Introduction
The health issue that I have chosen to focus on is state disparities in health among populations. In particular, I would like to highlight the importance of addressing social and economic factors that contribute to health disparities. Several social and economic factors can contribute to state disparities in health among populations. Some of these factors include poverty (poor living conditions) and lack of nutrition education. Addressing these social and economic factors is essential for achieving equity in health outcomes nationwide. One specific example of state disparities in health includes obesity rates are highest for black and Hispanic adults. Obesity is the health issue that will likely face black and Hispanic adults due to poverty and wrong cultural belief, which could be eradicated through public health education on different platforms.
Discussion
Obesity is a condition in which a person has an excessive amount of body fat. This condition is usually gauged by calculating someone’s Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or above is generally considered obese, while a BMI of 25 to 29 is considered overweight (Fruh, 2017). Obesity can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The prevalence of obesity is expected to increase dramatically over the next few decades among adult Hispanics and blacks. This is primarily due to the increasing number of people who are inactive and eat unhealthy foods.
In general, black and Hispanic adults are more likely to be obese than white adults. In 2030, it is projected that nearly half of black adults and four in ten Hispanic adults will be obese; among white adults, about one-third will be obese (Qobadi & Payton, 2017). There are many potential factors contributing to these disparities, including socioeconomic status and access to healthy foods, together with cultural influences (Caballero, 2018). For example, lower-income individuals may have less access to affordable healthy foods, or they may live in neighborhoods that do not have such foods. This makes it more difficult for them to make healthy choices when it comes to what they eat (Caballero, 2018). Additionally, culture similarly contributes to obesity among Blacks and Hispanic adults by communicating that being overweight is acceptable and even attractive, and this promotes unhealthy eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle.
Moreover, a public health communication strategy to reduce poverty and promote health by eliminating obesity among black and Hispanic adults would need to employ a variety of methods. These techniques include targeted advertising, social media campaigns, community outreach, and education. One key element would be messages that emphasize the importance of healthy eating (Caballero, 2018). It is also crucial to create tailored messages for different audiences; for example, targeting black women specifically with information on pregnancy and obesity. Another critical part of the strategy would be increasing access to affordable healthy foods and creating safe places for people to exercise. Increasing socioeconomic opportunities is equally vital, as poverty is one of the strongest predictors of obesity.
A plan for communication concerning obesity reduction through social media campaigns and nutrition education would include different steps. First is the development of social media content that is engaging and relevant to the target audience. The second refers to implementing social media campaigns designed to reach as many people as possible. The third is the provision of accurate and timely nutrition education to the public (Caballero, 2018). Lastly, continued evaluation and refinement of the communication plan to achieve maximum impact.
In addition, there are several ways to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies aimed at reducing obesity. One way is to conduct social media surveys before and after the campaign to assess changes in attitudes and behaviors (Klassen et al., 2018). Another way is to measure how much weight people lose in communities that have received the intervention compared with those that have not. Additionally, tracking the use of healthcare resources (like doctor visits, hospital admissions, and prescription drugs) can provide insights into whether or not the intervention is making an impact. Ultimately, any successful evaluation plan will involve measuring both behavioral and physiological outcomes.
Obesity disproportionately affects black adults, and tackling this issue requires targeted communication. Communities and social media platforms provide great opportunities to reduce obesity rates (Klassen et al., 2018). Campaigns that focus on healthy eating can be effective in reaching black adults. Community outreach is also key, as it enables health educators to connect with individuals face-to-face and build relationships of trust. This allows for individualized guidance that can help black adults make positive changes to their lifestyle behaviors. On the other hand, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a variety of resources available to help Hispanic adults reduce their risk of obesity. For example, the CDC’s “You Are the Key” campaign encourages people to make small changes in their daily lives that can add up to big results over time (Leung et al., 2019). Similarly, the agency’s healthy communities initiative provides support and resources to aid communities in working together to improve their overall health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, obesity is a health issue that is likely to be faced by black and Hispanic adults following poverty, lack of health (nutrition) education, and cultural beliefs. Healthcare professionals can curb this challenge by ensuring that everybody, regardless of their social class everyone can access food. Alternatively, they can educate the public by discouraging them from the belief that being fat means good health. The communication on the website includes searching for content and how to reduce obesity, and the communication evaluation will be conducted through a survey and how many managed to reduce their weight.
References
Caballero, A. E. (2018). The “A to Z” of managing type 2 diabetes in culturally diverse populations.Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9, 479. Web.
Fruh, S. M. (2017). Obesity: Risk factors, complications, and strategies for sustainable long‐term weight management.Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(S1), S3-S14. Web.
Klassen, K. M., Douglass, C. H., Brennan, L., Truby, H., & Lim, M. S. (2018). Social media use for nutrition outcomes in young adults: A mixed-methods systematic review.International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 15(1), 1-18. Web.
Leung, S. O. A., Akinwunmi, B., Elias, K. M., & Feldman, S. (2019). Educating healthcare providers to increase Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates: a qualitative systematic review.Vaccine: X, 3, 100037. Web.
Qobadi, M., & Payton, M. (2017). Racial disparities in obesity prevalence in Mississippi: Role of socio-demographic characteristics and physical activity.International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 258. Web.