Website_Review_and_Summary

Ebonie Franks University of Phoenix HSC/457 Asthma is a serious lung condition that causes individuals to have serious problems with breathing, frequent coughing, and wheezing. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute defines asthma as a “common chronic disorder of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyper responsiveness (bronchospasm), and an underlying inflammation” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health, 2011). Asthma is a serious medical issue that is addressed on the national, state and local levels of government through different agencies. This paper will discuss an agency on each level of government. Also discussed will be the structure between the levels of government, the functions seen at each level of government, and how each level of government works together. In addition, the definition of public and community health will be defined. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national agency that addresses asthma. Within this agency there are other agencies on the local and state level that address asthma as well. The structure of the CDC is traditional and divisional. “Traditional Structures are based on functional divisions and departments. These are the kind of structures that precisely follow the organization’s rules and procedures and are characterized by having precise authority lines for all levels in the management. Divisional Structures is the kind of structure that is based on the different divisions in the organization” (Types of Organizational Structures, 2010). On a national level, the CDC has programs such as the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) that provides information nationally about asthma. It gives out statistics and awareness about asthma on a global level. “CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) supports state, territorial, and local agencies and tribal governments to help build and strengthen their capacity to improve child and adolescent health”( www.cdc.gov). These organizations work together on a national, state, and local level to bring awareness to the people about asthma. They participate in awareness rallies, they make public announcements, and there is also a World Asthma Day. This day falls ever years on the first Tuesday in May. Public officials, health organizations, and patient groups in more than 80 countries develop activities that will encourage efforts to improve asthma care and will increase public awareness of the burden of the disease. The main purpose of World Asthma Day is to generate knowledge of the disease, its appropriate care, defensive methods amid the general public, health care providers, employees as well as government officials” ( (World Asthma Day 2011, 2006-2011). To me, public health is the knowledge and training of improving and protecting the health of a community. This can be done through health education, protective medicine, environmental hazard monitoring, communicable disease control, and sanitary measure application. When dealing with public health, the health of the nation is involved. The health of everyone is protected and individuals are given free healthcare. Community health is considered to be a public health field. When dealing with community health, doctors and other health professionals within a community are involved. The health of all the people in that particular community is protected. With community health, things such as the water supply, food, and the environment in general is kept healthy for the community. The overall health statistics are more of a concern when it comes to community health. Asthma is a very serious condition that cannot be taken lightly. In some instances it can be a matter of life and death. Everyone, nationally, statewide, and locally needs to take asthma very seriously. Anything that can be done through public health or within the community to bring about awareness and protect the lives of people is definitely a plus. Communities must stick together and make sure that everything is being done to ensure that asthma is not taking control. There are so many things that can be done on every level to ensure that asthma does not take over. We must all stick together and try our best to gain the proper knowledge about this issue and do what we can to protect ourselves against it. , References World Asthma Day 2011. (2006-2011). Retrieved April 3, 2011, from Altius Directory website: www.altiusdirectory.com Types of Organizational Structures. (2010). Retrieved April 3, 2011, from Buzzle.com: Intelligent Life onthe Web: www.buzzle.com U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health. (2011, February). Retrieved March 26, 2011, from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2011, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Your Online Sources for Credible Health Information: www.cdc.gov Hensley, S. (2011, January 13). Asthma On The Rise: 25 Million In The U.S. Affected. NPR.