Introduction
Individual and systemic factors, such as health behaviors, socioeconomic circumstances, the physical environment, and access to healthcare services, impact a community’s health. Ohio’s Fulton County is no exception (Fulton County Health Department, 2022). The Fulton County Community Health Needs Assessment presents key health indicators and information about county residents, which can be used to determine the county’s health needs and develop health promotion initiatives.
Health Indicators
Morbidity, mortality, incidence, and prevalence metrics are crucial for evaluating population health. The top five diseases reported in 2021 in Fulton County, Ohio, were diabetes (26%), poor mental health (20%), arthritis (27%), hypertension (33%), and obesity (38%) (Fulton County Health Department, 2022). 33% of adults reported having high blood pressure, 83% were taking medication, and 3% were diagnosed with prehypertensive/borderline high blood pressure (Fulton County Health Department, 2022). Over the past three years, there has been an increase in days with poor physical and mental health, particularly among those with incomes under $25,000 (31%) (Fulton County Health Department, 2022).
The Relationship Between Health and SES
A person’s socioeconomic status (SES) is significantly influenced by income, education, occupation, and living situation. According to studies, people with lower SES are likelier than those with higher SES to have poorer health outcomes (Knorst et al., 2020). Inequalities in access to resources, healthier food options, and medical care are blamed for these disparities in health outcomes. Furthermore, money-related barriers or other factors make it harder for people from lower SES backgrounds to get the proper care.
Hypertension
People with low SES are more likely to have hypertension. This is because they frequently need more access to healthcare or are less likely to adopt preventative measures like diet changes, regular exercise, and other lifestyle modifications due to a lack of resources. Furthermore, people with lower SES might be more likely to reside in areas with poor air quality, a lack of greenery, and other environmental elements that raise the risk of hypertension.
Obesity
Both social and microbial factors can contribute to obesity. Regarding socioeconomic factors, obesity may be brought on by a lack of access to nutritious food choices and outdoor recreation areas due to poverty. Working-class families also frequently have more work and less job security, influencing their fast but unhealthy food consumption. Additionally, higher-income families typically have easier access to facilities that support good health, like gyms, health clubs, and higher-quality food options.
Mental Health
Issues with mental health are closely related to one’s social and economic circumstances. Financial stability is a significant challenge for those with meager incomes. A productive and healthy life may be out of reach if affordable health services, particularly those related to mental health, are unavailable (Makwana, 2019). Discrimination and higher poverty rates can also stress out vulnerable populations more, increasing their risk of mental health problems. Due to a lack of resources, support, and sociocultural integration, people who live in socially isolated communities may also be more vulnerable to mental health problems.
Identifying Health Disparities
Regarding the prevalence of specific medical conditions, Fulton County, Ohio, has experienced health disparities. Heart disease mortality is more common in the community and among people 65 and older who are Black or African American. Additionally, men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with high blood pressure, and more than one-third (41%) of children are obese (Fulton County Health Department, 2022). The information presented makes it abundantly clear that hypertension is a severe health problem that needs to be addressed in the community.
Fewer people with lower incomes are likely to take the prescribed hypertension medication. Therefore, it is essential to offer specific, accessible interventions to manage and lessen health disparities. I have chosen to focus on hypertension as my health issue and have targeted those with lower incomes with my health promotion efforts to promote better management of hypertension and help reduce pre-existing health disparities.
Statement of Need
Male adults with incomes under $25,000 in Fulton County, Ohio, are at risk for hypertension, a severe public health problem. Only 3% of adults with hypertension were informed that they were prehypertensive or borderline high, compared to a diagnosis rate of 33% (Fulton County Health Department, 2022). Those with lower incomes were also less likely to take the necessary medications to treat the condition, despite having a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with hypertension. The high rates of hypertension among male adults with incomes under $25,000 have been attributed to poverty in the neighborhood, the lack of access to healthcare, and environmental factors (Fulton County Health Department, 2022). To lower the prevalence of hypertension and prevent prehypertension in this population, an efficient health promotion program is required.
Program Mission
The program’s mission is to “increase male adults’ access to healthcare, raise awareness of hypertension, and promote healthy lifestyle habits,” while ensuring high-quality care in Fulton County that focuses on individualized care. This mission will be carried out using evidence-based strategies such as health education, risk factor screening and management, lifestyle modification, and hypertension early detection and intervention (Fulton County Health Department, 2022). The program’s guiding philosophy will be an all-encompassing approach to healthcare and wellness, emphasizing the value of collaboration among patients, healthcare professionals, and the community. The program’s philosophy is to educate male adults in Fulton County about hypertension and healthier lifestyle options while encouraging a shared vision of high-quality care.
Program Goals and Objectives
Program Goals
- To cut the prevalence of hypertension in men by 10% by 2025 in Fulton County, Ohio.
- To educate male adults in Fulton County, Ohio, 15% more about hypertension risk factors and treatment options by 2025 (Fulton County Health Department, 2022).
Program Objectives
- Increase the number of male adults with incomes less than $25,000 taking the necessary medications to manage hypertension from 83% to 88% by April 2024.
- Increase awareness about hypertension management among the target population from 7% to 20% by April 2024.
- Increase knowledge about hypertension prevention among the target audience from 17% to 25% by April 2024.
- Increase engagement in preventive screenings and assessments related to hypertension among the target population from 57% to 70% by April 2024.
- Please increase the percentage of adult males with earnings under $25,000 visiting their doctor annually from 66% to 80% by April 2024.
- Please increase the number of adult males with incomes below $25,000 adhering to their treatment plan from 73% to 85% by April 2024.
Conclusion
Due to the high rates of diagnosed prehypertension and hypertension in the community, the health of male adults in Fulton County, Ohio, who earn less than $25,000, needs urgent attention. A successful health promotion program must be implemented to address this disparity and encourage healthy lifestyle change initiatives to lower the incidence of high blood pressure. Lowering hypertension in Fulton County, Ohio, can be accomplished by increasing males’ access, knowledge, and education on risk factors and treatments.
References
Fulton County Health Department. (2022). 2022 Fulton County Community Health Needs Assessment. Web.
Knorst, J. K., Sfreddo, C. S., F. Meira, G., Zanatta, F. B., Vettore, M. V., & Ardenghi, T. M. (2020). Socioeconomic status and oral health‐related quality of life: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 49(2), 95–102. Web.
Makwana, N. (2019). Disaster and its impact on mental health: A narrative review. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 8(10), 3090–3095. Web.