NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs NURS-FPX 5003 Health Assessment and Promotion for Disease Prevention in Population-Focused Health

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs NURS-FPX 5003 Health Assessment and Promotion for Disease Prevention in Population-Focused Health

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Identifying Community Health Needs

Assessing the health status of a community or state involves a comprehensive process where healthcare organizations identify and analyze health needs, particularly concerning diseases and their regional impact. This process helps healthcare professionals prioritize health needs and develop strategies to address unmet community demands. This study focuses on the prevalence of diabetes in West Virginia, examining healthcare needs among patients and understanding which communities are most affected by the disease. Data for this research is sourced from organizations like the State Department of Health, the American Diabetes Association, County Health Data, and the American Journal of Diabetes.

Demographic Characteristics for a State

Demographic characteristics encompass factors such as population composition, race, ethnicity, disease prevalence, religious affiliation, educational attainment, and mental health diagnoses. These elements often influence behavioral patterns, with age being a particularly significant factor in shaping individual experiences. Demographic data also provides insights into community traits, such as income levels, employment status, gender distribution, educational attainment, and commuting habits. For example, racial categories like Asian, White, Black, and African American include a range of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds (Minc et al., 2020).

Specific patient information, such as birthdates and insurance details, also contributes to illness demographics. This data helps with medical billing, enhances healthcare quality, and fosters cultural competence. According to the 2018 United States Census Bureau estimates, West Virginia’s population was 1,775,156, with 93.1% identifying as White, 3.7% as Black, 0.3% as Asian, and 1.9% as Latino.

The state’s population includes a significant percentage of individuals with chronic conditions. Around 14.1% of residents under 65 live with a disability, and between 2017 and 2021, 88.1% of the population completed high school. Many residents also struggle with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, kidney and lung diseases, arthritis, obesity, and hypertension.

Trends Regarding Population in Demographic Reports

West Virginia’s population experienced growth during two of the eleven years between 2010 and 2021. The largest decline, 0.8%, occurred between 2016 and 2017. Approximately 16.2% of adults, or about 232,336 individuals, in West Virginia have diabetes, and this rate is increasing, particularly among American Indians and non-Hispanic Blacks (American Diabetes Association, 2022).

Similar to clinical medicine, which studies disease progression in individuals, epidemiology examines disease trends in communities. Epidemiologists are concerned with the growing impact of diseases and their persistence. They rely on critical tools like data review and program analysis to track health trends and formulate public health policies (ADA, 2022).

The 2021 Diabetes in West Virginia report collected data on participants’ age, gender, and ethnicity, focusing on their knowledge of type 2 diabetes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

Impact of Diabetes on Specific Groups in West Virginia

Diabetes affects approximately 16% of West Virginia’s population, with the prevalence being higher among the Black community (17%), White population (16%), and multiracial individuals (10%) (Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases, 2021). American Indians face a higher risk, with a diabetes prevalence more than twice that of White individuals. Economic factors, healthcare access, and overall quality of life contribute to population health and make it challenging to assess health status comprehensively.

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 34 million Americans were living with diabetes. The medical expenses for diabetes patients are nearly twice as high as those for individuals with other diseases. In the same year, the CDC allocated $926,068 for diabetes education and prevention in West Virginia (American Diabetes Association, 2018). Diabetes can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, blindness, and even death.

Communication of Demographic Data and Health Needs

Research by Hermann et al. (2019) highlights the importance of patient characteristics and demographics in shaping how patients perceive communication in healthcare settings. Positive behaviors by healthcare providers, such as showing respect, improve patients’ perceptions of care