Week 5 discussion post
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Skyline College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
136
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by DeaconOxideBuffalo27
The South Asian community in Sacramento, California, confronts a significant public
health challenge - hypertension. According to Sutter Health, “High blood pressure is extremely
common in South Asians. A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and a family history of high
blood pressure are a few contributing factors” (Sutter, 2023). According to the American Heart
Association, “Nearly 1.5 million residents in the Sacramento region are hypertensive” (AHA,
2023).
Health Issues and Comorbidities:
Hypertension is a prevalent health issue within the South
Asian population in Sacramento. Studies have shown that this community is predisposed to high
blood pressure due to genetic factors, dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, and stress (Gupta,
2018). High blood pressure often coexists with comorbidities such as diabetes, obesity,
cardiovascular diseases, and chronic kidney disease within this population (Misra et al., 2018).
Risk Factors for Hypertension:
Several risk factors contribute to hypertension among South
Asians in Sacramento. Genetics plays a significant role, with family history being a key risk factor
(Gupta, 2018). Additionally, dietary habits high in salt and unhealthy fats, sedentary lifestyles,
stress, and acculturation challenges contribute to the high prevalence of hypertension in this
population (Misra et al., 2018).
Distribution of Population Health Outcomes:
Current population health statistics reveal a
concerning prevalence of hypertension within the South Asian population in Sacramento. The
distribution of health outcomes shows that a substantial proportion of this community is
affected by hypertension, highlighting a greater burden compared to certain other ethnic
groups in the region (California Department of Public Health, 2021).
Comparison to Other Populations:
Comparatively, South Asians in Sacramento exhibit a higher
incidence and prevalence of hypertension than some other ethnic populations. Studies have
shown that the South Asian community faces a disproportionate burden of hypertension
compared to the general population in the region (Misra et al., 2018).
Barriers to Improving Health:
Several barriers hinder efforts to improve the health of South
Asians with hypertension. These include cultural and language barriers affecting communication
and understanding of medical advice, limited health literacy, stigma associated with chronic
diseases, and challenges related to access to healthcare (Gupta, 2018).
Facilitators or Strengths:
Despite the challenges, certain facilitators and strengths support the
health of the South Asian population dealing with hypertension. Community support networks,
culturally tailored health education programs, engagement of community health workers, and
utilization of traditional health practices are some of the facilitators that play a significant role in
addressing hypertension within this population (Misra et al., 2018).
Addressing the prevalence of hypertension among South Asians in Sacramento
necessitates culturally sensitive interventions that consider the specific risk factors and context
of this population. By leveraging community strengths and addressing barriers effectively,
tailored education, community involvement, and improved healthcare accessibility can pave the
way towards better health outcomes for the South Asian population in Sacramento.
References:
1.
American Heart Association. (2023). Sacramento.
https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/california/sacramento
SM
U -
Int
ern
al
Dat
a
2.
Gupta, R. (2018). Burden of hypertension and its risk factors in India: An overview of
systematic reviews. Clinical Hypertension, 24(9), 1-9.
3.
Misra, A., Tandon, N., Ebrahim, S., Sattar, N., Alam, D., & Shrivastava, U. (2018). Diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease in South Asia: Current status and
future directions. BMJ, 357, j1420.
4.
California Department of Public Health. (2021). California Health Interview Survey.
https://ask.chis.ucla.edu/askCHIS/tools/askCHISresources/CHISstatstool.shtml
5.
Sutter Health. (2023). Blood Pressure.
https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/south-
asian/general-screenings/blood-pressure
SM
U -
Int
ern
al
Dat
a
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help