Running Head: BREVARD COUNTY HEALTH ANALYSIS PAPER 1

Karli Holt

Brevard County Health Analysis Paper

University of South Florida

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It is important to analyze Brevard Countys statistics in order to find strengths and

weaknesses. This will provide detailed information on ways to improve various factors

related to the populations health. A priority health issue will be worked through in great

detail to provide interventions and the importance of improving a weakness.

Describe and Compare Local vs. State Findings

Brevard County is a mainly urban county halfway along Floridas East coast.

Brevard has a population of approximately 568,088 and a total land area of

approximately 1,015 square feet (United States Census Bureau, 2015). The top three

employers include the Harris Corporation, Health First Incorporated, and the United

Space Alliance LLC (Brevard County, n.d.). The three major health systems include

Parrish Medical Center, Health First, and Health Management Associates Incorporated

(SCB Marketing, 2015).

In comparison to the state of Florida, Brevard County has a lower poverty rate at

14.5% compared to Floridas 16.5%. Brevard also exceeds Floridas percentage of those

ages 25 and above with a high school diploma. Slightly more than 90% of Brevards

population, ages 25 and above, has a high school diploma while Florida falls below that

at 86.5%. Florida has a 17.6% higher population of non-English speaking residents ages

five and above than Brevard County. The patient to primary care physician ratio is hardly

better than Floridas patient to primary care physician ratio (County Health Rankings,

2016).

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Brevard exceeds in many ways as a county in comparison with Florida. Thirteen

percent of Brevards population is considered having poor or fair health, which is five
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percent below Floridas percentage. Brevard County is one percent of the Florida average

for diabetic monitoring. Florida averages nearly 100 more cases of sexually transmitted

diseases per 100,000 citizens than Brevard County (County Health Rankings, 2016).

Unfortunately, there are some places that Brevard County is falling behind in

compared to the state of Florida. One improvement that could be made is in alcohol

consumption. Brevard has a three percent higher excessive drinking rate than Florida.

Also, 27% of Brevards population is obese compared to Floridas 25%. Brevard falls one

percent higher in regards to physical inactivity than Florida (County Health Rankings,

2016).

Identification of a Priority Health Issue

One of Brevards biggest risks is its high percentage of obese residents. Twenty-

seven percent of the population is obese which is two percent above Floridas state

average. Being obese creates a chain reaction into various health conditions.

Discussion and Application of Community Health Models

The Determinants of Health Model analyzes factors that contribute to a

populations overall health. When a health issue is population based, the Determinants of

Health Model helps to first categorize the issue into one of the following categories:

biological, health system, environmental, or lifestyle. The model goes deeper than just

looking at the surface level of the issue by including factors such as housing, education,

agriculture, transportation, etcetera, which also play a role in the populations health

status. Lifestyle factors have the biggest impact on obesity. There are several lifestyle

changes that can be made in a persons daily routine to help with weight loss.
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Recommended treatment includes dietary changes and regular physical activity. These

two important lifestyle changes can lead to weight loss (Baillot et al., 2015).

Population Diagnosis

Risk of comorbidities as the result of obesity among Brevard Countys population

related to knowledge deficit as demonstrated by 27% of the population being obese.

Primary Level of Prevention

The Brevard County community is at a high risk for obesity. Because of this, there

must be a common lifestyle residents share that leads to the high obesity rate. At this

level, it is important for health education to be available on healthy living and physical

activity. The primary stakeholders will include health care providers. Holding seminars,

passing out brochures at various community events, and hosting community yoga nights

on an open lawn are all different ways to teach the community about healthy living and

encouraging physical activity. Health care providers that are willing to volunteer to host

these events would be the best option for funding purposes. A group exercise night on an

open lawn can be reasonably priced or even free. It is important for the community health

nurse to be in charge of the information being provided on health to make sure that it is

all evidence-based and not false information. It is also the nurses role to raise awareness

and get health events up and running.

Secondary Level of Prevention

Brevard County would benefit in having an obesity-screening booth set up in a

central location one day per month for individuals to come by and find out their body

mass index. Many individuals may not have much knowledge on body mass index and

will need education on what a healthy weight is. It may only take a person confirming or
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finding out they are obese to kick start them into a healthier lifestyle. Community

members could help volunteer to weigh and measure those who come by for a screening.

A health care provider would also need to be involved for the health education part of the

booth. Getting volunteers to work the booth would be the best option financially. The

community health nurse is responsible for advertising the screening in advance and

making sure the booth runs smoothly.

Tertiary Level of Prevention

Individuals in Brevard County who are obese need attention to make sure there is

no further negative impact on health. Obesity is associated with many comorbidities

including hypertension, type two diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea

and more (Baillot et al., 2015). In order to make sure obese residents are working towards

weight loss and arent starting to show signs of health conditions obesity can lead to,

check up visits need to be done throughout every year. Health care providers need to

make sure that patients are scheduling follow-up visits at every office visit or

hospitalization. The biggest funding concern would be the patients insurance. It may be

too expensive for a patient to go to the doctor multiple times a year. A social worker

would need to get involved and figure out the best route for this patient to receive proper

health care. The role of the community health nurse is to provide home visits for

checkups and to make sure patients are going to their follow up visits. It is also important

for the community health nurse to analyze if patients are getting better or if the health

status of obese residents is trending downwards.

Reflection and Synthesis of Health Policy

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Healthy policy has a huge impact on health care because it determines the

guidelines for the health care system. It provides the goals for the future, expected role

for employees, and decisions made for health care.

The main focus is the primary prevention, which is to educate the community on

ways to reduce risks of obesity. It is important to provide education on a healthy lifestyle.

It has been shown that education has an impact on health outcomes (Abrams, Cohen, Rai,

& Rehkopf, 2013). A few ways to do this is to host community workouts on an open field

in a central location or to set up information booths with brochures to pass out at local

farmers markets or any community events that are held. The goal is to prevent obesity

from the beginning. If the community has strong knowledge on how to live a healthy

lifestyle then obesity has a lower chance of becoming a problem and therefore the

comorbidities that obesity can lead to wont be given the chance to arise. Health care

providers and community members will need to come together to raise awareness and

volunteer their time. If there are plenty of volunteers then funding shouldnt be a concern.

Supporters will include all health conscious individuals and health care workers.

Opponents of the health policy may include fast food companies, weight loss clinics, and

those that make profits off of poor food quality and weight loss medications. The

influence will be living a happier, healthier life that will result in less health conditions

and a more positive body image.

One person, possibly a community health nurse, must be in charge of coordinating

events. The person in charge will make a calendar of when any farmers market or

community event is going on and apply for a spot at the events. Since farmers markets

are usually a set time every month it would be best to contact the person in charge of the
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market in order to reserve a spot and to guarantee at least one day a month to be able to

provide health education. Providing education to Brevard County will give residents the

knowledge of why it is important to live a healthy lifestyle and will therefore encourage

them to have healthy habits. Having a place for residents to receive health education

every month will educate many on the effects of obesity. Knowing the consequences of

an unhealthy lifestyle will motivate residents to increase exercise and have better dietary

habits. These changes will decrease the populations risks of many diseases leading to

fewer hospitalizations.

Conclusion

Obesity in Brevard County is two percent higher than in the state of Florida.

Providing health education to the community could decrease the rates of obesity and lead

to a healthier lifestyle and future for the population. This is relevant to my nursing career

because when I discharge a patient home from the hospital, I need to be aware of what

kind of environment they are going home to. If I have a patient who seems to be lacking

knowledge on proper nutrition, it is important that I take the time to educate in order to

make sure he or she is able to keep his or herself as healthy as possible at home to

decrease chances of readmission. This topic is also relevant to my nursing career outside

of the hospital. Being a nurse to me means more than just showing up to the hospital for

my shift and going home. As a nurse, it is also important to me that I look out for the

community. I want all communities to have access to information and resources that are

necessary for a healthy lifestyle.

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Reference

Baillot, A., Romain, A. J., Boisvert-Vigneault, K., Audet, M., Baillargeon, J. P., Dionne, I.

J., Langlois, M. (2015, April). Effects of Lifestyle Interventions That Include a

Physical Activity Component in Class II and III Obese Individuals: A Systematic

Review and Meta-Analysis. Plos One, 10(4). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119017

Brevard County. (n.d.). General information. Retrieved July 12, 2016, from

http://www.brevardcounty.us/docs/default-source/budget-documents/general-

information-fy-2010-11.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Cohen, A. K., Rai, M., Rehkopf, D. H., & Abrams, B. (2013, July 25). Educational

attainment and obesity: A systematic review. HHH Author Manuscripts, 14(12),

989-1005. doi:10.1111/obr.12062

County Health Rankings. (2016). Brevard overall rank. Retrieved from

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/florida/2016/rankings/brevard/county/o

utcomes/overall/snapshot

SCB Marketing. (2015). Health. Retrieved July 12, 2016, from

http://brevardcountyevents.com/discoverbrevard/brevard-countys-health-care-

industry/
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United States Census Bureau. (2015). QuickFacts. Retrieved from

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/12009,12,00