Healthy People 2020 Initiative Archives

Healthy People 2020 Initiative

Turnitin Assignment!!!

Please be aware that the percentage of plagiarism for this assignment is 35%.

Go to http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx and review the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Pay close attention to the objectives, goals, and the indicators.
Using your city or county public health department: http://miamidade.floridahealth.gov/ You can choose any of these two counties (Miami-Dade County, Florida, or Broward County, Florida), identify epidemiological and surveillance data related to population-based communicable illnesses.

Illnesses chosen:

Tuberculosis
Hepatitis B
Gonorrhea
Based on these chosen communicable illnesses, prepare an analysis discussing how these 3 communicable illnesses affect your community, how they were identified, and a plan of action to contain them based on Healthy People 2020.

Presentation must be in APA format.
Arial 12 font attach to the forum/thread in the assignment tab and turnitin with a minimum of 1000 words (excluding first and references page).
A minimum of 3 evidence-based references no older than 5 years are required.
The assignment must include the zip code of the city or county chosen.

Once again, the assignment will be posted in Turnitin to verify originality!

Analysis of Communicable Diseases in Miami-Dade County: Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and Gonorrhea

The communicable diseases chosen for this analysis—Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis B, and Gonorrhea—pose significant public health challenges in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Understanding how these diseases affect the community and how they are identified and contained is critical for the development of effective public health interventions. In line with Healthy People 2020, public health efforts focus on controlling the spread of communicable diseases through epidemiological surveillance, data analysis, and targeted action plans.

Tuberculosis in Miami-Dade County

Impact on the Community
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major public health issue in Miami-Dade County. Although TB rates have decreased over the years, the county still faces higher rates than other parts of Florida, primarily due to its large immigrant population and socioeconomic challenges. TB spreads through airborne particles and primarily affects the lungs, but it can also impact other parts of the body. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious health complications and increased transmission within the community.

Identification
Epidemiological data from Miami-Dade County’s public health department indicates that TB cases are identified through a combination of active and passive surveillance. Active surveillance involves screening high-risk populations, such as immigrants, individuals in correctional facilities, and those with weakened immune systems. Passive surveillance relies on health care providers reporting diagnosed cases to public health authorities. The use of tuberculin skin tests, chest X-rays, and bacteriological examinations is critical in identifying active and latent TB cases.

Plan of Action
In alignment with Healthy People 2020, Miami-Dade County has developed a comprehensive plan of action to contain TB. The plan includes increasing public awareness, expanding access to diagnostic services, and ensuring timely treatment. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), in which health workers observe patients taking their medication, is also implemented to ensure adherence to treatment. The county works closely with community organizations to provide education and resources for vulnerable populations, emphasizing early detection and prevention.

Hepatitis B in Miami-Dade County

Impact on the Community
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to chronic liver disease or liver cancer. Miami-Dade County, with its diverse and transient population, experiences a higher prevalence of Hepatitis B compared to other regions in Florida. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids, making it prevalent among high-risk populations, including healthcare workers, people who inject drugs, and individuals engaging in unprotected sexual activity.

Identification
Hepatitis B is identified through blood tests that detect the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigens. Miami-Dade’s public health department conducts both passive and active surveillance to track Hepatitis B cases. Public health clinics offer routine screenings for pregnant women, high-risk individuals, and those showing symptoms of liver disease. Health care providers are required to report cases to the public health department, which helps in tracking the incidence of the disease.

Plan of Action
To combat Hepatitis B, Miami-Dade County follows Healthy People 2020 guidelines to increase vaccination rates, particularly in high-risk groups. Vaccination campaigns targeting healthcare workers, newborns, and other vulnerable populations have been implemented. The county also focuses on providing education about Hepatitis B transmission and prevention methods. Through partnerships with community organizations, outreach efforts aim to increase awareness and reduce stigma, which is often a barrier to treatment and vaccination.

Gonorrhea in Miami-Dade County

Impact on the Community
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that has seen rising rates in Miami-Dade County in recent years, particularly among young adults and adolescents. Untreated gonorrhea can lead to severe reproductive health issues, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility in women, as well as an increased risk of HIV transmission. The social determinants of health, such as access to healthcare and socioeconomic status, contribute to the higher rates of gonorrhea in certain communities within Miami-Dade.

Identification
Surveillance data shows that gonorrhea is primarily identified through routine STI screenings in health clinics, emergency rooms, and community health centers. Public health officials rely on both passive and active surveillance to track gonorrhea cases. Laboratory tests, including nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), are used to confirm diagnoses. Providers are required to report positive cases to the local health department, which monitors trends and responds to outbreaks.

Plan of Action
Healthy People 2020 emphasizes the importance of reducing gonorrhea rates through education, prevention, and timely treatment. Miami-Dade County’s public health department has implemented community outreach programs targeting young adults to promote condom use, regular screenings, and safe sexual practices. The county also offers free or low-cost STI testing and treatment at public health clinics. Expanding access to STI education in schools and community centers has been a key strategy in combating gonorrhea.

Conclusion

The communicable diseases Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and Gonorrhea present significant challenges to public health in Miami-Dade County. Through active surveillance, public education, and targeted intervention strategies, the county works to contain the spread of these illnesses in accordance with the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Continued collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, and public health authorities is essential to reducing the burden of these diseases and improving the health outcomes of the community.

References

Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. (2020). Tuberculosis prevention and control. http://miamidade.floridahealth.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Hepatitis B FAQs for health professionals. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm

Healthy People 2020. (2020). Sexually transmitted diseases: Objectives. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/sexually-transmitted-diseases

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