Demographics to Address Diabetes in West Virginia NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 4 Executive Summary: Community Health Assessment ​​​​​​​Executive Summary: Community Health Assessment

Approximately 250,000 people in West Virginia are thought to have diabetes, whereas 65,300 West Virginians have not been diagnosed. Male diabetes prevalence was 12% in 2010, and female diabetes prevalence was 11.5%. White, Asian, Hispanic, and African Americans are among the many racial and ethnic groups that inhabit WV. Another social determinant of health is education and comparing diabetes and non-diabetes populations will help paint a picture of diabetes and health equity in West Virginia. Over ten years, the proportion of people with diabetes was significantly higher among those who did not complete high school than among those who did (Health Statistics Centre, n.d). They make it easier for people at risk for diabetes to participate in programs that use evidence-based lifestyle changes to lower the risk (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019)

Summary of West Virginia Demographics Connected to Diabetes

An estimated 17% of black people, 16% of white people, 9% of Asian Americans, 7% of non-Hispanic whites, and 11% of multiracial people in West Virginia have diabetes (America’s Health Ranking, n.d). Diabetes affects approximately 12,400 people in West Virginia each year. About 16% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Medical expenses for people with diabetes are approximately 2.5 times higher than those for non-diabetics. In 2017, West Virginia’s estimated direct medical costs for diabetes diagnosis were $2 billion. According to the American Diabetes Association (2018), additional indirect costs resulting from diabetes-related productivity losses totalled $640 million.

Demographics also details other community characteristics like age, education, income, employment, gender, and commuting. The expression and consequences of disease in a population can be examined with the help of epidemiology. It involves monitoring disease-related data and comprehending the population’s requirements.

Analysis of Findings from Healthcare Interview

It is possible to gain insight into the healthcare issue, prevention initiatives, population needs, communicating with diverse populations, and the implications of best practices for achieving positive outcomes through constructive conversations with healthcare professionals. It has been indicated that culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) can aid in ensuring that all patients receive equal access to healthcare, regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity. These standards can be used as an intervention strategy, and their effectiveness can be assessed by estimating the organization’s accomplishments and its employees’ efficiency (Think Cultural Health, n.d.).  

The organization must first overcome obstacles to implementing the National CLAS Standards, including a need for more resources and instructions on interpreting and applying them to conform to CLAS standards. Before implementing CLAS standards for successful outcomes, the university hospital in West Virginia follows several procedures. These include employing competent interpreters, the current and new employee’s training, and gathering information about the patient’s background, ethnicity, and language. By overcoming the obstacles in implementing CLAS standards, diabetic patients will receive equal and high-quality care without discrimination. In order to provide diabetic patients at West Virginia University Hospital with culturally and linguistically appropriate services, these strategies aim to advance health equity and eliminate healthcare disparities.