Healthy People 2020 The Affordable Care Act was signed into law in the spring of 2010 and was followed later in the year by the launch of a 10-year agenda for improving the Nation's health: . According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, a department of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the initiative is intended, in part, to help identify national health improvement priorities, strengthen policies and improve practices, achieve health equity and improve the health of all groups (https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/About-Healthy-People). Information available at the following links will be used in the preparation of this assignment: Select your state on the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website: Prepare a report discussing the meaningful health gaps in your state and how health policies supporting community and national health can help close those gaps. Your report should also include a discussion of differences in health outcomes and health factors between the county ranked #1 in your state and the one ranked the lowest, suggesting county health policies that could help improve the ranking of the latter. Finally, your report should conclude with a summary of how public policies support community and national health. The body of the report should be 3-4 pages, excluding the title page and references page. The County Health Rankings and the Health Gaps Report must be listed on the references page along with any other references you use in preparing the report. Use the following format for these required references: Your assignment will be graded in accordance with the following criteria. Click to view the grading rubric. Purchase the answer to view it

Introduction

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, along with the launch of Healthy People 2020, a 10-year agenda for improving the nation’s health. Healthy People 2020 is an initiative by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, aimed at identifying national health improvement priorities, strengthening policies and practices, achieving health equity, and improving the health of all groups. This assignment aims to discuss the meaningful health gaps in a selected state, and how health policies supporting community and national health can help close those gaps. It will also compare the health outcomes and factors between the county ranked highest and lowest in the state, and suggest county health policies that could improve the ranking of the latter. Finally, the assignment will summarize how public policies support community and national health.

Meaningful Health Gaps in the Selected State

In order to identify the meaningful health gaps in the selected state, it is important to analyze the data available on the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website. The County Health Rankings provide a comprehensive assessment of the health of counties in the United States, allowing for comparisons and identification of areas for improvement. By examining the data on health outcomes and factors, it is possible to identify significant disparities and gaps in health within the selected state.

One key health gap that may be observed is disparities in access to healthcare. This can be reflected in measures such as the percentage of uninsured individuals, the availability of healthcare providers, and access to preventive services. In the selected state, there may be areas or populations where a significant percentage of individuals lack access to healthcare services, leading to disparities in health outcomes and higher prevalence of preventable diseases.

Another meaningful health gap may pertain to socioeconomic factors that influence health. Socioeconomic factors such as income, education, and employment can have a significant impact on health outcomes. In the selected state, there may be areas or populations with higher levels of poverty, lower educational attainment, and limited employment opportunities, which can contribute to poorer health outcomes and higher rates of chronic diseases.

Furthermore, the selected state may also exhibit disparities in health behaviors. Health behaviors such as tobacco use, physical activity, and healthy eating can greatly influence overall health. There may be areas or populations within the state where unhealthy behaviors are more prevalent, leading to higher rates of obesity, smoking-related diseases, and other preventable health problems.

Differences in Health Outcomes and Factors between the Counties

To understand the differences in health outcomes and factors between the county ranked highest and lowest in the selected state, it is essential to examine the data provided by the County Health Rankings. By comparing the health outcomes and factors of the two counties, it is possible to identify areas for improvement and suggest policies that can help bridge the gap.

One aspect to consider is the health outcomes, which include measures such as premature death rates, infant mortality rates, and self-rated health status. The county ranked highest may have lower premature death rates, lower infant mortality rates, and a higher percentage of residents reporting good or excellent health status, indicating better overall health outcomes compared to the county ranked lowest.

Another aspect to consider is the health factors, which include measures such as health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. The county ranked highest may exhibit healthier behaviors such as lower rates of smoking and obesity, better access to healthcare providers and preventive services, higher levels of educational attainment and income, and a healthier physical environment compared to the county ranked lowest.

By understanding the differences in health outcomes and factors, it is possible to suggest county health policies that could help improve the ranking of the county ranked lowest. These policies may include initiatives to increase access to healthcare services, promote healthy behaviors, enhance educational opportunities, and address environmental factors that impact health.