How social determinants affect the health of a particular population-US Population

How social determinants affect the health of a particular population-US Population

Childhood obesity and diabetes are prevalent health issues in the United States. Texas has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in the nation, and the city of McAllen has one of the highest rates in Texas. In this essay, I will discuss the social determinants that affect the health status of children in McAllen, TX, and how this impacts the demand for healthcare services.

Facility Setting

The McAllen Children’s Clinic is a medical center that specializes in treating childhood obesity and diabetes. It is situated in a busy urban neighborhood with convenient public transit access and enough parking for clients and their families. The clinic is manned by skilled healthcare experts, including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers, and is furnished with cutting-edge medical tools and technology. The pediatrician’s office offers a warm, kid-friendly setting with bright decorations and toys that lessen children’s fear during medical procedures. It is dedicated to providing children and families impacted by obesity and diabetes with high-quality care and support, emphasizing the early detection, management, and prevention of these chronic disorders.

Population

The children’s clinic in McAllen, Texas, provides care for children who are either overweight, diabetic, or both. These chronic illnesses require regular medical care, dietary adjustments, and assistance from caregivers and healthcare experts. Children from various financial and cultural backgrounds, as well as children of different ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds, make up the population. Many of these children come from low-income households or households that have trouble accessing healthcare, wholesome food alternatives, and secure areas for physical activity. Some people also have disabilities or co-existing health issues that require more assistance and care.

Social Determinants that Affect the Population’s Health Status

Several social determinants of health can affect the health status of the population served by the children’s clinic in McAllen, TX. One social determinant is economic instability. Children from low-income families may have limited access to healthy food options and live in neighborhoods with limited safe outdoor spaces for physical activity (Souza et al., 2023). This can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, as well as other health problems. Economic instability can also impact access to healthcare services and medications, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment.

Education is another determinant, and education about healthy eating habits, exercise, and disease management can lead to better health outcomes. Children from families with low levels of education are less likely to receive the information and resources they need to manage their chronic conditions effectively. Inadequate health literacy can also impact the ability of children and families to navigate the healthcare system and make informed decisions about their care.

Access to healthcare services is the third determinant that affects the population’s health status. Limited access to healthcare services, such as primary care, specialty care, and mental health services, can impact the health status of children with obesity and diabetes (Coffin, 2023). Children lacking access to healthcare services may not receive timely screening, diagnosis, or treatment, leading to complications and poor health outcomes. This can be particularly challenging for children who live in rural or remote areas.

The last determinant that affects the population’s health status is Community and neighborhood factors. Living in neighborhoods with limited access to safe parks, sidewalks, and other places for physical activity can make it harder for children to get enough exercise. Additionally, the availability and affordability of healthy food options can vary widely depending on the neighborhood. Cultural factors, such as social norms around food and physical activity, can also influence the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in specific communities. These community and neighborhood factors can make it challenging for children to adopt healthy behaviors and maintain a healthy weight.

How Obesity and Diabetes Affect the Demand for Health Care

The health status of the population served by the children’s clinic in McAllen, TX, particularly obesity and diabetes, can significantly impact the demand for healthcare services. The chronic nature of these conditions means that affected children will likely require ongoing medical management, including regular check-ups, medication management, and coordination with specialists.

The demand for healthcare services may increase due to several factors, such as increased incidence and prevalence of obesity and diabetes. As the prevalence of obesity and diabetes increases in the community, the demand for healthcare services will increase. Children who are obese or have diabetes require more frequent visits to healthcare providers, such as endocrinologists, dietitians, and primary care physicians.

The need for prevention and early intervention is another factor that increases the demand for healthcare. Preventive measures, such as regular check-ups and screenings, can help to identify obesity and diabetes early and prevent complications (AlZu’bi et al., 2023). Early intervention can also help manage these conditions more effectively and prevent the need for more intensive and costly treatments. The demand for healthcare services may increase to meet the needs of children who require preventive and early intervention services.

Ways to Address Obesity and Diabetes

One way to address the health issue of obesity and diabetes in the population served by the children’s clinic in McAllen, TX, is to implement community-based interventions that focus on increasing access to healthy food options and opportunities for physical activity. Another approach is to educate and support families and children to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and effective disease management. This can be done through community-based programs, schools, and healthcare settings like the children’s clinic.

Conclusion

The social determinants of health, such as economic instability, education, access to healthcare services, and community and neighborhood factors, significantly impact the health status of children with obesity and diabetes in McAllen, TX. These determinants can lead to an increased demand for healthcare services due to the chronic nature of these conditions and the need for ongoing medical management. Addressing these health issues requires community-based interventions that increase access to healthy food options and opportunities for physical activity and provide education and support for families and children to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices.

References

AlZu’bi, S., Elbes, M., Mughaid, A., Bdair, N., Abualigah, L., Forestiero, A., & Zitar, R. A. (2023). Diabetes Monitoring System in Smart Health Cities Based on Big Data Intelligence. Future Internet, 15(2), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi15020085

Coffin, S. (2023). Overcoming the Educational Resource Equity Gap: A Close Look at Distributing a School’s Financial and Human Resources. In Google Books. Rowman & Littlefield. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=j3epEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA129&dq=.++Limited+access+to+healthcare+services

Souza, C. T. de, Nobre, G. C., de Souza Filho, A. N., Autran, R. G., Pizarro, A., Mota, J. A. P. da S., & Martins, C. M. de L. (2023). Does parents’ perception of the environment associate with outdoor physical activity duration in low-income preschoolers? Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 38, e00051822. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-

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The purpose of this assignment is to discover how social determinants affect the health of a particular population. The first step of this assignment is to choose a location and disease process from the following list:
An emergency department in New Orleans; addiction, hypertension management
A rural tribal clinic in northeast Arizona; addiction, diabetes management

A children’s clinic in McAllen, TX; obesity, diabetes management
Write a 750-1,000 word paper in which you accomplish the following:
Describe the setting of your facility.
Describe the chosen population.
Explain how social determinants affect the population’s health status.
Analyze how this health status affects the demand for health care.
Provide one or two ways this health issue can be addressed.
Incorporate two or three peer-reviewed scholarly resources in your paper.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.