Determinants of health play a direct role in health behavior. In this units assignment, answer the following questions: How have determinants of health played a role in the health-relat

Jasmine Fields

Columbia Southern University

Health Behavior PUH 5304

Dr. Williams

October 11, 2022

Prevalence of Diabetes in Columbus Georgia

At first glance, Columbus, Georgia, looks like one of the most beautiful cities in America. The city is blessed with amazing parks and trails, with the scenes made even more beautiful by the Chattahoochee River and its riverwalk. The city also has a lot of history, displayed in various sites such as the Columbus Museum. The region also has a diverse population, with an African American majority, followed closely by a Caucasian population. There are also other races living in the region, showing how diverse the community is.

However, under all this beauty lies a concerning statistic hurting many regional residents. There has been a rise in the number of cases of diabetes in the region, with some areas, such as Wynnton, having an estimated 24.6% of its residents diagnosed with diabetes (Huang et al., 2022). This rate places Wynnton at the 99th percentile for national prevalence. However, the most disturbing fact about this is that neighborhoods around Wynnton have significantly lower numbers of diabetes diagnoses, registering only 8% of reported diabetes cases. While this is still relatively high, it is nearly a third of the residents of Wynnton present.

Identifying the Target Population

To properly understand diabetes in Columbus, it is essential to understand the population breakdown in the area. Using Wyntonn as the sample, due to their large population afflicted by diabetes, the target population can be found by analyzing those affected by diabetes in Wynnton as a representation of Columbus. The population in Columbus is estimated to be 210 295 as of 2022, with 46.46% of the individuals in the region being African American, 42.47% being white, and other races closing the population (Huang et al., 2022). In Wynton, the population is generally black, with 64.1% of the residents in the region being African American, with Whites making up 27.4% of the population. Figure 1 presents the graphical representation of Wynnton residents in 2019 (City Data, 2022). The difference in racial makeup between Wynnton and the rest of Columbus and the high prevalence of diabetes shows that the target population for those affected by diabetes is primarily African American.

Figure 1: Racial Breakdown in Wynnton, Columbus.

The median household income in Wynnton is also significantly lower than in the rest of Columbus. While the median household income in Georgia is $61,980, the median household income in Wynnton is $39,628 (City Data, 2022). This shows that compared to other residents in Columbus, most of the population in Columbus is relatively poor. This presents another aspect of the target population. The population most affected by diabetes, using the residents of Wynnton as the sample, are likely to have a low median household income and to be African American (Data Commons, 2022).

There are more females than males in Wynnton. However, the difference between males and females is relatively small, and both genders are equally affected by the illness. Most of the residents in the region are between 10-36, showing that the population is relatively young. Figure 2 shows the age distribution of residents in Wynnton. The figure shows that the target population is between 15 and 50, as these are most of the population affected by diabetes (City Data, 2022).

Figure 2: Age distribution of residents in Wynnton

Wynnton also has one of the lowest education attainment rates in Columbus and Georgia. 28% of residents in Wynnton have less than a high school education, which is relatively high considering Georgia has less than 10% of its residents having less than a high school education (City Data, 2022). Figure 3 shows the educational attainment levels of residents in Wynnton and Georgia. It shows that the target population is also the ones who are less educated.

Relationship Between Diabetes and the Target Population

Education plays a significant impact in the prevalence of diabetes. Individuals who are more educated are more aware of the impacts of diabetes and are aware of the best ways to avoid it (Galicia-Garcia, 2020). This means that individuals who do not have a good education are more likely to have a higher chance of contracting the disease. Economic status also plays a role in the prevalence of diabetes. Those who are financially better off are more likely to purchase better-quality food, which is often healthier. Low-income families often rely on cheap food, which is often unhealthy and increases the likelihood of the person developing diabetes (Galicia-Garcia, 2020). Age is also a factor. As a person grows older, their metabolism slows down. This means that they cannot process food as they did, and if the person is not aware of this through education or cannot afford healthy food, they may develop diabetes if they continue to eat the same way.

Research shows that those with diabetes generally have relatively modest backgrounds, low education, and often range from 45 to above. In America, African Americans are often affected mainly by diabetes (Huang et al., 2022). This show that research corroborates what is happening in Wynnton and, by extension, in Columbus, Georgia. It shows a relationship between these factors and the prevalence of diabetes in the region.

References

Jasmine Fields

Columbia Southern University

Health Behavior PUH 5304

Dr. Williams

October 18. 2022

Health Behaviors that Promote Diabetes in Columbus Georgia

There are several contributing factors that can lead to the development of diabetes. These factors vary from region to region, with each region having its unique combination of factors contributing to a growing number of diabetes patients. Columbus has several risk factors that promote diabetes. Many of these factors are related to weight gain and obesity, one of the key contributors to obesity.

Weight gain leads to the creation of hormones, NEFA, glycerol, and other substances that lead to the development of insulin resistance (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2020). This then leads to the development of diabetes. Georgia has seen a steady increase in obesity. According to America’s Health Rankings (2022), the state had 10% of its population living with obesity in 1990. The number has increased steadily, and as of 2020, 35% of Georgians are obese. The high number of obese individuals means more people are at risk of contracting diabetes, which is a concern.

Figure 1: race and obesity Figure 2: obesity and education

Figure 3: Obesity and Age

Obesity levels in Georgia majorly affect the target population. It is mostly an issue for African Americans above 18 and those without good conditions. Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 show the graphical distribution of obesity based on race, education, and age. The trends in Wyntonn are reflective of this, as it shows that weight gain and obesity is a health behavior that influences diabetes. The following health behaviors help to promote diabetes through weight gain and obesity.

Poor Dietary Choices

Diet is a huge contributor to the development of diabetes. A diet high in cholesterol and saturated fats raises the levels of triglycerides, which increases the chances of diabetes (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2020). A poor diet also leads to an increase in weight gain, which increases the chances of diabetes. Diet is heavily influenced by financial status. Research shows that individuals from poor backgrounds are more likely to have poor dietary choices when compared to those that are not. This is because fatty foods are cheaper when compared to nutritious foods. This has led to an increase in diabetes rates among the poor. This case is especially true for Wynnton, which has one of the highest poverty rates in Georgia (City Data, 2022). This means that due to their financial strains, residents in Wyntonn and others facing a similar plight are forced to contend with poor dietary choices (Georgia Department of Public Health, 2020). The evidence of this is the small number of grocery stores in these areas.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Physical inactivity is the norm in Georgia. In 2020, 28.5% of Georgians reported that they were physically inactive. This means that one in four Georgians is likely to be physically inactive, which can be a high contributor to the rise of diabetes in the state. This is because most Georgians have sedentary jobs and long commutes, so they spend most of their time seated down. Many Georgians also do not prioritize physical activities or do not have the resources to get access to facilities such as the gym. This sedentary lifestyle is a reason for the increase in weight gain, which inevitably increases the chance of diabetes.

Tobacco Use

Smoking tobacco has been directly linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Individuals who smoke are 30-40% more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers. As of 2020, 15.8% of Georgian adults smoked, which increased the chances of these adults developing diabetes (Truth Initiative, 2022). Smoking is also high among residents from low economic status, such as Wynton. Aside from promoting weight gain, tobacco helps to increase blood sugar levels in the blood, increasing the chances of diabetes. This makes why smoking is a health behavior that promotes diabetes.

Impacts of Sociological Model on These Health Behaviors

Human beings are a social species, and society significantly impacts their actions. Healthy behaviors are also affected by society. The sociological model provides a perspective upon which the effects of various aspects of society can be analyzed.

The social sphere of society has an immense impact on health behaviors that determine diabetes. One of the social sphere's negative impacts is the inheritance of poor health habits. For example, research shows that children from families who smoke are more likely to become smokers. This helps to propagate the spread of the behavior. This inheritance of bad habitsunhealthy habits is not tied to smoking alone, as other unhealthy habits can also be imparted to the younger generation. For example, societies that are more tolerant of obesity are more likely to encourage the consumption of unhealthy foods and weight gain, which can have immense impacts on society. This shows that there is a psychological connection between unhealthy behavior and society.

Culture also has a huge impactsignificant impact on health behavior. Culture aids in keeping negative behaviors for generations which helps to increase their occurrence over time. This is clearest regarding weight gain and obesity. An example of this application is the promotion of weight gain and obesity. Due to the change in culture and perspective toward obesity and weight gain, there has been a growth in obesity in Georgia over time. This is because the culture of promoting habits that increase obesity rates has slipped into Georgia, and the evidence of this is in the rise of cases of obesity, as demonstrated by figure 1. This has led to an increase in diabetes numbers.

However, it is essential to note that while society's cultural and societal features have had a negative impact on health behaviors, they can be used as credible tools in the battle against diabetes. A good example is developing policies impacting society and culture that aim to reverse the norms. Stakeholders can help change societal norms by promoting physical exercise, anti-smoking campaigns, and better diets. This can help reduce the rate of diabetes in society.

References