Course Summary

The concept of preventive health care involves disease identification in specific at-risk populations. Interdisciplinary health teams are usually an integral part of such programs because they provide combined knowledge of the existing screening guidelines for acute and chronic health diseases. Health prevention strategies should aim at the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions focused on reducing the chance of developing chronic diseases. Educating patients on health prevention also helps to promote strong patient engagement, and it raises public awareness of how poor health habits can lead to the development of many common chronic diseases. Good health prevention education promotes patient awareness of needed behavior adjustments that need to be made in order to avoid unhealthy lifestyle patterns and diseases. Health prevention involves a lifelong commitment to healthy lifestyle choices.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Concepts of Early Screening for Disease Detection and Prevention
  • The Purpose of Screening for Diseases
  • Prevention and Personal Health Counseling
• Substance Use Disorders
  • Alcohol Use Disorder
  • Tobacco Use Disorder
  • Illicit and Prescription Drug Use
  • Opioid Use in an Era of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
• USPSAF Screening Recommendations and Grades
• Cancer Screening
  • Lung Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Skin Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Oral Cancer
• Coronary Artery Disease and Hypertension
  • Hypertension and Risk of CAD
  • USPSTF Screening for Hypertension and CAD
  • Research: Benefit of Exercise for Disease Prevention
• Diabetes and Lipid Disorders
  • USPSTF Screening for Diabetes
  • Hypertension and Diabetes
  • Dyslipidemia, Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
  • Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes
  • Research: Exercise and Metabolic Disorders
• Obesity
  • USPSTF Screening for Obesity
  • Research: Obesity Risk in Youth
• Osteoporosis
  • USPSTF Screening for Osteoporosis
  • Research: Vitamin D Deficiency and Osteoporosis
• Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Vision Loss
  • Diagnosis and Treatment of Age-related Vision Impairment
  • Glaucoma
  • Vision Impairment in Children
  • Research: Open-angle Glaucoma Case Study
• Hearing Impairment
  • Childhood Hearing Loss
  • Case Study: Hearing Loss from Foreign Body
• Genitourinary Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
  • Chlamydial Infection
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
• Screening for Anemia in Children and Pregnant Women
  • Iron Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy
  • Sickle Cell Disease
• Screening for Mental Illness and Suicidality
  • Major Depression
• Screening for Newborns, Children and Adolescents
  • Congenital Hypothyroidism
  • Obesity
  • Phenylketonuria
  • Visual Impairment in Children Ages 3 to 5: Amblyopia
• Screening for Types of Interpersonal Violence
  • Elder Abuse
• Summary

Authors

Noah H. Carpenter, MD

Dr. Noah Carpenter is a Thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. He completed his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and medical school and training at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Carpenter completed surgical residency and fellowship at the University of Edmonton and Affiliated Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, and an additional Adult Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has specialized in microsurgical techniques, vascular endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic surgery in Brandon, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, Texas, and California. Dr. Carpenter has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary, and was appointed a Citizen Ambassador to China, and has served as a member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Canada Science Council, and the International Society of Endovascular Surgeons, among others. He has been an inspiration to youth, motivating them to understand the importance of achieving higher education.

Michelle Herron, DNP-BC

Michelle Herron holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She plans to specialize in psychiatric services for transitional age youth and young adults. She has worked in child and adolescent mental health for 13 years. She previously worked at Shodair Children’s Hospital as a Program Director and as the Director of Quality and Risk Management. She also served as the Infection Control Nurse for the organization. Michelle’s earlier degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Montana State University Northern. Michelle is passionate about serving vulnerable populations and mental health needs. Michelle is a dedicated mother to four daughters and three granddaughters. She is committed to serving children and adults in her community in Montana.