Community Health Nursing 1 — Key Concepts (VOCABULARY Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to health care delivery systems, public health core functions, DOH governance, PHC concepts, LGU structures, SDGs/MDGs, and levels of health care.

Health Care Delivery System

The totality of policies, facilities, equipment, products, human resources and services that address the health needs of the people; large, complex, multi-level, and multidisciplinary.

Public sector

Financed largely through tax-based budgeting; health care generally free at point of service; DOH leads nationally; LGUs manage local health systems.

Private sector

Market-oriented; health care paid via user fees at point of service; includes private hospitals; preventive services mainly government-owned health centers.

RA 9439

Hospital Detention Law; a policy affecting the hospital and health system in the Philippines.

RA 9502

Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008; policy affecting medicine access and affordability.

Core functions of public health

Fundamental activities that guide public health: assessment, policy development, assurance, plus advocacy, operations management, and system capacity.

Assessment

Regular collection and analysis of health data used for program planning, policy development, and sharing information about health conditions and resources.

Policy development (Public Health)

Using assessment data to formulate local and state health policies and allocate resources accordingly.

Advocacy (in health policy)

Active involvement in decision-making to influence health policy and resource allocation.

Assurance

Ensuring the availability and quality of necessary health services and the capacity to respond to emergencies through public and private providers.

Monitoring health status

Core public health activity to identify community health problems and track health indicators.

Diagnosing and investigating health problems

Detecting health hazards and diseases in the community and investigating causes and spread.

Informing, educating, empowering people

Raising awareness and knowledge about health issues to enable informed health decisions.

Mobilizing community partnerships

Engaging communities and stakeholders to identify and solve health problems.

Developing policies and plans

Creating policies and strategic plans that support individual, family, and community health efforts.

Enforcing laws and regulations

Implementing health-related laws to protect health and safety.

Linking people to needed personal health services

Connecting individuals to appropriate health services and ensuring continuity of care.

Ensuring a competent public health workforce

Maintaining a skilled and capable workforce across public and personal health sectors.

Evaluating effectiveness and quality of health services

Assessing the impact, accessibility, and quality of health services for improvement.

Researching for new health insights

Conducting research to discover innovative solutions and improve health outcomes.

Department of Health (DOH)

Executive government department responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services and regulating health services and products; aims for a healthier population in the region.

DOH Vision (Philippines)

Filipinos among the healthiest people in Southeast Asia by 2022 and Asia by 2040.

DOH Mission

Lead the country in developing a productive, resilient, equitable and people-centered health system.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A set of 17 universal goals adopted in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity by 2030; integrated and Leave No One Behind.

Leave No One Behind (SDGs)

Commitment to fast-track progress for the furthest behind first to achieve inclusive development.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Global development goals established in 2000 to tackle poverty, hunger, health, education, and disease; led to major progress in several areas.

MDG milestones (examples)

Progress included reduced poverty, improved water/sanitation, lower child and maternal mortality, and HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB responses.

Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223)

Philippine law signed in 2019 that guarantees universal health coverage, equity, and a strong primary health care foundation.

Local Government Units (LGUs)

Local political subdivisions empowered to deliver basic health services under devolved authority.

Local Government Code (RA 7160)

1991 law that devolved powers to LGUs to manage local services, including health, and promote self-governance.

Devolution (in PHC context)

Transfer of authority and responsibilities for health service delivery from the national government to LGUs.

Local Health Boards

Governing bodies at the local level responsible for planning and overseeing health services in their area.

Inter-LGU cooperation

Mechanisms for collaboration between local government units to institutionalize local health systems.

Inter-local Health System

A system where multiple LGUs jointly provide quality, accessible health care within a defined geographic area.

District Health System (DHS)

The smallest administrative unit for health planning; includes primary facilities, a referral hospital, laboratories, and a health office with a full-time officer.

Rural Health Unit (RHU) team

Team comprising Rural Health Physician (MHO), Dentist, Public Health Nurse, Rural Health Midwife, Sanitary Inspector, and Community Health Workers/BHWs.

Primary Health Care (PHC)

Essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound methods, universally accessible and community-participatory, delivered at the first point of contact with the health system.

Alma-Ata Declaration (1978)

PHC declaration that framed 'Health for All' and set the international goals for primary health care development.

PHC goals (historical)

Health for all by 2000 and health in the hands of the people by 2020 via community participation and empowerment.

Four A’s of PHC

Accessible, Affordable, Acceptable, Adequate health care services.

PHC pillars (cornerstones)

Appropriate technology; Inter-sectoral coordination; Community participation; Support mechanism.

Appropriate technology (PHC)

Technologies that are scientifically sound, locally adaptable, acceptable, affordable, maintainable by the community.

Inter-sectoral coordination (PHC)

Collaboration among sectors (agriculture, education, housing, etc.) to achieve health for all.

Community participation (PHC)

Engagement of community members in identifying needs, planning, implementing, and evaluating health programs.

Support mechanism (PHC)

Resources and systems that enable health care delivery, including trained personnel and logistical support.

Obstacles to PHC

Role complexity, special responsibilities, role confusion, and lack of skills training among frontline workers.

Commercialized health care vs PHC

Commercialized HC emphasizes disease treatment, hospital-based and urban-focused care; PHC emphasizes prevention, community-based care, accessibility, and intersectoral collaboration.

Levels of health care services

Primary (first contact, community-level), Secondary (district/provincial hospitals with basic surgical care), Tertiary (specialist care in regional centers).

Primary level workers (PHC)

Village/Barangay Health Workers (V/BHW) at the community level; Intermediate level workers (general practitioners, PHNs, midwives) for first-line support.

Secondary level of care

Care provided by physicians with basic health training in district, provincial, and city hospitals; includes basic surgeries and labs; serves as primary’s referral center.

Tertiary level of care

Care provided by specialists in medical centers and regional or specialized hospitals; handles complex cases referred from secondary facilities.

Obvious PHC distinctions

PHC emphasizes community participation, accessibility, and prevention; commercialization emphasizes disease treatment and hospital-centered care.