NR 717 Week 5 Assignment Population Health Practice Problem

NR 717 Week 5 Assignment Population Health Practice Problem

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-717: Concepts in Population Health Outcomes & Health Policy

Prof. Name

Date

NR 717 Week 5 Assignment: Population Health Practice Problem

Introduction

Hypertension is one of the most significant public health issues in the United States, particularly among African Americans. The condition is closely associated with long-term health complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, and stroke, which substantially contribute to both morbidity and mortality rates. This paper examines hypertension within the African American population, focusing on the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH), epidemiological trends, and evidence-based population interventions. The primary aim is to analyze hypertension as a national health concern and propose strategies to reduce its prevalence and improve overall outcomes. Key discussion areas include population characteristics, practice problem analysis, epidemiology, alignment with Healthy People 2030 objectives, evidence-based approaches, and evaluation methods.

Population

African Americans represent approximately 13.6% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). Despite their significant demographic presence, they experience considerable health disparities influenced by structural racism, economic hardship, and inadequate access to healthcare services. Historical and systemic inequities have also fostered mistrust in healthcare institutions, while limited insurance coverage and lack of culturally responsive care contribute to poor health outcomes. Consequently, hypertension remains one of the most severe yet preventable chronic diseases in this community.

Key Social Determinant Risk Factors

The following table outlines the major social determinants influencing hypertension outcomes among African Americans.

Risk Factor	Impact on Hypertension
Socioeconomic Status	Limited income reduces access to nutritious foods, medications, and continuous healthcare.
Access to Care	A shortage of affordable, culturally competent providers limits preventive care utilization.
Neighborhood Environment	Food deserts and unsafe environments hinder physical activity and healthy eating.
Education Level	Low educational attainment diminishes health literacy and self-management abilities.
Psychosocial Stressors	Ongoing stress from racism, unemployment, and violence elevates blood pressure levels.

Collectively, these determinants heighten the risk of uncontrolled hypertension and exacerbate poor health outcomes over time.

Practice Problem

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, remains one of the most common chronic diseases affecting African Americans. Research indicates that approximately 56% of African American adults have hypertension, compared to 48% of White adults (CDC, 2022). This disparity directly contributes to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure among African Americans.

At the national level, hypertension is a leading cause of premature mortality in this group. Locally, urban areas with higher African American populations often exhibit increased prevalence rates due to compounded challenges such as poverty, environmental hazards, and healthcare inaccessibility. Addressing this widespread issue requires targeted interventions that integrate medical and social solutions.

Epidemiology

Descriptive Epidemiology

Descriptive data reveal that African American men and women consistently experience higher rates of hypertension and poorer blood pressure control compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

Analytic Epidemiology

Analytic studies identify risk factors contributing to this disparity, including unhealthy dietary habits, excessive sodium intake, obesity, lack of physical activity, and chronic psychosocial stress.

National health surveillance programs, such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), continuously track hypertension trends and inform culturally relevant intervention strategies. Ethical considerations remain critical, particularly in protecting patient confidentiality and avoiding further stigmatization in reporting health disparities.

Goal and Objective

Healthy People 2030 Goal

Objective HDS-04: Reduce the proportion of adults with hypertension (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020).

SMART Objective

By 2027, reduce the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among African American adults in [your city/state/region] by 10% through community-based education initiatives and increased access to regular blood pressure screenings.

Evidence-Based Population Intervention

Intervention Strategy

An effective evidence-based approach is implementing community-based blood pressure monitoring and education programs within culturally relevant spaces such as barbershops and churches. Research by Victor et al. (2018) found that African American men participating in barbershop-based blood pressure programs demonstrated greater reductions in blood pressure levels compared to those receiving standard care.

Minnesota Public Health Wheel Alignment

This intervention aligns with the Health Teaching and Community Organization components of the Minnesota Public Health Wheel, as it emphasizes both education and community engagement to promote sustainable behavior change.

Rationale

Barbershops represent trusted community spaces where individuals feel comfortable discussing health concerns. Utilizing these environments allows healthcare providers to overcome barriers such as mistrust, limited transportation, and reduced healthcare access. The model’s sustainability is enhanced through peer-led health coaching and partnerships between community organizations and healthcare systems.

Evaluation

The intervention’s success should be evaluated through both process and outcome measures, as outlined below:

Measure	Description
Efficiency	Monitor program participation rates, reach, and associated costs.
Effectiveness	Measure reductions in participants’ average blood pressure levels.
Efficacy	Evaluate long-term health outcomes, including decreased hospitalizations and complications.

Data collection efforts may involve collaboration with community health centers, use of electronic health records, and health information exchanges. Ongoing participant feedback ensures cultural relevance and continuous improvement of the intervention.

Conclusion

Hypertension continues to be a critical public health concern, disproportionately impacting African Americans due to social and economic inequities, limited healthcare access, and chronic stressors. Social determinants of health are central to this disparity, necessitating interventions that are both culturally tailored and evidence-based. Community-centered programs, such as barbershop-based education and monitoring, have demonstrated measurable success in improving hypertension outcomes. Aligning these initiatives with Healthy People 2030 goals ensures progress toward reducing health inequities. Ultimately, a holistic approach that combines medical care, community involvement, and structural reform is essential for effectively addressing hypertension within the African American population.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Hypertension prevalence in the U.S. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm

U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). QuickFacts: United States. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Healthy People 2030 objectives. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data

Victor, R. G., Blyler, C. A., Li, N., Lynch, K., Moy, N. B., Rashid, M., … & Elashoff, R. M. (2018). Effectiveness of barbershop-based intervention for improving hypertension control in Black men: A cluster randomized trial. The New England Journal of Medicine, 378(14), 1291–1301. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1717250