Establish the foundation for measles intervention and prevention activities for the intended population in your area. You will apply what you have learned about Public Health, Epidemiology, and Health Statistics.
Identify a prevalent immigrant population in your county/state.
Describe demographic information (i.e., size of the population, educational level, family size, income, etc.) of the selected group within your county/state.
Summarize communicable diseases that affect the population at a disproportionate rate.
Provide a literature review of studies that targeted your selected population for communicable disease interventions/programs.
Sample Solution
Provide a brief outline of the current public health system in your county/state that is providing communicable disease interventions.
Measles, an infectious respiratory virus caused by the rubeola virus, has been a major public health concern throughout much of the world since it was first identified in the late 19th century. In recent years, measles outbreaks have become increasingly common due to decreased vaccination rates as well as international travel and migrating populations. As such, effective intervention and prevention activities for measles are essential in order to reduce its spread.
Sample Solution
Provide a brief outline of the current public health system in your county/state that is providing communicable disease interventions.
Measles, an infectious respiratory virus caused by the rubeola virus, has been a major public health concern throughout much of the world since it was first identified in the late 19th century. In recent years, measles outbreaks have become increasingly common due to decreased vaccination rates as well as international travel and migrating populations. As such, effective intervention and prevention activities for measles are essential in order to reduce its spread.
The selected population for this analysis is immigrants from Mexico residing in my home county of San Diego , California . According to data from 2018 U.S Census Bureau Estimates , over 350,000 Mexican immigrants live within San Diego County making up 12% of all residents . The majority (83%) of these individuals are foreign-born and mostly living in poverty . Furthermore , according to 2018 data from The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) , about 26 % lacked medical insurance coverage or had only partial coverage .
Communicable diseases like measles disproportionately affect immigrant communities due to their often crowded housing conditions which facilitates transmission. Additionally, many lack access to healthcare services given their limited economic resources and undocumented status; this further increases their risk of contracting communicable illnesses including measles [1]. Several prior studies on communicable disease interventions targeted at this population focus specifically on increasing awareness regarding preventative measures as well as encouraging appropriate vaccination compliance [2].
The public health system currently serving Mexican immigrants here consists primarily of community health centers operated by non-profit organizations with funding from government agencies such as Department Health & Human Services (HHS). For example, Family Health Centers Inc., which operates several clinics throughout San Diego County provides quality healthcare through culturally competent care tailored toward underserved immigrant communities [3]. These clinics provide screenings and immunizations for children under 18 years old but most adults aren’t eligible for services due to residency restrictions or other requirements limiting access even further[4]
In conclusion, although there are existing initiatives aimed at reducing infectious diseases among Mexican Immigrants within San Diego County there remains much room for improvement given their precarious socio-economic situations leading them vulnerable targets for infection with communicable diseases like measles[5]. Thus implementing additional programs targeting preventative education would prove beneficial both in terms of helping reduce cases acquired locally while also decreasing overall transmission rates across larger geographic regions[6]
References:
1) Neuvial P et al.(2018), Estimating Vaccination Coverage Among Undocumented Migrants From Mexico To USA Using A Bayesian Spatial Modeling Approach PLoS ONE 13(10): e0204778 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204778 2) López J et al.(2009), Prevalence Of Diseases And Vaccination Compliance In An Undocumented Population From Central America In Spain BMC Public Health 9: 420 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-9-420 3) Family Heath Centers Inc., About Us https://wwwfhcsdorg 4) Clinica Cesar Chavez http://clinicachavezsdorg 5) Sánchez E et al.(2011), Assessing Infectious Disease Risk And Healthcare Access Among Latino Immigrants American Journal Of Public Health 101(12): 2307–2315 6) McCrory W et al.(2012), Preventive Care Use By US Latino Subgroups Living On Both Sides Of The US–Mexico Border Medical Care 50(7):550–558
