Health and Social Care: Exploring Public Health's Key Responsibilities

This report delves into the critical role of public health within the health and social care framework, focusing on the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. It explores the responsibilities of public health agencies at international, national, and local levels, highlighting the importance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Public Health England. The report examines the epidemiology of infectious diseases like HIV and non-infectious diseases like breast cancer, using statistical data to illustrate their prevalence. It evaluates various approaches and strategies for controlling disease incidence, including primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Furthermore, the report analyzes current priorities and approaches to service provision, such as prevention, treatment, and palliative care, while also investigating the relationship between disease prevalence and the requirements of health and social care services. It concludes by assessing the impact of lifestyle choices on future needs and discussing health and well-being priorities in health and social care settings, including safety, diet, and exercise.

Role of public health in
health and social care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
1.1. Explaining role of different agencies identifying levels of health and disease in
communities................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Explaining the epidemiology of one infectious and one non infectious diesease that is
widespread in their country with the help of statistical data.......................................................2
1.3. Evaluating the effectiveness of different approaches and strategies to control the
incidence of disease in communities...........................................................................................2
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................3
2.1. Using of relevant research in determining current priorities and approaches to the
provision of services for people having illness or disease..........................................................3
2.2. Explaining the relationship between the prevalence of disease and requirements of
services supporting individuals within health and social care....................................................4
2.3. Analysing impact of current lifestyle choices on future needs............................................4
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................5
3.1. Assessing health and well being priorities for individuals in a particular health and social
care setting..................................................................................................................................5
3.2. Evaluating the effectiveness of strategies, systems and policies in health or social care
setting..........................................................................................................................................5
3.3. Discussing changes that could be made for improving the health and well being of
individuals...................................................................................................................................6
3.4. Evaluating an activity that has been implemented to encourage behaviour change for
maximising health for individuals...............................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Public health is that term which emphasises health improvement, health protection and
collective responsibility for health, disease protection and also prevention (Cashman and Hayes,
2017). In this report, NHS has been taken into consideration. It is a Health and social care which
was established in 1948 as one of the major social reforms that follows Second World War.
In the following report, three task will be explained. In section 1, different strategies and
approaches in order to measure, monitor, and control various incidence of disease. In other
section of this report, implications of approaches and priorities to provision of services to the
people with illness and disease. Further, relationship between prevalence of service and also
disease which is needed. In addition to this, the third task includes the understanding of factors
that leads in influencing and well being of setting related to health and social care will be
discussed in this assignment.
LO 1
1.1. Explaining role of different agencies identifying levels of health and disease in communities.
Public health agencies in communities are basically responsible in order to protect, assess
and also assure individual, community and environmental health. Thus, different agencies that
identifies levels of health and disease in communities are at three levels that includes
international level, national level and local level authorities. In international level it includes
WHO, national level it includes public health England, Department of health and at local level
authorities it involves CCG, Health and well being. (De Lyon, Neville and Armour, 2017)
At international level- WHO is the one that leads in providing leadership on those matters
that are actually termed as critical to health. It also leads in engaging in partnership where there
is requirement of joint action and also need to shape the research agenda. Further, they also
provides with technical support, catalysing change and also monitoring situation of health and
also assessing trends related to health.
The other agency is the Public Health England which is the executive agency that was
founded on 1st April 2013. the main aim of this agency is to protect and improve the health and
well being of nation and also reduce inequalities related to health. Further, they also lead in
encouraging discussions, advising government and also supports actions that is by the local
government.
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This authority that is local take steps in order to ensure that they are aware of the
requirements that is needed by health of their local population and also take appropriate actions
to address those needs.
1.2. Explaining the epidemiology of one infectious and one non infectious diesease that is
widespread in their country with the help of statistical data.
Epidemiology is termed as the study of both distribution and determinants of conditions
related to health and disease in defined populations (Hills, Dengel and Lubans, 2015). Further, it
also helps in collecting data and also in monitoring disease and many other health problems of a
community. Thus, the epidemiology of one infectious and one non infectious disease that is wide
spread in United Kingdom has been discussed as per below context-
Infectious disease
HIV is that virus which is basically caused by deficiency of human immune and is very
fragile. The main reason that leads this disease to spread is due to exchange of body fluids such
as semen, blood or tissue transplants. Thus, in the year 2012, the number of people who were
suffering with this disease were 6,360 and this number reached to 100,000 at the end of the
respective year. The recent estimate suggests that there were around 101,600 people in United
Kingdom those who were suffering with HIV aids in the year 2017. the borough therefore with
highest proportion of residents who have been therefore diagnosed. Further, it has also been
estimated that quarter of people those who are suffering with HIV are unaware that they have it.
In addition to this, it has also been analysed that 51% were having this due to sex between men.
Non-infectious disease
Breast cancer is that type of illness that develops from breast tissue. The major sign of
breast cancer includes a limp in the breast, a change in shape or a red and swell patch of skin.
This occurs mainly in older women. It has also been estimated that it have become less deadly
relatively speaking. Thus in 2013, the latest year were 284 out of every 100,000 people in The
United Kingdom dies from this disease.
1.3. Evaluating the effectiveness of different approaches and strategies to control the incidence
of disease in communities.
 Primordial prevention- This approach basically seeks in order to prevent disease at the
first stage (Irish, and et.al., 2015). This is often before any kind of risk factor that is
present in a particular context. Further, it also leads in preventing those activities that
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encourages the emergence of lifestyles, behaviours and exposure patterns that basically
contributes to increased risk in terms of disease.
 Primary prevention- It is the prevention of disease that is through the control of exposure
towards factors related to risk. There are various strategies in terms of primary prevention
that includes population wide strategies, high risk strategies.
 Secondary prevention- This is the application that is related to available measures in
order to detect early departures from health and also to introduce appropriate treatment
and also interventions. The major component of this is secondary prevention.
 Tertiary prevention- This is that application related to measures that leads in reducing and
eliminating long term impairments and also disabilities. It also leads in minimising that
suffering which is basically caused by the existing departures from good health and also
assists in promoting the adjustments of patients towards their conditions.
LO 2
2.1. Using of relevant research in determining current priorities and approaches to the provision
of services for people having illness or disease.
The current priorities and approaches to the provision of services for those people who
are suffering from illness and disease has been discussed as per below context-
 Prevention- Prevention is termed as an action that leads in eradicating, eliminating and
also in minimising the impact of illness, disease and also disability. The main aim of this
prevention is to preserve and restore health and also to minimise distress and suffering.
 Treatment- The main purpose of treatment is to destroy the agent that is infectious. This
treatment reduces the duration in terms of illness and also prevents various other
secondary complications. Further, in some of the diseases this treatment interrupts the
transmission. The main aim of this is to relief pain and cure them in order to prevent
death and disability. It also leads in keeping blood glucose level normal.
 Palliative care- This is one of the main approach that leads in improving the quality of
life of patients and also their families that faces the problem which is associated with
illness that is life threatening. This is that type of care that provides support to patients in
order to live actively until death.
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2.2. Explaining the relationship between the prevalence of disease and requirements of services
supporting individuals within health and social care.
Prevalence is termed as that proportion of individuals in a population that have a disease
and characteristics. It is also defined as one of the statistical concept that refers to a number of
cases of a disease that are basically present in a particular population of United kingdom.
Prevalence tell what is happening at a certain point and also affects quality of health and social
care services of Government that includes planning, funding, partnership working in order to
support individuals (Perron, Inglis, Pennings and Cobey, 2015). Thus, the prevalence in UK and
requirements of services is discussed below-
AIDS or HIV is one of the most common disease in the that is caused by virus named as human
immunodeficiency virus. The risk factors of HIV/AIDS are sharing syringes or needles or birth
which is known as perinatal transmission.
 Planning- The transmission of HIV requires planning in order to respond the demands of
services. Thus, planning includes strategies that helps in reducing prevalence of disease,
early diagnosis services, training and professional development, etc.
 Funding- thus, to work on planning process, the government of United kingdom has to
face funding problem. The overall cost of treatment is therefore increasing due to rising
number of people that is diagnosed with HIV.
 Partnership working- NHS has to work with coordination with all other health care
organisations in order to provide people with effective services. Partnership working
basically means to provide services for primary health care, clinical healthcare family
care, etc.
2.3. Analysing impact of current lifestyle choices on future needs.
Lifestyle choice is that decision which is made by person in terms of how to live, behave
as per their attitudes, tastes and values. Thus, the lifestyle of people have huge impact on the
services related to social care and also on future needs for health and social care services.
Therefore, some of the lifestyle choices and their impact on future needs has been discussed as
per below context-
 Exercises- In order to develop and also to maintain the functions of body exercise plays
extremely important role. Further, it also helps in maintaining healthy weight, reduce
stress and depression and also reduces high blood pressure, stroke heart disease risk, etc.
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 Smoking and alcohol consumption- These are the bad choice of lifestyle that person
makes as it results in multiple complications in human body. This choice mainly affects
lungs and can also cause high risk of cancer. Therefore, it must be avoided by the people
to avoid various risk of illness.
 Relaxation- Work makes people tired and stressed, so it becomes important in order to
relax and also to have fun sometimes. Thus, there is a strong connection between both
relaxation and also physical and mental health. In addition to this, it also helps in
reducing stress and also in improving mood and memory.
LO 3
3.1. Assessing health and well being priorities for individuals in a particular health and social
care setting.
Health and well being is the term that is described as the absence of physical illness,
disease and also mental distress (Pilkington, Powell and Davis, 2016). Thus, health and well
being priorities has been discussed as per below context-
 Safety and security- the health and safety is always termed as the first and important
priority. Thus, people are being encouraged to explore the environment and also to be
independent and settings are kept safe and also hazard free. The equipments that were
used in setting are safe and also clean.
 Diet and food- this is also an important aspect that is used in promoting health of people.
Thus, NHS must offer nutritious meals and also positive experience in mealtime. The
staff of the national health and social care service that handles food must be well trained
and careful about hygiene of the food.
 Intellectual, social and emotional needs- This are the three building blocks in terms of
development. The main aim of this is to improve the well being of all individuals that are
involved and reduce the inequalities between them and must also respect their religious
and cultural values.
3.2. Evaluating the effectiveness of strategies, systems and policies in health or social care
setting.
One of the mostly implemented system is to involve the family. Families are therefore
involved in order to create positive atmosphere that leads in strengthening their health (Rosen,
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2015). Families are offered to give feedback regarding the services that are offered to the patients
of NHS.
The strategy in NHS is child centred approach. This is an application which helps child in
making and taking any kibnd of decision on thjeir own and also leads in establishing their own
ideas. The main aim of rthis approach is to make cvhildren free and also to give them ability of
using their own individual ideas and also approaches. It has been analysed that every child is
different so it becomes difficult to read and understand their mind sometimes.
Further, NHS has alsp implemented policies and regulations. Some of the policies that
has been implemented under Health and Safety at work act 1974 are as follows-
 Health and safety policy
 Confidential policy
 Food hygiene policy
COSHH
3.3. Discussing changes that could be made for improving the health and well being of
individuals.
To improve the health and well being of individuals some changes can be done which are
as follows-
 Organisational change-Organisational change are those change that includes Management
structure changes, improving roles and responsibilities of employees, internal
communication and policy changes. Thus, all these can be done by arranging meetings
between staff and management of NHS. Therefore, this meeting will lead them in
improving relationship and communication between staff.
 Behavioural change- this change basically refers to effort that is made in order to change
personal habits of the people in order to prevent any kind of disease. There are usually
three behaviours of people that includes poor diet, little to non physical activity and also
smoking.
Thus, change and also improvement that takes place in setting will provide NHS with better
work environment and also in improving the outcome and experiences for those who get services
of the cited organisation.
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3.4. Evaluating an activity that has been implemented to encourage behaviour change for
maximising health for individuals.
For a development of children, physical activity is playing a vital role. The method that is
needed b y children is play based, physically active learning according to interest and ability.
There are various physical activities options that has been implemented in the setting of NHS
(Schneider, 2016). There are various benefits of physical exercise. It includes the following-
 Improving strength and balance
 Building muscles and strong bones.
 Help in maintaining healthy weight.
 Developing and maintaining the flexibility.
 Improving confidence and self esteem also.
 Improving sleep, etc.
Physical activities plays significant role but there are number of obstacles that can be identifies.
 There is lack of self motivation in some of the children.
 There is also lack of confidence.
 Some of them are scared of being injured
 some have low level of self efficiency.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that Public health helps in improving and
protecting Nations health. The first priorities has also been analysed that includes identifying and
responding new diseases and also controlling them. Further, this report also helps in determining
that there are various services that support in effective way within the health and social care
provision. In addition to this, public health also leads in terms of understanding the challenges
and develop systems in order to deal with them. This study also highlights on the steps that is
taken by the NHS in order to improve the understandings of health and also improving Nations
health.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Cashman, K. D. and Hayes, A., 2017. Red meat's role in addressing ‘nutrients of public health
concern’. Meat science. 132. pp.196-203.
De Lyon, A.T., Neville, R.D. and Armour, K.M., 2017. The role of fitness professionals in
public health: a review of the literature. Quest. 69(3). pp.313-330.
Hills, A.P., Dengel, D.R. and Lubans, D.R., 2015. Supporting public health priorities:
recommendations for physical education and physical activity promotion in
schools. Progress in cardiovascular diseases. 57(4). pp.368-374.
Irish, L.A., and et.al., 2015. The role of sleep hygiene in promoting public health: A review of
empirical evidence. Sleep medicine reviews. 22. pp.23-36.
Perron, G.G., Inglis, R.F., Pennings, P.S. and Cobey, S., 2015. Fighting microbial drug
resistance: a primer on the role of evolutionary biology in public health. Evolutionary
applications. 8(3). pp.211-222.
Pilkington, P., Powell, J. and Davis, A., 2016. Evidence-based decision making when designing
environments for physical activity: The role of public health. Sports Medicine. 46(7).
pp.997-1002.
Rosen, G., 2015. A history of public health. JHU Press.
Schneider, M.J., 2016. Introduction to public health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
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