Organizational Evaluation Essay

Organizational Evaluation

Health Concern for the Senior Citizens in Jamestown City, New York

Organizational Evaluation Essay The leading cause of death for the senior citizens of Jamestown and the entire New York State are the chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart illnesses. Besides, causing death, the chronic diseases are responsible for disabilities and the burgeoning costs of health care in the state. Indeed, the diseases account for close to 70% of all deaths to both the young and senior citizens (Ralph, 2013). However, the aging population, especially those drawn from the minority populations, Americas of African origin and Latinos, are at a particular risk of suffering and succumbing to the chronic diseases. Unintentional injury is the fifth leading cause of death in Chautauqua County with a rate of 33 in 100,000 (Chautauqua County, 2015).

Some of the risk factors associated with the chronic illnesses include overweight and obesity with about 29% being obese and 32% considered to be overweight (Ralph, 2013). Besides, alcohol and tobacco use with an approximated 25% of adults smoking a cigarette, while other factors include the sanitation levels, access to health care institution for early diagnosis and lack of insurance cover among the senior citizens (Ralph, 2013). These factors combined with low per capita income for the minority communities accelerate the vulnerability of the population to contraction and development of the chronic diseases (Ralph, 2013).

How the Organization Serves Chronic Illness among the Senior Citizens

The State of New York commissioned a 2013-2017 State Health Improvement Plan with the aim of promoting a safe environment (Ralph, 2013). The areas that have a direct impact on health that is under focus include improving the quality of water consumed, the air, the built environment as well as injuries and occupational health. Other factors that the committee identified include the cross-cutting issues of ensuring access to quality health care, early detection of health issues, social determinants of health, and disparities in health issues, oral health and a gender view towards health (Chautauqua County, 2015).

The focus of the city and the county at large is to ensure that all citizens access affordable health care in addition to making preventive health care a vital part of the policy. The Obamacare Act is one such law that seeks to provide a majority of people who don’t have insurance cover with the opportunity to do so. The New York State has an office of the aging whose mission is to aid the older people in the State to achieve independence. They achieve this through the development of consumer-oriented cost-effective strategies, advocacy of programs that support and give empowerment to older persons and their families (Chautauqua County, 2015).

Gaps in the Healthcare Service Provided

While there have been enormous improvements in the health care provision to the older citizens, there are gaps that continue to hurt the population. As already mentioned, the health disparities and social determinants are the main factors that affect the senior citizens especially those that come from the minority groups. As it is the plan does not specifically address ways that can be used to ensure parity to access of health services.  Discrimination and ageism in offering employment to older persons is one factor that contributes to poor access to health service (May, Day, & off Fish, 2014).  In addition, there is not sufficient education to older persons regarding the risk factors associated with the development of chronic illnesses.

Strategies to Bridge the Gaps

The State of New York and the city of Jamestown have high rates of mortality that result from preventable chronic illnesses (May et al., 2014). The challenge has been inadequate education to the senior population concerning the risk factors associated with the diseases. It would be imperative to make a substantial investment to ensure regular education is given to persons about the risk factors and sensitize on the evidence-based practices that can be used to prevent the escalating rate of chronic diseases. Indeed, the City must develop a strategy that will ensure that all persons are aware of the personal behaviors that are linked to the development of chronic diseases. Besides, regulations regarding discrimination of older persons, especially those that come from the minority communities, to access meaningful employment, should be enforced (Prince et al., 2015). Lack of physical activity and unemployment are regarded as some of the factors that contribute to high rates of deaths resulting from chronic illnesses. To ensure that the senior citizens have access to health care and the diseases are identified early, the management of the city should find ways of providing health insurance to this vulnerable group.

Barriers to Implementing the Strategies

While developing the strategies about the health of a population is relatively an easy task, the implementation is usually the challenging part. This is the case because of the cost implication of executing the strategies. Applying the policy of continuous education to the communities requires massive investment in both the human and financial resources (Prince et al., 2015). The insurance providers may be unwilling to provide cover to the older citizens as they would to younger people. Enforcement of laws that seek to have equality of employment opportunities and remuneration are not easy to comply mainly because the employers cannot be compelled to hire specific personnel they do not want.

Develop a 2-4-page report that explains how an organization serves the health care concerns and needs of a population