NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs

The Diabetes in West Virginia report from 2021 collected information on participants’ age, gender, and ethnicity, with questions focusing on general knowledge of type 2 diabetes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Impact of Diabetes on the Specific Group in West Virginia

Diabetes affects 16% of West Virginia’s population, with 17% among the Black community, 16% among the White population, and 10% among multiracial individuals (Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases, 2021). American Indians, as one of the racial groups covered in the United States Census, have a significantly higher diabetes risk, more than twice that of White individuals, who have an 8% adult diabetes prevalence. Population health is influenced by economic well-being, healthcare quality, and overall quality of life. The multifaceted nature of this issue presents challenges in quantifying population health status.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 34 million Americans had diabetes in 2018, experiencing its profound consequences. Medical expenses for diabetes patients are approximately twice as high as those for individuals with other diseases. In 2018, the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation allocated $926,068 in grants for diabetes education and prevention in West Virginia (American Diabetes Association, 2018). Diabetes can lead to severe complications, including heart disorders, blindness, and even death.

Communication of Demographic Data and Health Needs

Research by Hermann et al. (2019) suggests that patient characteristics and demographics significantly influence patients’ perceptions of communication in healthcare settings. Positive behaviors exhibited by healthcare providers, such as courteous treatment, positively impact patients’ perception of care. In a fast-paced healthcare environment, individualized patient care and clear communication are essential to ensure patient comprehension. Health authorities can effectively communicate with affected communities and formulate improvement plans by promoting health literacy.

Respect and dignity in patient care are paramount values. These values are linked to actions that support the healthcare team in providing exceptional care and support within the healthcare industry. Positive effects on patient satisfaction were observed when nurses incorporated practices such as keeping patients informed of care delays, ensuring data privacy, and responding appropriately. An individual’s characteristics, behaviors, and their social and economic environment all influence health promotion and well-being (Hwang & Oh, 2020).

Conclusion

In summary, identifying and addressing community health needs require comprehensive strategies and intervention plans. Understanding a state’s demographic characteristics is crucial for healthcare professionals to implement appropriate preventive measures and promote health. Epidemiology plays a pivotal role in overseeing the analysis of program data and facilitating prompt evaluation.

References

American Diabetes Association. (2022, July 28). Statistics about Diabetes | ADA. Diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/about-us/statistics/about-diabetes

American Diabetes Association. (2018). The burden of diabetes in West Virginia. https://diabetes.org/sites/default/files/202111/ADV_2021_State_Fact_sheets_West%20Virginia_rev.pdf

Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases. (2021). Diabetes in West Virginia. Wv.gov. https://dhhr.wv.gov/hpcd/FocusAreas/wvdiabetes/Pages/DiabetesinWestVirginia.aspx

Hermann, R. M., Long, E., & Trotta, R. L. (2019). Improving patients’ experiences communicating with nurses and providers in the emergency department. Journal of emergency nursing: JEN : Official Publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association, 45(5), 523–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.12.001

Hwang, Y., & Oh, J. (2020). Factors affecting health-promoting behaviors among nursing students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(17), 6291. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176291