Prevention essential health benefits for women that must be covered under the Affordable Care Act.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Early Adulthood: Psychosocial Development and Clinical Care

 

Early adulthood typically spans the ages of 20 to 40 years.5

 

 

Psychosocial Development (Erikson's Stage)

 

The primary psychosocial task during early adulthood, according to Erik Erikson, is Intimacy vs. Isolation.

Intimacy: This involves forming close, deeply committed relationships with others (romantic partners, friends, colleagues). Successfully navigating this stage means developing a strong sense of self that can be merged with another's identity without fear of losing oneself.

Isolation: Failure to achieve true intimacy or maintain meaningful relationships often leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness.6

 

During this stage, women focus heavily on career establishment, choosing life partners, starting a family (or choosing not to), and creating an independent, self-sufficient lifestyle.

 

Clinical Education and Interventions (Nurse Practitioner Perspective)

 

The most appropriate clinical education and interventions for women in this age range should address their developmental tasks and the most common health risks.

CategoryMost Common Situation (Normal/Pathological)Nurse Practitioner Intervention/Education
Reproductive/Sexual HealthNormal: Contraceptive needs, preconception counseling. Pathological: Unintended pregnancy, STIs (e.g., HPV, Chlamydia), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).Intervention: Comprehensive contraceptive counseling (LARC focus—Long-Acting Reversible Contraception), annual STI/cervical cancer screening (per USPSTF guidelines). Education: Preconception planning (folic acid supplementation, immunization review), safe sex practices, and fertility awareness.
Mental/Psychosocial HealthNormal: Stress from career/family balance, relationship challenges. Pathological: Anxiety, depression, substance use, burnout.Intervention: Universal screening for depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and IPV at every visit. Counseling: Stress reduction techniques, sleep hygiene, and referral to mental health services for persistent symptoms.
Lifestyle/Chronic DiseaseNormal: Establishing lifelong habits (diet/exercise). Pathological: Obesity, hypertension, poor diet (leading to future diabetes/CVD).Intervention: Risk assessment (BMI, blood pressure, fasting glucose/lipid panel if indicated). Education: Focus on modifying lifestyle behaviors (e.g., Mediterranean diet principles), 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, and limiting processed food intake.

 

🛡️ Defining Levels of Prevention in Women's Health

 

Preventive care is categorized into three levels based on the timing and goal of the intervention relative to the disease process.

LevelDefinitionExample in Women's Health
Primary PreventionAction taken to prevent the disease or injury from occurring at all. Targets healthy people and reduces risk factors.Administering the HPV vaccine to young women/adolescents to prevent future HPV infection, which can lead to cervical cancer.
Secondary PreventionAction taken to detect a disease early, before symptoms appear, or to halt the progression of a disease once it has begun.Routine mammography screening for breast cancer in asymptomatic women aged 40-74, allowing for early treatment and better outcomes.
Tertiary PreventionAction taken to manage an established disease or chronic condition, reduce disability, limit complications, and improve quality of life.Providing rehabilitation and ongoing management (e.g., physical therapy, medication) to a woman who has survived a stroke or breast cancer to prevent recurrence and regain function.

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women's Health and the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates coverage for several essential health benefits (EHB) and preventive services for women without cost-sharing (co-pays or deductibles), provided they are delivered by an in-network provider.

Here are four essential preventive health benefits for women covered by the ACA:

Well-Woman Visits: Coverage for annual preventive care visits (including physical exams and counseling) to assess health, provide health education, and discuss family planning and disease prevention. This benefit ensures women have access to regular primary care to address emerging issues.

Contraception: Coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education/counseling. This is a critical benefit for reproductive autonomy and family planning.

Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Coverage for routine HIV screening for all adolescents and adults, as well as regular screening for other STIs (like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis) for sexually active women and those at increased risk.

Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Screening and Counseling: Coverage for screening and counseling for domestic and interpersonal violence, ensuring victims are identified and referred to appropriate support services. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening all women of reproductive age.