The History of Healthcare/ Health Science

The history of health science in America has been marked by significant advancements and challenges, shaping the nation’s healthcare system into what it is today. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the U.S. experienced a transformation in medical care, with the rise of hospitals as centers of scientific and technological innovation. Between 1865 and 1925, hospitals evolved into modern institutions, serving as hubs for medical research and patient care (University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, n.d.). Health science studies has been crucial in America from the late 1800s to the present, as it directly impacts public health, economic stability, and social well-being. In our opinion, healthcare is arguably the most important occupation in America, as it is dedicated to saving lives and improving quality of life. No other profession has as direct an impact on human survival and well-being. One of the biggest causes of the increasing advancement of healthcare is the massive growth of technology within the past century. According to Purdue Global, “Advances in technology — such as telemedicine/telehealth, wearable health tracking devices, centralized medical software, and improved medical analysis — are creating new job opportunities within health care. The field of health care IT is growing and changing rapidly, even more so because the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act in 2009 placed a greater emphasis on electronic medical records and electronic health records. Entirely new technology-driven specialties have emerged, such as health informatics, health information management, information security, and records management” (Purdue University Global, 2025, para. 4). The commitment of healthcare professionals to patient care, often under challenging circumstances, underscores the essential role they play in society. In summary, the evolution of health science in America reflects a continuous effort to enhance overall quality of life for all, and the importance of healthcare occupations is evident in their unparalleled contribution to saving lives and promoting well-being.