Free Custom «Epidemiological Research in Florida» Essay Paper

The epidemiological surveillance of Miami-Dade County studies determinants and the distribution of tuberculosis and related illnesses. It also includes the control of the disease and other health problems. In line with this, the paper seeks to identify epidemiological data related to tuberculosis among the residents of Miami-Dade County, Florida, with zip code 33174. Healthy People 2020’s objectives, goals and indicators will be critically evaluated. In addition, three community problems, namely, infant drowning, adult falls, and distracted drivers, should be analyzed to determine their effect on the selected community. The plan of action in addressing these issues will be discussed following Healthy People 2020 guidelines.

Healthy People 2020

Healthy People 2020 aims at guiding national disease prevention and health promotion efforts geared towards improving the health of the nationals of the United States. It is periodically released by the U.S. Heath Department and Human Services every ten years. Healthy People 2020 offers science-based standards to monitor health progress (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.). The government, society, and private sector partners depend on the initiative in refining the quality of health care.

Objectives of Healthy People 2020

Healthy People 2020 has various objectives. First, it aims at promoting health enhancement priorities countrywide. Secondly, it collects critical research data and carries out their evaluation. Thirdly, it provides measurable objectives and goals that are widely applicable at the state, national and local levels. Fourthly, it increases public awareness and understanding of the health, disability and disease determinants. In this light, it provides opportunities for progress. Lastly, the initiative aims at engaging multiple sectors in strengthening policies and improving practices driven by the available knowledge and evidence (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.).

Leading Health Indicators

Various health indicators are stipulated in Healthy People 2020. They include fatal injuries, preterm births, homicides, infant deaths, cigarettes and tobacco smoking, obesity, as well as alcohol and drug abuse among others.

Epidemiological and Surveillance Data on Tuberculosis

Epidemiological and surveillance data are reported by the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County regularly. The report targets physicians, nurses, and public health professionals (Bhatt & Jean, 2013). The Florida Department of Health relies on information collected by tuberculosis sentinel providers. The latter are significant for effective implementation of the tuberculosis surveillance system. Data collected and analyzed by sentinel providers provide a picture of the tuberculosis virus and its activity in the U.S. and Florida (Sinaiko, Afendulis, & Frank, 2013). In addition, they are frequently used to guide and control disease prevention, patient care and vaccine strain selection. In this light, healthcare employees of any specialty are eligible to be sentinel providers (Institute of Medicine, 2011).

Most sentinel providers report that it takes an average of 20 minutes a week to compile and report data on the total number of patients with tuberculosis or related illnesses. The surveillance and epidemiological data on tuberculosis collected between 2014 and 2016 reveal constant changes in the number of cases. In 2014, 22 persons infected with the virus were reported in Miami-Dade County. The number rose to 23 in 2015. However, in April 2016, it dropped to nine. In 2015, it considerably dropped to 10 (Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, 2016). In the region with zip code 33174, the incidence of tuberculosis is less than three, which is significantly lower than in other areas (Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, 2009). It is attributed to numerous control and prevention measures put in place by the Florida Health Department to address the problem.

According to the research by the Florida Health Department, tuberculosis is more prevalent among adults aged 40 and above as compared to infants and adolescents. In addition, men are more affected by tuberculosis than their female counterparts (Bhatt & Jean, 2013). Considering such situation, the government has invested numerous amounts of money to do research on how to stop deadly tuberculosis. The research findings have given significant insights into the control and prevention of the disease through education of people on its effects.

Community-Based Problems

Infant Drowning

According to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (2013), more than 100 children under the age of five years drown annually. In 2013, the county recorded the highest number of unintentional drowning cases. In the same year, it had the second largest drowning rates in America. In 2012, almost 2700 children under the age of 14 years were treated and discharged in hospital emergency rooms for accidental drowning-related accidents. Most of the latter have been identified based on the place of their occurrence in bathtubs, buckets, and toilets. However, children aged between 1-4 years can face their death in pools. Those aged between 5 and 14 drown in open water sites. A significant number of children between 7 and 15 months have drowned in buckets used for mopping or other household chores (Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, 2013). Such cases among children tend to occur on weekends.

Healthy People 2020 outlined several measures to reduce cases of infant drowning. First, it proposed a modification of the environment to ensure the safety of infants. Secondly, it emphasized the need to set legislation measures to govern homesteads on how to handle and take care of infants to reduce drowning. Thirdly, it proposes technological advancements in homes and immediate environments around children. These measures can raise alarm in the event of a drowning incident. Lastly, it proposes education and behavior changes as a means of addressing infant drowning. It will enlighten people on the need to keep the environment around a child safe and free of predisposing factors (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2016).

Adult Falls

Adult falls have been identified based on the character of injuries. In Florida, unintentional falls are the leading causes of injuries and deaths among residents aged 65 and above. In addition, they account for a significant number of hospital admissions related to non-fatal injuries. In 2012, nearly 2500 residents got fatal injuries from falls. In addition, almost 63,000 non-fatal cases were reported in hospitals (Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, 2012). Deaths and injuries caused by adult falls have adverse effects since they are expensive to treat. In addition, they make some people lose personal independence. The Healthy People 2020 initiative has outlined various prevention measures to deal with this issue. First, regularly exercising helps improve one’s balance, and adults should strive to exercise as much as they can (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2012). Secondly, they need to have eye checkups every year to ascertain their vision strength. Lastly, adults should make efforts to make their home environment safe by eliminating elements predisposing to falls.

Distracted Drivers

Distracted drivers cause a significant number of accidents in Florida. According to CDC (2015), in 2012, more than 5,560 people died, and over 214,000 sustained injuries in the United States resulting from distracted drivers. Distracted driving endangers the lives of the driver, passengers, and innocent pedestrians, as well as other drivers and passengers. Such cases have been identified as driving while eating, texting, grooming, talking to passengers or on cell phones, and adjusting the music. Healthy People 2020 has outlined various measures to curb distracted drivers caught talking on the phone while on the road. It has proposed hefty fines to anyone caught engaging in any activities that may endanger the lives of other road users. Healthy People 2020 has initiated numerous campaigns to enlighten people on the evils and dangers of distracted driving (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2016).

Conclusion

From the discussion above, it is evident that Healthy People 2020 contain strategies geared towards improving the healthcare sector in the United States. It outlines goals and objectives of improving health care over a period of 10 years. The epidemiological surveillance data on tuberculosis in Miami-Dade County show progress in the number of cases reported over the last three years. Cases related to the tuberculosis infection have significantly dropped due to several governmental interventions funding research geared towards reducing the prevalence of the disease. Moreover, infant drowning, distracted drivers and adult falls are other community problems that lead to numerous injuries and deaths among residents of Miami-Dade as well as America in general. The Healthy People 2020 initiative has outlined various recommendations geared towards reducing the occurrences of these problems.