In next week’s summative assessment, as a public health manager, you’ll be tasked with creating an action plan based on a chosen community and a disease or health concern that community faces. This week, you’ll begin your research by choosing a health concern or disease and a community affected by it (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018, studies of diabetes and Indigenous people of the U.S.).
Create a document or visual that shares your chosen topics and your findings with the faculty member.
- Describe the selected disease or health condition and the efforts to control it.
- Describe the background of the community.
- Describe 2–4 social determinants of health (SDOH) for your community related to this disease or health condition.
Submit your assignment.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is crucial to provide assignments that test the students’ knowledge and skills in various fields related to healthcare. This week’s assignment requires students to research a health concern or disease affecting a particular community and develop an action plan based on their findings.
Answer:
The selected disease for this assignment is Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a viral infection that attacks the immune system and can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The chosen community is the LGBTQ+ community in the United States, as they are disproportionately affected by HIV.
Efforts to control HIV include antiretroviral therapy and PrEP medication to prevent the transmission of the virus. AIDS-related deaths have decreased significantly due to these efforts, but HIV remains a prevalent health concern, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.
The background of the LGBTQ+ community is diverse, and members face discrimination and stigma related to their sexual orientation and gender identity. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking healthcare, including HIV testing and treatment.
Two social determinants of health (SDOH) related to HIV in the LGBTQ+ community are discrimination and lack of access to healthcare. Discrimination can result in social isolation, which affects mental health and can lead to higher rates of risky behaviors such as substance use and unsafe sex practices. Additionally, lack of access to healthcare, including HIV testing and treatment, can lead to the spread of the virus and decreased health outcomes.
In conclusion, developing an action plan to address HIV in the LGBTQ+ community requires comprehensive strategies that address the social and cultural factors that contribute to HIV transmission and stigma.
