PHHE 295. Chapter 2. Organizations That Help Shape Community Health

PHHE 295

Chapter 2: Organizations That Help Shape Community Health

Chapter Objectives:

1)      Explain the need for organizing to improve community health.

2)      Explain what a governmental health organization is and give an example of one at each of the following levels—international, national, state, and local.

3)      Explain the role the World Health Organization (WHO) plays in community health.

4)      Briefly describe the structure and function of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

5)      State the three core functions of public health.

6)      List the 10 essential public health services.

7)      Explain the relationship between a state and local health department.

8)      Explain what is meant by the term coordinated school health program.

9)      Define the term quasi-governmental and explain why some health organizations are classified under this term.

10)  List the four primary activities of most voluntary health organizations.

11)  Explain the purpose of a professional health organization/association.

12)  Explain how philanthropic foundations contribute to community health.

13)  Discuss the role that service, social, and religious organizations play in community health.

14)  Identify the major reason why corporations are involved in community health and describe some corporate activities that contribute to community health.

Key Terms:

·         Top-Down Funding: A method of funding in which funds are transmitted from federal or state government to the local level.

·         Governmental Health Agencies: Health agencies that are part of the governmental structure (federal, state, or local) and that are funded primarily by tax dollars.

·         World Health Organization (WHO): The most widely recognized international governmental health organization.

·         World Health Assembly: A body of delegates of the member nations of the WHO.

·         Superfund Legislation: Legislation enacted to deal with the cleanup of hazardous substances in the environment.

·         Care Functions of Public Health: Assessment, policy development, and assurance.

·         Sliding Scale: The scale used to determine the fee for services, based on the ability to pay.

·         Quasi-Governmental Health Organizations: Organizations that have some responsibilities assigned by the government but operate more like voluntary agencies.

·         Voluntary Health Agencies: Nonprofit organizations created by concerned citizens to deal with a health need not met by governmental health agencies.

·         Philanthropic Foundation: An endowed institution that donates money for the goal of humankind.

Chapter Summary

·         Contemporary society is too complex to respond effectively to community health problems on either an emergency or a long-term basis. This fact necessitates organizations and planning for health in our communities.

·         The different types of organizations that contribute to the promotion, protection, and maintenance of health in a community can be classified into three groups according to their sources of funding and organization structure—governmental, quasi-governmental, and nongovernmental.

·         Governmental health agencies exist at the local, state, federal, and international levels and are funded primarily by tax dollars.

·         WHO is the largest and most visible governmental health agency on the international level.

·         The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the U.S. Government’s principle agency for the protection of the health of all Americans and for providing essential human services, especially for those are least able to help themselves.

·         The core functions of public health include the assessment of information on the health of the community, comprehensive public health policy development, and assurance that public health services are provided to the community.

·         Quasi-governmental agencies, such as the American Red Cross, share attributes with both governmental and nongovernmental agencies.

·         Nongovernmental organizations include voluntary and professional associations, philanthropic foundations and service, social and religious groups.

·         Corporate America has also become more involved in community health, both at the worksite and within the community.