Health Statistics and Populations
Professional Competency addressed in this Assignment:
PC-4.3: Apply concepts of multiculturalism and diversity to become an agent of change.
Directions
Select a health topic of interest such as breastfeeding, coronary heart disease, or juvenile diabetes that affects a specific population such as older adults or women of reproductive age or race. Locate health statistics for your selections. You must include national and state data. Your work may also include local county or city data if available.
Additionally, research content regarding concepts of multiculturalism and diversity, and include interventions that address health disparities.
Input your responses using a table similar to the one below. You may recreate the table in Word©. A Word document version of this table is available in Doc Sharing. Excel© files are not accepted. Include a title page and reference page.
Data Search Directions | Summarize Your Findings |
Identify the population of interest and health condition/event to your practice. Specify how you define the population (e.g. age, gender, health status, etc.). | |
Summarize your search process. Specify what sources, | |
Provide the health information obtained in the search. Include any significant statistics and information on risk factors and trends in epidemiology data on your topic. | |
Interpret your findings and determine if there is any evidence of health disparities based on the population examined. Be sure you understand what health disparities are and address if your topic is or is not impacted. Provide several examples and include interventions that would improve this disparity. |
How to solve
Health Statistics and Populations related to coronary heart disease in elderly? Nursing Assignment Help
Introduction:
The selected health topic for this assignment is coronary heart disease (CHD), which affects the general population but has a higher prevalence among older adults. This assignment will summarize the search process for relevant health statistics on CHD and discuss the implications of these statistics in relation to multiculturalism, diversity, and health disparities. The population of interest is older adults, specifically individuals aged 65 and above.
Summary of Findings:
The search process for health statistics on coronary heart disease involved exploring various sources and organizations that provide reliable and accurate data. The following sources were searched for relevant statistics:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – The official government organization responsible for collecting and analyzing health data in the United States. The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) provides valuable information on CHD prevalence, risk factors, and trends among different populations.
2. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) – A division of the CDC that focuses on collecting, analyzing, and disseminating health data. The NCHS provides comprehensive data on CHD morbidity, mortality, and associated risk factors.
3. World Health Organization (WHO) – An international organization that compiles global health data. The WHO Global Health Observatory data repository offers statistics on CHD prevalence, mortality, and risk factors worldwide.
The search yielded the following health information on coronary heart disease:
1. Prevalence: According to the CDC, approximately 9.4% of adults aged 65 and above in the United States have a diagnosis of coronary heart disease. This proportion increases with age, with higher prevalence in individuals aged 75 and above.
2. Risk Factors: Common risk factors for CHD among older adults include hypertension, high cholesterol levels, smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity.
3. Epidemiology Trends: Over the past decade, there has been a notable decline in the incidence of CHD among older adults due to improved management of risk factors and advancement in medical treatments. However, it is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among this population.
Interpretation of Findings:
Based on the population examined (older adults) and the health statistics obtained, it is evident that there are certain disparities in the prevalence of coronary heart disease. These disparities can be attributed to various factors, including social determinants of health, access to healthcare services, and cultural and ethnic differences.
One example of a health disparity related to CHD in older adults is the higher prevalence of the disease among certain racial and ethnic groups, such as African Americans and Hispanics. This disparity may be influenced by various factors, including a higher prevalence of traditional risk factors like hypertension and diabetes, lower utilization of preventive health services, and socioeconomic disparities.
To address these disparities and improve the health outcomes for older adults with coronary heart disease, several interventions can be implemented. These include:
1. Culturally sensitive education and outreach programs: Develop and disseminate educational materials and programs that are tailored to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse populations. This can help increase awareness about CHD risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures.
2. Improved access to healthcare: Ensure equitable access to affordable healthcare services, including regular preventive screenings, medication management, and cardiac rehabilitation programs. This can help detect and manage CHD at an early stage, reducing complications and improving outcomes.
3. Collaboration with community-based organizations: Partner with community organizations, faith-based institutions, and advocacy groups to promote lifestyle modifications, such as healthy eating and physical activity, within diverse populations. This can address cultural barriers and enhance community support for behavior change.
By implementing these interventions, healthcare professionals can work towards reducing the disparities associated with coronary heart disease in older adults and improving overall health outcomes for this population.
