For the next newsletter, you have been asked to write about the effect of a specific communicable disease on your community.
Identify a communicable disease to research.
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that summarizes your research. Your paper should:
Describe the disease and discuss efforts to control it.
Identify the environmental factors related to this disease.
Explain the influence of lifestyles, socioeconomic status, and disease management.
Identify gaps and how you might connect to other resources to meet needs that are not locally available.
- Include recommendations to expand the community’s programs if there are gaps.
- Describe what the public health department is doing to reduce the threat of the disease.
- Include data findings, evidence-based intervention, and a plan to ensure quality health.
- Cite at least 3 references.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is important to understand the impact of communicable diseases on communities. For this newsletter, we will be researching a specific communicable disease and its effects on a particular community. Our research will include an analysis of efforts to control the disease, environmental factors related to its spread, and the influence of lifestyle, socio-economic status, and disease management. We will also identify gaps in the community’s response to the disease and evaluate how we can connect with other resources to meet needs that are not locally available.
Answer:
For this research, we will focus on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the African American community in the United States. HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health concern in the US, particularly in minority communities. African Americans account for a disproportionate number of new infections, making up about 42% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2018.
Efforts to control the spread of HIV/AIDS have included targeted prevention and education programs, as well as widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy. However, stigma and discrimination still exist, and many individuals in the community remain hesitant to seek treatment or disclose their status. Outreach and education programs that focus on addressing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS will be critical in controlling its spread.
Environmental factors related to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African American community include limited access to healthcare, poverty, and lack of awareness and knowledge about the disease. These factors contribute to higher rates of unprotected sex and higher injection drug use. Addressing these environmental factors will require a multi-pronged approach that includes not only education and awareness campaigns but also policies and programs that address poverty, access to healthcare, and substance abuse.
Lifestyle choices and socio-economic status also play a significant role in the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African American community. Homelessness, low-income levels, and limited access to education and job opportunities are all contributing factors. Additionally, many people living with HIV/AIDS do not have access to life-saving medications due to financial constraints. To address these issues and improve health outcomes, interventions should focus on improving access to healthcare, increasing economic opportunities, and addressing the social determinants of health.
To address gaps in the community’s response to HIV/AIDS, we must explore opportunities to connect with other resources that are not locally available. This may involve partnering with organizations on a national level that can provide additional resources and support, or working with local healthcare providers to ensure that those living with HIV/AIDS have access to the care they need.
Recommendations to expand the community’s programs include increased funding for prevention and education efforts, expanding access to healthcare, and expanding programs that provide access to medications for those living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, stronger policies around discrimination and stigma reduction should be implemented.
The public health department is taking steps to reduce the threat of HIV/AIDS in the African American community. This includes targeted prevention and education programs, expanded access to healthcare, and stronger policies regarding discrimination. Evidence-based interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can also help reduce transmission rates and improve health outcomes.
In conclusion, addressing the impact of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses environmental factors, socio-economic status, and lifestyle choices. Through education, targeted prevention efforts, and improved access to care and treatment, we can work towards reducing the spread of communicable diseases and improving health outcomes in our communities.
