Assessment : A Profile Assessment Of San Mateo County

As per Healthy People 2020 most Americans do not consume healthy diets and are not physically active at levels needed to maintain proper health. As a result of these behaviors the nation has experienced a dramatic increase in obesity in the U.S with 1 in 3 adults (34.0%) and 1 and 6 children and adolescents (16.2%) are obese. In addition to grave health consequences of being overweight and obese. It significantly raises medical cost and causes a great burden on the U.S medical care delivery system ("Healthy People 2020," 2014, p. 1).

Stanhope and Lancaster (2008) defines community health as having: “three common characteristics, or dimensions: status, structure, and process. Stanhope & Lancaster (2008) also go on to say: “Each dimension reflects a unique aspect of community health: (pg. 345). Community health in terms of status, or income, is the most well known and accepted approach; it involves biological,

America is known for its advanced society and technology, but is also known to be one of the most obese populations. Found in “Down to Earth”, America is one of the most progressive countries to exist; therefore it should be the healthiest (“Obesity in America”). If America is so highly advanced, more advancement needs to be put towards obesity rates. As time goes on, adults and children are having to consequently expand their waistbands because of unhealthy habits. In an article previously discussed, Brown-well states that Americans are at an all-time low in exercising (Murray). By having less motivation to exercise, family health is at stake. Future generations need to be more pressured to keep physically fit for their health. With less motivation for a healthier lifestyle, communities across America will remain obese. According to CBS news, Americans prefer to consume Twinkies over Tofu (“The Blame Game”). With Americans not giving healthier options opportunity, less interest will be put into healthy options. Individuals are focusing on the pleasure of taste than their own well being. Internationally speaking, Americans have one of the strongest societies, but the weakest mindset for healthy living. With stubborn attitudes and continual unhealthy choices, obesity will not only stay but

Improving the health conditions of the American population ensures the increased quality of life. People eat for various reasons with the fundamental reason being for survival purposes. However, the issue of eating to live and living to eat affects people in different manners as most people develop poor eating habits that affect the body’s nutritional intake and affects their health. Being healthy involves careful considerations of what one is eating and engaging in activities that contribute to better healthy lives that do not imply daily prescriptions or

As time goes by, behaviors and habits alter in society. Along with modern technology such as, smart phones, television and computers are not allowing people to live a healthy lifestyle. It is important to focus on the social, behavioral and environmental factors that contributes to health issues. One health issue that impacts Fresno is obesity, a disorder involving excessive body fat. It is estimated that obesity is responsible for “nearly one of every 10 American deaths, and drain our society of $223 billion a year.” (“Obesity in America,” 2012) In effect, obesity can cause chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force encourages rigorous behavioral dietary counseling interventions for adults with hyperlipidemia and other known cardiovascular and diet-related chronic disease such as diabetes (Healthy People.gov, 2011). Creating nutritional and physical activity worksite programs assist in the Healthy People 2020 objective to reduce the incidence of obesity. Another strategy to decrease the occurrence of obesity is to educate families on the importance of reducing the amount of time spent watching TV, movies, playing video games, or searching the Internet. To support families, alternative physical activities should be recommended and available for families. In an effort to fight obesity, Kent county needs increased public awareness of healthier food choices, availability of local fresh fruit and vegetables, and engaging in regular cardiovascular or strengthening exercise. This can be accomplished by a health fair sponsored by Bayhealth Medical Center, partnering with local farms, such as Fifer Farms, local fitness centers, and the YMCA.

Community health is the process or characteristics that allow a community’s population and economy to survive. Community health is defined as the meeting of collective needs through identification of problems and

A major influence on health in a community is the availability of services and opportunities within the neighborhood. Public health can be further influenced by the social environments. Accessibility to health care along with education and employment opportunities are fundamental factors to be considered (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015). These elements create both advantages and disadvantages for those living within the neighborhood. If we want to improve public health outcomes, we must consider and evaluate these along with many other contributing factors.

Physically active lifestyle is less than one fourth the population, 78% live a sedentary lifestyle, this is much higher than the National average of 43%. According the Health Departs assessment 36.7% is overweight and an additional 25.9% are considered to be obese. Tobacco usage is a relatively low percentage of the population, 20.5% and of those

Escarce, J., Morales, L., & Rumbaut, R., (2006). The Health Status and Health Behaviors of

A community health assessment is a fundamental instrument of public health practice. Its objective is to depict the health of the community, by presenting information on health standing, community health needs, resources, and epidemiologic and other studies of present local health problems. It seeks to recognize target populations that may be at augmented risk of poor health results and to increase a better understanding of their needs, as well as evaluates the larger community surroundings and how it relate to the health of people. It also identifies those areas where better information is desired, particularly information on health differences amid different subpopulations, quality of health care, and the incidence and severity of disabilities in the population. The Community Health Assessment is the foundation for all local public health development, giving the local health component the instance to recognize and network with key community leaders, businesses and concerned residents about health priorities and concerns. This information shapes the foundation of improving the health status of the community by way of a strategic plan (The Municipal Public Health Services Plan Community Health Assessment Guidance and Format, n.d.).

As previously determined, multiple risk factors contribute to a person developing cardiovascular disease. For further discussion, obesity will be the primary risk factor discussed due to the high obesity rate in the county I currently reside in. Guernsey County, Ohio, boasts an alarming high rate of residents who lack sufficient physical activity at 83.3%. This is an alarming finding but one that arguably contributes to the obesity rate of Guernsey County’s population at 30.2% which is just above the national percentage of 28.1% in America (city-data.com, 2014).

According to Alyssa Brown, “51% of adults want to lose weight, [but] barely half as many (25%) say they are seriously working towards that goal. This discrepancy between Americans’ weight-loss desires and behaviors has existed for years”(Brown). According to society, the definition of a healthy person is someone who exercises often and eats healthy foods. Even though people want to be healthy, becoming healthy is a hard task. Surely it is much easier to lay around at home and eat chips than to work out at the gym. Maybe this is why obesity rates are on the rise. A medical study estimates that “75% of the U.S. population will be classified as overweight or obese or obese by the year 2020” (NewsMax). People wonder, what is the solution to this

It’s no surprise that Los Angeles is one of the largest populated areas in the United States, representing over 25% of California’s residents living within a 4,057 square mile radius. The healthcare systems in Los Angeles are measurements of the county’s commitment to retain only the best standards of living, through the use of patient centered networks, utilizing the top healthcare providers in medical research, health care and its community amenities.

Theoretically, community needs assessments are a great way to identify gaps within communities and improving the life of individuals within a target group. If there is a collaboration of all three components of the community needs assessment model, Assessment, Dissemination and