Example Of Plan For Community Health Assessment Essay

The primary objective of this paper is to present a community health assessment plan for people in Oklahoma in order to combat obesity. Over the past years, the entire states in America saw an increase in the rate of obesity, Oklahoma ranked from bottom to the top in jus less than two decades (Parker, 2015). People in Oklahoma tend to be too reliant on trucks, buses, and cars as their means of communication from work to home or school to home. The sedentary lifestyle of the community adds significantly to weight gain, and a lot of Oklahomans likewise do not have enough access to low cost, healthy choices of foods.
An obese individual will have a Body Mass Index equivalent to or exceeding 30 (Parker, 2015). In 2011, the obesity rate in Oklahoma was 31.1% and the state ranked seventh as the most obese state in US (Parker, 2015). At present, the overweight and obesity rate of the country has gone up to 67.1% (Parker, 2015).
Obesity has massive impacts on the economic condition of the state and the country. Oklahoma is spending about $1,721,000 on healthcare directly associated with obesity (Cosgrove, 2014). If the residents of the state continue to ignore the increasing rate of obesity, it is estimated that by 2030, Oklahoma will have over one million cases of heart ailments and 147,073 cases of cancers related to obesity (Cosgrove, 2014). Moreover, the number of individuals with hypertension and diabetes will increase by 969,830 and 512,801, respectively (Cosgrove, 2014). Other survey results showed that the rate of obesity remains higher among the Hispanic and black communities compared to whites. For instance, the obesity rate for adult black Oklahomans was 38.7% while 31.3% for adult Hispanic Oklahomans (Cosgrove, 2014). In addition, baby boomers or individuals between 45 years old and up will have the highest rate of obesity.
A lot of restaurants and grocery stores are encouraging healthy food choices, and offices are providing employees incentives for doing regular physical workouts. For the state to bring down the rate of obesity for both children and adults, Oklahomans must adopt small yet effective changes in their everyday lives. It is also essential for overweight men and women to have lots of support and communication with peers as they share their weight loss journey.
The main goals in doing the community health assessment plan is to increase access to a safe, healthy, and affordable beverages and food; reduce access to high calorie as well as beverages and foods that have low nutritional content; increased awareness concerning the significance of physical activity and healthy eating to avoid obesity; and promote physical activity. To cater these goals, the help of the government, organizations, and people in Oklahoma is deemed necessary. The plan will involve engagement of overweight individuals to physical activities that will help reduce their weight. Colleges and universities will be encouraged to establish nutrition policies. Fresh vending locations will be increased in various areas. Grocers will also be encouraged to sell products that are grown or made in Oklahoma. These grocery stores must be in close proximity to the area where the residents are situated. Media will also serve as a channel in promoting healthy living. Celebrity spokesperson will be tapped to offer a talk and promote healthy living.
This plan for community health assessment is expected to gain support from various stakeholders. This is the only means to help the population regain their healthy living and good health.

References

Cosgrove, J. (2014). Oklahoma has seventh-highest obesity rate in U.S., report shows. NewsOK.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015, from http://newsok.com/oklahoma-has-seventh-highest-obesity-rate-in-u.s.-report-shows/article/5338658/?page=2
Parker, V. (2015). Obesity in Oklahoma: Rank & Statistics - Weight Loss Center - INTEGRIS OK.Integrisok.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015, from http://integrisok.com/obesity-in-oklahoma
Tulsa-health.org,. (2015). Tulsa County Community Health Improvement Plan. Retrieved 31 March 2015, from http://www.tulsa-health.org/tulsa-county-community-health-improvement-plan