¶ … responsibilities of the federal, state, and local public health systems?
On a federal level, the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulate food and drug safety, to ensure that American consumers are protected against tainted or unsafe products. The Surgeon General has often been the spearhead of public health campaigns, such as to encourage Americans to quit smoking or to be aware of the gravity of the AIDS epidemic. The White House has likewise championed many public health service campaigns, such as the current 'Let's Move' campaign of Michelle Obama. The Department of Health and Human Services oversees the majority of health-related initiatives on the part of the federal government, including Medicare, the health insurance program provided for all seniors (HHS, 2011, Official Website).
However, state and local public agencies also have substantial responsibilities in safeguarding public safety. "State health agencies must be able to provide the core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, and assurance across the domains of health protection...
2006). State health agencies can declare public health emergencies, such as when there was an outbreak of swine flu several years ago. They issue licenses for specific healthcare practitioners, such as nurses. States also engage in bioterrorism preparedness initiatives. States oversee Medicaid, the health insurance program for Americans living below the poverty level.
Local agencies can provide a variety of health functions to the community, and are often less specifically-defined in nature than those at the national and state level. However, city health departments often have a vital role in monitoring food safety, and all local agencies can offer community-based programs to improve the health of community members, such as activities for youth and health screening days for seniors.
Q2. If you were the national decision maker, would you focus on prevention or health care delivery programs?
When confronted with this dilemma, one's gut instinct is to say 'preventative medicine.' The evidence seems to support this decision, given that preventing…
