Population Health Problems (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is for learners to identify different population health problems that are impacting their community.

Course Outcome

This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcome:

CO5 Utilize a collaborative approach to address factors that influence population health (PO2)

Discussion Question

Problems that impact populations are vast and now more than ever social media is getting involved.

Choose one of the following population health problems to focus on:
1. Substance use and/or abuse
2. Environmental health (air, water, ground, energy, climate, etc.)
  1. https://www3.epa.gov/myem/envmap/find.htmlLinks to an external site. has a wealth of information
3. Violence
4. Abuse
Research and share an overview of the current data on this population health problem specific to your community. You must use one (or more) of the resources from the Direct Care Project Part 1: Assessment and Diagnosis assignment. You may choose to find additional outside source(s).
Then take a moment to review the Twitter feed for compelling Tweets that may have an impact on or discuss the population health problem.
Give an overview of any agency, organization, person, or affiliation that is addressing the population health problem.
How could a community health nurse collaborate with the agency, organization, person, or affiliation address the population health problem?
Compose a 280-character or fewer Tweet that describes what you have shared with the class. Remember Twitter only allows 280 characters (this includes spaces, etc.) so you will need to be concise. It should include a hashtag. Include the URL to the reference or Tweet if applicable. Share this Tweet in the discussion.
Note: A Twitter account is not required nor is posting your Tweet on social media.
Your discussion post should look like:
- Paragraph one: Overview of the current data on this population health problem specific to your community
- Paragraph two: Overview of any agency, organization, person, or affiliation that is addressing the population health problem
- Paragraph three: How could a community health nurse collaborate with the agency, organization, person, or affiliation to address the population health problem?
- Tweet: 280-character or fewer Tweet with hashtag and reference if applicable.
- Resources: Where did you find your data?
Example Tweet: Your zip code can have more of an impact on your health than your genetic code. Know your stats. #socialdeterminantsofhealth #SDoH #knowyourstats www3.epa.gov/myem/envmap/find.htmlLinks to an external site.

ANSWER

Substance Abuse in Long County, GA

Substance abuse is one of the most prevalent problems in Long County, Georgia. The local health department reports that approximately 20% of adults in Long County are currently active smokers (Liberty Regional Medical Center [LRMC], 2019). About 18% engaged in binge drinking in the last 30 days. Alcohol and marijuana were the most common substances among youths and high-school students (LRMC, 2019). The health report also showed that 53% of 18-year-olds used marijuana for the first time between ages 12 and 17 (LRMC, 2019). Also, 20% of the deaths in the community were alcohol-related.

Substance abuse affects various social groups disproportionately. Approximately 42.6% of the current smokers have less than 12 years of education, 27.3% of smokers are homosexuals, 26% earn less than <$35,000, 40.8% are younger than 44, and 27.3% are Native Americans/Alaskans (LRMC, 2019). Youths, low-income individuals, the less educated, multi-racial, Native American/Alaskans, and homosexuals/bisexuals have a higher smoking prevalence than their counterparts.

The Zone is a local non-profit organization addressing this issue. It helps mobilize resources for patients to find long-term recovery. It focuses on five main goals: awareness, health education, prevention, recovery, and harm reduction (The Zone, n,d). The organization conducts various community-based campaigns to create awareness and educate the public on the risks associated with substance use. It also offers referrals, yoga, health & wellness, recovery coaching, counselling, and social connection services to help its clients.

A community health nurse can collaborate with the organization to help patients receive needed medical care and substance use treatment. They can liaise to conduct health teaching, screening, case-finding, consultation, and referral. For example, the nurses can use the organization’s health education programs as a good source for case-finding. The nurse can also use the organization’s health education program to share their extensive clinical knowledge and resource with the target population.

Tweet: Low socioeconomic groups have higher substance use prevalence, but local organizations such as the Zone can help with alcohol and substance-related problems #AddictionRecovery

References

Liberty Regional Medical Center (2019). Community health needs assessment. Liberty Regional Medical Center.

The Zone. About us. https://thezonegeorgia.com.