NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs

Identifying Community Health Needs

The assessment of community health needs in a state involves a thorough process coordinated by healthcare organizations to identify and analyze healthcare needs related to specific diseases impacting particular regions. This approach allows healthcare professionals to prioritize health needs and develop targeted strategies. This study focuses on the prevalence of Diabetes in West Virginia, identifying healthcare needs among affected populations and communities. Data for this study is sourced from the State Department of Health, American Diabetes Association, County Health Data, and the American Journal of Diabetes.

Demographic Characteristics of West Virginia

Demographic characteristics encompass elements such as population composition, race, ethnicity, disease prevalence, religious affiliation, educational attainment, and mental health diagnoses. These factors underpin behavioral patterns and societal experiences. Age is particularly influential in shaping individual and community health dynamics. Additionally, demographic data includes socioeconomic indicators such as income levels, employment status, gender distribution, educational attainment, and commuting patterns. Racial categorization is an integral component of demographic analysis (Minc et al., 2020).

Trends in Population and Demographic Reports

From 2010 to 2021, West Virginia’s population showed fluctuations with notable declines and specific health challenges. Approximately 16.2% of adults in the state, approximately 232,336 individuals, are affected by diabetes, with significant variations among different racial and ethnic groups (American Diabetes Association, 2022).

Impact of Diabetes on Specific Groups in West Virginia

Diabetes significantly affects various demographic groups in West Virginia, with notable disparities among different racial and ethnic communities. Effective healthcare strategies must address these disparities to improve population health outcomes (Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases, 2021).

Communication of Demographic Data and Health Needs

Effective communication of demographic data is essential for healthcare planning and intervention strategies. Understanding patient demographics facilitates tailored healthcare delivery and enhances patient satisfaction and health outcomes (Hermann et al., 2019; Hwang & Oh, 2020).

Conclusion

Identifying and addressing community health needs require comprehensive strategies and intervention plans based on accurate demographic data and epidemiological insights. These efforts are crucial for healthcare professionals to effectively promote health and prevent diseases within communities.

References

American Diabetes Association. (2022). Statistics about Diabetes | ADA. Retrieved from https://diabetes.org/about-us/statistics/about-diabetes

Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases. (2021). Diabetes in West Virginia. Retrieved from 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, 45(5), 523–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.12.001

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs

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

Minc, S. D., Hendricks, B., Misra, R., Ren, Y., Thibault, D., Marone, L., & Smith, G. (2020). Geographic variation in amputation rates among patients with diabetes and/or peripheral arterial disease in the rural state of West Virginia identifies areas for improved care. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 71(5), 1708-1717.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2019.06.215