NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 5003 Health Assessment and Promotion for Disease Prevention in Population-Focused Health

Prof. Name

Date

Identifying Community Health Needs

Evaluating the health status of a community or state involves a detailed and organized approach, where healthcare institutions examine prevailing health concerns and assess their effects within specific regions. This process assists healthcare providers in setting priorities and developing effective intervention strategies to address unmet medical needs in the population. The present study highlights diabetes as a significant public health issue in West Virginia, aiming to understand how it affects various communities and identify those at heightened risk. Data for this analysis is collected from credible sources such as the State Department of Health, the American Diabetes Association, County Health Rankings, and relevant peer-reviewed journals like the American Journal of Diabetes.

Demographic Characteristics for a State

Demographic data includes a broad range of factors, such as population size, racial and ethnic composition, disease prevalence, education levels, and religious affiliations. These factors help shape the behavioral trends of a population, with age often playing a decisive role in how individuals experience health and illness. Additionally, demographics provide crucial insight into community characteristics, including income distribution, employment patterns, educational backgrounds, gender ratios, and commuting habits. For example, racial categories such as White, Asian, Black, and African American represent diverse cultural backgrounds and health outcomes (Minc et al., 2020).

Specific patient-level data, such as date of birth and insurance coverage, also contribute to health demographics by assisting in billing, enhancing care delivery, and promoting cultural competency in medical practice. Based on the United States Census Bureau’s 2018 estimates, West Virginia had a population of 1,775,156, predominantly White (93.1%), followed by Black (3.7%), Asian (0.3%), and Latino (1.9%) populations.

Additionally, the state’s demographic profile reveals a significant prevalence of chronic illnesses. Approximately 14.1% of residents under the age of 65 live with a disability, and from 2017 to 2021, 88.1% of adults in West Virginia had completed high school. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, obesity, hypertension, and respiratory illnesses are widespread, further complicating the state’s public health challenges.

Table 1

West Virginia Demographics (2018 Census Bureau Data)

Demographic Category	Percentage (%)
White	93.1
Black	3.7
Asian	0.3
Latino	1.9
Residents under 65 with Disability	14.1
High School Graduation (2017–2021)	88.1

Trends Regarding Population in Demographic Reports

West Virginia’s population patterns between 2010 and 2021 show intermittent growth, with the population increasing in only two of those eleven years. The most notable decline of 0.8% took place between 2016 and 2017. Diabetes remains a serious concern in the state, affecting approximately 16.2% of the adult population, or 232,336 individuals. The prevalence is rising steadily, particularly among American Indian and non-Hispanic Black populations (American Diabetes Association, 2022).

Epidemiology, much like clinical medicine, is concerned with tracking and analyzing disease progression, but at a community level. Professionals in this field rely heavily on data interpretation and program evaluation to monitor public health trends and recommend preventive interventions (American Diabetes Association, 2022).

In 2021, the Diabetes in West Virginia report gathered demographic data such as age, gender, and ethnicity while assessing public awareness regarding type 2 diabetes, including knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, treatment options, and preventive care strategies. This data not only informs policy but also guides community-based health initiatives aimed at reducing disease prevalence.

Impact of Diabetes on Specific Groups in West Virginia

Diabetes significantly impacts approximately 16% of West Virginia’s total population. The disease disproportionately affects racial minorities, with a prevalence of 17% among Black residents, 16% among White individuals, and 10% among those identifying as multiracial (Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases, 2021). Additionally, American Indians face a notably higher risk, with rates more than double those of White residents. Various factors such as socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and overall quality of life contribute to these disparities, complicating the accurate assessment of public health needs.

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 34 million Americans were managing diabetes. Individuals living with the disease typically incur healthcare expenses nearly twice as high as those without it. That same year, the CDC allocated \$926,068 to diabetes education and prevention programs in West Virginia, a testament to the significant public health concern posed by the disease (American Diabetes Association, 2018). If left unmanaged, diabetes can result in serious complications including cardiovascular disease, vision loss, kidney failure, and premature death.

Communication of Demographic Data and Health Needs

Effective communication of demographic data and healthcare needs is essential in promoting public health and enhancing patient outcomes. Research by Hermann et al. (2019) emphasizes that patient characteristics influence their perceptions of healthcare communication. Healthcare providers who demonstrate respect, cultural sensitivity, and clear communication improve patient experiences and satisfaction levels. In dynamic healthcare settings like emergency departments, the ability to communicate treatment plans and delays effectively becomes crucial to quality care.

Healthcare leaders can bolster public health efforts by enhancing community health literacy, ensuring that residents clearly understand medical recommendations and prevention strategies. Establishing trust through transparent, culturally competent, and empathetic communication further supports positive health outcomes. According to Hwang and Oh (2020), patient-centered care practices such as safeguarding personal health information, addressing patient concerns promptly, and informing patients about care processes contribute to higher satisfaction rates and improved health outcomes.

Conclusion

Addressing community health needs demands comprehensive, evidence-based strategies and collaborative interventions. Analyzing demographic data enables healthcare professionals to identify at-risk populations and implement preventive health measures effectively. The field of epidemiology is vital in monitoring disease trends and evaluating program outcomes, ensuring that public health initiatives are responsive to the changing needs of the population. A commitment to respectful, culturally sensitive communication further strengthens the effectiveness of healthcare services and fosters community trust.

References

American Diabetes Association. (2018). The burden of diabetes in West Virginia. https://diabetes.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/ADV_2021_State_Fact_sheets_West%20Virginia_rev.pdf

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

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs

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, 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

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

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 1 Identifying Community Health Needs

United States Census Bureau. (2018). QuickFacts: United States. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/