Community-level strategic plan
will research and prepare a community-level strategic plan that addresses a key public health issue.
Potential topics may include:
• Using prenatal and infancy home visits to prevent child abuse and neglect
• Preventing falls in the elderly
• Reducing population salt intake
• Reducing tobacco use among adults
• Preventing risky sexual behavior among youth and young adults
• Reducing drug experimentation among young adults
Include the following in your paper:
• Introduction:
o Provide an overview of the community health issue as described in Part A with identified causes and influences, including knowledge gaps.
o Detail the prevalence of the issue inside and outside the United States.
o Describe potential monetary costs associated with the issue in the United States.
o You must include data as part of your introduction (images, charts, graphs, etc., may be included as well as written data).
• Describe advance practice roles and management strategies that affect change at the community level.
• Identify key community and social resources that negatively and positively affect the selected issue.
• Identify changes or enhancements in community-related services for your selected topic.
• Develop a strategic plan that could decrease the prevalence of your selected topic.The goals for this plan needs to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Include how your plan takes into consideration health literacy, socioeconomic factors, and cultural differences.
• Conclusion:
o A summary of the goals and challenges
o An assessment of the outlook for action/progress
• Appendix A: Include your community assessment from Week 3 as Appendix A.
Sample Solution
ntroduction
Public Health Issue: Tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, remains a leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and globally.
Prevalence:
- United States: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, an estimated 13.7% of adults (aged 18 years or older) in the United States currently smoke cigarettes. (Image of CDC Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States graph [invalid URL removed])
- Globally: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that tobacco use is responsible for over 8 million deaths globally each year. (Image of WHO Tobacco Fact Sheet Key Facts graph)
Monetary Costs:
Tobacco use not only impacts health but also creates a significant economic burden:
- US: In 2019, the CDC estimated the total economic cost of smoking in the United States to be $810 billion, including direct medical costs and productivity losses. (Source: CDC website on Smoking and Tobacco Use [invalid URL removed])
Causes and Influences:
- Addiction: Nicotine, the primary addictive substance in tobacco, creates dependence, making quitting difficult.
- Social and Cultural Factors: Peer pressure, social norms, and marketing can influence tobacco use initiation and continuation.
- Mental Health: People with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke tobacco as a coping mechanism.
- Knowledge Gaps: Misconceptions about the risks of tobacco use, particularly regarding new products like e-cigarettes, can contribute to continued use.
Advance Practice Roles and Management Strategies
- Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants: These healthcare providers can screen patients for tobacco use, educate them about the risks, and provide cessation counseling and medication support within a community setting.
- Community-Based Interventions: Programs offering smoking cessation resources, support groups, and educational workshops can be readily accessible and culturally appropriate.
- Policy Advocacy: Supporting policies that increase cigarette taxes, restrict tobacco advertising, and promote smoke-free environments can discourage tobacco use.
Community Resources
Positive Influences:
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals can play a crucial role in identifying tobacco use, promoting cessation, and connecting patients with appropriate resources.
- Community Health Centers: Public health clinics offer accessible smoking cessation services and counseling.
- Support Groups: Peer support groups provide encouragement and accountability for those trying to quit tobacco.
Negative Influences:
- Tobacco Industry: Tobacco companies use targeted marketing campaigns to lure new users, particularly among youth and young adults.
- Retail Availability: Easy access to cigarettes through convenience stores and gas stations makes quitting more challenging.
- Social Norms: In some social circles, tobacco use may be perceived as normal or even cool, hindering cessation efforts.
Changes and Enhancements in Community Services
- Increase Funding: Allocate more resources for community-based tobacco control programs, cessation resources, and education campaigns.
- Expand Access: Offer culturally sensitive smoking cessation services in multiple locations and languages within the community.
- Media Literacy: Implement educational programs to equip community members with skills to critically evaluate tobacco advertising and counter its influence.
- Youth Prevention: Focus on preventing tobacco use initiation by implementing school-based programs and promoting healthy alternatives.