Epidemiology and Population Health

Reflect on your nursing practice for a moment. If you could wipe out one illness, what would it be? How would that impact not just an individual patient, but your entire patient population? What would be the long-term benefits of eliminating that one illness?

The eradication of smallpox by 1979 provides an excellent example of this scenario. This eradication came about as a result of global collaborative efforts involving many countries and organizations, as well as the application of epidemiologic methods. In spite of high initial financial costs, it is estimated that millions of dollars continue to be saved around the world each year as a result of the eradication of this disease.

The eradication of smallpox illustrates the rich history of epidemiology and demonstrates the cost/benefits and implications of improving health at the population level. The application of epidemiologic methods and principles to other critical population health issues continues to play an essential role in improving health and health outcomes.

For this Discussion, you will identify a current population health problem, and you will examine how, and if, the problem is being addressed through the application of epidemiologic principles. You will also discuss the cost-effectiveness of dealing with the problem at the population level.

To prepare:

• Review      the Learning Resources, focusing on the smallpox epidemic of the 1960s and      1970s and how health organizations applied principles of epidemiology to      eradicate this disease. (See attached file)
• In      light of this example, consider the cost effectiveness of addressing      smallpox at the population level.
• Using      the Learning Resources, research a current population health problem      (local or global). Select one on which to focus for this Discussion.
• Think      about how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be      applied—to address the problem.
• What      lessons from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox might      be applicable to this selected problem? What are the financial benefits of      addressing this issue at the population level as opposed to the individual      level?

By tomorrow Wednesday 02/28/18 by 12pm, write a minimum of 550 words in APA format with a minimum of THREE scholarly references from the list of required readings below. Include the level one headers as numbered below:

Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:

1) Briefly summarize your selected population health problem and describe how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be applied—to address the problem.

2) Are there any lessons learned from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox that can be applied to your selected problem?

3) Evaluate the cost effectiveness of addressing this health problem at the population level versus the individual level.

Required Readings

Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2014). Epidemiology for public health practice (5th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Chapter 1, “History and Scope of Epidemiology”

Chapter 2, “Practical Applications of Epidemiology” (pages 49–80 only)

Epidemiology is defined and introduced in Chapter 1. This chapter also presents an interesting historical overview that explains the emergence of the field. The assigned section of Chapter 2 addresses several uses of epidemiology.

Nash, D. B., Fabius, R. J., Skoufalos, A., Clarke, J. L. & Horowitz, M. R. (2016). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (2nd ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Building Cultures of Health and Wellness (xxvii)

In the “Population Health Mandate” section of the course text, the authors provide an introduction to population health, noting that it has three core components: health outcomes, health 

determinants, and policies.

Chapter 2, “The Spectrum of Care”

In Chapter 2, the authors examine the purposes of the population health approach. Two key themes are introduced in this chapter: 1) population health as it relates to the challenges of quality and cost in health care, and 2) population health as an approach to not only reducing the burden of chronic illness but also to promoting wellness and increasing prevention.

Chapter 8, “Behavioral Economics”

In Chapter 8, the authors examine effect of social and cognitive function on an individual’s economic decisions. Reinforced by legislation, behavioral economics can be applied in population health to influence and change health outcomes. Compelling examples of incremental improvements (e.g., corporate wellness programs) are provided throughout the chapter.

Larkin, H. (2010). Managing population health. Hospitals & Health Networks, 84(10), 28–32. 

This article uses examples from a diabetes pilot program to demonstrate the value of population health management. The author discusses how the application of individual patient interventions can positively affect the entire target population, as well as improve the cost effectiveness of management programs.

Center for Global Development. (n.d.). Case 1: Eradicating smallpox. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from http://www.cgdev.org/doc/millions/MS_case_1.pdf

This reading presents the eradication of smallpox in the form of a case study. Many lessons can be learned from the successful global effort to eliminate smallpox.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is a weekly epidemiological report distributed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide, according to the MMWR website, “timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations.” It is one of the most important sources of timely public health data published anywhere.

World Health Organization. (2001). Smallpox. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/smallpox/en/

The World Health Organization provides a succinct overview of the eradication of small pox and its impact on population health.

Note: Explore population health issues presented at the websites below as you prepare for this week’s Discussion and Assignment:

American Public Health Association. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.apha.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/index_en.htm

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/

Healthy People 2020. (2011). Global health. Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=16

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011). Public health focus. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/default.htm

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Introduction to epidemiology and population health [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.

In this week’s program, “Introduction to Epidemiology and Population Health,” Dr. Hull and Dr. Frerich introduce foundational concepts related to epidemiology, noting that this scientific arena focuses on the study of human populations rather than individuals.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Epidemiology in nursing practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.

In “Epidemiology in Nursing Practice,” Dr. Rebecca Lee, Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron, and Dr. Missie Willmarth discuss how epidemiology is utilized in nursing practice and, in particular, why it is salient for DNP-prepared nurses.

Optional Resources

Long, D. A., & Sheehan, P. (2010). A case study of population health improvement at a Midwest regional hospital employer. Population Health Management, 13(3), 163–173.

Oudin, Åström D., Bertfil, F., & Joacim R. (2011). Heat wave impact on morbidity and mortality in the elderly population: A review of recent studies. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 69(2), 99–105.

Excite. (2004). An introduction to epidemiology. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/excite/classroom/intro_epi.htm

Disaster Response Plan  

For this assignment you will be developing a disaster plan to address a hypothetical disaster that could plausibly strike the community that you observed for your Windshield Survey.  

A disaster can come in many forms. We might tend to associate disasters with mass natural disaster, like Hurricane Katrina or the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan. However, disasters also include relatively small man-made disasters, such as a fire in an apartment building or a gas leak in a factory (Maurer & Smith, 2013). 

You will also be asked to select one of the articles from the list below that addresses a response to a disaster, or provides guidelines for creating a disaster response plan. You will briefly evaluate the article’s disaster response practices and also explain aspects for the article’s disaster response that would be appropriate to incorporate into your plan, as well as aspects that would not be feasible to incorporate. By evaluating responses to disasters in communities outside of your own, you will be able to bring in global perspectives as well as gain a deeper understanding of aspects of disaster response plans that are universal, as well as aspects that are only primarily applicable to specific communities.  

Choose one of the following articles (see the Resources area for links to these articles): 

•Almutairi and Rondney’s 2013 article, “Critical Cultural Competence for Culturally Diverse Workforces: Toward Equitable and Peaceful Health Care,” from Advances in Nursing Science, volume 36, issue 3, pages 200–212. 

•ÖztekÄ°n, et al.’s 2014 article, “Educational Needs Concerning Disaster Preparedness and Response: A Comparison of Undergraduate Nursing Students From Istanbul, Turkey, and Miyazaki, Japan,” from Japan Journal of Nursing Science, volume 11, issue 2, pages 94–101. •Yamashita & Kudo’s 2014 article, “How Should We Prepare Differently for the Next Disaster?” from Nursing and Health Sciences, volume 16, issue 1, pages 56–59. 

•Zaré, et al.’s 2012 article, “Crisis Management of Tohoku; Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, 11 March 2011,” from Iranian Journal of Public Health, volume 41, issue 6, pages 12–20.  

Your plan should address and include the following:  

Section 1: Article Evaluation (1–2 pages) 

•An evaluation of the disaster response presented in the article you selected from the provided list. 

•An explanation of aspects of the article’s disaster response that you plan on incorporating into your own Disaster Response Plan. Please include your rationale for why you are choosing to incorporate these aspects into your plan. 

•An explanation of aspects of the article’s disaster response that would not be appropriate or plausible to include in your disaster response plan. Please include your rationale for why these aspects would not be appropriate or plausible to incorporate these aspects into your plan.  

Section 2: Community Disaster Response Plan (5–7 pages) 

•Describe the hypothetical disaster for your surveyed community that your plan will be addressing. Be sure to include details such as: 

◦Scope of the disaster. 

◦Intensity of the disaster. 

◾Effects on the community environment as a result of the disaster. 

◾Immediate health impacts on people in the community. 

◾Medium and long-term health impacts on people in the community.   

•Communication procedures: When and how should public health department nurses communicate with each other in a disaster? When should they communicate with other first responders, law enforcement, and other resources/responders in a disaster? 

•Communication procedures for coordinating care with hospitals and other resources. 

◦Note: During disasters, acute care hospitals become overwhelmed—less critical patients may be treated at field hospitals, leaving room for critical patients in functioning acute care facilities. Identify who will communicate with whom.  

•The triage system you would use for assessing victims. 

•How will you address the needs of vulnerable populations (the elderly, children, mentally ill, homeless, and so on)? 

•How will you address cultural groups and non-English speaking persons? 

•Housing and shelter: 

◦How will you let the residents of your community know where to go? 

◦What system will you use to fill shelters? 

◦How will you communicate shelter capacity to prevent overcrowding the shelters? What resources will you use to help staff shelters? 

◦How many nurses will you allocate for shelters? Will you use nurses to staff shelters? 

◦Will you use other nursing resources to staff shelters, such as Red Cross, U.S. Commissioned Corps, military nurses, and so on?  

•What resources will you use to help provide food, water, and toilet facilities for victims? 

◦Who will you call and when will you call?  

•What procedures will you implement to prevent disease outbreak? 

•How will you care for the needs of the public health department nursing staff?  Other requirements and considerations:

 •Your plan should be as detailed as possible. 

•Use a minimum of four peer-reviewed journal articles (the article you select from the provided list counts as one of the four) to support the effectiveness of your plan. Be sure to use proper APA style and formatting. •Include a title page. 

•Include a reference page. 

Be sure to use proper APA style and formatting. 

•Times New Roman font, 12 pt.

Max Points: 150

Details:

 

Interview a patient with a chronic pulmonary health condition who is on at least two medications.

In a 1,350-1,600-word paper, discuss the following:

1. Obtain a complete health history.
2. Obtain a complete medication history, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs or supplements.
3. Analyze the client’s current knowledge level of medications and compliance with the prescribed dosing and administration.
4. For each medication, identify the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dose, route of administration, side effects, adverse reactions, any drug interactions, potential safety issues, and the impact on the client’s health status.
5. Formulate possible interventions related to lack of drug efficacy, lack of client knowledge, or client compliance issues as identified during the interview.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

 

 

Use attachment senerio to assist with assignment.

Write a 700- 1250 word paper in which you identify and recommend technology needs, hours of operation, and services offered for the health care organization. The facility will be an Urgent care facility in Augusta Ga.

Include the following in your paper:

• Recommend which services should be provided at the center and describe why they are appropriate at this site.
• Describe the hours of operation and why you recommend those hours.
• Describe the major equipment and technology needed to provide the recommended service. Include a projected cost for that equipment.
• Discuss the type of corporation you think the center should consider (e.g., a department of the hospital or an LLC) and why.

Cite at least 2 peer-reviewed, scholarly, or similar references.

Format your paper according to APA guidelines.