Identify A Population To Study

Identify A Population To Study

Write an essay in a 2-page Microsoft Word document defining a population that you would like to study during this course. Present the criteria for the inclusion and exclusion and some general information about your chosen population. Include demographics, socioeconomics, health risk factors, and environmental hazards. You will use this population as the basis for other assignments in this course. Cite any sources in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

The population I have chosen to study for this course is middle-aged adults aged 40 to 65 years who reside in urban environments and are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. This demographic is critical because cardiovascular conditions are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, and understanding their attributes and risk factors can inform targeted public health interventions and nursing practices.

Inclusion criteria for this population encompass adults aged 40–65 years living in metropolitan areas, with access to healthcare services, and who have been diagnosed with at least one cardiovascular risk factor such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or a history of smoking. Additionally, being insured provides consistent access to health resources, which can influence health outcomes. The rationale for selecting this population stems from the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases within this age group and the disparities observed based on socio-economic and environmental factors.

Exclusion criteria include individuals actively undergoing treatment for advanced cancer, those with acquired or congenital immunodeficiencies, and individuals engaged in intravenous drug abuse. These conditions can independently influence health status and confound the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors or environmental impacts among otherwise healthy middle-aged adults. Such exclusions allow for a more focused analysis of the specific attributes and risks pertinent to the population of interest.

General attributes of this population reveal demographic diversity, with variations in ethnicity, income, and education level. Socioeconomic status greatly influences health behaviors, access to nutritious foods, and opportunities for physical activity, all of which impact cardiovascular health. For instance, lower-income individuals may face barriers such as limited access to healthy foods or safe environments for exercise, increasing their vulnerability. Environmental hazards prevalent in urban settings include air pollution, noise pollution, and limited green spaces, which collectively elevate cardiovascular risk.

Health risk factors common in this population include sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, smoking, obesity, and chronic stress. Environmental hazards such as particulate matter air pollution can exacerbate cardiovascular conditions by triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. Studies have shown that urban air pollution correlates with increased incidence of hypertension and ischemic heart disease (Brook et al., 2010). Additionally, socioeconomic disadvantages can lead to higher exposure to environmental hazards and reduced capacity to adopt healthier lifestyles (Clark et al., 2014).

Understanding these attributes and risks allows nurses and healthcare professionals to develop tailored interventions, such as community health programs, lifestyle counseling, and policies aimed at reducing environmental hazards. This demographic's characteristics and vulnerabilities underscore the importance of culturally competent and contextually appropriate healthcare strategies to mitigate risk and improve health outcomes.

In conclusion, the selected population of middle-aged adults in urban environments presents a relevant and impactful focus for this course. By analyzing their demographics, socioeconomics, health behaviors, and environmental exposures, healthcare providers can better address the disparities and challenges faced by this group. Future assessments and interventions can be designed to promote cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of disease in this vulnerable segment of the population.

References

  • Brook, R. D., Rajagopalan, S., Pope, C. A., Brook, J. R., Bhatnagar, A., Diez-Roux, A. V., ... & Peters, A. (2010). Particulate matter air pollution and cardiovascular disease: An update to the scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 121(21), 2331-2378. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0b013e3181dbece1
  • Clark, L. P., Millet, D. B., & Marshall, J. D. (2014). Neighborhood textural metrics as predictors of urban air pollution burden. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(3), 1760-1768. https://doi.org/10.1021/es404184b
  • Levy, D., Garrison, R. J., Savage, D. D., Kannel, W. B., & Castelli, W. P. (2009). The prognosis of coronary heart disease risk factors: The Framingham Study. American Journal of Cardiology, 44(1), 102-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9149(79)90829-9
  • Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: The challenge of an unequal world. The Lancet, 386(10011), 2442-2444. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00150-6
  • O’Neill, M. S., Jerrett, M., Kawachi, I., Levy, J. I., Cohen, A., Gouveia, N., & Adams, P. (2015). Health, wealth, and air pollution:Advancing theory and methods. Environmental Research, 150, 581-592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2015.07.002
  • World Health Organization. (2018). Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
  • Yue, P., et al. (2018). Socioeconomic status and cardiovascular disease risk in urban populations. International Journal of Cardiology, 273, 143-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.07.005
  • Adler, N. E., & Rehkopf, D. H. (2016). U.S. disparities in health: Descriptions, causes, and mechanisms. Annual Review of Public Health, 37, 35-52. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032315-021439
  • Hajat, A., Hsia, C., & O’Neill, M. S. (2015). Socioeconomic disparities and air pollution exposure: A global review. Current Environmental Health Reports, 2(4), 440-450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-015-0069-5
  • Finkelstein, N., et al. (2014). Urban environmental hazards and cardiovascular health: A review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(7), 747-754. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307360

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