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Learning Activity Assignment #2

Health of Virginians

Overview

Knowing the various health determinants that affect a community is important, yet, understanding specific determinants more in depth is paramount to deciding which determinants to address within a population. Different health determinants affect people in different ways. They also affect people in different locales in different ways. In addition, health determinant trends can give a more complete picture of how the determinant is progressing. All of these things help public health practitioners know where to focus their efforts.

Instructions

In this learning activity, you will review secondary data sources for details about the health of Virginians. Targetone Virginia county or community and briefly scan health assessment information to get a more detailed picture about the health status of Virginians in that specific locale or region. Then, look more closely at the health data concerning 1 of the 5 health ranking determinants you wrote about in the Virginia’s Health Rankings Learning Activity. In addition to the American Health Rankings website, here are some other sources to gather information:

·Virginia Department of Health Data & Statistics

·Community Health Status Indicators

·County Health Rankings

·SMART: BRFSS Data

Following the principles of epidemiologic inquiry, answer the following questions regarding the information you uncovered about 1 health determinant in your selected county or community. Give your response in a post of 400–500 words.

Person: Describe the population expressing the determinant

oHow many (percentage of population or rate) are described by this determinant?

oHow is the determinant expressed in the population (age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics)?

oCompare segments of the population (who has the most/least, at greatest/least risk)?

Place: Describe the location with regard to the determinant

oIs the determinant seen more in urban or rural regions?

oWhat other characteristics define the prevalence of the determinant in the region (housing, geography, topography, etc.)?

oCompare other locations with the one you selected (how does prevalence compare in neighboring counties, the state, or the nation)?

Period: Describe the time trends of the determinant

oOver the past few years, has the prevalence rate decreased or increased or stayed about the same? (i.e., is it getting better or worse?)

oCompare the time trends of the state and the nation with those of your location. Are they better, worse, or similar?

Conclusion: From the information you gathered about the health determinant, describe a priority population in a particular place with a precise problem to address. This will be the focus of a public health intervention you will develop across the remaining learning activities.