What Is Health Policy?

Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “the state of total health or the absence of a dangerous disfigurement, illness, and physical deformity caused by disease, injury or accident.” A number of definitions have also been used over the years for various purposes. For example, the dictionary defines health as, “relating to the physical aspect of life; soundness.” Another source says that health is, “the quality of being able to carry out the activities of daily living.” The dictionary also defines health as, “exceeding the standards of healthy living.” These definitions, though used generally, often overlap each other.

What is meant by an accountable care organization when it comes to health systems? An ACO is a network of hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers that come together under one system to promote and provide high-quality health care to patients. The idea behind this definition is to provide all of the patient’s needs while reducing administrative costs. This definition differs somewhat from the health systems definition in that the care provided is more personalized and the access to physicians and other health care specialists is better. In addition, an ACO can also provide health services to rural and remote patients.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of life expectancy, the average human life expectancy is around seventy-five years of age. According to another definition, life expectancy is eighty-five to ninety years of age. The difference between these two definitions is insignificant and what is important is that health policy refers to anything that improves the quality of life of an older adult and ensures that he or she has the ability to lead a reasonably happy and productive life.