Individual Screening- What You Need to Know

In this project, I work alongside health practitioners to screen adults who are obese or overweight and aged between 40 and 70 years for abnormal blood glucose as a strategy to address the risks associated with cardiovascular diseases. We will set up a health screening center near the surrounding community and issue posters that will inform them that the screening will be done for free. After the screening process, the adults will be advised on the behavioral interventions that they can perform to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Patients with abnormal blood sugar levels will be provided with medications to enhance their health outcomes. 

Theory or Conceptual Model 

The health belief model will work well with this initiative. According to this model, health-seeking behaviors among asymptomatic patients depend on their beliefs and attitudes (Lawal et al., 2017). This conceptual model explains the reasons why people may avoid undertaking a screening program even though it is free. It considers both short- and long-term health-seeking behaviors. According to this model, patients will take part in the screening process if they believe that the initiative will reduce their chance of dying from a chronic condition such as cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes (Lawal et al., 2017). In the current project, I have to make sure that the target population understands that there is a correlation between reduced mortality rate and early detection of Type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and impaired glucose tolerance. The health model will guide me on how to educate the target population about the benefits of the screening process. Another concept of the health belief model is self-efficacy, which refers to the patients’ belief in self to take part in the screening initiative (Lawal et al., 2017). This element highlights the high-risk situations that affect health-seeking behaviors. It may include factors such as income, support, and access to processed foods. 

Screening Purpose 

Arguably, cardiovascular disease (CVD) results in death if left unattended, especially at old age. In the US, for instance, CVD is the leading cause of mortality rates, and about a quarter of these cases can be prevented through early detection and modification of behavior (Siu, 2015). Risk factors such as abnormal blood glucose, hypertension, overweight, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet can be modified. Meanwhile, Type 2 diabetes can develop over the years due to increased blood sugar and glucose abnormalities in the body (Siu, 2015). Hence, the need for screening adults aged between 40 and 70 years since they may be unaware that they have Type 2 diabetes even though they are the most susceptible to the condition. Besides, this initiative will take place in Marcy, New York, since the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is high among African Americans at 11.7% and Hispanics at 14.4% who make up a significant percentage of the region’s population (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). Hence, this screening project will address this health issue and develop interventions to reduce negative health outcomes. 

Population 

This screening process will target the African Americans and the Hispanics aged between 40 and 70 years. After the American Indians, these two groups have the highest rates of diabetes (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). Besides, the majority of them live in Marcy projects and have no access to health care services. The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in this population is also linked to socioeconomic factors. For instance, African Americans have low educational attainment and wealth compared to their white counterparts (Mouzon et al., 2019). Hence, they tend to overlook their health status. This initiative will focus on Hispanics and African Americans living in Marcy, New York. 

Location/Setting 

There will be a screening center next to Central New York Psychiatric Center. This activity will take place on Saturday from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. I chose this location since Central New York Psychiatric Center is among the leading healthcare facilities in the region that hosts a large number of patients with complex conditions. Hence, it will be easy to pass the message about the screening process to prospective patients and families will be allowed to visit the location to check on their loved ones. Since the process will be free, and there will be an adequate campaign, it may attract the African Americans and Hispanics living nearby who require health checkups. 

Outcome Goals 

To record the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and abnormal blood sugar levels among Hispanics and African Americans 

To educate this population about the significance of the screening process and regular health checkups 

To inform and impact the behavioral interventions such as change of diet and physical activity 

To offer adequate medication to patients with Type 2 diabetes 

To reduce the risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases 

Cost 

Summary 

The purpose of this screening process is to check the blood sugar levels and prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among adults aged between 40 and 70 years living in Marcy, New York. Mainly, the initiative will target Hispanic and African American adults who are overweight and obese and have no symptoms of diabetes. The Master’s-prepared nurse educators will inform the participants about the health benefits of the initiative. Then, the participants will be encouraged to provide a history of their diet plans, physical activity, and habits such as smoking. The screening process will encompass the target population as well as their family members. Hence, the patients will have the right social and moral support in the recovery process. Nurse practitioners will be recording blood sugar levels and offer medications to patients. It is crucial to measure the obesity-associated insulin resistance since it is linked to Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (DeBoer et al., 2016). Besides, there will be nutritionists who will guide the patients in creating meal plans and physical exercise routines that will improve their health outcomes. 

References 

DeBoer, M. D., Gurka, M. J., Morrison, J. A., & Woo, J. G. (2016). Inter-relationships between the severity of the metabolic syndrome, insulin and adiponectin, and their relationship to future type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  International Journal of Obesity ,  40 (9), 1353-1359. https://doi.org/ 10.1038/ijo.2016.81 

Lawal, O., Murphy, F., Hogg, P., & Nightingale, J. (2017). Health behavioral theories and their application to women's participation in mammography screening.  Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences ,  48 (2), 122-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2016.12.002 

Mouzon, D. M., Taylor, R. J., Nguyen, A. W., Ifatunji, M. A., & Chatters, L. M. (2019). Everyday discrimination typologies among older African Americans: Gender and socioeconomic status.  The Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, XX(XX), 1-10. https://doi.org/ 10.1093/geronb/gbz088 

United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). National diabetes statistics report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf 

Siu, A. L. (2015). Screening for abnormal blood glucose and type 2 diabetes mellitus: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations statement.  Annals of Internal Medicine ,  163 , 861-868. https://doi.org/ 10.7326/M15-2345