Steps 1–4 of a Community Health Needs Assessment

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Steps 1–4 of a Community Health Needs Assessment Student’s Name Institutional Affiliations Course Title Instructor’s Name Due Date

2 Steps 1–4 of a Community Health Needs Assessment Community health needs assessment is a systematic process that largely involves the community in identifying and analyzing a community’s health needs and assets. The critical process involves prioritizing various needs and laying the foundation for action to address the various unmet community needs. This course project will provide a comprehensive exploration into the process of conducting a community health needs assessment for tobacco smoking in Connecticut. The project entails defining the community, conducting an extensive needs assessment, uncovering assets to be leveraged and creating an action plan. Furthermore, ethical considerations and potential barriers that could impede interventions will be evaluated to guarantee their efficacy and conformity with accepted standards of ethics. Defining the Community Connecticut, located in the northeastern region of the United States, is a small state by land area but has an estimated population of over 3.6 million people (U.S. Census Bureau quick facts: Connecticut. n.d.). The demographic makeup of Connecticut is diverse, with approximately 80% identifying as white and 20% identifying as people from various ethnic and racial backgrounds, including African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans (U.S. Census Bureau quick facts: Connecticut. n.d.). Despite having a higher median household income than the national average, Connecticut has significant health disparities among its population. African Americans in Connecticut have an alarmingly high mortality rate compared to non-Hispanic whites (Laurencin et al., 2021). Tobacco smoking is a significant public health concern in Connecticut, with a prevalence rate of 16% (CDC. 2021). It is the leading cause of preventable death in Connecticut, causing over 4,000 deaths yearly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Moreover, there are substantial economic costs associated with tobacco

3 use in Connecticut, where an estimated $2.03 billion is spent annually on healthcare costs and lost productivity due to smoking-related illnesses (The Toll of Tobacco in Connecticut. n.d.). The data demonstrate that efforts must be made to reduce tobacco use among individuals living in this state. Identifying Assets Addressing the issue of tobacco smoking in Connecticut requires leveraging a range of assets at our disposal. For one, the state boasts a robust public health infrastructure, which includes top-notch healthcare services and a plethora of public health programs designed to improve the health and wellness of its citizens. Besides, the state has a wealth of non-profit organizations and community-based groups that have made it their mission to combat tobacco use and encourage healthier habits. The groups tirelessly educate the public about the harmful effects of smoking and provide valuable resources and support to individuals looking to kick the habit. By partnering with these assets, it is possible to create a healthier, smoke-free Connecticut that benefits everyone. Developing Action Plan Following the conclusion of the needs assessment, a plan of action was developed to address the issue of tobacco smoking in Connecticut. The action plan consists of a sequence of strategic stages, which include the following: Firstly, increasing public awareness about the harmful effects of smoking through targeted campaigns and educational programs. These efforts should focus on educating individuals about the potential health risks associated with tobacco use and its economic burden. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all members of society are aware of these consequences to make informed decisions regarding their smoking habits.

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4 Second, expanding access to nicotine replacement medications and counseling services may boost smoking cessation programs and services. Such measures would be tailored to fit the specific needs of individuals who wish to stop smoking and would be geared to give them the resources and help they require to achieve their goals. Thirdly, there is a need to implement more robust tobacco control policies, such as increasing taxes on tobacco products and banning smoking in public areas. The policies would serve as deterrents to tobacco use and would be designed to reduce the prevalence of smoking in the state. Finally, collaboration with non-profit organizations and community-based organizations to expand the reach and effect of tobacco prevention programs and services. Such alliances would allow for exchanging resources and experience, ensuring the long-term viability of tobacco control programs. Overall, the action plan will be comprehensive and collaborative, drawing on various resources and stakeholders to achieve a smoke-free Connecticut that promotes and supports its inhabitants' health and well-being. Ethical Considerations and Barriers Implementing the action plan to address tobacco smoking in Connecticut faces several ethical considerations and barriers that must be addressed to ensure its success. The following subtopics highlight some of the challenges that need to be tackled: Cultural Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Smoking Connecticut has a diversified population with various racial and ethnic minorities. Understanding these groups' cultural beliefs and attitudes around smoking is critical to design culturally suitable and acceptable methods. This would include working with community leaders and stakeholders to develop culturally appropriate tobacco control and smoking cessation strategies.

5 Social Norms Social conventions can influence smoking behavior, and altering these norms can be challenging. For example, promoting smoking as a social activity can increase tobacco usage. Developing techniques that question and modify societal norms that normalize smoking is vital. Engaging with important, influential individuals, such as celebrities and social media personalities, to promote healthy lifestyles and smoking cessation would be needed. Political Resistance to Tobacco Control Policies Political opposition may exist to tobacco prevention initiatives such as raising tobacco pricing or enforcing smoking prohibitions in public places. The opposition may come from stakeholders with a financial interest in the tobacco business or others who believe such measures violate personal freedoms. It is vital to engage policymakers and lawmakers to generate support for tobacco control policies and develop evidence-based justifications for their implementation. Engaging with the Community and Stakeholders Engaging the community and stakeholders is critical for understanding their perspectives on tobacco control laws and smoking cessation initiatives. This involvement would entail creating culturally relevant and acceptable communications and activities that meet the needs and concerns of the community. Community involvement would also aid in developing trust and teamwork, which are critical to the action plan’s success. Conclusion Tobacco smoking is a substantial public health concern in Connecticut, with a high prevalence and serious health consequences. However, various assets and resources, including as the state's strong public health infrastructure, non-profit organizations, and community-based

6 groups, can be used to solve this issue. Connecticut can considerably reduce tobacco use and enhance population health by designing and implementing an action plan focusing on public awareness, cessation assistance, and tobacco control regulations.

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7 References CDC. (2021, March 24). Extinguishing the Tobacco Epidemic in Connecticut. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/stateandcommunity/state-fact-sheets/connecticut/index.html CDC. (2022, December 1). Fast Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm Laurencin, C. T., Wu, Z. H., McClinton, A., Grady, J. J., & Walker, J. M. (2021). Excess Deaths Among Blacks and Latinx Compared to Whites During Covid-19. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities , 8 (3), 783–789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01010-x The Toll of Tobacco in Connecticut. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/connecticut U.S. Census Bureau quickfacts: Connecticut. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/CT

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