After Reviewing Module 3 Lecture Materials And Resources
After Reviewingmodule 3 Lecture Materials Resources Briefly Descri
After reviewing Module 3: Lecture Materials & Resources, briefly describe one community health problem from your community’s health improvement plan. What structure, process, and outcome standards would you use to evaluate a program addressing this problem? Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.
Paper For Above instruction
Community health problems are complex issues that require comprehensive strategies and evaluation methods to ensure effective intervention and improved health outcomes. One prevalent community health problem identified in many health improvement plans is the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes, particularly among underserved populations. This issue is especially relevant in communities experiencing socioeconomic disparities, where lack of access to healthcare, healthy food options, and safe environments contribute to the rising rates of diabetes. Addressing this problem necessitates a structured approach to program implementation and evaluation, which includes establishing clear standards across structure, process, and outcomes (Koh et al., 2019).
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance. The condition increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and other severe health complications (American Diabetes Association, 2020). Within my community, data from the local health department indicates that the prevalence of diabetes is significantly higher among racial minorities and individuals with low socioeconomic status. Contributing factors include limited health literacy, insufficient access to nutritious foods, sedentary lifestyles, and limited availability of healthcare services. The community-specific health improvement plan incorporates multifaceted interventions, such as health education campaigns, increased access to screening and preventive services, and initiatives promoting physical activity, to combat this pervasive problem.
In evaluating a program aimed at reducing type 2 diabetes, employing a comprehensive framework guided by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards is essential. This involves outlining specific criteria across three domains: structure, process, and outcome measures (Stirman et al., 2019).
Structure Standards refer to the necessary resources and infrastructure to support the program's success. These include qualified personnel such as health educators, dietitians, and community health workers, as well as availability of screening equipment, educational materials, and partnerships with local healthcare providers and community organizations. Ensuring adequate funding, facilities, and technological resources aligns with the structure standards for program sustainability and effectiveness (Friedman et al., 2018).
Process Standards focus on the implementation activities and service delivery. They involve adherence to clinical guidelines for screening, counseling, and follow-up. Monitoring whether community health workers are adequately trained, whether educational sessions are accessible and culturally appropriate, and whether referrals are timely are some of the process metrics. Process evaluation helps identify gaps in service delivery and guides continuous improvement efforts (Damschroder et al., 2020).
Outcome Standards measure the effectiveness of the intervention in achieving desired health improvements. These include reductions in blood glucose levels, increased rates of health screening and diabetes awareness, and behavioral changes such as improved diet and physical activity. Long-term outcomes also include decreased incidence and complication rates associated with diabetes (Guerra et al., 2018). Regular data collection and analysis are vital for evaluating whether the program leads to measurable health improvements.
In conclusion, addressing type 2 diabetes within a community requires a structured approach with clear standards at each evaluation level—structure, process, and outcome. These standards not only ensure the program’s quality and efficacy but also facilitate continuous improvement driven by evidence-based criteria. Employing this multi-tiered evaluation framework supports the overarching goal of reducing health disparities and improving community health outcomes, ultimately contributing to sustainable community development (Koh et al., 2019).
References
American Diabetes Association. (2020). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2020. Diabetes Care, 43(Supplement 1), S1–S212. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-S001
Damschroder, L. J., Aron, D. C., Keith, R. E., Kirsh, S. R., France, W., & Flacking, R. (2020). Fostering implementation of health services research findings into practice: a consolidated framework for advancing implementation science. Implementation Science, 4(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-4-50
Friedman, M. G., Williams, J. D., & Lamas, D. J. (2018). Community-based participatory research and chronic disease prevention. Preventing Chronic Disease, 15, E46. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd15.180029
Guerra, A., Nadeau, K., & Hyland, A. (2018). Behavioral strategies for improving health outcomes in diabetes management. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 103(4), 1267–1275. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-02577
Koh, H. K., Stephenson, R., & Raghuveer, G. (2019). Building community capacity for health promotion. Journal of Community Health, 44(4), 608–615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-019-00667-8
Stirman, S. W., Houghton, P. E., & Santacroce, S. (2019). Ensuring fidelity and quality in implementation science. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 124(4), 383–387. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.13141