It is no secret that Americans are living long lives. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, the average life expectancy is 73.5 years for males and 79.3 years for females (according to the CDC, the average life expectancy is 77.5 years). Life expectancy is related to advances in medical science, technology and guidelines for improving patient care and the incidence of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The evolving landscape of healthcare is placing increased and rapidly-changing demands on providers. Aging populations; increases in the number of patients with chronic conditions; recent government changes; advances in medical technology; more informed, digital consumers and changes in intrapersonal connections all drive demand for healthcare services and impact the need for skilled healthcare providers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. On average, about 2 million openings are projected each year due to growth and the need to replace workers”.
With the increasing complexity of healthcare, self-advocacy and healthcare literacy are essential skills for everyone. This lesson will examine the following aspects of healthcare and being a healthcare consumer:
At the end of this lesson you will examine if you might be interested in a healthcare profession.