Medical services and health care involve improving and maintaining people’s health through diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures. These resources may be provided by public or private institutions, and people may have access to a variety of health services depending on their profession and location. Health care providers provide these resources to members of their communities and may attempt to cure or treat illnesses, diseases, and physical or cognitive disorders. The four main types of health services include disease prevention, health promotion, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Quality health care helps prevent disease and improve quality of life. Public health focuses on improving the quality of health care and ensuring that all people receive the health services they need.
Helping healthcare providers communicate more effectively can help improve health and well-being. Strategies that ensure health care providers know treatment guidelines and recommended services are also key to improving health.
Some people do not receive needed health services because they do not have health insurance or live too far from providers who offer them. Interventions to increase access to health care, such as lowering costs, improving insurance coverage, and increasing the use of telemedicine, can help more people get the care they need.