D029 Population Health Data Paper

D029 Population Health Data Paper

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Western Governors University

D029 Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care

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Population Health Data Paper Introduction

Highlands County, Florida, encompasses a vast area of 1,106 square miles, ranking among the state’s largest counties. According to the 2020 census, its population exceeds 104,000 residents. Despite its size and population, Highlands County experiences health outcomes that fall below both the Florida state average and the national average in the United States. This paper aims to explore the population’s sociodemographic characteristics, health outcomes, and influencing factors to propose actionable improvements.

Sociodemographic Profile

What are the key population characteristics of Highlands County compared to the United States?

The following table summarizes the key sociodemographic characteristics of Highlands County alongside national data for comparison:

Note: Data source: United States Census Bureau (n.d.)

What does the sociodemographic profile reveal about Highlands County?

Highlands County exhibits a notably older population, with over 36% aged 65 and older, which is more than double the national average. Conversely, the county has a smaller youth population under 18 years, signifying a strong appeal as a retirement destination. The racial composition is relatively homogeneous, with a higher percentage of White residents than the national average. Additionally, the Hispanic or Latino population is slightly larger than the U.S. average.

Economically, Highlands County faces challenges, reflected in lower per capita income and higher poverty rates compared to national figures. Labor force participation rates are also substantially lower, especially among females. The percentage of residents under 65 without health insurance is more than double the national average, and the rate of disabilities under 65 is elevated. These factors suggest significant socioeconomic and healthcare access disparities that may influence the county’s overall health outcomes.

County Health Outcomes

How does Highlands County compare with state and national trends in health indicators?

The following highlights trends observed in various health metrics in Highlands County from 2008 to 2022:

• Uninsured Rate: Improved from about 30% in 2008 to around 19% in 2021, yet remains above Florida and national averages.

• Primary Care Physicians Ratio: Remained stable, with no significant change over the observed period.

• Dentist Availability: Improved, with the population-to-dentist ratio decreasing from approximately 3,500:1 in 2010 to 2,500:1 in 2022, enhancing dental care access.

• Preventable Hospital Stays: Showed improvement, halving from nearly 6,000 per 100,000 residents in 2012 to under 3,000 in 2021, reflecting better chronic disease management and primary care access.

• Mammography Screening: Experienced a concerning decline from 45% in 2012 to below 30% in 2021, raising alarms about early breast cancer detection.

• Flu Vaccination Rates: Demonstrated no significant trend, fluctuating without consistent improvement.

• Unemployment Rate: Displayed variability aligning with broader state and national patterns but showed no sustained trend.

These observations point to both improvements and ongoing challenges in the healthcare landscape of Highlands County.

Health Factors

What are the factors influencing health profiles in Highlands County compared to Florida and the United States?

Table 2 outlines critical health-related factors across county, state, and national levels:

Note: Data source: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (n.d.)

What successes and challenges are evident from the health factors data?

The higher prevalence of smoking (21%) and injury deaths (120 per 100,000) in Highlands County, compared to state and national levels, represent significant public health concerns. Conversely, the county shows a notable strength in community social associations, which exceed both state and national averages, suggesting robust social support networks.

Socioeconomic challenges such as higher poverty (24%), unemployment (4.2%), and greater child food insecurity (66% eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch) are pressing issues that likely contribute to health disparities. The slightly lower severe housing problems percentage may reflect some relief in housing conditions relative to the state and nation.

These mixed findings emphasize the complexity of the county’s health profile, requiring targeted, multi-dimensional interventions to address both social determinants and direct health behaviors.

Purpose of Health Factors Data Comparison

Why is comparing county data with state and national data important?

Benchmarking county health data against state and national figures provides essential context for evaluating local performance. This comparison helps identify disparities and health inequities, such as higher uninsured rates indicating poorer healthcare access (Borgschulte & Vogler, 2020). Without this comparative perspective, interpreting isolated county data may lead to inaccurate conclusions. Thus, aligning local data with broader datasets supports informed decision-making and resource allocation.

Analysis and Proposal

What are the significant findings and recommendations for improving mammography screening in Highlands County?

A significant concern is the decline in mammography screening rates from 45% in 2012 to under 30% in 2021. To address this, implementing a Mobile Mammography Initiative is recommended. This program would provide mammography services directly to underserved and rural populations, overcoming geographical and logistical barriers (Spak et al., 2020).

Such mobile units can facilitate convenient access, educate communities about breast cancer prevention, and reduce disruptions to daily activities by bringing screenings to workplaces and residential areas.

What role can advanced practice nurses (APNs) play in this initiative?

APNs are vital in program design and execution. They can collaborate with interprofessional teams to increase screening rates, aiming to meet Healthy People 2030 goals. APNs can facilitate:

• Scheduling mobile unit visits across the county.

• Conducting community outreach and education.

• Coordinating with local healthcare providers to secure funding and resources.

• Monitoring and evaluating program progress to ensure objectives are met (Trivedi et al., 2022).

What initial steps should be taken to implement this program?

The initial phase includes:

1. Conducting a comprehensive community needs assessment to understand demographics, screening rates, and barriers.

2. Forming an interprofessional team comprising healthcare providers, health advocates, and county officials to delineate roles in data collection, screening, and evaluation.

3. Seeking financial support through grants and community donations.

4. Developing data collection and analysis strategies to monitor program impact (Tsapatsaris & Reichman, 2021).

How can public awareness and engagement be promoted?

Leveraging technology is key. APNs can:

• Use social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) to disseminate information, engage local influencers, and run targeted advertising campaigns.

• Develop mobile applications enabling appointment scheduling, real-time updates, and educational content, especially targeting rural and marginalized populations (Al-dmour et al., 2020).

How should the program be evaluated?

Performance indicators should include increased mammography screening rates, expanded service reach, and heightened community awareness. Data collection through electronic health records, community surveys, and staff feedback will provide both quantitative and qualitative insights. Visualization tools like Tableau can assist in interpreting trends and disparities, facilitating data-driven adjustments (Huguet et al., 2020; Kim & Huang, 2021).

References

Al-dmour, H., Masa’deh, R., Salman, A., Abuhashesh, M., & Al-Dmour, R. (2020). Influence of social media platforms on public health protection against the COVID-19 pandemic via the mediating effects of public health awareness and behavioral changes: Integrated model. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22. https://doi.org/10.2196/19996

Borgschulte, M., & Vogler, J. (2020). Did the ACA Medicaid expansion save lives? Health Economics eJournal. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHEALECO.2020.102333

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. (n.d.). Highlands, Florida. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/health-data/florida/highlands?year=2024

Elson, L., Luke, A., Barker, A., McBride, T., & Maddox, K. (2020). Trends in hospital mortality for uninsured rural and urban populations, 2012-2016. The Journal of Rural Health, 36(4), 537–545. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12425

Huguet, N., Kaufmann, J., O’Malley, J., Angier, H., Hoopes, M., DeVoe, J., & Marino, M. (2020). Using electronic health records in longitudinal studies: Estimating patient attrition. Medical Care, 58(3), 231–238. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0000000000001298

Kim, E., & Huang, C. (2021). Visual analytics in effects of gross domestic product to human immunodeficiency virus using tableau. International Journal of Machine Learning and Computing, 11(3), 219-223. https://doi.org/10.18178/IJMLC.2021.11.3.1038

Spak, D., Foxhall, L., Rieber, A., Hess, K., Helvie, M., & Whitman, G. (2020). Retrospective review of a mobile mammography screening program in an underserved population within a large metropolitan area. Academic Radiology, 27(11), 1575–1583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2020.07.012

Trivedi, U., Omofoye, T., Marquez, C., Sullivan, C., Benson, D., & Whitman, G. (2022). Mobile mammography services and underserved women. Diagnostics, 12(4), 902. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12040902

Tsapatsaris, A., & Reichman, M. (2021). Project ScanVan: Mobile mammography services to decrease socioeconomic barriers and racial disparities among medically underserved women in NYC. Clinical Imaging, 78, 60-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2021.02.040

United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Quick Facts Highlands County, Florida; United States. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/highlandscountyflorida,US/ PST045223