Exploring Disparities in Fairfax Countys Public Health: Obesity, Drinking, and Demographic Factors

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Due Date Introduction/County Demographics This discussion will focus on Fairfax County as one of the counties in Virginia and the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population estimates of the county as of 1st July 2022 amount to 1,138,331 people and has since shown a gradual increase since 2020; the US Census Bureau Statistics of 2022 offers the following statistics on different disciplines in Fairfax County: Age and Sex; Persons under 5 years at 5.7%, Persons under 18 years at 22.6%, Persons 65 years and over at 15.1%, and Female persons at 50.0%. Race and Hispanic Origin; White alone at 63.3%, Black or African American alone at 10.9%, American Indians and Alaska Natives alone at 0.6%, Asian alone at 20.9%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone at 0.1%, Two or More Races at 4.2%, Hispanic or Latino at 16.8%, and White alone, not Hispanic or Latino at 48.5%. A majority of the population is white while blacks and other ethnic groups from the minority. Education; the education demographics as of 2021 following the US Census Bureau statistics states as follows; High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-2021 at 93.4% and Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-2021 at 63.5%. these statistics show that the population in Fairfax County is literate. Percentage of Uninsured; the latest statistics on uninsured people according to Data USA shows that, between 2019 and 2020, the percentage of uninsured citizens in [City, State] declined by 1.7% from 8.23% to 8.09%. Again, US Bureau statistics as of Persons without health insurance, under the age of 65 years, was at 7.4% as of 2021. Income and Poverty; the statistics on poverty as of 2021 US Bureau Statists are as follows; Median household income (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021 at $133,974, Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021 was at $61,957, and Persons in poverty was at 7.1%. the county has underlying inequities in employment, housing, and income for minority groups. Whites are more likely to have higher incomes than other groups. The reasons behind the income levels and poverty levels based on race are questionable. Fairfax County Health Status This discussion will focus on two health behaviors in Fairfax County; Obesity and Excessive drinking. While Fairfax County is considered the healthiest overall in Virginia, community members have significant differences in health outcomes according to race, gender, income, age, ZIP Code, and education (2019 Fairfax Community Health Assessment, n.d.). Fairfax County has the largest minority population in the region. According to (Obesity Rates Virginia Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2021, n.d), the obesity rates in Virginia in 2021 showed the following statistics; White 31.7%, Black 47.5%, Hispanic 30.9%, Asian/Pacific Islander 17.9%, American Indian/Alaska Native 37.6%, and Other 33.1%. the black community is more vulnerable to obesity than other groups due to factors such as nutrition, income, and poverty. Statistics as of 2021 show that age hospitalization due to adult alcohol abuse by race in Fairfax County includes; African American/Black at 47.2%, white at 26.5%, and overall, at 24.8% (Fairfax, n.d). African Americans show persistent alcohol abuse compared to other ethnic groups. Clinical care factors such as vaccination and mammography screenings are administered in Fairfax County. According to (Fairfax, n.d.), statistics on mammography screenings, and Medicare population by race/ethnicity indicate that Hispanics who go for screening are 20%, Asians at 35%, Black/ African Americans at 39%, whites at 40%, and overall, 39%. These statistics show that Hispanics and Asians undergo mammography screenings the least compared to other ethnic and racial groups. Fairfax County has vaccination clinics that keep the county’s health status in check. Using the case of Influenza (FLU), which affects mostly persons over the age of 65, children, and other persons with other clinical conditions Fairfax County Health Department monitors the level of activity of influenza-like illness in the months of May -October each week since they are the most critical months in the year. Age is a critical factor in assessing influenza flue in Fairfax County. Problem Identification, Target Population, and Plan Fairfax County is the most diverse in Virginia and the most populous in its jurisdiction. Based on the demographics, clinical factors, and health behaviors researched above, racial inequality is a common problem in Fairfax County. The disparities in income and poverty, health issues such as excessive drinking and obesity, and mammogram screening relate to racial inequality in Fairfax County. Racial discrimination is not a new nuance in the United States. The issue has been talked about for centuries, hence Fairfax country exhibits characteristics of racial discrimination. Obesity is attributed to poor nutrition and lack of physical exercise. Most minority groups are poor and have limited access to healthy foods and nutrition which affects their wellbeing. The Hispanic population and Asians are less educated on mammogram screening which elevates cancer rates in the region. The target population for racial inequities is the ethnical minorities. Fairfax County populations fall in the following categories; White, Black/ African American, Hispanic, Asian/Islander, American Indian, and Alaska Native. These groups are not mutually exclusive hence disparities exist among them. The disparity in income levels where whites...