HCAD 600
Analysis of Macro Trends in the United States: Impact on Jobs in the Washington,
D.C. Metro Area
University of Maryland Global Campus
HCAD 600: Introduction to Healthcare Administration
Abstract
Like the United States, the Washington DC metro area is a diverse population that creates its own
unique challenges when analyzing healthcare related macro trends as a whole. When applying
in-depth analysis on specific macro trends in the Washington DC metro area, the growing life
expectancy is a common catalyst for change within healthcare. Wearable devices, delivery of
care approaches, big data analytics and telemedicine are all opportunities for growth from a
medical perspective and will provide workforce stability in the future. Technology is the driving
force of the future and ensuring future healthcare professionals are proficient in applying new
technology is paramount for the success of this organization.
Analysis of Macro Trends in the United States: Impact on Jobs in the DC Metro Area
Life expectancy in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past few
decades. In 1950, life expectancy was estimated at 68.14 years of age. Today in 2021, the life
expectancy in the United States is 78.99 years of age, which is 0.08% higher than the estimated
78.93 years of life expectancy in 2020 (United Nations, 2019). This considerable increase over
the past 71 years is primarily due to trends such as medical and technological advances,
lifestyles, socio-economic status, and accessibility to adequate healthcare (ThinkAdvisor, 2016).
The Washington D.C. metro area has explored trends such as the use of wearable devices,
, delivery of care approaches, big data analytics, and telemedicine. While it is notable that life
expectancy has improved, it is time to take a deep dive in understanding how these trends have
contributed to the quality of healthcare and how they can affect the health workforce of the
greater Washington D.C. metropolitan.
Macro Trends affecting the US Healthcare System
Wearable Devices
Genetics play a large role in an individual’s life expectancy, however, people’s physical
and social environments contribute much more towards a longer life span. With the increasing
popularity of wearable devices in the United States, it is not a surprise that the Washington D.C.
metro area has begun to use the data derived from these devices to improve patient care.
Although the popularity of these devices is generally limited to healthier individuals, it is
becoming a valuable tool for chronically ill patients and preventative medicine.
More than half of all DC residents are considered obese and east of the Potomac River,
rates are over 70% (dchealth.dc.gov, 2021). Obesity is linked to diabetes, which is congruent
with the data given by the DC Department of Health. Ward 8 in DC has the highest obesity rates,
and not shockingly, the highest rate of diabetes at a whopping 15% (dchealth.dc.gov, 2021).
Wearable technology has already expanded to include continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
and insulin pumps. The CGM devices are usually stickers that take blood sugar measurements at
different time increments, and deliver the data to a cloud based storage. The storage can be
accessed by healthcare professionals,or hand delivered at the patient’s next appointment
(Christiansen, 2020).
The data derived from these devices includes everything from heart rate and blood
oxygen saturation, to glucose and blood alcohol levels allowing physicians to remotely monitor
and analyze key data points provided by the patient through these devices (Dunn, et al., 2018).
Analysis of Macro Trends in the United States: Impact on Jobs in the Washington,
D.C. Metro Area
University of Maryland Global Campus
HCAD 600: Introduction to Healthcare Administration
Abstract
Like the United States, the Washington DC metro area is a diverse population that creates its own
unique challenges when analyzing healthcare related macro trends as a whole. When applying
in-depth analysis on specific macro trends in the Washington DC metro area, the growing life
expectancy is a common catalyst for change within healthcare. Wearable devices, delivery of
care approaches, big data analytics and telemedicine are all opportunities for growth from a
medical perspective and will provide workforce stability in the future. Technology is the driving
force of the future and ensuring future healthcare professionals are proficient in applying new
technology is paramount for the success of this organization.
Analysis of Macro Trends in the United States: Impact on Jobs in the DC Metro Area
Life expectancy in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past few
decades. In 1950, life expectancy was estimated at 68.14 years of age. Today in 2021, the life
expectancy in the United States is 78.99 years of age, which is 0.08% higher than the estimated
78.93 years of life expectancy in 2020 (United Nations, 2019). This considerable increase over
the past 71 years is primarily due to trends such as medical and technological advances,
lifestyles, socio-economic status, and accessibility to adequate healthcare (ThinkAdvisor, 2016).
The Washington D.C. metro area has explored trends such as the use of wearable devices,
, delivery of care approaches, big data analytics, and telemedicine. While it is notable that life
expectancy has improved, it is time to take a deep dive in understanding how these trends have
contributed to the quality of healthcare and how they can affect the health workforce of the
greater Washington D.C. metropolitan.
Macro Trends affecting the US Healthcare System
Wearable Devices
Genetics play a large role in an individual’s life expectancy, however, people’s physical
and social environments contribute much more towards a longer life span. With the increasing
popularity of wearable devices in the United States, it is not a surprise that the Washington D.C.
metro area has begun to use the data derived from these devices to improve patient care.
Although the popularity of these devices is generally limited to healthier individuals, it is
becoming a valuable tool for chronically ill patients and preventative medicine.
More than half of all DC residents are considered obese and east of the Potomac River,
rates are over 70% (dchealth.dc.gov, 2021). Obesity is linked to diabetes, which is congruent
with the data given by the DC Department of Health. Ward 8 in DC has the highest obesity rates,
and not shockingly, the highest rate of diabetes at a whopping 15% (dchealth.dc.gov, 2021).
Wearable technology has already expanded to include continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
and insulin pumps. The CGM devices are usually stickers that take blood sugar measurements at
different time increments, and deliver the data to a cloud based storage. The storage can be
accessed by healthcare professionals,or hand delivered at the patient’s next appointment
(Christiansen, 2020).
The data derived from these devices includes everything from heart rate and blood
oxygen saturation, to glucose and blood alcohol levels allowing physicians to remotely monitor
and analyze key data points provided by the patient through these devices (Dunn, et al., 2018).
