Multiple spheres of influence on health resources

I found this video summarizing the ecological model and applying the model to public health. The video uses the example of obesity to demonstrate each of the levels and themultidirectional flow of influence between the levels.

https://youtu.be/xhUxOZRn_4E?si=QStV-boeTHhxZfP7s

The institute of medicine defines the ecological model as “The model of health the emphasis’s the linkages and relationships among multiple factors or determinants effecting health.” Working in healthcare I find we often have a model or policy to work off of but applying the model/policy can be challenging. I work under the portfolio if Special Populations and our clients often face health inequalities that policy doesn’t always consider. The IOM distinguishes between the ecological model—a framework for the determinants of health--an ecological view, which is an understanding of health outcomes within that framework, and an ecological approach, which involves developing strategies to influence multiple levels and determinants of health.(Institute of Medicine, 2003)

This Journal articleA perspective on the Development of the Healthy People 2020 Framework for improving U.S population Health provides a review of the federal initiative started back in the 1970’s. The Healthy People initiative was created to be a “national mechanism for action and investment prioritization through the identification and measurement of progress towards a common set of major health objectives.” (Jonathan E. Fielding, 2013)The latest version Healthy People 2020 gives more prominence to health promotion and preventative approaches, and add a substantiative focus on the importance of addressing the social determinants of health.

I found reading through Healthy People 2020 report to be a valuable resource because the frame work is around how the individual level and population level solutions must be embedded together for a comprehensive strategy towards disease prevention and health promotion. In the past the individual level/personal responsibility and population level/environmental factors have had differing policies. However, the highlights how “reducing inequalities in the social environment (e.g., crime) and inequalities in the physical environment (e.g., access to healthful foods, parks, and transportation) can help to improve key health behaviors and other determinants and, consequently, meet numerous health objectives.” (Committee, 2010)

References

Committee, S. A. (2010). Healthy People 2020: An Opportunity to Address Societal Determinants of Health in the U.S.

Jonathan E. Fielding, M. M. (2013). A Perspective on the Development of the Healthy People 2020 Framework for Improving U.S. Population Health. Public Health Reviews, 35(1), 1–24. .