Brain Injury and Allocation of Limited Resources
In communities and nations where resources are limited, allocating the proper resources to treat, manage, and rehabilitate brain injuries is difficult.
Get A 100% Free CASE EvaluationThe state of Ohio prioritizes school health services and school nurse services, especially those that aid learning, assess the developmental and social history of a child with special needs, and focus on brain injuries that can affect the learning process. There is also a broader definition of traumatic brain injury in Ohio than at the federal level. Therefore, more children may qualify to receive special education services.
Medical Resource Allocation
The process of allocating medical resources can be a challenge, if not controversial. Small communities may not have the advanced scanning equipment needed to accurately diagnose a brain injury at birth. Some may look to clean water or housing as priorities. Decisions made based on the needs of people are better accepted, but if political motivation seems to be a factor, it’s often not well-received.
Prevention
Coordination can help direct resources to where they need to be and what issues they should address. The focus can be on preventing injuries through fetal and maternal health monitoring and identifying potential risk factors in advance, such as maternal infections, fetal heart rate, and uterine contraction. Resources that are required include access to routine testing and awareness programs that encourage mothers to be proactive in seeking assessments and treatments, which can limit the chances of dealing with a birth brain injury.
Process of Allocating Resources
Ohio has invested in initiatives to address premature births, sleep-related causes such as asphyxia and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and birth defects. Prematurity is a major risk factor for oxygen deprivation and bleeding that can severely affect the brain. Public policy can be one step towards allocating limited resources to address risk factors such as low birth weight. Resources may be targeted at areas where those at risk are more likely to be found. Analyzing local data can be helpful in targeting such communities and high-risk populations within them. This can be useful in places where premature births and infant mortality are higher, especially in conjunction with risk factors for brain injury.