Health Care Today in the United States details the complexities of health care in the United States and provides readers with up-to-date information on the state of health care, its challenges, and how to navigate the system. Sections cover patient populations, diverse cultures, legalities, the opioid epidemic, the impact of COVID-19, health care costs, insurance and the impact of technology on health care. Written for students seeking a health science degree, as well as health care professionals, nurses, medical students, and those in the field of public health, this book provides a comprehensive view of health care in the U.S.

UNIT I: Introduction 1.The Complexity of Health Care 2. Measuring Health and Disease 3. Health, Culture, and Behavior 4. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care 5. Manpower in the Health Care Profession UNIT II. Specific Patient Populations 6. Children 7. Women 8. Older Adults 9. Minorities UNIT III. United States Health Issues 10. Infectious Diseases 11. Chronic Diseases and Risks 12. Complex Emergencies and Natural Disasters 13. Illegal Immigrant Issues 14. The Opioid Epidemic 15. Suicides and Homicides 16. The Homelessness Crisis 17. The COVID-19 Pandemic UNIT IV. Financial Management 18. Health Insurance, Financing, and Payment 19. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 20. Customer ServiceUNIT V. Communication in the Health Care Profession 21. The Communication Process 22. Technology and Computers in Health Care 23. Medical Record-keeping 24. The Future of Health Care Glossary Index