1. Consumer and Community Health
Chapter 13
Consumer and Community Health

2. Health Goal #71: I Will Acquire Knowledge of Laws to Protect Health
Many laws protect health and aim to prevent disease and injury
Federal laws are enacted by the United States Congress e.g. Occupational Safety and Health Act
State laws are enacted by state legislatures
Ordinances are laws enacted by county and municipal governments
Health teachers can assist students to become familiar with laws that protect health by using the WWW and finding links to state laws or calling for information

3. Laws That Protect Health
Federal laws are laws that are enacted by the United States Congress
A State law are laws that are enacted by state legislatures
They apply to everyone within the state
No state law can violate a federal law
An Ordinance are laws enacted by county and municipal governments through the authority granted to them by the State and applies only within the county or municipality district

4. Health Goal #72: I Will Recognize My Rights as a Consumer
Consumer rights are the privileges that a consumer is guaranteed
Health fraud is the advertising, promotion, and sale of products and services that have not been scientifically proven safe and/or effective
Health fraud is targeted at young people and the elderly
A quack is a person or company who is involved in health fraud
See Table 13-1

5. Health Goal #73: I Will Take Action If My Consumer Rights Are Violated
Federal agencies can assist with possible complaints
FDA
FTC
State and local agencies can also offer assistance
local health department
There are private organizations that will protect consumers
Better Business Bureau
These agencies play important roles in consumer protection

6. Taking Action if Consumer Rights are Violated
Talk to parents/guardians and agree on a plan of action
Save all paperwork
Contact the business that sold the item/performed the service
Keep record of all actions
Allow time for the person who was contacted to resolve the problem
Write a letter to the company headquarters if not satisfied with the actions
Send a copy of the letter to a consumer group or state attorney’s office
Advise the company that groups responsible for consumer protection have been notified
Inform news media when there is a deceptive ad for a product/service
Consider legal action
Adults can teach young people to take action when needed

7. Health Goal #74: I Will Make a Plan to Manage Time and Money
Time management is organizing time to accomplish priorities. People who organize their time and include priorities have balanced and stress-free lives
People who manage their money wisely experience less stress and less likely to develop premature diseases
Possible ways to manage money properly are:
Create a budget
Comparison shop

8. Health Goal #75: I Will Choose Healthful Entertainment
Entertainment is something designed to hold the interests of people
There are different forms of entertainment such as:
Media
Technology
(parents should evaluate the selection processes for young people to make proper selections)

9. Health Goal #76: I Will Analyze Ways Messages Delivered Through Technology Might Affect Health Status
There are a number of ways a person could be harmed by inappropriate choices via technology
A person can become a couch potato
A person might become desensitized
A person might see solutions to life’s problems modeled in unrealistic ways
A person might develop “entertainment addiction”
A person might use entertainment as a way to avoid relationships

10. Health Goal #76: I Will Analyze Ways Messages Delivered Through Technology Might Affect Health Status (cont.)
There are a number of ways a person could be harmed by inappropriate choices via technology
A person may become persuaded to become sexually promiscuous
A person may become persuaded to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
A person may be persuaded to believe that violence is OK

11. Primary care (general health care)
Health Goal #77: I Will Make Responsible Choices About Healthcare Providers and Facilities
A health care provider is a trained professional who provides people with health care
Physician (licensed to practice medicine)
M.D.
D.O.
Primary care (general health care)
Specialists (specialized training in a particular area of medicine)

12. Practitioners vs. Professionals
Healthcare practitioners (independent health care provider licensed to practice on a specific area of the body)
Podiatrist, dentist, optometrist
Allied health professional (trained health care provider who practices under the supervision of a physician or practitioner)
Nurses, physical therapists

13. Patients Bill of Rights
Receive respectful care
Be given complete information regarding their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
Receive information necessary for their informed consent prior to any procedure
Refuse treatment
Have privacy regarding care and records
Be granted requests for services within reason
Be advised of any experimental procedure
Expect continuity of care; receive explanation of the bill
Know the hospital regulations

14. Health Goal #78: I Will Evaluate Ways to Pay for Health Care
Health insurance is financial protection that provides benefits for sickness or injury
A policy is the legal document issued to the holder of the health insurance
Managed Care is an organized system of health care services designed to control health care costs
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

15. Health Goal #79: I Will Investigate Health Careers
Professionals in the Health Field
Physician
Radiology technologist
Recreation therapist
Registered nurse
Medical Writer
Occupational Therapist
School psychologist
Speech pathologist
Audiologist
ATC athletic trainer
Licensed Practical Nurse
Health Services Manager/Administrator

16. Health Goal #79: I Will Investigate Health Careers (cont.)
Professionals in the Health Field
Emergency Medical Tech
Guidance Counselor
Health Education Teacher
Community Health Educator
Dental Hygienist
Dentist
Dietician
Pharmacist
Pharmacologist
Physical Therapist
Social Worker
Clinical Psychologist

17. Health Goal #80: I Will Investigate Public and International Health Needs
Public health is the use of organized community efforts to prevent disease and injury and promote health
Public health in the U.S. is carried out through a system of federal, state, and local agencies
Includes the following:
Local public health departments
State health departments
Federal public health agencies

18. Public Health Needs Injuries Teen pregnancy
Control high blood pressure
Smoking
Older adult illnesses
Substance abuse
Resurgence of infectious diseases
Escalating costs of healthcare
Violence

19. International Health Needs
Poverty
Poor nutrition
Lack of Water and Sanitation
Physical inactivity
High blood cholesterol
Malaria
HIV Infection
Tobacco use
International Disaster Planning and Preparation

20. Consumer and Community Health
Chapter 13
Consumer and Community Health