Week 1 through Week 3

PART A:  INTRODUCTION TO THE US HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

During Weeks 1 through 3, students will learn introductory information about the U.S. health care system. Students will read through the websites and view the videos that are posted below. From these activities, you should be able to define terms, provide examples, and describe organizations.

It is recommended that you write notes as you review these materials because they will be helpful when completing your written assignment.

Week 1 – Introduction to the past and current state of the U.S. health care system

Objectives: To provide an overview of (1) health, infectious diseases, chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and substance abuse issues, (2) Engel’s biopsychosocial framework, and (3) the past and current state of the U.S. health care system. 

  1. World Health Organization’s Definition of Health | Constitution
  2. Three Aspects of Health and Healing: The Biopsychosocial Model in Medicine
  3. Overview of the U.S. Health Care Non-System | 1908-2008
  4. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Video: Obamacare Explained Simply
  5. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Video: Here’s Why the Affordable Care Act is Controversial | History Channel

Week 2 –  Introduction to health disparities, community health, and health education

Objectives: To learn about (1) health promotion and disease prevention, (2) health disparities, health literacy, and cultural humility, and (3) major health care organizations.

  1. Healthy People Program 2030
  2. Leading Health Indicators | Healthy People 2030
  3. Health Disparities | CDC
  4. Health Equity | US DHHS
  5. Health Equity – Strategies for Reducing Health Disparities 2016 | CDC Minority Health
  6. Cultural Humility: Essential Foundation for Clinical Researchers | Journal Article
  7. What is Cultural Humility? | Video
  8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  9. The World Health Organization (WHO)

Week 3 – Organization and structure of health care; Aging and health  

Objectives: To understand (1) primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, (2) structure of health care delivery in the US, and (3) major health care payers.

  1. Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Prevention | IWH
  2. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Prevention | CDC
  3. Mpox Infection Prevention and Control: Healthcare Settings | CDC
  4. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | CDC
  5. A Layman’s Guide to the US Health Care System
  6. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)

What is Public Health? | Video

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