Diabetes as Community Health Issue in the Bronx

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Community and Practice
Determinants of Health and Prevalent Problems
The population at Risk and a Specific Health Problem
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Health problems that affect entire populations are often connected to specific characteristics of communities, including people’s financial and social resources (Marmot & Allen, 2014). For example, the African American adult population in New York and the Bronx, in particular, is a community that will be analyzed further. According to government reports, one in three residents of this borough identifies as African American or Black (NYAM, 2014).

Thus, the region’s health is represented by these individuals and their health determinants. The community of the Bronx is diverse, and people living in the area have many health-related issues that need to be addressed. However, one condition stands out as both a nationwide and local concern. The community of Black adults in the Bronx is largely affected by the rising rate of diabetes.

Community and Practice

The practice setting described in this discussion is the Bronx, NY. The community of African Americans in the borough is a substantial part of the population, representing a third of all residents. The prevalence of the Black population in the Bronx is higher than that in New York City and the state (NYAM, 2014). Furthermore, the borough’s population is primarily defined by the Hispanic/Latino community, as approximately half of all residents identify with one of these labels (NYAM, 2014). Another crucial demographic factor is knowledge – in comparison to the citywide rate, the level of education of the Bronx’s residents is low.

The income in the borough is also lower than that in the city and state, with many people living below the poverty level (NYAM, 2014). On the basis of these data, one can determine the main issues that affect the health of communities in the Bronx.

Determinants of Health and Prevalent Problems

The socioeconomic constraints of the Bronx’s residents lead to high rates of uninsured households in the borough – approximately 15 % of people living in the Bronx do not have health insurance (NYAM, 2014). This number suggests that healthcare services are too expensive and virtually unattainable for thousands of adults who have low incomes and cannot pay for hospital visits, diagnostics, and medication.

This determinant of health dramatically affects the community’s well-being. Other factors include the level of education that often determines people’s income and future opportunities and race which contributes to the social and cultural environment in the area (Braveman & Gottlieb, 2014). Health problems in the Bronx include respiratory conditions affected by environmental factors, diabetes, and obesity influenced by financial and dietary limitations, tobacco use, and cardiovascular disease.

The population at Risk and a Specific Health Problem

The African American community, especially Black adults and families from households with low income, is at risk of developing diabetes. The combination of socioeconomic factors and the idea that many adults cannot afford to maintain a healthy and nutritious diet leads to the increasing rates of diabetes in the Bronx. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (2013), the city continues to experience a rise in patients with diabetes.

The Bronx is one of the boroughs where diabetes had a devastating effect on the population’s health. The lack of access to health services and people’s inability to purchase expensive foods such as fresh produce exacerbates people’s existing conditions and leads to more individuals developing diabetes (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2015). Black people living below the poverty level cannot control their blood glucose, thus putting themselves at risk for complications.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a serious problem that affects the entire nation. In the Bronx, this condition is difficult for people to manage and control because their lack of access to health care and education limits their understanding of healthy practices. Dietary choices of African Americans are restricted due to the prevalence of poverty in the community and high prices for healthy dietary options. Diabetes progresses in individuals who do not have any resources for managing their health.

References

Braveman, P., & Gottlieb, L. (2014). The social determinants of health: It’s time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 129(Supplement 2), 19-31.

Marmot, M., & Allen, J. J. (2014). Social determinants of health equity. American Journal of Public Health, 104(S4, Supplement 4), S517-S519.

New York Academy of Medicine [NYAM]. (2014). New York City health provider partnership: Bronx community needs assessment. Web.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2013). Epi data brief – Diabetes in the New York City. Web.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2015). Epi data brief – Trends in blood sugar control among adults with diabetes in New York City, 2006-2012. Web.

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