Public Health Partnership are Important Tool for Stretching Limited Resources Essay Example

of other partners or any business debts or liabilities. This partnership is governed by non-tax regulations.

Analysis of Public Health Partnerships

Recently, businesses have expressed interest in providing financial support to well-organized public health organizations. These partnerships aim to enhance the effectiveness and reach of these organizations in delivering public health services to those in need. Corporate social responsibility drives this interest. According to a 2003 report by the Institute of Medicine, partnerships between government public health agencies and businesses or society play a crucial role in promoting individual health within society.

Israel et al (2012) states that the collaboration between businesses and public health organizations leads to business growth opportunities. Independent public health organizations have suffered substantial losses, which are ultimately passed on to private businesses. It is economically beneficial for countries like the United States to prioritize workforce health. From 1970 to 2003, the U.S. incurred expenditures ranging from $73 billion to $1.7 trillion, resulting in a decline in economic power. The high costs associated with decreased productivity due to employee disabilities and illnesses are often shouldered by businesses themselves. This compels them to form partnerships with public health organizations in order to promote employee well-being (Israel et al, 2012).

In the United States, The Dow Chemical Company serves as an exemplar of a study that discovered that more than 60% of the company's overall expenses were attributable to chronic health issues. This emphasizes the substantial influence businesses have on public health, both directly and indirectly. Collaborative efforts between businesses and public health initiatives have effectively diminished health problems in society. As an example, research focused on full-time employees aged 18-64 unveiled that 53% of women and

70% of men suffered from obesity. Consequently, the organization faced annual medical costs amounting to $175 for males and $2485 for females.

The public sector is partnering with public business sectors to address the increased level of obesity. This may be due to the elimination of physical activities in people's lives as a result of technological advancements and the high fat content in their diets, leading to higher levels of diabetes among business workers (Knai et al, 2015). Public health agencies are collaborating with transportation officials and city planners to promote community designs that encourage access to healthy foods and support physical activity. Through this partnership, public health organizations have successfully implemented environmental changes, improved housing conditions, and ensured good sanitation practices, leading to a reduction in infectious diseases. By educating and intervening in public health matters, there is a decreased health risk and potential for increased return on business investments. An example is Dow's program, where the management of employee health risks has shown that a 0.17 percent decrease over ten years can result in reduced healthcare costs and break-even for the organization.

By forming partnerships, employers are making efforts to alter the workplace by offering healthy food options in their cafeterias, creating walking groups and fitness clubs, and establishing and enforcing policies that promote healthy behavior. Knai et al (2015) state that health organizations collaborate with government organizations in the transportation sector to increase the number of parks and improve their quality, thereby encouraging physical activities globally. They also work towards providing physical education and standardized nutrition in schools. Public health organizations can effectively encourage these partnerships by reaching out to commerce chambers, regional and

local businesses, national businesses, and corporate leaders to establish strategic alliances. This can be achieved by involving and sponsoring organizations and corporate leaders in campaigns aimed at preventing diseases such as cancer, chronic illnesses, and diabetes (Randolph ; Viswanath, 2014).

Reduced public costs and improved health benefit both businesses and the public sector. Public health organizations focus on enhancing public health, while businesses aim to decrease medical expenses and increase profits. This collaboration has been proven to be advantageous for businesses in terms of increased profits and reduced government medical costs. Additionally, it provides a platform for public health organizations to deliver medical services, education, and treatments to the public, making the partnership valuable (Randolph ; Viswanath, 2014).

References

1. Aranda-Jan, C. B., Mohutsiwa-Dibe, N., ; Loukanova, S. (2014). Systematic review on what works, what does not work and why of implementation of mobile health (mHealth) projects in Africa. BMC public health , 14(1), 1.
2. Israel, B. A., Schulz, A. J., Parker, E. A., ; Becker, A.

B. (2012). Annual review of public health, 19(1), 173-202. Review of community-based research: assessing partnership approaches to improve public health.

(2015). The article titled "Has a public–private partnership resulted in action on healthier diets in England? An analysis of the Public Health Responsibility Deal food pledges" published in Food Policy, volume 54, pages 1-10.