A Comprehensive Action Plan for Addressing Diabetes Disparities in an Indigenous Community of the United States

A Comprehensive Action Plan for Addressing Diabetes Disparities in an Indigenous Community of the United States

Diabetes is a global public health challenge, and its prevalence is growing at an alarming rate. Among the various communities affected, the indigenous population in the United States stands out as one that experiences severe disparities in diabetes prevalence and outcomes. This action plan is designed to comprehensively address the diabetes disparities within indigenous communities. It involves an in-depth analysis of the disease’s impact, its connection to social determinants of health (SDOH), and the proposed interventions for improvement. Do you need urgent assignment help ? Get in touch with us at eminencepapers.com. We offer assignment help with high professionalism.

A Snapshot of the Selected Health Condition

Diabetes is a multifaceted and enduring medical condition marked by compromised insulin activity, vital in regulating glucose levels in the bloodstream. Diabetes can be classified into two main categories: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by an autoimmune response wherein the body’s immune system targets and eliminates the pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production, leading to insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes is distinguished by the body’s cells exhibiting either insulin resistance or inadequate insulin production (Sapra & Bhandari, 2023).

The Impact of Diabetes on Indigenous Communities

Diabetes significantly influences the indigenous populace in the United States, resulting in diverse complications that detrimentally impact both personal and collective welfare. The complications encompass heart disease, renal failure, blindness, and diminished quality of life. The elevated occurrence of diabetes in indigenous populations can be ascribed to a multifaceted interplay of genetic, lifestyle, and social determinants.

Background of the Indigenous Community

The indigenous communities in the United States exhibit remarkable diversity, encompassing a multitude of tribes, each characterized by unique languages, cultures, and traditions. Despite these communities’ wide range of differences, they face similar challenges and disadvantages that make them more susceptible to diabetes. The challenges encompass disparities in healthcare access, limited educational opportunities, income inequality, and housing issues. These challenges have historical origins in colonization, forced relocations, and cultural oppression.

Health Disparities of Diabetes

Poverty

Poverty substantially influences indigenous communities’ health, disproportionately impacting them (OSHA, 2020). Indigenous populations in the United States exhibit a higher poverty propensity than non-Hispanic Whites. Economic disadvantages worsen health disparities through restricted availability of nourishing food and healthcare services. Limited financial resources hinder individuals from accessing and affording healthier food options and engaging in preventive measures that could potentially mitigate the risk of developing diabetes.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a prevalent problem in indigenous communities, marked by irregular access to sufficient and well-rounded diets (OSHA, 2020). This condition frequently leads to the ingestion of inferior meals by individuals lacking the financial means to acquire adequate and nourishing sustenance. Food insecurity disproportionately increases the susceptibility of indigenous individuals to diabetes, rendering them more vulnerable to this ailment. In addition, numerous indigenous regions face the absence of affordable and nourishing food choices, thereby posing a significant obstacle to community members’ pursuit of a healthful existence.

Access to Healthcare

The availability of high-quality healthcare plays a crucial role in shaping health outcomes, but it continues to pose a considerable obstacle for indigenous communities (OSHA, 2020). Geographic barriers, absence of health insurance, and healthcare service disparities impede healthcare accessibility. A significant segment of the indigenous populace resides in geographically isolated regions with limited access to healthcare services. Consequently, community members frequently need to traverse considerable distances to obtain medical assistance, thereby imposing an additional strain on their well-being. Furthermore, the absence of health insurance and deficiencies in healthcare services further constrain the accessibility of essential medical treatment.

Discrimination

Indigenous people face widespread discrimination, which detrimentally impacts multiple aspects of their lives, including their access to healthcare (OSHA, 2020). Discriminatory actions, whether overt or subtle, significantly contribute to stress and subsequently give rise to severe health complications within the Indigenous community. Discrimination has a dual effect on individuals’ health, directly and indirectly impeding their access to crucial resources and opportunities for improved well-being. The health disparities experienced by indigenous populations are exacerbated by the presence of prejudice and bias towards them, both within clinical environments and in their everyday lives beyond the realm of healthcare.

Resources and Actions Being Taken at the Local Level to Reduce the Threat of Diabetes

An essential first step is to assess the local resource needs in healthcare infrastructure comprehensively, access to healthy food options, and culturally tailored diabetes education programs. Consequently, efforts to control and address diabetes within this indigenous community require a multifaceted approach, recognizing the multidimensional factors contributing to the disease’s high prevalence.

Firstly, local organizations are putting efforts into developing community-based programs. This is an effective strategy as it entails implementing community-based initiatives specifically designed to address the distinct requirements and cultural backgrounds of Indigenous individuals and families. These programs will provide various services, including diabetes screening, nutrition education, and exercise sessions. Community engagement plays a pivotal role in the triumph of these endeavors, as they augment public education and champion healthier lifestyle preferences within the community.

Secondly, local medical facilities are utilizing telehealth. Telehealth services signify a notable progression in healthcare accessibility for Indigenous individuals residing in remote areas (Dawson et al., 2020). Telehealth enables individuals to access medical consultations and assistance via videoconferencing and other technological means. This approach effectively addresses the obstacles presented by geographical barriers and improves the availability of prompt healthcare services.

Thirdly, organizations are conducting research into diabetes. Current research on diabetes in Indigenous communities seeks to identify genetic factors that play a significant role in this population’s high prevalence of the disease (Wedekind et al., 2021). Researchers investigate the influence of social determinants of health on diabetes and aim to develop interventions that target these factors. This study offers significant insights into implementing preventive and therapeutic strategies within community settings.

Pursuing  the Needed Resources and Ways to Decrease Health Disparities and Improve Community Health

The needed resources can be pursued and acquired by seeking funding and support from government agencies and philanthropic organizations. This is essential to improve healthcare infrastructure, promote diabetes education, and address resource gaps within the community. Furthermore, to comprehensively address the disparities in the Indigenous community, some steps should be taken, including resource acquisition collaboration and alignment, community engagement,  health promotion, and enhancing healthcare access.

Collaboration and Alignment

Collaboration with public health departments, local organizations, Indigenous leaders, and community members is crucial. This collaborative effort ensures that existing initiatives to reduce diabetes disparities are aligned and coordinated effectively.

Community Engagement

Community members should actively participate in program development and implementation to ensure cultural relevance and effectiveness. Their insights and perspectives are invaluable in tailoring interventions to the specific needs of the Indigenous community.

Health Promotion

Public awareness campaigns should emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyles and early detection of diabetes. These campaigns can be powerful tools for educating community members and encouraging positive behavior change.

Enhancing Healthcare Access

Expanding telehealth services in remote Indigenous areas is essential to improve access to diabetes care. This step helps overcome the challenges of geographical isolation and limited healthcare facilities. Consistently, continued funding and support for research into the genetic and social determinants of diabetes within Indigenous populations are essential. Community engagement in research efforts can ensure evidence-based and culturally sensitive interventions.

Conclusion

Persistent disparities in diabetes prevalence persist among Indigenous communities in the United States, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that effectively tackles the fundamental social determinants of health. Poverty, food insecurity, limited healthcare access, and discrimination significantly contribute to the elevated prevalence of diabetes within these communities. Through strategic partnerships with public health agencies, local organizations, Indigenous leaders, and the community at large, disparities can be mitigated and overall community health enhanced by effectively devising and executing evidence-based interventions. The objective is to enhance health outcomes by tackling the underlying factors contributing to diabetes disparities and advancing healthcare access and education fairness among Indigenous communities.

References

Dawson, A. Z., Walker, R. J., Campbell, J. A., Davidson, T. M., & Egede, L. E. (2020). Telehealth and indigenous populations around the world: A systematic review on current modalities for physical and mental health. MHealth, 6(0). https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2019.12.03

OSHA. (2020). Social determinants of health. Healthy People 2030; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health

Sapra, A., & Bhandari, P. (2023, June 21). Diabetes. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551501/

Wedekind, L. E., Mitchell, C. M., Andersen, C. C., Knowler, W. C., & Hanson, R. L. (2021). Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in indigenous communities in the United States. Current Diabetes Reports, 21(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-021-01406-3

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As a public health manager, you are concerned with certain health issues trending in your local community. You will analyze factors affecting public and community health by creating an action plan specific to the disease or health condition within the community you selected in Wk 3. You will demonstrate your community assessment skills using data to drive health improvements in community and public health.

Diabetes Disparities in an Indigenous Community of the United States

Assessment Deliverable
Write a 700- to 1,050-word action plan in which you share your analysis and support it with data findings, evidence-based interventions, and a plan to improve community health. In your action plan:

Provide a brief introduction or snapshot of the disease or health condition, community, and SDOH you selected in Wk 3.
Identify health disparities of the chosen disease or health concern (e.g., access to health care).
Describe how the health disparities impact the risk of the chosen disease. (e.g., many of these people are isolated in rural locations).
Analyze the local resource needs.
What are the public health departments, local organizations, or others doing to reduce the threat of the disease or health condition?
What services or resources are needed at the local level to address the gaps determined above?
How could you pursue those needed resources?
Recommend ways to decrease health disparities and improve community health as it relates to this disease or health condition.

Format your references according to APA guidelines.