The anthrax incidents following the 9/11 terrorist attacks put the spotlight on the nation's public health agencies, placing it under an unprecedented scrutiny that added new dimensions to the complex issues considered in this report. The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century reaffirms the vision of Healthy People 2010, and outlines a systems approach to assuring the nation's health in practice, research, and policy. This approach focuses on joining the unique resources and perspectives of diverse sectors and entities and challenges these groups to work in a concerted, strategic way to promote and protect the public's health. Focusing on diverse partnerships as the framework for public health, the book discusses: The need for a shift from an individual to a population-based approach in practice, research, policy, and community engagement. The status of the governmental public health infrastructure and what needs to be improved, including its interface with the health care delivery system. The roles nongovernment actors, such as academia, business, local communities and the media can play in creating a healthy nation. Providing an accessible analysis, this book will be important to public health policy-makers and practitioners, business and community leaders, health advocates, educators and journalists.

Delivering Health Care in America, Seventh Edition is the most current and comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the U.S. health system--from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique "systems" approach, the text brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read resource that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.

Given the recent and rapid developments in the delivery of health care in the United States, never has it been more important to have the most up-to-date resources for teaching students about this complex and dynamic industry. Now in its Fifth Edition, Delivering Health Care in America offers the most current and comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the U.S. health system--from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique systems approach, this bestselling text brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read resource that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance, while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together. New to this Edition: New material on U.S. health reform New material on health reform in other countries New material on Healthy People 2020 New information on CMS s innovative healthcare delivery New information on community health centers Introduction of the medical home concept Data update throughout the book Latest research findings as applicable Enhanced content on The Patient Protection and Affordability Act of 2010 Enhanced content on clinical guidelines Enhanced content on public health system and services Enhanced content on vulnerable populations Enhanced content on primary care from the Global Perspective Revised perspectives on the future of health care in America Instructor Resources: Transition Guide, Instructor's Manual, PowerPoint Presentations, TestBank Student Resources: Glossary, Flash Cards, Crosswords, Matching Questions, Web Links"

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs that provide benefits based on disability: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This report analyzes health care utilizations as they relate to impairment severity and SSA's definition of disability. Health Care Utilization as a Proxy in Disability Determination identifies types of utilizations that might be good proxies for "listing-level" severity; that is, what represents an impairment, or combination of impairments, that are severe enough to prevent a person from doing any gainful activity, regardless of age, education, or work experience.

The United States is among the wealthiest nations in the world, but it is far from the healthiest. Although life expectancy and survival rates in the United States have improved dramatically over the past century, Americans live shorter lives and experience more injuries and illnesses than people in other high-income countries. The U.S. health disadvantage cannot be attributed solely to the adverse health status of racial or ethnic minorities or poor people: even highly advantaged Americans are in worse health than their counterparts in other, "peer" countries. In light of the new and growing evidence about the U.S. health disadvantage, the National Institutes of Health asked the National Research Council (NRC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene a panel of experts to study the issue. The Panel on Understanding Cross-National Health Differences Among High-Income Countries examined whether the U.S. health disadvantage exists across the life span, considered potential explanations, and assessed the larger implications of the findings. U.S. Health in International Perspective presents detailed evidence on the issue, explores the possible explanations for the shorter and less healthy lives of Americans than those of people in comparable countries, and recommends actions by both government and nongovernment agencies and organizations to address the U.S. health disadvantage.

Delivering Health Care in America, Sixth Edition is the most current and comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the U.S. health system--from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique "systems" approach, the text brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read resource that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together.While the book maintains its basic structure and layout, the Sixth Edition is nonetheless the most substantive revision ever of this unique text. Because of its far-reaching scope, different aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are woven throughout all 14 chapters. The reader will find a gradual unfolding of this complex and cumbersome law so it can be slowly digested. Additionally, as U.S. health care can no longer remain isolated from globalization, the authors have added new global perspectives, which the readers will encounter in several chapters.Key Features:- Comprehensive coverage of the ACA and its impact on each aspect of the U.S. health care system woven throughout the book- New "ACA Takeaway" section in each chapter as well as a new Topical Reference Guide to the ACA at the front of the book- Updated tables and figures, current research findings, data from the 2010 census, updates on Healthy People 2020, and more- Detailed coverage of the U.S. health care system in straightforward, reader-friendly language that is appropriate for graduate and undergraduate courses alike

In a clear, cohesive format, Delivering Health Care in America provides a comprehensive overview of the basic structures and operations of the US health system—from its historical origins and resources, to its individual services, cost, and quality. Using a unique “systems” approach, it brings together an extraordinary breadth of information into a highly accessible, easy-to-read text that clarifies the complexities of health care organization and finance, while presenting a solid overview of how the various components fit together. The fourth edition has been thoroughly updated with the latest information on: The global threat of avian influenza Health policy agenda of the Bush administration Progress towards Healthy People 2010 goals The effects of corporatization, information revolution, and globalization on health care delivery. The role of hospitals in the U.S. healthcare system The continuing nursing shortage Prospective payment initiatives for inpatient psychiatric facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities Pay-for-performance initiatives Trends in home health care services The role of long-term care hospitals and reimbursement for their services Disease management as a strategy to manage utilization The role of inpatient rehabilitation facilities Updated information on health services for special populations State strategies to provide universal coverage State Children’s Health Insurance Plan reauthorization issues The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief High-deductible health plans Insurance restructuring in Massachusetts Challenges in long-term care The era of evidence-based medicine Mandates of recent legislation such as the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 New Fifth Edition Now Available