Population Characteristics Health trends and Epidemiological Data

Population Characteristics, Health trends and Epidemiological Data

Name

Institution

Tutor

Course

Date

Population Characteristics, Health trends and Epidemiological Data

Introduction

In the recent past, there has been a shift towards a healthier lifestyle. This is evidenced by the emergence of interventions through various programs such as Healthy People 2020. This program is one of these aimed at driving the community towards a healthier lifestyle. The focus of this program was in zip code 32210, Duval County in the State of Florida. The program was conducted at The Lane Wiley Senior Center and involved awareness creation on Congestive Heart Failure, Hypertension and Heart attack, which are among the leading health indicators in the goals of Healthy People 2020. The activities on this day included blood pressure measurement, distribution of informative pamphlets and provision of water and yoghurt with fruit.

Duval County is one of the sixty-seven counties in the state of Florida. It is a consolidated city-county government on the north east coast of Florida. It comprises of urban, suburban and rural areas and has a land area of over 800 square miles. It is divided into six health zones that are demographically and economically different.

Population Characteristics

According to the 2010 United States Census, Duval County had a total population of 864,263. This county’s population is 61% White, 29% White and other races comprise 10% including Hispanics, American Indians, Asians, Native Hawaiians, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders and mixed race individuals.

Health trends

The biggest health issue among Duval County residents is chronic diseases with the highest mortality being due to cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke and diabetes. In addition to these, obesity, now a national issue in the United States of America is an issue in Duval County. Communicable diseases have been a major problem in Duval County leading to high infant mortality rate as well as death rates. There is great disparity in the health status and trends across the six health zones in Duval County.

Epidemiological data

It is reported that in 2010, the chronic diseases of cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke and diabetes affected more blacks than whites. Health zone one had the highest mortality rate of 1104 per 100,000 while health zone three had the lowest mortality rate of 743 per 100,000 due to these diseases. Obesity is a problem in Duval County, with 28.4% of the adults considered obese and 36.0% of adults considered overweight. Of the obese and overweight adults, 64.6% were whites and 79.0% of these were blacks.

References

Christine , A., Coleman, K., & holloway, J. (2012). Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. Duval County,Florida.