Health science is an enormous field of study, and many different career paths fall under its umbrella. Because of this, amazing health science facts pop up every day. Let’s look at some of the most interesting medical facts related to health science.
Barton College is committed to providing a comprehensive education that equips our students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the healthcare industry. We have designed our programs to prepare you for success in a variety of healthcare settings like hospitals, clinics, private practices, and more. Read on to learn some of the most unbelievable health science facts.
AMAZING HEALTH SCIENCE FACTS
- Nurses are considered the primary providers of patient care in hospitals.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN), nurses comprise the most significant portion of hospital staff.
- Occupational therapy (OT) can be traced back to 100 BC.
OT techniques were first performed by a Greek physician named Asclepiades on patients who suffered from mental illnesses.
- Nail color can tell a lot about your health.
A quick look at the color of a person’s fingernails will tell you whether their blood oxygen levels are healthy and if their circulation is good.
- The average age for an RN is 52 years old.
That means many RNs are expected to retire over the next decade, creating a massive demand for nurses in the US.
- BSNs are in high demand.
Job listings for registered nurses regularly state, “BSN preferred.” Registered nurses may want to continue their education to keep their options open.
- 80% of older adults are estimated to have at least one chronic disease.
Even more alarmingly, 68% of older adults are estimated to have at least two chronic diseases.
- Physical therapy was developed in response to WWI.
The army hired reconstruction aides — or nurses — to care for wounded soldiers helping them to participate in physical therapy.
- Projected numbers put the senior citizen population at 69 million by 2030.
That number will increase to 88.5 million by 2050, placing even higher demands on the healthcare system in America.
- Occupational therapy began in 1917.
Three men and three women started the first occupational therapy practice three years before women had the right to vote.
- The lymph system and circulatory system operate very differently from one another.
The circulatory system relies on the heart, which pumps blood throughout the body. The lymph system, on the other hand, works best when we exercise. Movement helps lymph nodes to drain correctly and increases the body’s natural immunity.
- Females were initially the only people to work as physical therapists.
In 1921, the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association was founded, led by its first president, Mary McMillan.
- The suggestion of hand washing was laughed at in the mid-1800s.
When Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis suggested that people wash their hands before performing surgery or delivering babies, other doctors and nurses thought it was a laughable thought.
- The human body is a speedy, cell-generating machine!
Your body generates around 3.8 million cells every second!
- There’s a worldwide healthcare worker shortage.
According to the World Health Organization, 57 countries have a healthcare worker crisis. Nearly 2.4 million healthcare workers and 1.9 million administrative positions must be filled to fix the problem.
- The US healthcare industry is the fastest-growing industry in the country.
It’s also the largest area of employment in the United States. Best of all, job security looks solid for the foreseeable future.
ACCREDITED HEALTHCARE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Barton College offers several healthcare programs for aspiring professionals. Our School of Nursing and Allied Health and Sport Studies programs provide many undergraduate and graduate programs in the healthcare field, including Nursing, Administration, Exercise Science, and more. We also offer an RN-BSN program entirely online.
READY TO START YOUR NURSING CAREER? CONTACT BARTON COLLEGE TODAY!
If these healthcare facts have you considering a healthcare career, we encourage you to browse the academic programs we offer at Barton College. You can apply for classes online to start your journey toward becoming a healthcare professional. That way, you’ll likely have an endless supply of fun facts about the medical field throughout your career.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact us today.
Image Source: Gorodenkoff, shutterstock