Identifying a Vulnerable Population with Data
In this assignment you will review health trends within your community to identify existing health inequities. You will identify the root causes of the inequities and conduct a comparative analysis with other counties to identify differences that can explain the causes of the inequities or provide a possible solution for the inequities. You will use your findings from this assignment in next week’s assignment, for which you will develop a strategy for addressing one of the inequities through policy change or creation.
Access countyhealthranking.org
Research the health trends of 3 counties in Connecticut. One county should be the county where you live. Choose 2 neighboring counties or choose 1 county that ranks higher in health trends than your county and 1 that ranks lower.
Part 1
Create a table that compares health trend results for the 3 counties within your state. See the Health Trends Table Example below that compares 3 counties in North Carolina as an example. Include the following in your health trend table:
o Health Outcomes: Length of Life
o Health Outcomes: Quality of Life (Choose 3)
o Health Factors: Health Behaviors (Choose 3)
o Health Factors: Clinical Care (Choose 3)
o Health Factors: Social and Economic Factors (Choose3)
o Health Factors: Physical Environment (Choose 2)
Compare and contrast the health trends of the 3 counties within your state.
Identify the 3 top inequities in your county and the corresponding negative SDOH that are creating the inequities (i.e., the underlying reasons that create differences seen in health outcomes).
Part 2
Write a 575-word reflection (1 paragraph for each of the topics below) of the 3 counties’ health trends in which you:
o Describe the specific populations affected by the inequities and provide data that substantiates the composition of the population.
o Explain the main commonalities among all 3 counties. Explain the reasons for the differences.
o Analyze the impact of county-specific policies that may be perpetuating negative health outcomes.
Health Trends Table Example
Health Trends in Burke, Caldwell, and Watauga Counties of North Carolina
State Average Burke Caldwell Watauga
Health outcomes NA Ranked in the lower middle range of counties in NC (25%-50%) Ranked in the lower middle range of counties in NC (25%-50%) Ranked in top 25% of healthiest counties in NC (75%-100%)
Health factors NA Ranked in the lower middle range of counties in NC (25%-50%) Ranked in the lower middle range of counties in NC (25%-50%) Ranked in top 25% of healthiest counties in NC (75%-100%)
Health Outcomes: Length of Life
Premature death (per 100,000 population 7,600 9,700 (Leading causes of death: not listed – Black: 11,200; White: 10,100) 9,000 (Leading causes of death: not listed – Black: 12,900; White: 9,000) 5,600 (Leading causes of death: malignant neoplasms, heart disease, accidents, and intentional self-harm – race/ethnicity breakdown: not listed)
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