For the week 5 discussion, please refer to part 2 of the population health assessment. Review the data you collected and select two specific resources to discuss. Include the data and rationale for the resource selection. Apply the resource to multiple age groups within the identified population. For example, the American Heart Association may have local chapters that address pediatric cardiovascular issues as well as support systems for older adults with heart failure. As you present the resource, describe the role of the nurse in prevention. Include scholarly references to support.
Week 5 Discussion: Population Health Assessment and Community Resources
In Part 2 of my population health assessment, I focused on a low-income, predominantly African American urban neighborhood with high rates of hypertension, obesity, and limited access to preventive healthcare services. The assessment highlighted a lack of consistent healthcare access across age groups and limited community-based interventions targeting cardiovascular health and nutrition. Two specific resources selected to address these issues are the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Ed. Both resources provide vital support across age groups and align closely with the community’s needs.
Resource 1: American Heart Association (AHA)
According to the CDC, African Americans are nearly 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than whites, and this contributes to higher mortality rates due to cardiovascular disease (CDC, 2023). The American Heart Association addresses cardiovascular health through education, screening events, and advocacy efforts.
Rationale and Application: The AHA offers tailored programs for both children and older adults. For children and adolescents, the “Kids Heart Challenge” promotes physical activity and education about heart health in schools. For adults and seniors, the AHA offers community-based blood pressure management programs and heart failure support groups. These initiatives directly align with the needs identified in the community, such as early screening and lifestyle education.
Role of the Nurse in Prevention: Nurses serve as frontline educators and advocates in both community and clinical settings. By partnering with AHA programs, nurses can provide blood pressure screenings, teach lifestyle modifications, and connect patients with local resources. Nurses also play a critical role in reducing health disparities through culturally competent education and care coordination.
Resource 2: SNAP-Education (SNAP-Ed)
Nutrition was identified as a major gap in the health assessment. Many families in the area experience food insecurity and lack nutritional knowledge, contributing to obesity and related chronic conditions. SNAP-Ed is a federally funded nutrition education program that helps low-income individuals make healthier food choices.
Rationale and Application: SNAP-Ed provides age-specific programs including school-based nutrition education for children, cooking classes for families, and chronic disease prevention workshops for older adults. It also works with local grocers to promote healthy options and with schools to improve meal quality.
Role of the Nurse in Prevention: Nurses can facilitate access to SNAP-Ed resources by identifying eligible patients, referring them to local programs, and integrating nutrition counseling into routine care. School nurses can collaborate with educators to implement evidence-based programs, while community health nurses can organize cooking demonstrations and lead group education sessions.
Conclusion
The American Heart Association and SNAP-Ed are two robust resources that address significant gaps in cardiovascular health and nutrition for the population assessed. These programs offer scalable, age-appropriate interventions that can improve outcomes across the lifespan. Nurses are uniquely positioned to leverage these resources through education, advocacy, and care coordination, making them integral to community-level prevention strategies.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). High blood pressure facts. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
American Heart Association. (2024). Community programs. https://www.heart.org
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2023). SNAP-Ed Connection. https://snaped.fns.usda.gov