NR 586NP Week 4 Assignment; Application of Epidemiology Worksheet.

lOMoARcPSD|47892040 The St. Louis region has a high prevalence of heart disease and other chronic illnesses, and the county and city see multiple infectious disease outbreaks every year. In St. Louis County, heart disease is a leading cause of death, ranking as the first or second leading cause from 2016 to 2020. In 2018, the death rate due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in St. Louis City surpassed that of St. Louis County and St. Charles County. Contributing factors to CVD in St. Louis City include unhealthy lifestyle choices, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol (St.Louis, 2024). As of 2022, heart disease and cancer continue to be the top two causes of death in Missouri and across the nation, with unintentional injuries and COVID-19 ranking third and fourth, respectively. In 2021, COVID-19 replaced unintentional injury as the third leading cause, but that trend has since reversed (St.Louis,2024). c. Compare and contrast the prevalence of diseases in the selected region with disease rates and trends in a different geographic area of your choosing, noting similarities and differences. My area of comparison with Saint Louis, Missouri is Chicago, Illinois. 0320 RB/KK lOMoARcPSD|47892040 primary concern in Chicago revolves around the escalating incidence of infectious illnesses such as sinus infections and strep throat (Healthy People 2030, 2022). Application of the Epidemiological Model a. Select and describe one of the prevalent diseases noted in the previous section. Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or effectively use the insulin it produces, leading to high blood sugar levels. Over time, diabetes can lead to serious complications affecting the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys (Chapel, 2019). There are various types of diabetes, including type 1 and type 2, as well as gestational diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), neonatal diabetes, and steroid-induced diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and typically develops in adults (Chapel, 2019). Some symptoms of diabetes include: Frequent urination, Thirst, Constant hunger, Weight loss, Vision changes, Fatigue, Blurred vision, Slow-healing sores, and Infections. There's no cure for diabetes, but lifestyle changes and medication can help. Some lifestyle changes that can help include: Eating healthy foods, Getting active, Losing weight, and Avoiding long periods of inactivity. 0320 RB/KK lOMoARcPSD|47892040 c. Identify and explain one epidemiological model which will be applied to the selected disease (i.e., Epidemiological Triangle, Web of Causation, or another legitimate epidemiological model). In epidemiology and public health, the web of causality model is a holistic approach to understanding the causes of health issues. It recognizes that various factors can contribute to the onset of an illness or condition, and it takes into account the individual as well as the broader environment. The web of causality model is represented metaphorically by a web, reflecting the interconnectedness of the various factors that can lead to illness. It is a concept that