this problem is improving her health literacy skills. Scholars
have shown that improved literacy among patients and across the community is associated with
improved wellbeing (Visscher, Steunenberg, & Heijmans, 2018). Low level of healthcare
literacy is linked to adverse outcomes in health as seen IN Ruby’s case. According to Stormacq,
Wosinski, and Broucke (2016), healthcare literacy is considered a public health concern across
the globe. Individuals could improve their level of literacy by enhancing different skills that are
geared towards increasing awareness regarding basic healthcare concepts. The issue of self-
medication and the impact of specific prescribed medicines increases the wellbeing of patients
and reduces risks (Visscher, Steunenberg, & Heijmans, 2018). Patients require four key skills
and competencies for improved health. Individuals require knowledge on how to access services,
understand the provided information, appraise and interpret the available evidence, and apply the

HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 3
acquired knowledge to improve their wellbeing (Craline et al., 2016). For example, Ruby’s
health could improve if she can access, understand, appraise, and apply the required knowledge
associated with diabetes medications and the effects of valium self-medication. One of the
proposed strategies for achieving improved healthcare literacy is through patient education.
When general practitioners, clinicians, and nurses share information about diagnosis and
treatment measures with the patients, they enhance their knowledge. In this case, patients and
practitioners should work closely to enhance quality outcomes through healthcare literacy
(Craline et al., 2016). In Ruby’s case, her GP could help her develop essential skills that could be
used to overcome the problems she is currently facing. Through planned education, the GP could
teach Ruby specific issues relating to diabetes medication as well as other factors that could
enhance her ability to cope with diabetes and anxiety.
Another challenge depicted in Ruby’s case is poor lifestyle practices, which have
exacerbated her health condition. Scholarly literature ascertains that the primary intervention to
eradicate lifestyle-related health problems is a positive lifestyle change (Oostdam et al., 2012).
Different lifestyle interventions have been linked to improved wellbeing. Controlled randomized
clinical assessments have shown that patients with depression, anxiety, or diabetes could
experience a positive change by adopting a lifestyle change (Kolu et al., 2012; Lewis et al.,
2014). The studies have extended to different health problems associated with high metabolic
risks, psychological distress, and poor physical outcomes (Lappalainen et al. 2014). Strategies
associated with lifestyle change include adopting a healthy lifestyle through a nutrition plan and
exercise routine. Planned diet and exercise have a positive impact on people with depressive
symptoms and critical health conditions. In diabetes, a healthy diet will improve coping abilities
among patients (Alouki et al., 2016). Through regular exercise, it is possible to reduce poor