Research Paper on "Healthcare Schuylkill County"

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Home Health Agencies -- 45 agencies Statewide serve the county, with only 4 located inside the county; total residents service are 4,152 or about 3% of the population.

Health Care Workforce -- There are about 650 individuals licensed in LPN nursing in the county, up about 3% from previous years; 706 RNs, 60 Dentists, and 200 Physicians; all up slightly from 2005. On average this means there is one physician for every 736 individuals, or one healthcare worker per every 95 people in the county, rounded off to 1:100 (does not include dentistry). This is lower than we might expect in some areas, much higher in others. For instance, the ratio of healthcare workers to total population is half that in Philadelphia County, 56:1; and for physicians 1:208. Thus, we can see that the healthcare professionals in Schuylkill County have more patients to see and fewer resources with which to tackle problems and challenges (Data from: (County Health Statistics - Healthcare 2010, 2009).

Major Issues in Healthcare - Cancer and issues with disease as a result of diet and/or obesity (heart, pulmonary, diabetes) are primary concerns in Schuylkill County. HIV is, as it is in most areas, a problem but declining likely due to education and greater openness regarding prevention and safe sex. Alcoholism continues to be problematic as well. Thankfully, there are programs in place that address these issues in a proactive way. We have reviewed the Vision programs, education and prevention based on the work done at the hospitals and the clinics. There is also the Schuylkill County Suicide Prevention Task Force, designed to provide information and alternatives for all of those in need; there are 25 programs that work in behavioral health; and the County Health department that aggressively liaisons with other agencies to provide educational and prevention programs. However, what is not encouraging, and remains one of the most vivid problems for the county, are binge drinking and the way that there are not really enough medical professionals per patient to deal with serious issues. Bing drinking is just the tip, say experts; smoking and obesity are problems, particularly with the underinsured and lower income individuals. These, of course, are not endemic to the county, but remain at the top of the list for issues needing greater attention (Wolfgang, 2010; Pennsylvania Department of Health, 2011; Network of Care for Behavioral Health, 2011).

REFERENCES

County Health Statistics - Healthcare 2010. (2009, March). Retrieved from Pennsylvania Department of Health: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt-in_hi_groupoperator_1=or&in_hi_req_objtype=18&in_hi_req_objtype=17&in_hi_req_objtype=512&in_hi_req_objtype=514&in_hi_req_objtype=43&in_hi_req_objtype=1&in_hi_req_apps=7&in_hi_req_page=10&in_ra_topoperator=or&

Comprehensive Plan. (2010, March). Retrieved from City of Pottsville, PA: http://www.city.pottsville.pa.us/html/cp1.htm

Election Statistics. (2010, June). Retrieved from Pennsylvania Department of State: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/running_for_office/12704

Schuylkill County. (2010, June). Retrieved from Sperling's Best Places USA: http://www.bestplaces.net/economy/county/pennsylvania/schuylkill

Network of Care for Behavioral Health. (2011, Feburary). Retrieved from Schuylkill Network: http://schuylkill.pa.networkofcare.org/mh/addcorrect/search.cfm?val=9

Press Releases and Awards. (2011, July). Retrieved from Schuylkill Health Services: http://www.schuylkillhealth.com/news.html

VISION - Strategic Plan. (2011, January). Retrieved from Schuylkill County VISION PLan: http://www.schuylkillvision.com/?page_id=463

Pennsylvania Department of Health. (2011, January). Health Services Locator for Schuylkill County. Retrieved from Healthdeparment.state: http://webserver.health.state.pa.us/health/comm/comm.asp?COUNTY=Schuylkill

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. (2011, January). County Overview. Retrieved from… READ MORE