Discussion 2: Epidemiologic Designs NURS 8310 Discussion 2: Epidemiologic Designs Population health problem- Diabetes Type 2 

Discussion 2: Epidemiologic Designs NURS 8310 Discussion 2: Epidemiologic Designs Population health problem- Diabetes Type 2 

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related occurrences or states such as disease and the application of this knowledge to the management of illness and other health problems (Evensen, 2019; CDC, 2019). At my practice, patients suffer from various health issues, including obesity, coronary artery disease, renal failure, and uncontrolled hypertension. Diabetes is a major issue in the US. Diabetes patients have surged from 108 million in 1980 to 488 million in 2014. Diabetes consequences such as blindness, renal damage, stroke, and heart disease should be made more widely known. Diabetes patients are mainly from the lower and middle classes (Evensen, 2019). Furthermore, it is projected that 1.5 million people die each year due to diabetes. Public awareness is encouraged to reduce the number of diabetes cases (Friis & Sellers, 2021).

According to CDC, the age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and total diabetes among people aged 18 years or older in the United States from 1999 to 2016 reveals that the age-adjusted prevalence of total diabetes among adults aged 18 years or older grew considerably. In 1999–2002, the prevalence was 9.5 percent, and in 2013–2016, it was 12.0 percent. During this time, the age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes climbed considerably. There was no discernible difference in the frequency of undiagnosed diabetes (CDC, 2020). According to rough data, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, an A1C score of 7.0 percent or above, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all risk factors for diabetes-related complications among US individuals aged 18 years or older with diagnosed diabetes from 2013 to 2016. According to research, controlling blood sugar can lower the risk of eye disease, renal disease, and nerve disease by 40%. Blood pressure control can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by 33% to 50% and the deterioration in kidney function by 30% to 70%. With proper cholesterol treatment, cardiovascular problems can be reduced by 20% to 50%. Frequent eye exams and treatment can prevent up to 90% of diabetes-related blindness, while regular foot checks and patient education can prevent up to 85% of diabetes-related amputations.

Prevention can also be achieved by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a nutritious diet. According to reports, the obesity pandemic in the United States has worsened dramatically since the century. Obesity is prevalent in 40.0 percent of young adults (ages 20 to 39), 44.8 percent of middle-aged adults (ages 40 to 59), and 42.8 percent of individuals aged 60 and older. According to the data, about two out of every three adults in the United States are fat or overweight (roughly 69%), and one out of every three persons is obese (roughly 36%). (CDC, 2020). Patients with prediabetes, obesity, are at least 45 years old, have had gestational diabetes, have a family member with type 2 diabetes, and are African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Native American, or Alaska Native are also at higher risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes.

Hypothesis: Recommending healthy eating habits, providing nutrition education, encouraging physical exercise, and pushing the food and beverage sector to promote healthy practices can all assist in reducing overweight, obesity, and diabetes.