DQ 4-2

DQ 4-2

4.

The state I’ve chosen is Arizona.

Arizona’s 2020 Health People Plan consists of many categories to improve the states overall health. The plan selected that can improve is the high blood pressure prevalence, which pertains to a cardiologist. The Healthy People 2020 national health target is to reduce the proportion of adults aged 18 years and older with high blood pressure to 26.9% and the current proportion is at 30.8% (Arizona Health Matters, n.d.). Having a plan to lower the percentage is extremely important as high blood pressure contributes to health attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, and atherosclerosis (Arizona Health Matters, n.d.). The plan states lifestyle changes that can control high blood pressure, which promotes a healthier lifestyle. Something that can improve the plan is promoting activities, places, foods, ect. that will lower the percentage giving those who are wanting a lifestyle change the help and guidance necessary.

 

Arizona Health Matters. (n.d.). High Blood Pressure Prevalence. Retrieved from http://www.arizonahealthmatters.org/index.php?module=indicators&controller=index&action=view&indicatorId=253&localeId=5

5.

I chose the state of Hawaii; many people think of this state as a luxurious island. However, the state has very poor air quality due to the active volcano, factories, oil burning machines, marine aerosols and many other factors. Due to the poor air quality in Hawaii asthma is one of the most common diseases, effecting 14.9 percent of Native Hawaiians with more than half of those diagnosis being under the age of 5 (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2012). Due to this Hawaii has a set plan in place to decrease the number of asthma related deaths in the state.

 

The Plan that Hawaii has in place is called “Hawai’I Asthma Plan” It goes into detail of asthma surveillance (where, who, and how; is affected the most, what coverage people with asthma have, etc.), education, and improvement of air quality (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2012). These are important factors in reducing asthma related deaths. With this plan in place Hawaii, has unfortunately not seen the improvements it is seeking. One of the largest problems is obtaining accurate data as to the specific demographics that asthma affects in the state and the causes of asthma. Saying that the air quality is the leading cause would be wrong without proper proof.

 

References:

Hawaii State Department of Health. (2012). Hawai'i asthma plan. In Hawaii Health Matters. Retrieved January 11, 2018, from http://health.hawaii.gov/asthma/files/2013/06/asthma2012.pdf