Community Health Case Study

Case Study This case study is about a community in which the children and adults have a prevalence of diabetes and heart disease which is higher than the national average. The superintendent of three high schools within the county is concerned for the future health of the children in her school and wants to institute programs that would increase their health and decrease the risk factors. Many of the residents of the county are overweight and have a history of diabetes and heart disease. The county is very diverse with an ethnic population comprising of African Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, and Asians. Many of the families in the county are on some type of a government aid and support. The funding for after school activities has

After a thorough assessment of the family structure and dynamics of the community, I would implement a plan that would enhance the overall community health. Deficient community health would be an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this community. According to Ralph & Taylor (2014) the defining characteristics of this diagnosis are; “incidence of risks relating to hospitalization, physiologic states, psychological states, or health problems experienced by aggregates or population. No program available to enhance wellness, prevent, reduce, or eliminate one or more health problems for an aggregate or population” (p. 740). The main goals for the parents would be; to instill in their children good eating habits, smoking cessation, and encourage physical activity and wellness. Another goal for the families would be that the parent will express the desire to learn about available resources, identify local resources and how to access them. Since the majority of the population of this community is obese and has a history of diabetes and heart disease, I would encourage the parents to educate themselves by learning more about the risk factors and the consequences associated with obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Since many of the families in the community are on some type of a government aid, I would encourage families to regularly attend wellness clinics and get a check up to assess their current health status. I would also contact local food pantries to carry healthier items so that these families could incorporate a healthy diet into their lives. I would reach out to the community leaders to set up free workshops in churches or other community places where these families could take part in and learn about how to maintain good health and prevent complications from obesity and diabetes etc. I would also encourage local educators and community leaders to provide insight