BHA FPX4108 Assessment 1 Managing Population Health

Analyze Community Health Needs

Analyzing community health needs is a priority for healthcare providers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders committed to improving individual and population health. The process provides insights into the various determinants of health and interventions appropriate to improve quality of life. Bronx, New York is among communities that could benefit from a comprehensive analysis of residents’ health challenges and improvements.

Salient Characteristics of the Community

The Bronx has an estimated population of 1,418,207 people. The median age is 34.4. The composition of the population includes 3.7% Asians, 29% African Americans, 56.4% Hispanics, and 8.8% (Whites Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, 2022). The average household income in the Bronx is $43,540. The poverty rate was 6.4% in 2019, which is higher than the national average of 16% (Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, 2022). Poverty is a serious concern in the region and among the primary determinants of health. The high rates expose individuals, including children, youths, and adults to adverse health outcomes. Geographically, the region is in the southeastern part of New York and is primarily residential.

Health Improvement Needs

The Bronx faces multiple health issues with the main ones being diabetes, obesity, and substance abuse. The three reveal the need for proactive prevention, health promotion and education, and treatment to improve residents’ quality of life. The issues affect individuals’ mental and physical health by interfering with their ability to live healthier and more productive lives. The conditions also align with healthy behaviors, access to services, and health coverage that influence the quality of prevention and treatment measures (The Institute for Family Health, 2022). For instance, deaths from drugs, alcohol, and suicide are 39.87 for every 100,000 people. The deaths reveal the worrying levels of despair associated with substance abuse and limited opportunities for a better life.

The community experiences premature deaths, a declining economy, and worsening vitality associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other forms of abuse. Obesity is another health challenge with a prevalence rate of 30.3% (Well Being In the Nation Network, 2022). The condition increases the risk of diabetes, mental health issues, and heart disease. The community health needs highlight the need for an evidence-based approach to protecting vulnerable residents from worrying prevalence rates. The comprehensive plans include lifestyle changes triggered by increased health promotion and education to empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.

Engagement of Community Stakeholders

Sustainable improvements depend on contributions from multiple stakeholders. The interdisciplinary parties include community-based health organizations, healthcare facilities, the local government, employers, schools, and public health departments. The stakeholders have unique perspectives on health issues in the region and interventions necessary to improve the situation. For instance, community-based health organizations collaborate with CHWs, case managers, and social workers to enhance access to prevention, health promotion and education, and treatment for diabetes, obesity, and substance abuse. Similarly, healthcare facilities understand the prevalence and risks of escalating conditions based on patients’ records. In this case, hospitals can collaborate with schools and employers to deliver educational sessions, screen, and implement other strategies for children, youths, and adults.

The public health department is a key stakeholder that designs and implements evidence-based population-based interventions for reducing health burdens. The stakeholder initiates prevention and treatment measures guided by prevalence rates and the commitment to allocating and distributing resources and eliminating health disparities across the region. Low education levels are among the barriers that limit residents from embracing positive health-seeking behaviors and attitudes. Low income also undermines individuals’ ability to adopt recommended lifestyle modifications such as a healthy diet. Despite the challenges, worrying trends in diabetes, substance abuse, and obesity are likely to encourage residents to embrace habits that help improve their quality of life and maintain a productive community.