NSB303: Health Promotion and Chronic Disease - Ruby Pascal Case Study

This case study focuses on Ruby Pascal, a patient facing multiple health challenges including poorly managed type 2 diabetes, general anxiety disorder, limited health literacy, poor lifestyle choices, and social isolation. The assignment analyzes Ruby's situation and proposes health promotion interventions to address these issues. The analysis highlights the importance of improved health literacy through patient education, promoting positive lifestyle changes with nutrition and exercise plans, and addressing social isolation through community involvement and support groups. The study emphasizes evidence-based strategies and interventions to improve Ruby's overall health outcomes and quality of life. The interventions include patient education from the GP, lifestyle changes like nutrition and exercise, and reducing social isolation through community service and volunteer activities.

Running head: HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 1
Healthcare Promotion and Chronic Disease: A Case Study
Name of Student
Institutional Affiliation

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

HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 4
health risk factors. In Ruby’s case, regular exercise will enable her to manage her weight. A
planned nutrition plan will ensure that she is having a healthy diet. These two strategies will
improve her ability to cope with diabetes and overweight issues. According to Lappalainen et al.
(2014), people with metabolic conditions and psychological distress have realized significant
positive healthcare milestones through lifestyle changes.
Social isolation paves the way for psychological distress and anxiety among patients with
chronic disorders. Studies have shown that leisure and skill development and befriending
interventions are essential in reducing social isolation tendencies among individuals (Gardiner,
Geldenhuys, & Gott, 2018). Social isolation could lead to increased agitation, depressive
tendencies, and continuous negative thoughts. In this case, a patient diagnosed with a health
condition could experience exacerbated symptoms when they exhibit and experience social
isolation (Gardiner, Geldenhuys, & Gott, 2018). Social isolation contributed to the subsequent
anxiety attacks that Ruby witnessed. It is essential to note that several strategies have been
recommended to mitigate social isolation among patients. Involvement in charity and volunteer
activities could improve one’s ability to socialize as one of the strategies in befriending
interventions. At the same time, undertaking short course programs for new skills such as fitness
training, nutrition course, and joining support groups could be used to increase personal
development and life skills. When patients engage in community or charity activities, they meet
people and make friends. On the other hand, when isolated people decide to join support groups
or learn new skills, they create opportunities for new experiences. A critical review of Ruby’s
case ascertains that she could achieve significant health milestones by joining support groups,
engage in community support initiatives, or start learning a new life or social skill. With these

HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 5
measures, she will be in a position to overcome the anxiety that originates from isolation and
lack of friends.
In conclusion, scholars have shown how health promotion could mitigate a significant
number of healthcare problems and improve patient outcomes. Improved health literacy could
enhance patients’ ability to understand their medication and treatment intervention. Education
programs with GP or social worker could improve patient knowledge and awareness. Lifestyle
changes could also reduce health complication risks. Additionally, social isolation could be
prevented through community service and volunteer activities or joining social groups. Based on
Ruby’s case, she can work with her GP to understand her medication and self-management.
Additionally, she should embrace a lifestyle change by adopting a balanced diet ad routine
exercise.

HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 6
References
Alouki, K., Delisle, H., Bermúdez-Tamayo, C., & Johri, M. (2016). Lifestyle Interventions to
Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluation Studies. Journal
of diabetes research, 2016, 2159890. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2159890
Gardiner, C., Geldenhuys, G., Gott, M. (2018). Interventions to reduce social isolation and
loneliness among older people: an integrative review. Health and Social Care in the
Community, 26(2), 147–157. DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12367
Kolu, P., Raitanen, J., Rissanen, P., & Luoto, R. (2013). Cost-effectiveness of lifestyle
counseling as primary prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus: findings from a cluster-
randomized trial. PLoS ONE, 8(2), e56392.
Lappalainen, R., Sairanen, E., Järvelä, E., Rantala, S., Korpela, R., Puttonen, S., Kujala, U. M.,
Myllymäki, T., Peuhkuri, K., Mattila, E., Kaipainen, K., Ahtinen, A., Karhunen, L.,
Pihlajamäki, J., Järnefelt, H., Laitinen, J., Kutinlahti, E., Saarelma, O., Ermes, M., &
Kolehmainen, M. (2014). The effectiveness and applicability of different lifestyle
interventions for enhancing wellbeing: the study design for a randomized controlled trial
for persons with metabolic syndrome risk factors and psychological distress. BMC public
health, 14, 310. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-310
Lewis, L., Taylor, M., Broom, J., & Johnston, K. L. (2014). The cost-effectiveness of the Lighter
Life weight management program as an intervention for obesity in England. Clinical
Obesity, 4(3); 180–188.
Oostdam, N., Bosmans, J., Wouters, J., Eekhoff, E. M. W., Mechelen, W., & Poppel, M. N.
(2012). Cost-effectiveness of an exercise program during pregnancy to prevent

HEALTHCARE PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE 7
gestational diabetes: results of an economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled
trial,” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 12, 64.
Stormacq, C., Wosinski, J., & Broucke, S. (2016). The effectiveness of health
literacy interventions on health-related outcomes among socioeconomically
disadvantaged adults living in the community: A systematic review protocol. JBI
Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 14(2), 49-63. DOI:
10.11124/jbisrir-2016-2501.
Visscher, B.B., Steunenberg, B., & Heijmans, M. (2018). Evidence on the effectiveness of health
literacy interventions in the EU: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 18, 1414
(2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6331-7.