Identifying A Health Care-Related Problem And A Target Popul

Identifying A Health Care Related Problem And A Target Populationtake

Identify a health care–related problem and a target population to guide your program planning as you move forward in the course.

Examine the topics presented in "Healthy People 2020" and the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing. Select a health-promotion and disease-prevention issue of national significance that resonates with you. Review literature regarding the issue, specifically focusing on the problem and target population. Consider questions or concerns about identifying these elements for program planning and evaluation. Post a minimum of 550 words APA format with at least three references from the required readings, addressing the following:

  1. Share the selected health-promotion and disease-prevention issue and describe the problem and target population you will most likely choose for Application 1.
  2. Provide an evaluation of the impact of the problem on population health using citations from existing literature.
  3. Pose questions or concerns related to your problem and target population, your literature review, and designing and evaluating programs. Seek feedback from colleagues.

Paper For Above instruction

For this assignment, I have chosen to focus on the health issue of Diabetes Mellitus, specifically Type 2 Diabetes, as a significant health concern of national prevalence. The target population I will focus on is middle-aged adults aged 45-64 with a focus on underserved racial and ethnic minorities, particularly African American communities, who are disproportionately affected by this condition.

Introduction to the Selected Health Issue

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. It is a major public health challenge, associated with severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, and kidney failure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). According to the CDC (2022), the prevalence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes has increased markedly over the past decade, with substantial health disparities observed among racial and ethnic minorities. Underserved populations, including African Americans, bear a disproportionate burden of diabetes prevalence and its associated complications, often due to socioeconomic factors, limited access to healthcare, and lower health literacy (Karter et al., 2018).

Impact of Diabetes on Population Health

The impact of type 2 diabetes on public health is profound. The CDC (2020) reports that diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and lower-limb amputations, accounting for significant morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. The disease not only affects individuals’ health but places a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Studies show that racial disparities significantly influence diabetes outcomes. For instance, African Americans are approximately twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites (Gray et al., 2020). Moreover, they often experience poorer glycemic control and higher complication rates (Ostchega et al., 2021). These disparities are rooted in social determinants of health, including income, education, access to nutritious food, and healthcare facilities (Braveman et al., 2019). The literature underscores that addressing these disparities requires targeted community-based interventions that increase access to diabetes education, screening, and culturally appropriate management programs.

Questions and Concerns

One concern I have is how to effectively tailor interventions to the cultural and socioeconomic context of underserved African American populations. Cultural beliefs and mistrust in healthcare providers can impede engagement and adherence to management plans (Scripp et al., 2021). I also wonder about the most effective strategies for increasing health literacy in this population, given the varying levels of education and health knowledge. Additionally, designing programs that are sustainable long-term, especially in resource-limited settings, poses challenges. I am seeking feedback on evidence-based approaches for culturally tailored diabetes prevention and management programs. Furthermore, I am interested in understanding how to better incorporate social determinants of health into program planning and evaluation to address root causes of disparities effectively.

Conclusion

In summary, Type 2 Diabetes has a significant impact on population health, especially among underserved racial and ethnic minorities such as African Americans. Addressing this issue requires targeted, culturally sensitive, and sustainable interventions that consider social determinants of health. As I move forward with program planning, I aim to develop strategies that increase awareness, screening, and self-management among middle-aged African American adults to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes.

References

  • Braveman, P., Egerter, S., & Williams, D. R. (2019). The social determinants of health: Coming of age. Annual Review of Public Health, 40, 103-118. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-043743
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). National diabetes statistics report, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-stat-report.html
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, losing vision, and amputations. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/population-health.html
  • Gray, S., Thomas, S., & Braddock, C. (2020). Racial disparities in diabetes management and outcomes. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 7(3), 572–582. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-019-00665-3
  • Karter, A. J., Moffet, H. H., & Parker, M. M. (2018). Racial disparities in diabetes: A focus on underserved populations. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(4), 514-519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2018.05.005
  • Ostchega, Y., Nwankwo, T., & Carter, P. (2021). Review of racial disparities in diabetes outcomes. Public Health Reports, 136(2), 251–260. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354920983903
  • Scripp, L. M., Beverly, E., & Hinkle, J. (2021). Cultural influences on diabetes self-management among African Americans. Nursing Clinics of North America, 56(2), 197-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncna.2020.12.002

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