Provide a brief literature review on why the selected health topic is a public health problem. The background section frames the issue’s significance. Include any relevant figures and tables in the Appendix.
1. State the Significance of the health problem by briefly presenting data at the national, regional, and/or state levels.
2. Emphasize the overall impact that the health problem has on human well-being or cost to society.
3. Highlight how widespread the health problem is for your particular target population
a. What is the occurrence of the health problem in terms of incidence/prevalence?
b. Are there marked disparities for the target population when compared to other demographic groups or state/national statistics?
c. Is your target population on track for reaching relevant HP2020 objectives?
C. Social Assessment of the Problem
This section focuses on the describing the target population in depth and contextualizing the health problem through providing:
1. A description of the target population’s demographics (population size, geographic boundaries, age and gender distribution, racial/ethnic makeup, etc.), and population characteristics that are particularly relevant to the health problem (i.e., income, poverty rate, occupation, unemployment, educational attainment, crime statistics, etc.);
2. A quality of life and situational assessment that demonstrates the context surrounding the health problem. (Note: Reference articles or reports that show the link between your health problem and the quality of life indicators you have deemed as important) Include any relevant figures and tables in the Appendix.
D. Epidemiologic Assessment of the Problem
This section characterizes the extent of the health problem in terms of severity and identifies contributors to the health problem. Using reputable data sources and peer-reviewed literature (articles, review articles, association reports or websites, governmental institution/centers data), this section presents:
1. Data on morbidity and mortality of your chosen health outcome;
2. Behavioral, Environmental, Genetic, Prenatal, Biological, and Physiological Risk Factors, with a section dedicated to describing each (applicable) category of risk factors. (*You should begin to home in on one or two key behavioral risk factors that will be targeted for change through the health promotion program.) (Note: Use BRFSS/YRBSS, Census data, vital statistics, and other similar, credible sources) Include any relevant figures and tables in the appendix.
I. References