An Epidemiologic Profile Is A Summary Of A Significant Publi

An Epidemiologic Profile Is A Summary Of A Significant Public Health I

An epidemiologic profile is a summary of a significant public health issue, or issues, in your community, county, state, or country. An epidemiological profile helps to coordinate activities and policies from various agencies and organizations to improve health. Review the available data, reports, and documents for your locale. Assess how the methods of epidemiology (study designs, data collection, measures of association, etc.) are used to determine who needs what services, where the services are needed, and how those services should be delivered. Define your community as your city, metropolitan area, or county and write a 2,000-2,250 word epidemiological profile (word limit excludes references and title page).The profile can be a general profile that provides a landscape picture of several significant chronic and infectious diseases in your defined community, or it can be a specific profile that targets one health issue, such as diabetes, asthma, STDs, flu, heart disease, obesity, alcohol abuse, or other drug use.

Include the following: Executive Summary Describe the purpose of the epidemiologic profile and the health issue(s) it addresses. Discuss its importance to the community and how it will be utilized. Summarize the key findings from your review of available data, reports, and documents for the community. Introduction Describe the defined community and population using demographic and socio-economic information and data. Briefly describe the history and cultural background of the community. Explain any unique contextual information that pertains to the public health of the defined community. Describe any key public health projects, grants, or existing epidemiology-related working groups or committees in the community/county. Description of Available Data Identify at least two different data sources relevant to your profile. Discuss data from these sources and their relation to the issue or community. Discuss the methods used in the data collection process (data source and organization providing the data; how often the data are collected; data limitations including response rates, missing data, selection of participants, etc.). Potential data sources and databases might include the following depending on what is available for your community or county: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data Youth risk behavioral survey Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) program data CDC Wonder (multiple data sources) County health rankings data (multiple data sources) Alcohol-related disease impact data Demographic health survey data (international) Global school-based student health survey (international) Local evaluation reports from the department/ministry of health or other nonprofit organizations Interpretation of Results Regarding Key Health Issue Size and magnitude of the measures Trends and comparisons Economic costs Discussion of Problems and Strategies Discuss disparities, limitations, and gaps in the information available regarding the health issue(s). Describe potential public health strategies to address these gaps. Use graphs and tables where appropriate. Conclusion You are required to cite to at least five sources to complete this assignment. Sources should be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and public health content. General Requirements Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance. Benchmark Information This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competency: MPH 2.1 Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice. MSN Public Health Nursing 6.2 Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The city of Riverside, located in Southern California, is a diverse and growing community with a population exceeding 330,000 residents. The demographic composition includes a mix of ethnicities, with approximately 50% Hispanic or Latino, 30% Caucasian, 10% African American, and 10% Asian and others, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). Socio-economic factors indicate that a significant portion of residents live below the federal poverty line, with disparities evident in education, employment, and healthcare access. Riverside’s rich cultural background, influenced by Latino, Anglo, and Asian communities, shapes its public health dynamics. Its history reflects rapid urban growth and development, coupled with ongoing public health initiatives aimed at reducing chronic diseases and managing infectious threats.

Public health projects, including the Riverside County Department of Public Health’s ongoing obesity prevention programs and vaccination campaigns, exemplify local efforts to address health issues. Existing epidemiological working groups focus on chronic disease prevention and communicable disease control, coordinating with state and federal agencies like the CDC and California Department of Public Health.

Description of Available Data

For this epidemiological profile, two primary data sources are utilized: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the County Health Rankings data. The BRFSS provides county-level estimates of risk behaviors, health conditions, and preventive service use, collected annually via telephone surveys (CDC, 2023). Its data allows for analyzing prevalence rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as health habits like smoking and physical activity. Limitations include response bias and underrepresentation of marginalized populations, which may impact data accuracy.

County Health Rankings compiles data from multiple sources, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CDC, and state health departments, providing snapshots of health outcomes, health factors, and social determinants (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2023). It offers insight into social-economic indicators, access to healthcare, and environmental factors affecting community health.

Interpretation of Results

Patterns emerging from the data indicate that Riverside exhibits a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity compared to state and national averages, with significant disparities among poverty-stricken communities. BRFSS data shows approximately 14% of adults in Riverside have diabetes, exceeding the national rate of 10.5% (CDC, 2023). Trends reveal an upward trajectory over the last five years. Economic costs linked to diabetes management and related complications are substantial, with estimates exceeding $300 million annually in the region (American Diabetes Association, 2022).

This health issue affects vulnerable populations disproportionately, including minorities and low-income residents, accentuating the necessity for targeted public health strategies. Data suggests that physical activity levels are low, and obesity rates are high, exacerbating diabetes prevalence. The social determinants such as limited access to healthy foods, safe recreational areas, and healthcare create barriers to prevention and management.

Discussion of Problems and Strategies

Gaps in data include limited longitudinal studies focusing on behavioral interventions’ long-term outcomes and underrepresented subpopulations. Disparities are prominent, with minority communities experiencing higher disease burden and less access to preventive services (CDC, 2023). Addressing these issues requires multisectoral strategies.

Potential public health strategies include expanding community-based interventions targeting diet and physical activity, improving healthcare access through mobile clinics, and culturally tailored health education programs. Policy measures, such as increasing the availability of affordable healthy foods and creating safe recreational spaces, are critical.

Furthermore, developing a comprehensive data collection framework that includes qualitative assessments can bridge gaps in understanding community-specific barriers. Collaborating with local organizations and stakeholders ensures strategies are culturally appropriate and sustainable.

Conclusion

In summary, Riverside faces significant public health challenges related to chronic diseases like diabetes, which are exacerbated by socio-economic disparities and environmental factors. Reliable data sources like BRFSS and County Health Rankings provide valuable insights but highlight the need for improved data collection and targeted interventions. Addressing health disparities requires comprehensive, community-engaged approaches integrating policy change, education, and accessible healthcare services. The epidemiological profile underscores the importance of continued surveillance and inter-agency collaboration to improve health outcomes in Riverside.

References

  • American Diabetes Association. (2022). Diabetes in the United States. Diabetes Care, 45(Suppl 1), S3–S11.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.html
  • County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. (2023). Riverside County Profile. Retrieved from https://www.countyhealthrankings.org
  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Community Demographics for Riverside, CA. Retrieved from https://census.gov
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Health in the Americas: Regional Overview. WHO Publications.
  • Johnson, S., & Williams, M. (2020). Public health strategies for chronic disease prevention. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 26(3), 211-218.
  • Smith, L., & Lee, A. (2019). Socioeconomic disparities in health: A review. American Journal of Public Health, 109(5), 668-675.
  • Lee, K., & Park, H. (2021). Culturally tailored interventions for diabetes management in minority communities. Diabetes Educator, 47(2), 232-240.
  • Miller, T., & Garcia, R. (2022). Addressing health disparities through policy change. Policy & Practice, 54(1), 45-55.
  • Roberts, C., & Martinez, D. (2020). Community engagement in public health initiatives. American Journal of Community Psychology, 66, 453-467.

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