Introduction
Assessment is important for understanding the needs of a population and determining what health promotion activities are most likely to be effective. It can identify risk factors for disease and injury within a population, as well as protective factors to promote health. Moreover, assessment provides data that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of health promotion activities (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2021). This essay explores the population health of the people in Concord, North Carolina, including their social determinants, interpreting findings, and a recommendation for lack of health care access, one of the issues influencing the health of the community.
Population Health Assessment
Population Demographics
Population demographics refer to the characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, race, and income. According to Quickfacts: Concord City, North Carolina (n.d.), the population of Concord, North Carolina, is just over 87,000 people. The city is roughly evenly split between men and women, with a gender ratio of 1.02 men for every woman (Quickfacts: Concord City, North Carolina, n.d.). The median age of residents is 36 years old, and the majority of residents are married (57%) and have children (52%) (Quickfacts: Concord City, North Carolina, n.d.). The Concord population is racially diverse, with a significant number of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino (30%), African American (22%), and White (42%) (Demographics, n.d.). Household types in Concord are fairly evenly split between married couples with children (30%), married couples without children (27%), and single-parent households (23%) (Demographics, n.d.)These demographics provide information about health risks and resources within the population.
Morbidity and Mortality Rates
The leading causes of death in Concord are cancer, heart disease, and accidents. The most common cancers include breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. Cancer is the most rampant issue claiming the most lives in Concord, with an age-adjusted mortality rate of just over 160 deaths per 100,000 people (Quickfacts: Concord City, North Carolina, n.d.). Heart disease follows with 156 deaths and accidents with 53 deaths in every 100,000 people. In 2018, there were a total of 977 deaths in the city, cancer was the leading cause of death, accounting for 28% of all deaths, while heart disease and accidents were the second and third leading causes of death, respectively, accounting for 23% and 11% of all death (Demographics, n.d.)The health assessment plan should consider prioritizing cheaper treatment plans for these diseases.
Social Determinants Affecting Population Health
Health and Healthcare
The City has a hospital, two urgent care centers, a community health center, and several primary care and specialty clinics. There is a high prevalence of chronic diseases in Concord, which is likely due in part to the high rates of obesity and tobacco use in the community (Cabarrus Health Alliance, 2022). Access to healthcare is also a challenge for many residents, as the community has a high uninsured rate.
Social and Community Context
There are several social and community factors that impact population health in Concord. Poverty is a major issue, as nearly one-quarter of the population lives below the poverty line. The community also has a high crime rate and lacks affordable housing which can lead to stress and other health problems. The crime rate in Concord is higher than the national average. There are 2,246 violent crimes and 9,491 property crimes per 100,000 (Concord, CA, n.d.), although major crimes like murder are fewer. The City of Concord has some programs and initiatives aimed at improving the society and community (Concord, CA, n.d.). These include a community policing program, a community development block grant program, and a community revitalization program.
Education
The city of Concord is served by the Cabarrus County Schools system. The system has a total of 34 schools, including 27 elementary schools, five middle schools, and two high schools with a student enrollment of over 20,000 people (Cabarrus Health Alliance, 2022). The educational system in Concord is struggling, as evidenced by the fact that only around 60% of residents have a high school diploma (Concord, CA, n.d.). The lack of education can impact health in some ways, including reducing job opportunities and increasing the risk of chronic disease.
Economic Stability
Concord is a community with high rates of poverty and unemployment, which can lead to economic instability, influencing health in some ways, including reducing access to healthy food and increasing stress levels. However, the city has some strategies aimed at promoting economic stability including job training programs, a small business assistance program, and a housing assistance program (Cabarrus Health Alliance, 2022). People can invest with financial assistance, and make better economic choices boosting both their personal and community financial health.
Neighborhood and the Built Environment
Concord’s neighborhoods are well-maintained and offer a variety of amenities that support residents’ health, including parks, playgrounds, and walking trails. The city’s public transportation system is also accessible and convenient, making it easy for residents to get around without having to rely on a car (Concord, CA, n.d.). However, the community lacks enough access to healthy food options and safe places to exercise, which contributes to health issues.
Analysis of Findings
Chronic disease is the biggest health problem in Concord, which is probably partly because of the high rates of obesity and tobacco use in the area. High crime rates and a lack of affordable housing are two additional social concerns that can result in stress and other health issues. Additionally, there is a lack of enough healthy food options and secure places to exercise in the community. One of the main supports to health in Concord is the community’s access to healthcare. There are several hospitals and clinics in the city, as well as many community health resources that allow a good number of people to receive quality treatment (Concord, CA n.d.). Additionally, the city has some parks and recreation areas, which promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
There are also several key barriers to health in Concord, with the most rampant being high poverty rates in the city. According to Cabarrus Health Alliance (2022) over 25% of the population of Concord lives in poverty. This high poverty rate leads to many health problems, due to a lack of affordable healthcare, healthy food, and other resources that are necessary for proper health (Ariosto et al., 2018). Other central shortcomings to health in the Concord society include the high rates of crime and violence in the city, making it difficult for people to feel safe in their neighborhoods.
Recommendation
One priority population health risk or disparity identified through the assessment is the lack of access to healthcare. A larger percentage of the 25% of the population living below the poverty line lack health insurance or have limited coverage that may not be adequate (Cabarrus Health Alliance, 2022). Poor access to healthcare results in poorer health outcomes and increased risk for chronic diseases. One population-focused recommendation to address this disparity is to provide free or low-cost healthcare clinics in the community (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2021). These clinics can provide basic medical care and screenings, which help to prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases. In addition, the clinics avail referrals to other resources, such as food pantries or social service agencies, which address the underlying causes of poverty.
Free or low-cost healthcare clinics have a significant impact on the health of a community. They help lower the incidence of chronic diseases and improve the overall health of the population (Ariosto et al., 2018). Realizing greater results would require increasing access to health insurance, improving public transportation, and providing financial assistance for medical care, conducive housing, and providing well-paying jobs to people by the government (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2021). These steps would ensure that every Concord resident gets assisted to access health care in various ways, mitigating the issues of lack of health access in the long run.
Conclusion
Population health assessment is a critical part of addressing the needs of a community. The assessment identifies health risks and disparities, which can then be addressed through a variety of interventions. The proposed recommendation of free or low-cost healthcare clinics has a significant impact on the health of a community by reducing the incidence of chronic diseases and improving the overall health of the population. This is an important step in addressing the problem of lack of access to healthcare, but it is just one part of the solution. Cheaper housing, job availability, friendly and comprehensive health insurance coverage, and affordable transport are part of realizing economical healthcare. Implications for healthcare practice are providing education to the community on the importance of population health assessment and conducting population health assessments regularly to identify new or emerging health risks and disparities.
References
Ariosto, D. A., Harper, E. M., Wilson, M. L., Hull, S. C., Nahm, E.-S., & Sylvia, M. L. (2018). Population health: A nursing action plan. JAMIA Open, 1(1), 7–10. Web.
Cabarrus Health Alliance. (2022). Give Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation. Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation. Web.
Concord, CA. Data USA. (n.d.). Web.
Demographics. Demographics | Concord, CA. (n.d.). Web.
Quickfacts: Concord City, North Carolina. U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.) Web.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2021). Foundations for population health in community/public health nursing-E-book. Elsevier Health Sciences.