Unit 1 healthcare

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The use of computers and technology to simulate intelligent behavior and critical thinking.

Clinical Preventive Services

Guidelines for primary care providers to use in screening and counseling patients to prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and infectious disease.

Disparities

Wide differences in access to health care or quality of health care based on demographic factors.

Mortality

Causes and rates of death in a population; used to develop policies to improve health outcomes.

Equality

Providing the same healthcare opportunities for everyone.

Life Expectancy

Represents the average number of years of life that could be expected if current death rates remain constant.

Globalization

Ease of access to travel and transportation of food products, increasing exposure to communicable diseases.

Opioid Use Disorder

A mental illness and brain disorder caused by addiction to drugs used to relieve pain.

Health Outcomes

Health status of an individual or community as a result of preventive public health programs or medical intervention.

Immunizations

Public health measures to immunize by vaccination to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Universal Vaccination

Public health program to prevent communicable diseases through vaccination of various age groups.

Acute Infectious Disease

An illness with sudden onset that has an intense but short effect on the body.

Discrimination

Refers to the marginalized groups who often experience obstacles in obtaining health care.

Health Disparities

Differences in health outcomes because of differences in various demographic factors.

Medical Technology

The procedures, equipment, and processes by which medical care is delivered.

Clinical Care

Service provided to an individual or community to benefit their health status.

Lifestyle

Behaviors that impact the incidence and development of disease.

Human Genome Project

An international research project that sequenced and mapped all human genes.

Pandemic

When an infectious disease affects large numbers of people and spreads worldwide.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Healthcare reform legislation aimed at increasing access to health insurance.

Health Information Technology (Health IT)

Broad concept that encompasses technologies for health information.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

The conditions affecting people’s access to quality health care.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Group of developmental disabilities causing significant challenges.

Equity

Removing obstacles to health care to ensure equal access for all.

Birth Defects

Structural changes in organs or body parts in infants at birth.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A virus responsible for a worldwide pandemic beginning in 2019.

Doula

An individual providing support for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Health Behaviors

Actions of individuals that can promote or increase the risk for disease.

Health Equity

When everyone has the same opportunity to be healthy.

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

Professional organization advocating for primary care physicians.

Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

Measure of income used to determine eligibility for various health programs.

Longevity

The length of human life; often refers to living past estimated life expectancy.

Chronic Disease

A disease that is long in duration, reoccurs frequently, and progresses slowly.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

A strain of bacteria resistant to many antibiotics.

Ebola Virus

Causes rare and deadly infection endemic to Africa.

Infant Mortality

The number of deaths in children less than one year of age per 1,000 live births.

Viral Gastroenteritis

Infection of the digestive tract caused by a virus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal agency tracking the health of the nation.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Refers to protective gear worn to prevent disease transmission.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden unexplained death in an infant younger than 1 year of age.

Congenital Malformation

A physical defect present in the infant at birth.

Social and Economic Factors

Lack of access to basic needs affecting health care access.

Hygiene

Behaviors that prevent transmission of infectious diseases.

Low Birth Weight

Infants weighing less than 2,500 grams at birth.

American Hospital Association (AHA)

National trade group supporting hospitals and health networks.

Infectious Disease

Illness caused by pathogens transmitted through contact or vectors.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Agency directing and coordinating international health efforts.

Telehealth

Healthcare appointments delivered via telecommunication technologies.

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Patient health records stored in a computer database.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Agency managing Medicare and Medicaid and promoting quality care.

Preterm Birth

Birth occurring before 37 weeks’ gestation.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Agency conducting research to discover disease causes and treatments.

Foodborne Illness

Illness caused by food contaminated with microorganisms.

Zoonotic Disease

Spread of harmful microorganisms between animals and people.

Sepsis

An inflammatory response to a serious and widespread infection.

Avian Influenza

Strains of influenza virus that infect birds and occasionally humans.

Spanish Flu (1918 Flu)

Pandemic caused by H1N1 influenza A virus.

Epidemic

An outbreak of disease in a geographic area greater than usual.

Value-Based Care

Paying healthcare providers based on the quality of care.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Application of behavioral sciences to improve behavioral problems.