Unit 11 Contemporary issues in health and social care

Unit 11: Contemporary issues in health and social care assignment

INTRODUCTION

In the contemporary environment, health and social care (HSC) plays an immersive role in the society to provide medical services to the sick people. To improve the health and well-being it is crucial for the people to take corrective actions to overcome the contemporary challenges. In addition, current assignment will be based on the contemporary issues in HSC within the UK. The poster will highlights factors impacting the development of perspective on the contemporary issues and also integrate public responses related to it. On the other hand, the report will integrate evaluation of social-economic, cultural and political factors that impacts the health and well-being of the people within UK.

TASK 1: (ENCLOSED IN POSTER)

Key health and wellbeing issues

In the UK, the people are facing wide range of contemporary health challenges which directly affects their standard of living and well-being. In the UK, huge numbers of people are suffering from Obesity and diabetes which significantly impacts their health and well-being. For improving the health and care of the people it can be crucial for the healthcare system of the UK to take the corrective actions to overcome these contemporary health issues. Obesity is considered as one of the chronic and complex diseases with numerous causes that lead to excessive body fat and poor health (Udegbune et al, 2023). In addition, lack of exercise, diet, genetics, unhealthy eating behaviours etc., are considered as significant causes of obesity within the UK. The people who suffer from chosen contemporary issues have risk of high blood pressure, heart diseases, stroke, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, breathing problem, cancer etc. According to Health Survey of England, 25.9% of adults were suffer from obestity ion 2021 and 37.9% were face the issues of overweight (Baker, 2023). To manage the obesity within the UK and protect the health and well-being of the people, the UK government introduce wide range of approaches. To manage the obesity in effective manner, the UK government launched a campaign i.e. ‘Better Health Adult Obesity’ that helps in increase the awareness of the people who have risk of this contemporary issue. To tackle the obesity, the UK government is introducing soft drinks industry levy which has removed approx. 45,000 tonnes of sugar from soft drinks which helps in minimizing weight of the people (DHSC Media Team, 2023). Apart from this, diabetes is also considered as one of the common contemporary issues within the HSC of the UK. This condition occurs when the blood sugar of the people is too high and it directly affects their health and well-being. Along with this, Insulin resistance, autoimmune disease, hormonal imbalance, genetic mutation etc., are considered as significant causes of increasing diabetes. To manage the diabetes and safeguarding the health of the people, the UK government introducing behavioural programme in order to support individuals who have risk of increasing diabetes (Rauber et al, 2021).Currently, in the UK more than 5.6 million people are live with diabetes and it is higher than as compare to previous years.

Impact of media reporting

The media reporting has significant impact on the responses and opinions of the people in context of obesity and diabetes. The media reporting plays an immersive role in offering the complete information and insights as well as increase awareness regarding contemporary issues. Media coverage of lesser-known challenges have directly influence the level of public concern for these matters. Along with this, the role of media is to convey the reality and uncover the fundamental facts and information regarding obesity and diabetes. Media platforms such as newspapers, online, press etc., are changing the perception and viewpoints of the people in the context of obesity and diabetes (Mozaffarian, 2020). Furthermore, changing the mentality of the individuals with the help of media is more understanding and permissive. The media reporting also helps in educating the people regarding contemporary health issues and aware them by providing significant information related to it. Media reporting also aids in uncovering the hidden agendas related to obesity and diabetes from which the people are unaware. Media reporting also helps in promoting the awareness of the people regarding contemporary issues by advertising campaigns (Piché, Tchernof and Després, 2020). Media reporting significantly affects the public opinion in the context of diabetes and obesity. Social media helps in increase the awareness of the people by educating them about the symptoms and risks regarding the chosen contemporary issues. Media reporting also helps in influencing the behavior of the people such as lifestyle choices and encourages them to do exercise. Media reporting also helps in providing the information regarding policies related to obesity and diabetes.

Factors impacting developing of issues

All people have different perspectives on the chosen contemporary issues. Obesity is considered as one of the common contemporary issues within the UK. According to the viewpoints of the peoples, the young people who have age in between 20-60 are impact by this issue. Generally, the young people have high risk of increasing obesity because they have larger body sizes. This group of people are not concern about their health and well-being so from this they have major risk of increasing any disease. In addition, on the national level both black and white people have risk of suffering from obesity (Mathur et al, 2020). Along with this, age, level of education, health experience etc., are recognized as significant factors that directly affects the perspective of the people in the context of obesity.

Apart from this, according to the perspective of the people diabetes is also considered as one of the common issues within the UK. Generally, the middle-aged and older people have more chances of increasing the risk of diabetes which results in directly impact their health. Due to diabetes the level of blood glucose is drastically increases which can damage body’s organ of the people (Carr et al,2022). As per the perspective of the people, this contemporary issues have significant effects includes stroke, heart attack and problems with eyes, kidneys, nerves and feet.

Public responses to contemporary issues

The people have significant responses in the context of chosen contemporary issues in order to improve the health and care of the people. In current times, majority of the people are facing the obesity issue due to lack of knowledge or education. Due to this challenge the individuals have negative reaction in regarding the obesity. The people doesn’t have knowledge regarding healthy eating, doing exercise etc., which directly affects the health and increase the risk of obesity. To address this issue, the UK government conducted Better Health Adult obesity Campaign in order to provide education and increase the awareness. This initiative of UK government helps in providing the corrective measures to the people to enhance their health from obesity. Along with this, due to lack of motivation the people have feared of happen the disease and impact the health and well-being (Hill-Briggs et al, 2021). For addressing this issue it is crucial to have support of the people. Apart from this, according to the responses of the people, diabetes directly impacts the immunes system of the individuals and it increases the chances of arising heart disease, stroke etc. To redress and overcome diabetes, NHS of the UK launches a campaign in which the people can gain knowledge and improve the skills regarding diabetes and protect their health. Apart from this, with the help of survey the information about the responses has been gathered. This method has been providing reliable and consistent information and data relevant obesity and diabetes (de Wit et al, 2020).

Refrences

• Baker, C., 2023. Obesity in UK. Online. Available through: <https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03336/#:~:text=Adult%20obesity%20in%20England,is%20classified%20as%20'overweight' . >
• Carr, M.J., Wright, A.K., Leelarathna, L., Thabit, H., Milne, N., Kanumilli, N., Ashcroft, D.M. and Rutter, M.K., 2022. Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on diabetes health checks and prescribing for people with type 2 diabetes: a UK-wide cohort study involving 618 161 people in primary care. BMJ quality & safety, 31(7), pp.503-514.
• de Wit, M., Trief, P.M., Huber, J.W. and Willaing, I., 2020. State of the art: understanding and integration of the social context in diabetes care. Diabetic Medicine, 37(3), pp.473-482.
• DHSC Media Team, 2023. Government plan to tackle obesity in UK. Online. Available through: <https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/06/07/government-plans-to-tackle-obesity-in-england/
• Hill-Briggs, F., Adler, N.E., Berkowitz, S.A., Chin, M.H., Gary-Webb, T.L., Navas-Acien, A., Thornton, P.L. and Haire-Joshu, D., 2021. Social determinants of health and diabetes: a scientific review. Diabetes care, 44(1), p.25Mathur, R., Farmer, R.E., Eastwood, S.V., Chaturvedi, N., Douglas, I. and Smeeth, L., 2020. Ethnic disparities in initiation and intensification of diabetes treatment in adults with type 2 diabetes in the UK, 1990–2017: a cohort study. PLoS medicine, 17(5), p.e100310
• Mozaffarian, D., 2020. Dietary and policy priorities to reduce the global crises of obesity and diabetes. Nature Food, 1(1), pp.38-50.
• Piché, M.E., Tchernof, A. and Després, J.P., 2020. Obesity phenotypes, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Circulation research, 126(11), pp.1477-1500.
• Rauber, F., Chang, K., Vamos, E.P., da Costa Louzada, M.L., Monteiro, C.A., Millett, C. and Levy, R.B., 2021. Ultra-processed food consumption and risk of obesity: a prospective cohort study of UK Biobank. European journal of nutrition, 60, pp.2169-2180.
• Udegbune, M.M., Nwankwo, M.J., Ihegihu, E.Y., Chukwuemeka, U.M., Abonyi, I. and Fawole, H., 2023. SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF OBESITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Journal of Biomedical Investigation, 11(3), pp.156-177.>
• Udegbune, M.M., Nwankwo, M.J., Ihegihu, E.Y., Chukwuemeka, U.M., Abonyi, I. and Fawole, H., 2023. SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF OBESITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Journal of Biomedical Investigation, 11(3), pp.156-177.>

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TASK 2: Report

2.1 Impact of socio-economic, political and cultural factors on health and well-being

Income, education, community safety, employment, social support etc., are the significant social-economic factors that directly affect the health and well-being of the people. The socio-economic factors have an immersive impact on the health and well-being of the people who suffered from obesity and diabetes. Income is considered as one of the critical socio-economic factor which immensely impacts the health of the people with obesity. The individuals who have high income level are competent to afford healthy and nutritious foods which positively impact the care of the people who suffer from obesity and diabetes (McDermott, Nelson and Weeks, 2021). On the other hand, the lower level of income increase poverty at rapid rate and they are unable to afford healthy food and focus on losing weight which directly influences their health.

In addition, government and policy are significant political factors that have massive impact on the health and well-being of the people. Obesity and diabetes have an immersive impact on the development of policies and services related to it. Government regulation is considered as one of the critical political factor that directly affects the health and people (Lu, Pikhart and Sacker, 2021). To manage the obesity and diabetes, the government of UK government frame various policies and empowering the children and adults to live healthier lives by consuming nutrition and healthy food. On the other hand, age and gender are considered as significant cultural factors that directly impacts the health and well-being of the people. Usually, in the UK, both men and women who have middle and older age are suffering from diabetes. Majorly, young people who have age in between 30-60 are suffering from obesity.

2.2 Government and regulatory responses regarding contemporary issues

For tackling and managing the obesity, the government of UK frame various policies and adopt initiatives which help in enhancing the health and safety of the people. Public Health England is one of leading agency that is introducing by the UK government in order to increase the awareness of the people and improve their health. This agency helps in providing the complete information to the people regarding the eating healthier foods, physical activities, and ways of manage weights. Along with this, the UK government is also taking the initiative of conducting NHS digital weight management programme. The people who are suffering from diabetes and obesity are eligible to join this program and it helps in improve their health and well-being by managing their weight. On the other hand, diabetes is also severe health problem within the UK and it massively impacts the health of the individuals. To overcome diabetes and enhance the health of people, UK government taking the initiative of launching diabetes prevention programme. In this programme, the healthcare organization like NHS is providing education to the people and provides personalized support in order to manage their weights, encourage them to physically active and eat healthier food. This initiative of government helps in reducing the risk of the individuals who suffer from Type 2 diabetes. To manage the diabetes, the UK government is also introduce National Service Framework’ in which they set the quality standards. These standards help in improving the care for individuals with diabetes within UK and enhance the service quality.

2.3 Measure the capacity of present health and social care frameworks to analyse impact of key contemporary issues

This has been estimated that 5.6 million individuals within the UK are facing with diabetes in year 2023 (Diabetes UK, 2024). 6.4 million Individuals are in the raising risk of type 2 diabetes on the basis of their blood sugar levels within UK. This is because of family history, age and ethnicity with the obesity. The NHS has introduced the diabetes prevention programs which identify the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Goldberg, 2021). This provide people with the face to face services by offering them with the personalized support to handle their weight, include in physical exercise as well as eat healthy food which helps in reducing the person risk of diabetes in future.

In UK, 25.9% of the adults and 59% of the females are obese in year 2022 (Obesity statistics, 2023). The government is committed to launch the legislation to need large out of home companies to ass with calorie labels in the food products they sell. NICE in UK has provided with the guidelines on the obesity prevention, managing overweight in adults as well as in the children. They aim to support environment which assist child who are facing with obesity and their family needs by making lifestyle changes.

2.4 Appraise the influence of government responses to current issues

The UK government has introduced Change4Life campaign to reduce the obesity rates. This focus on prevention to change the habits and behaviours of people that lead to weight gain. The government is motivating the families and individuals to seek and desire to make healthy lifestyle. The agencies create an integrated communication package on snack check and sugar swaps behaviours (Aveyard, 2023). There are changes in the buying of beverages among the families who favoured the low fat milk as well as low sugar drinks. Sugar tax implemented in the UK focus on protecting the children from excessive sugar consumption as well as handle the childhood obesity. The tax has targeted the manufacturers of the soft drinks to reduce the sugar content in the beverages.

The NHS England DPP support the people in reducing the risk of developing the diabetes. DPP is an evidence based lifestyle change initiative which help people to reduce the risk of diabetes by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, sustainable as well as accomplish weight loss (Antoniadi et al, 2021). All adults with the diabetes get high quality care such as optimize to control blood sugar as well as other risk factors for developing the complication of the type 2 diabetes.

The responses of the government in the context of obesity and diabetes have an immersive impact on the health of the people. To overcome and mitigate the contemporary challenges the government can also increase the funding by allocating the money in prevention programs, research and service related to treatment. To increase awareness and educate the people regarding diabetes and obesity the government can conduct campaigns which helps in providing the complete information about risks, symptoms etc.

3.1 Examine the influence of contemporary issues on health and wellbeing requirements

Healthy eating is significant part of managing the diabetes and obesity. Healthy eating diet helps the individuals to keep their blood glucose level in the target range which helps in reducing the risk of developing diabetes and obesity related issues. This is significant to include diet and exercise routine which offer individuals with the proper nutrition, relaxation as well as exercise (Nyashanu et al, 2020). Lifestyle change can help in treating depression, obesity as well as chronic health issues. Registered dietician collaborate with the patient and other healthcare professional to meet the goals and objectives of the client.

Diabetes management include the continuous self-care such as frequencies and dosages, regular food intake as well as maintain physical activities. Regular exercise can enhance the heart health as well as develop the risk of heart disease progressing to prevent the obesity and diabetes.

3.2 Examine the associations of contemporary health and social care issues on the improvement of services to meet people requirements

Integrated health care programs offer with the high level of person cantered care. This include shared communication as well as authority about the treatment decision which aims to handle individuals’ wellbeing (Parker, 2020). The objective of the integrated care is to offer holistic prevention as well as treatment that manage patients’ psychological, biological as well as social requirements. Integrated working with the health services build relationships ad trust which allow better health outcome and smooth transfer of information between quality care.

Community initiatives help people to prevent as well as manage the diabetes and obesity by coaching, education as well as other additional support. They support diabetes and obesity prevention by assisting individuals in handling their health. These include health cooking class, fitness programs as well as community parks. Public health initiatives also emphasize on promoting the healthy lifestyle among the people with diabetes and obesity. By highlighting awareness on benefits of proper nutrition, exercise as well as regular check-ups motivate people to adopt health habits (Brearley, 2023). The community programs also include measures such as regulating food labelling, smoke free laws as well as promote workplace safety standards which benefits whole society.

3.3 Measure disparities in current health and wellbeing needs of public

The socio economic inequality indicators is critical in the prevalence of the diabetes and obesity in poor people. Food insecurity lacks the consistent access to the food to live health and active life (Finkelstein et al, 2020). The lack of access to the nutritional food contribute in health inequalities which led to obesity and various other chronic diseases. Geographical factors like urban areas, pollution as well as access to healthcare can impact the rate of the outcomes for the range of health conditions. Geographical factors such as distance in healthcare settings as well as bad transportation can lead to increase the risk of chronic illness among the individuals.

Lower level of health literacy pose major risk in the health outcomes of the individuals. Health literacy is linked with the self-efficacy, knowledge as well as self-care behaviours in people. Health literacy offer a better understanding of the racial disparities in the people with obesity and diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2020). The UK government is focusing on various community health programs and initiatives which emphasize on improving health outcomes of the individuals. These programs focus on providing education on various health related care and measures which hep people to improve their lifestyle and way of living.

3.4 Appraise the accomplishment of health and social care services in meeting diverse populace health and wellbeing requirements

Integrated care system bring the NHS organizations as well as other local authorities to take the collaborative approach for services which enhance health (Art et al, 2023). Change4Life emphasize on preventing as well as aiming to change the behaviours as well as situations which lead to weight gain. This also assists to prevent as well as manage the chronic conditions and diseases in people. On the other hand, socioeconomic status assessed by the education, income as well as occupation includes the range of health related issues such as diabetes as well as obesity. Health and social care services of UK achieve wide range of accomplishments in order to meet requirements of people. The health and social care services increase admittance to increase the engagement of community for participation in the program. They are also emphasis on building targeted programs for particular group of populations. They are also make significant investment in the emerging and latest technologies in order to provide better healthcare services to the people irrespective of their backgrounds, culture, regions and beliefs.

CONCLUSION

By summing up, it has been analysed that well designed application from diabetes and obesity management can motivate the people to take control of their health and wellbeing by offering tools. This include tracking blood glucose level, weight, exercise plans, diet plans as well as medication. People should avoid the processed food as they make them feel exhausted because of blood sugar. People should maintain the healthy weight which lower their chance of gallstones, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke as well as various other chronic health issues. Addressing the diabetes and obesity needs interdisciplinary treatment plan such as coordinated care among the healthcare professional as well as policy interventions to improve the patient support.

REFERENCES

Books and Journals

• American Diabetes Association, 2020. 8. Obesity management for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2020. Diabetes Care, 43(Supplement_1), pp.S89-S97.
• Antoniadi, A.M., Du, Y., Guendouz, Y., Wei, L., Mazo, C., Becker, B.A. and Mooney, C., 2021. Current challenges and future opportunities for XAI in machine learning-based clinical decision support systems: a systematic review. Applied Sciences, 11(11), p.5088.
• Art, R.J., Crawford, T.W. and Jervis, R. eds., 2023. International politics: enduring concepts and contemporary issues. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Aveyard, H., 2023. Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide 5e.
• Brearley, C.P., 2023. Risk and social work. Taylor & Francis.
• Finkelstein, A., Zhou, A., Taubman, S. and Doyle, J., 2020. Health care hotspotting—a randomized, controlled trial. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(2), pp.152-162.
• Goldberg, E.M., 2021. Helping the aged: A field experiment in social work. Routledge.
• Lu, W., Pikhart, H. and Sacker, A., 2021. Comparing socio-economic inequalities in healthy ageing in the United States of America, England, China and Japan: evidence from four longitudinal studies of ageing. Ageing & Society, 41(7), pp.1495-1520.
• McDermott, E., Nelson, R. and Weeks, H., 2021. The politics of LGBT+ health inequality: conclusions from a UK scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), p.826.
• Nyashanu, M., Pfende, F. and Ekpenyong, M., 2020. Exploring the challenges faced by frontline workers in health and social care amid the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of frontline workers in the English Midlands region, UK. Journal of interprofessional care, 34(5), pp.655-661.
• Parker, J., 2020. Social work practice: Assessment, planning, intervention and review.

Online

• Diabetes UK, 2024. Online. Available through. :<https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity/our-strategy/statistics#:~:text=An%20estimated%206.4%20million%20people,are%20yet%20to%20be%20diagnosed>
• NHS, 2024. Diabetes prevention programme. Online. Available through: <https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/diabetes-prevention/#:~:text=Healthier%20You%20NHS%20Diabetes%20Prevention%20Programme&text=People%20on%20the%20face%2Dto,of%20developing%20type%202%20diabetes.>
• Obesity statistics, 2023. Online. Available through. :<https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03336/#:~:text=Adult%20obesity%20in%20England,is%20classified%20as%20'overweight'>.