Health Policy: Definition, Societal Impact and Target Population

This report delves into the multifaceted aspects of health policy, emphasizing the critical role of health definitions, societal influences, and target populations. It begins by establishing the significance of accurately defining health in the context of policy-making, highlighting how these definitions guide health professionals, shape policy frameworks, and influence the understanding of health issues. The report explores how societal values and beliefs impact health policy development, particularly in areas like healthcare access and ethical considerations. It examines the concept of target populations, emphasizing the need to adapt policies to changing demographics and advancements in healthcare. A case analysis of Cigna illustrates how a major health service provider aligns its policies with the World Health Organization's definition of health, integrating physical, social, and psychological well-being into its service delivery. The report concludes by underscoring the vital link between health definitions, population identification, and the overall effectiveness of health policies, advocating for clarity and alignment to achieve desired healthcare outcomes.

Process of Identification
Definition

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
Significance of health definition in health policy ...........................................................................1
Target population ............................................................................................................................1
Impact of societal influence on defining and identifying health policy ..........................................2
Case analysis ...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Health policy can be defined as the set of strategies and action plan which help to take
necessary decisions for achieving definite health outcomes. The study will discuss that how
health definition, societal influences and target population affect health policy frameworks.
Significance of health definition in health policy
Health is define as the overall well-being of people in terms of physical as well as mental
aspects. It is essential to correctly define the health and related issues so that the health policy
can be critically evaluated. The accurate and relevant health definition allows to follow the
technological advancements in improvement of healthcare policy. Health definition guides the
health professionals to analyse the health issues and relevant recommendations (Jacobs & et.al.,
2017). These definitions are considered as combination of realistic experiences as well as
imagination which represents the future possibilities.
However any kind of discrepancy in health definition can create misunderstanding among
practitioners as well as target audience. This type of non-clarity in the health care can not only
affect the efficiency and accuracy of health professionals but can also mislead the people
regarding health practices. This in turn will cause the failure to achieve the health objectives as
per the policy. Health definition is significant enough that it can alter the perspective of social
determinants and perspective of heath service providers towards the policy framework and the
related issue.
Thus for regulating authorities it becomes very essential and challenging to define health
in a way that it gives clear description of the health concern and it is not misinterpreted by
service users and providers. Health definitions also form the basis for operational principles in
healthcare settings by instructing people and professionals regarding proposed actions in
healthcare policy.
Target population
Within health policy the guidelines, methodologies and health interventions are
dependent upon the communities which are prone or vulnerable to the discussed health issue
(Blank, Burau & Kuhlmann, 2017). The target population can be defined as the community or
group which may get affected by the health policy or the communities around whom the policy
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will revolve. The considerations, experiences and assumptions developed in the policy are
dependent upon the target population. It is observed that these audiences do not remains
constant.
For instance when any health care policy aims at improving the health conditions of
women who are planning for child. Though initially there may be a fix age limit for the women
benefiting with the health policy. However it is possible that with time there may be a shift in the
interest and age of women when they will gave birth. Thus the scope target audience will shift on
the basis of age.
Similarly it is also possible that with time the technology involved in the treatment
process, rationale for the health issue and vulnerable groups may change. In such cases it is
necessary to change the scope the target population so that better outcomes can be achieved as
well as the evolutionary progress of the health issue can also be determined (Jacobs & et.al.,
2017). When the health policies are aimed at conducting research on any specific issue then also
target population can be adjusted for acquiring more accurate and relevant results.
Impact of societal influence on defining and identifying health policy
Societal values play great role on developing health policies. When healthcare policies
are not in alignment with the social values and beliefs then it may lead to conflicts between
service providers and users. For instance there has been constant debate on the issues such as
right to die or organ transplantation. These health concerns are visualised from different
perspectives in different culture and society. In societies which do not agree with such type of
policies health professionals may find it challenging to implement them.
On the other hand if communities are willing to adopt changes then healthcare service
providers can develop new and advanced policies with higher probability of success. Whenever
there are conflicts on implementation and formulation of the health policies then the adaptation
of the alternatives and methods is governed by the societal values. It has also been observed that
the personal decisions taken by individuals in their health assessment and care are also
influenced by their social roles and values followed by them (Stoddart & Evans, 2017). Thus
when health definitions are provided by authorities then it needs to be ensured that its outcomes
and remedies are in alignment with the society so that people can adopt and follow them. The
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identification of these policies is also regulated by the interference from social principles and
ethics.
Case analysis
Cigna is one the most popular and successful health service provider which is based in
United States. Along with the care support this healthcare organization also provides Medicaid
products and insurance services. According to the world health organisation the health is defined
as the complete well being of an individual from physical, social as well as psychological
perspective (World Health Organization, 2015). Thus a healthy individual is free from diseases
and is capable to manage balance in its inner equilibrium against external environmental
changes.
The health policies of Cigna are completely in alignment with the above discussed
definition of health. The service organisation ensures that while delivering services human rights
are not neglected. All governing and ethical regulations are followed by the Cigna to ensure that
all target populations can get benefits from the services. Along with the care services to improve
the physical imbalance the organisation also works forward to improve health of people mentally
as well as socially (Bacchi, 2016). For instance the staff members of organisation communicate
effectively with the people so that their concerns can be understood and services can be
provided in accordance with it. For the people suffering with mental disorders and who are not
able to afford health services the organisation regularly conducts charity events in which they
can help sufficient health care services.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that the process of defining health and identifying the associated
population with the health framework is one of the vital element of health policies. These factors
determine the accuracy and efficiency of the developed health care model.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bacchi, C., (2016). Problematizations in health policy: questioning how “problems” are
constituted in policies. SAGE Open. 6(2). 2158244016653986.
Blank, R., Burau, V. & Kuhlmann, E. (2017). Comparative health policy. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Jacobs, E. & et.al., (2017). DEFINING THE RELEVANT OUTCOME MEASURES IN
MEDICAL DEVICE ASSESSMENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEFINITION
PROCESS IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT.International journal of
technology assessment in health care.33(1). 84-92.
Stoddart, G. L. & Evans, R. G. (2017). Producing health, consuming health care. In Why are
some people healthy and others not? (pp. 27-64). Routledge.
World Health Organization. (2015). World report on ageing and health. World Health
Organization.
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