NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 4 Executive Summary:Community Health Assessment

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 5003 Health Assessment and Promotion for Disease Prevention in Population-Focused Health

Prof. Name

Date

Executive Summary: Community Health Assessment

Hypertension (HTN) continues to pose a significant health threat in Arkansas, particularly affecting African American communities, individuals in rural areas, and older adults. This initiative aims to mitigate health disparities through increased community screenings, awareness campaigns, and strengthened collaboration with local organizations. The project framework aligns closely with the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards, ensuring culturally sensitive and inclusive healthcare practices. By integrating educational outreach, targeted policy changes, and professional training, the initiative seeks to promote improved health outcomes and empower underserved populations in Arkansas.

The strategies within the plan include the deployment of mobile health units, culturally relevant educational materials, and partnerships with trusted community institutions. These components aim to address both immediate healthcare needs and long-term preventative care through sustainable, community-embedded interventions. Cross-sector collaboration with faith-based organizations, healthcare institutions, and community leaders is central to creating a comprehensive, culturally grounded response to the high HTN burden in Arkansas.

Additionally, this health promotion effort includes training healthcare professionals in culturally competent care to enhance communication and treatment adherence among vulnerable groups. The integration of CLAS Standards ensures that services are linguistically and culturally appropriate, improving patient satisfaction and long-term engagement in hypertension care and management.

Demographics and Data Analysis of Hypertension in Arkansas

Arkansas ranks among the states with the highest rates of hypertension in the United States. According to the CDC (2020), 45% of adults aged 18 and above suffer from HTN, with higher prevalence among men (51%) than women (39%). The risk escalates with age—rising from 22% in the 18–39 age group to 74% in individuals aged 60 and older. Furthermore, low-income, rural communities and racial minorities report higher rates due to systemic inequities in healthcare access, education, and economic opportunity.

Table 1. Hypertension Prevalence by Demographics (Arkansas)

Group	Prevalence (%)	Notable Barriers
Adults (18–39 years)	22%	Low screening frequency, lack of awareness
Adults (40–59 years)	54%	Work-related stress, untreated symptoms
Adults (60+ years)	74%	Comorbidities, limited access to specialists
African Americans	>50%	Structural racism, healthcare mistrust
Rural Residents	>50%	Transportation barriers, healthcare shortages
Hispanic and Asian	37–48%	Language barriers, cultural misconceptions

The growing Hispanic and Asian populations in Arkansas underscore the need for updated care strategies tailored to these groups. Socioeconomic challenges and health literacy remain substantial hurdles in these communities. Additionally, older adults, especially those aged 65 and above, are increasingly vulnerable due to physiological risk and fragmented care systems.

The state also faces limitations in health data collection, especially in underserved regions. Without accurate reporting on social determinants of health and cultural variables, tailored interventions become challenging. Therefore, enhancing community surveillance, improving cultural specificity in data, and involving local partners are essential to effectively address HTN and bridge the equity gap.

Key Interventions, Stakeholder Strategies, and Cultural Collaboration

The healthcare interview with Ryan Eagle revealed significant progress in aligning interventions with CLAS Standards. His organization supports initiatives such as mobile health clinics, culturally informed health education, and partnerships with grassroots organizations, particularly in predominantly African American and rural communities. However, gaps remain in reaching isolated rural populations where digital access and healthcare infrastructure are lacking. Emerging evidence supports the integration of mobile technology and community engagement as key strategies to increase inclusivity and outreach (Bera et al., 2023).

Table 2. Intervention Strategies and Stakeholder Engagement

Intervention	Implementation Tactic	Target Group
Mobile Screening Units	Set up in rural and church-based settings	Rural, African American adults
Community Health Education	Culturally tailored programs in multiple languages	Hispanic, Asian communities
Telehealth and mHealth Tools	Remote blood pressure monitoring and consultations	Older adults, tech-accessible users
Stakeholder Advocacy	Collaborating with churches and local leaders	All vulnerable groups
Policy Advocacy	Lobbying for funding and infrastructure investment	Underserved regions

A culturally sensitive intervention plan involves health education materials crafted in different languages and literacy levels, remote-access screening services, and local collaboration with churches and advocacy groups. Technology, such as telemedicine and mobile apps, improves access to consistent care, especially in areas lacking physical clinics.

Strategies to encourage cross-cultural collaboration include staff training in cultural competence, ongoing professional development, and strong ties with faith-based institutions and minority community leaders. According to Walkowska et al. (2023), culturally competent care significantly improves trust and treatment adherence, especially in populations with historical mistrust of healthcare systems.

Healthcare providers must be trained to recognize the values and health perceptions of diverse groups. Implementing workshops and online training modules focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion fosters greater patient satisfaction. Furthermore, telehealth options should be adjusted to accommodate cultural expectations, including language translation services and community-centric interfaces.

Stakeholders are also essential in advocating for HTN interventions. Community leaders can promote screenings, organize health fairs, and assist in policy development. Local organizations are key in ensuring cultural acceptability of interventions and reaching populations that may not engage with formal healthcare systems.

Policy advocacy is another cornerstone strategy. Stakeholders can influence the allocation of state and federal funds toward programs aimed at HTN prevention and control. Training providers in cultural awareness ensures care delivery is more inclusive, fostering stronger provider-patient relationships and reducing miscommunication.

Conclusion

This community health assessment identifies the disproportionate burden of hypertension among vulnerable populations in Arkansas and presents a comprehensive intervention strategy aligned with the National CLAS Standards. Through culturally tailored education, community engagement, technological integration, and stakeholder advocacy, the plan targets African Americans, rural residents, older adults, and growing minority groups. Emphasizing cross-cultural collaboration and ongoing evaluation, the intervention aims to improve health equity, reduce HTN prevalence, and promote sustainable health outcomes in Arkansas.

References

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Bera, O. P., Mondal, H., & Bhattacharya, S. (2023). Empowering communities: A review of community-based outreach programs in controlling hypertension in India. Cureus, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.50722

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Hypertension Prevalence Among Adults Aged 18 and Over: United States, 2017–2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db364.htm

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 4 Executive Summary:Community Health Assessment

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NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 4 Executive Summary:Community Health Assessment

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