Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 1

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Health Promotion Research

Adolescent substance abuse refers to drug or alcohol misuse by people between the ages of 12 and 18 and can seriously affect their health, growth, and social life (Brockie et al., 2022). American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth are more likely to use drugs than other youth groups. The following health promotion plan is designed for adolescents living in Kanawha County, West Virginia (WV). It addresses risks, teaches coping strategies, promotes education, and connects youth to nearby support groups to reduce their substance use.

Population Analysis

Young people from AI/AN backgrounds in Kanawha County, WV, are more likely than most to abuse substances. Although only a tiny portion (0.3%) of West Virginia’s population is AI/AN, these young people have barriers that increase their chances of using drugs and having worse health issues. National data reveals that Native American teens are nearly three times more likely than teens of any other group to use drugs in the past month (SAMHSA, 2024). One in ten AI/AN teens have a substance use disorder,r and 7.1% of that group has trouble with alcohol (Kaliszewski, 2024).

Kanawha County, where the state capital of Charleston is situated, has a wide range of socio economic issues, including excessive poverty and low levels of culturally competent healthcare access. To Native American youth residing here, these stressors are added to by intergenerational trauma, disconnection from culture, and stigma related to mental health care seeking (Brockie et al., 2022). Further, residents of tribal areas are more likely to require treatment for substance use than residents off-reservation, though access to rural WV treatment is limited.

Points of Uncertainty and Underlying Assumptions

This analysis has several underlying assumptions and points of uncertainty. One key assumption is that national AI/AN adolescent substance use data adequately reflects the situation in Kanawha County; however, local-specific data is sparse and may not capture unique community factors. Another assumption is that cultural tailoring of interventions will improve outcomes, though evidence supporting this approach in rural Appalachian settings is still emerging. Despite these uncertainties, the high prevalence of substance use indicates a pressing need for targeted health promotion initiatives.

Community Characteristics and Relevance to the Larger Target Population

The selected community for this health promotion plan is AI/AN adolescents aged 12-18 residing in Kanawha County, WV. Although AI/AN individual’s form a minority portion of Kanawha County’s population of around 180,000, they suffer from high and disproportionate rates of substance abuse, especially among the youth. These teens tend to be from low-income families, with WV ‘s teen poverty rate hovering at 22% and Native youth likely suffering even higher percentages due to systemic injustice and historical trauma (America’s Health Ranking, 2025).

AI/AN teens in Kanawha County often face challenges such as limited access to culturally relevant healthcare, transportation difficulties, and educational disparities. Many live in underserved or rural communities, where behavioral health services are minimal or culturally inappropriate. Education levels also come into play: in WV, no more than 86% of the population aged over 25 possesses a high school diploma, and members of marginalized groups are commonly left out of that figure (America’s Health Ranking, 2025). The absence of inclusive school-based prevention programs and lack of Indigenous involvement in health promotion messages also disengages Native youth.

This population is greatly applicable to the broader target group of adolescents with substance abuse issues, especially in rural Appalachia. The problems that AI/AN youth experience—i.e., trauma, poverty, and disconnection from culture—are reflective of larger issues in adolescent substance abuse prevention yet exacerbated by historical and racial contexts. For instance, 17.4% of AI/AN teens self-report past-month drug use, whereas the national average among all racial groups is considerably lower, around 9.4%. The disparity highlights the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions (SAMHSA, 2024). With insight into the social and cultural context of AI/AN youth in Kanawha County, public health professionals can create more effective health promotion strategies (Brockie et al., 2022). These initiatives can provide a model for treating substance abuse in other populations of marginalized adolescents with similar systemic hindrances throughout the country.

Importance of HPV Prevention in Schwenksville

Substance abuse among AI/AN adolescents in Kanawha County, WV, is a critical health concern that requires focused health promotion efforts. Nationally, AI/AN youth experience the highest rates of substance use across all racial groups, with 17.4% reporting past-month drug use and 10% suffering from a substance use disorder (Kaliszewski, 2024). These numbers are significantly higher than national averages, indicating a severe public health disparity. Early substance use is closely linked to long-term adverse health outcomes, including mental illness, academic failure, risky behaviours, and early onset of chronic conditions (America’s Health Ranking, 2025). Addressing this issue early through health promotion can reduce the trajectory toward lifelong addiction and improve long-term health and social outcomes.

Health Disparities and Contributing Factors

AI/AN adolescents are uniquely affected by a range of interrelated factors, including intergenerational trauma, cultural dislocation, and social marginalization. In Kanawha County, adolescents already face high poverty rates, and Native youth are more likely to live in homes affected by unemployment, low education, and family instability. These social determinants of health contribute to the likelihood of early substance experimentation and dependency. Additionally, the lack of culturally relevant support services exacerbates health disparities (WV.gov, 2025). Many AI/AN youth feel disconnected from mainstream prevention strategies, which often fail to reflect their cultural realities or lived experiences, reducing their effectiveness.

Access to Services and the Role of Health Promotion

Access to mental health and substance use services in Kanawha County is limited, particularly for rural and Native populations. Geographic isolation, transportation issues, and provider shortages hinder timely intervention. Moreover, stigma within the community and mistrust of healthcare systems prevent many adolescents from seeking help (WV.gov, 2025). Health promotion that integrates culturally appropriate education, community engagement, and peer support can bridge these gaps. Tailoring interventions to recognize and respect Indigenous identities not only increases engagement but also fosters resilience and empowerment within the community, resulting in lasting, positive impacts on adolescent health outcomes.

SMART Health Goals for HPV Prevention

Mariah Redbird is a 15-year-old American Indian adolescent of Cherokee descent residing in Kanawha County, WV. She currently lives with her grandmother in a semi-rural area and is enrolled in the 10th grade at a local high school. Recently, Mariah has been struggling with regular school attendance and signs of emotional distress. She has admitted to using marijuana and alcohol multiple times per week, often in social settings with older peers. Her substance use appears to be a coping mechanism for ongoing stress and unresolved family trauma. After a concerning conversation with a school counselor, she was referred to a youth outreach program that offers culturally sensitive education on substance abuse prevention. Mariah has agreed to participate in an educational session as part of her initial support plan.

Goal 1:

By the end of the educational session, Mariah will be able to verbalize three culturally appropriate coping strategies to manage stress, including participating in talking circles, engaging in guided imagery, and utilizing traditional storytelling. These techniques will be presented during the session, accompanied by visual and interactive examples that resonate with her American Indian heritage. This goal aligns with Healthy People 2030 (HP2030)’s objectives for promoting mental and emotional well-being among adolescents through community-based, culturally sensitive interventions (R). Culturally relevant stress management alternatives are essential for reducing the risk of substance abuse and encouraging resilience in Native youth. These strategies will be taught using a hands-on approach with opportunities for role-play or discussion (A) (D’Amico et al., 2021). Progress will be measured through a brief quiz and a teach-back activity where Mariah explains the strategies in her own words (M). This activity will be completed by the conclusion of the session (T).

Goal 2:

By the end of this session, Mariah will commit to a behavior change plan aimed at reducing her marijuana and alcohol use by 50% within 30 days, supported through peer accountability check-ins and a personal coping journal. This reduction goal is based on her current self-reported use of substances multiple times per week (S). This aligns with HP2030 objectives that focus on reducing adolescent substance use through timely, youth-focused intervention and education (R). A 50% reduction is an attainable and realistic step for Mariah, as it allows her to gradually modify behavior with structured, culturally appropriate support rather than facing the pressure of immediate abstinence (A) (Winer et al., 2022). Progress will be measured through weekly journal entries, check-ins with a peer mentor, and updates during support group meetings (M). The 30-day timeframe provides a clear structure while offering flexibility to adapt as needed based on Mariah’s engagement and development (T).

Goal 3:

By the end of the session, Mariah will be able to identify at least three substance abuse resources available to adolescents in Kanawha County, such as a tribal health liaison, a youth mental health helpline, and a culturally competent counseling center. These resources will be presented in a youth-friendly brochure and discussed during the session to ensure comprehension (S). This goal aligns with HP2030’s priorities for increasing access to supportive services among vulnerable and underserved adolescent populations (R) (Callaghan et al., 2023). Knowing where and how to seek help is critical for Mariah’s sustained recovery and can be easily achieved through structured instruction (A). Progress will be evaluated with a short post-session quiz or a group activity where Mariah lists and explains the three resources (M). Completion will occur during the educational session itself (T).

Conclusion

Substance use among American Indian youth in Kanawha County, WV, is an urgent health issue that requires culturally specific intervention. High alcohol and drug use rates, along with a lack of access to resources, heighten the risk of long-term social and health outcomes. Specifically, targeted health promotion strategies with education, behavioral objectives, and community-level support can dramatically limit substance use. Strengthening youth such as Mariah with coping skills and neighborhood resources promotes resilience and healthier lives.

Reference

America’s Health Ranking. (2025). Explore illicit drug use – youth in West Virginia | AHR. America’s Health Rankings.org. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/youth_IDUM/WV

Brockie, T. N., Campbell, J. C., Dana-Sacco, G., Farley, J., Belcher, H. M. E., Kub, J., Nelson, K. E., Ivanich, J. D., Yang, L., Wallen, G., Wetsit, L., & Wilcox, H. C. (2022). Cultural protection from polysubstance use among native American adolescents and young adults. Prevention Science, 23(7), 1287–1298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01373-5

Callaghan, T., Kassabian, M., Johnson, N., Shrestha, A., Helduser, J., Horel, S., Bolin, J. N., & Ferdinand, A. O. (2023). Rural healthy people 2030: New decade, new challenges. Preventive Medicine Reports, 33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102176

D’Amico, E. J., Dickerson, D. L., Brown, R. A., Klein, D. J., Agniel, D., & Johnson, C. (2021). Unveiling an “invisible population”: Health, substance use, sexual behavior, culture, and discrimination among urban American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents in California. Ethnicity & Health, 26(6), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2018.1562054