Name and discuss four prevention essential health benefits for women that must be covered under the Affordable Care Act.
For women in the age range of early adulthood describe:
The psychosocial development.
As a Nurse practitioner, what you think would be the most appropriate clinical education and clinical interventions you would do on a patient in that age range. Base your answer on most common normal and pathological situations women face in the mentioned age range.
Define and give an example of Primary Secondary and Tertiary prevention on Women’s Health.
Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points
Essential Health Benefits for Women under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) ensures a broad range of preventive services for women without cost-sharing. Four essential health benefits include:
- Well-Woman Visits: These annual visits provide a comprehensive evaluation of a woman’s overall health, including screenings, assessments, and counseling. They are crucial for monitoring and managing reproductive health, addressing any emerging health concerns, and updating preventive care plans.
- Contraception: The ACA mandates coverage for FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. This provision ensures women have access to necessary resources to plan their pregnancies and manage reproductive health.
- Breastfeeding Support: The ACA covers breastfeeding support, including counseling from trained providers and the cost of breastfeeding equipment. This benefit promotes successful breastfeeding practices, which are vital for both maternal and infant health.
- Screenings for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Coverage includes screening for STIs such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Early detection and treatment of STIs are crucial for preventing long-term health issues and transmission to others.
Psychosocial Development in Early Adulthood
Women in early adulthood (ages 18-40) undergo significant psychosocial development characterized by establishing intimate relationships, pursuing career goals, and forming a personal identity. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, this period is marked by the challenge of “Intimacy vs. Isolation,” where individuals strive to form close, meaningful relationships while avoiding isolation and loneliness. Success in this stage leads to strong relationships and a sense of connectedness, whereas failure can result in emotional isolation and depression.
Clinical Education and Interventions
As a nurse practitioner, it is essential to provide age-appropriate clinical education and interventions tailored to the common health concerns of women in early adulthood. These include:
- Reproductive Health Education: Educating patients about contraception options, family planning, and the importance of regular gynecological exams, including Pap smears and HPV vaccinations, is crucial. Discussing menstrual health and addressing any concerns related to menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is also important.
- Mental Health Support: Screening for anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions is vital. Providing resources for mental health support, including counseling and therapy, can help manage psychosocial stressors related to relationships, career, and personal growth.
- Chronic Disease Prevention: Educating women about lifestyle modifications to prevent chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity is important. This includes counseling on nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation.
- Sexual Health and STI Prevention: Providing information on safe sexual practices, STI testing, and treatment options helps reduce the risk of infections and promotes sexual health.
Levels of Prevention in Women’s Health
- Primary Prevention: This involves measures to prevent the onset of disease before it occurs. Example: HPV vaccination in adolescent and young adult women to prevent cervical cancer.
- Secondary Prevention: This involves early detection and prompt intervention to control disease progression. Example: Regular mammograms for women aged 40 and above to detect breast cancer early.
- Tertiary Prevention: This involves managing and reducing the impact of an already established disease by restoring function and reducing disease-related complications. Example: Providing rehabilitation and support for women recovering from breast cancer surgery to enhance their quality of life.
References
American Academy of Family Physicians. (2014). Preventive services recommended under the Affordable Care Act. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/patient_care/nrn/nrn-aca-preventive-services.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). Women’s preventive services guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.hrsa.gov/womens-guidelines/index.html