Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases resulting from high cholesterol levels continue to be a major cause of death in the United States region. Strokes and heart disease are also among the most costly health problems facing the nation in contemporary society, amounting to almost $500 billion in expenditures in healthcare as of 2010 (Jones & Nelson-Ivy, 2010). However, other regions are more afflicted than others, such as Paterson city in New Jersey. The region faces one of the highest tolls in heart disease deaths, with Black/African American people being at a higher risk of death compared to other populations, which includes Whites and Hispanics. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategic techniques for preventing cardiovascular diseases, which is easier than curing them. This may include advocating for physical activity, changing diets, and educating on healthy aspirin intake. As much as cardiovascular diseases are fatal, they are also easily preventable.
Epidemiology
Paterson, NJ has a population consisting of Hispanics accounting for 50% of the total population while Black/African Americans make up 31% of the remainder, the rest of the population consists of White residents (Jones & Nelson-Ivy, 2010). Although all the residents of the region are predisposed to Cardiovascular Disease, it is of more concern for the Black/African Americans who report significantly higher rates of stroke, hypertension, and cardiovascular. As per the United States report on the mortality and fatality rates, the United States, in general, reported a death rate of 288.6/100,000 resulting from Cardiovascular Disease (Jones & Nelson-Ivy, 2010). However, Black/African Americans only reported 15 times the overall rate, with females reporting 3,331.6 while males reported 4,448.9 (Jones & Nelson-Ivy, 2010). Clearly, Black Americans have a higher risk of Cardiovascular Disease and associate issues, including strokes and Coronary Heart Disease.
From 1999 to 2003, the leading cause of death in Paterson, NJ was Heart disease which was equivalent to 27.3% of reported death (Jones & Nelson-Ivy, 2010)s. Stroke, a common complication of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, was the third-highest cause of mortality during the same time period, accounting for 5.2 percent of all deaths (PRC, 2019). Both Paterson’s Black and White populations are at risk for Coronary Heart Disease, especially as the population ages.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol are the primary modifiable (controllable) risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including smoking cigarettes, diabetic complications, a poor diet and a lack of physical activity, obesity, and being overweight. Americans’ chances of acquiring and dying from cardiovascular disease would be significantly decreased if considerable gains in nutrition and physical exercise were made across the US population; controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, and using aspirin as directed are all recommended (PRC, 2019).
Strategies to Address the Health Concern
The repercussions of cardiovascular disease are spread unevenly across the Paterson population. There are significant differences in the rates of falling victim depending on socioeconomic status, geographic area, ethnicity/race, age, and gender. As a result of these factors, there are notable disparities in mortalities, treatment outcomes, timely and effective treatment, access to treatment, and prevalence of risk factors. The treatment of heart disease mainly involves the control of coronary risk factors, including making changes in lifestyle activities, diet, and high blood pressure (Centers for Disease Control, & Prevention, 2003). . For Paterson residents, healthy lifestyle advocacy through hypertension control, tobacco cessation and improved diets are among the major pathways that will substantially improve their lives.
In Paterson, several strategies have been developed as an intervention to the cardiovascular pandemic. Access to healthcare is a major concern, especially for residents that cannot afford out-of-pocket medical expenses. The private and public health centers have a big responsibility of ensuring that primary care is readily available to all Paterson residents (Rhodes et al., 2017). To begin with, physical activity is associated with positive health outcomes, especially in regard to heart disease. Engaging in a few minutes to hours of daily physical activity is therapeutic for Paterson residents (Rhodes et al., 2017). Positive behavior such as physical activity is improved by developing and labeling walking paths within the city. Consequently, more individuals will engage in walking activities for fitness. Moreover, creating sponsor events and parks allow people to engage in activities associated with fitness effectively in lieu of waiting for individual initiatives to engage in physical activity.
However, creating recreational facilities without educating the Paterson residents of the significance of engaging in their utilization is futile. In the contemporary Paterson environment, non-traditional methods of literature dissemination are preferable while targeting large populations (Riegel et al., 2017). They include the incorporation of technology, especially the internet, as well as settings such as small businesses, churches, and barbershops. The literature should focus on nutrition education, smoking cessation, and preventing cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension and high blood pressure.
The distribution of educational literature is also complemented by private, state, and federal grants used to fund community-based programs. On the positive side, sponsored events gather individuals of all ages and include healthcare care providers and schools that interact with individuals at a personal level. Additionally, community-based programs include the provision of free blood pressure screenings at health fairs, community groups, and stores (Centers for Disease Control, & Prevention, 2003). Black/African Americans in Paterson fail to attend checkups due to a lack of health insurance policies. Hence, providing free and easily accessible health services encourages more people to be actively involved in their welfare. Apart from inadequate resources to fund healthcare, individuals have the tendency to ignore appointments and checkups due to their busy schedules, thus, seeking medical attention during the critical stages of cardiovascular disease. Health-promoting programs with an implemented incentives program for compliant residents also encourage involvement in healthcare activities (Riegel et al., 2017). Collaboration of the federal and state governments with private organizations and healthcare facilities can result in productive incentive programs.
Furthermore, the collaboration can aid in the advocacy for drugs to fight coronary heart disease. Over the years, several drugs have overturned the health outcome of patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease (Llewellyn-Thomas et al., 2002). They include drugs centered on lowering blood pressure, beta-blockers, and aspirin as the most popular. Conducting an analysis of free and low-cost drug programs provided by drug companies and the federal government will help determine the level of intervention required from stakeholder parties in the fight against cardiovascular disease in Paterson. Resultantly, innovative programs such as “an aspirin a day” can be implemented effectively and efficiently to encourage individuals to partake in a daily low dosage of aspirin (Llewellyn-Thomas et al., 2002). On top of preventing heart disease, the program will also facilitate a low-cost health plan for at-risk individuals (Llewellyn-Thomas et al., 2002). Paterson residents with a documented genetic and personal history of heart conditions including angina, strokes, and heart attacks fall under the category of at-risk patients together with individuals with multiple risks for cardiovascular disease development such as smokers, the elderly as well as those with high cholesterol and blood pressure.
Policy Action Addendum
Implementing community-based programs requires policy intervention for their prompt and effective implementation. Local and state governments’ intervention is significant due to the high cost of healthcare in the United States. Paterson city has a high population of minorities earning low-income per household, forcing them to disregard their welfare while trying to make ends meet (Riegel et al., 2017). Therefore, implementing a low-cost drug program may also prove counter-productive. To incorporate individuals of all ages and all social classes necessitates input from policymakers to insure high-risk individuals are catered to. Implementing a free aspirin policy prioritizing individuals depending on their susceptibility to developing heart disease as well as those already diagnosed with the disease can significantly decrease the fatality rate associated with cardiovascular disease (Riegel et al., 2017. The free asprin policy should apply to all public healthcare agencies as well as private agencies partnering with the government against the disease, including drug companies and personnel. Consequently, all public health programs in the campaign to prevent heart disease will be legally bound to offer aspirin while evaluating outcomes. Thus, the public will have easy access to resources improving their general welfare over time.
Furthermore, the public health departments in the state and local governments in Paterson, NJ, can increase their involvement by developing guidelines for partners and public health agencies for evaluation for the purpose of improving future programs and policies. In order for the public healthcare system to be successful in its objectives of reducing deaths associated with coronary heart disease in Paterson, it is important to have preliminary findings of its prevalence and risk factors (Jones & Nelson-Ivy, 2010). Currently, tools for evaluation and timely communication are widely available. As a result, the evaluation allows healthcare providers to replicate the most effective interventions in a timely manner (Jones & Nelson-Ivy, 2010). Gradually, mechanisms for reviewing and disseminating results from the evaluations can be strengthened to ensure that the experience and knowledge acquired during the process of evaluation are applied in future policies and programs, such as substituting aspirin for a more effective or cost-effective drug.
Conclusion
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Paterson, NJ, but it is also easily preventable. Compared to Hispanics and Whites, Black/African Americans are more predisposed to coronary heart disease as a result of their poor dietary behaviors and low-income levels. However, this does not alienate the other groups from the disease. Smoking and comorbid factors including hypertension, high blood pressure, and obesity are more risk factors that lead to the development of coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, the disease can be prevented with the help of strategic techniques to influence healthy behaviors, including engaging in walks through parks and walkways for fitness. Health education about the disease is a major step towards prevention, especially in the current literate society. Information can be disseminated via community programs and the internet in order to reach out to people of all ages. Government intervention through policy implementation also plays a significant role in the prevention of heart disease by providing resources to address drug distribution among high-risk individuals. Overall, preventing the development of coronary heart disease is not only dependent on external interventions but also on personal initiatives to actively engage in individual welfare.
References
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (US). (2003). A public health action plan to prevent heart disease and stroke. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jones, J., & Nelson-Ivy, D. R. (2010). Paterson Community Health Improvement Plan. https://www.patersonnj.gov/egov/documents/1294349639_663909.pdf
Llewellyn-Thomas, H. A., Paterson, J. M., Carter, J. A., Basinski, A., Myers, M. G., Hardacre, G. D., & Naylor, C. D. (2002). Primary prevention drug therapy: can it meet patients’ requirements for reduced risk?. Medical decision making, 22(4), 326-339.
PRC, Inc. (2019). Community Health Needs Assessment Summary Report. St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. https://www.stjosephshealth.org/images/pdf/2019%20SJUMC%20CHNA%20Summary%20Report.pdf
Riegel, B., Moser, D. K., Buck, H. G., Dickson, V. V., Dunbar, S. B., & Lee, C. S.. (2017). American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research.. Self‐care for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease and stroke: A scientific statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association. Journal of the American Heart Association, 6(9), e006997.
Rhodes, R. E., Janssen, I., Bredin, S. S., Warburton, D. E., & Bauman, A. (2017). Physical activity: Health impact, prevalence, correlates, and interventions. Psychology & Health, 32(8), 942-975.
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