Submit A Topic Choice: Health Issue And Community

Submit A Topic Choice Ie A Health Topicissue And Community Of Focu

Submit a topic choice (i.e., a health topic/issue and community of focus) for your Ecological Research 5-6 pages. Explain why you picked the community and health topic (i.e., is this health issue a major cause of concern? Does it affect a certain community more than others?) The idea is to pick a research topic you feel strongly about. Students may submit a word document or write a text submission. Previous topics include HIV among the African American community, sexually transmitted infections in young adults, teen pregnancy, obesity in the latina community, teen vaping, HPV rates in Asian communities, etc.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected health issue for this ecological research paper is the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes within the Native American community. This health concern is significant due to its disproportionate impact on Native Americans, who experience higher rates of diabetes compared to other ethnic groups in the United States. Understanding the community-centric factors contributing to this disparity necessitates an in-depth exploration of cultural, socioeconomic, environmental, and genetic influences that shape health behaviors and access to healthcare within this community.

The Native American community has historically faced numerous health disparities, including limited access to healthcare services, poverty, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental challenges such as food deserts and lack of infrastructure for physical activity. These factors contribute to the elevated prevalence of type 2 diabetes, which often results from a combination of lifestyle factors and genetic predispositions (Burgess et al., 2020). Moreover, historical trauma and systemic barriers exacerbate health inequities, perpetuating cycles of poor health outcomes within indigenous populations.

The choice to focus on this community stems from my personal interest in addressing health disparities and my recognition of the urgent need for culturally tailored health interventions. The Native American community is uniquely affected by the diabetes epidemic, which is not only a matter of individual health but also a reflection of broader social determinants of health. Moreover, this issue affects certain tribes more than others due to regional differences, socio-economic status, and varying degrees of healthcare infrastructure (Park et al., 2021). Addressing this disparity requires comprehensive ecological approaches that consider individual behaviors, community resources, policy implications, and environmental contexts.

In conclusion, selecting the Native American community and the issue of type 2 diabetes allows an exploration of how ecological factors interplay to influence health outcomes. This topic is of personal importance and societal relevance because it highlights the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions that can reduce the burden of diabetes in this vulnerable population. Studying this community provides insights into addressing broader health inequities and developing sustainable strategies for improving health equity.

References

• Burgess, D. J., van Ryn, M., Dovidio, J., & Saha, S. (2020). Reducing racial inequities in health: using a community-based participatory research approach. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 26(3), 293-306.
• Park, S., Lee, J., & Lovato, T. (2021). Disparities in diabetes prevalence among Native American populations: A systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 60(2), 200-210.
• Indian Health Service. (2019). Diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Natives. IHS Report.
• Sequist, T. D., & Setodji, C. M. (2022). Barriers to diabetes care among Native Americans. Journal of Healthcare Disparities Research and Practice, 15(1), 45-55.
• Holden, J., & Thayer, E. (2019). Environmental factors influencing health in indigenous communities. American Journal of Public Health, 109(8), 1113-1119.
• Wylie, C., & Erdrich, L. (2018). Nutrition transition and health outcomes in indigenous populations. Journal of Indigenous Health, 5(2), 103-112.
• Carroll, D., et al. (2020). Genetic factors and diabetes risk in Native American populations. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 165, 108262.
• Navoa-Ng, J. et al. (2020). Socioeconomic determinants of health among indigenous peoples. Social Science & Medicine, 250, 112835.
• Coronado, B. E., et al. (2020). Community-based interventions to reduce diabetes disparities. Public Health Nursing, 37(4), 404-413.
• Martinez, J. S., & Davis, J. (2021). Ecological models in public health: implications for indigenous health. Journal of Community Health, 46(2), 342-350.