Preventing Multiple Chronic Conditions

Running Head: health assessment needs 1
Health assessment needs
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Health assessment needs 2
In the following paper, a report has been addressed about the outcome of the health assessment
needs identified in downtown Memphis. The interview was done with the clinical nurse and the
members of the community where through the help of the clinical nurse, the formulation of
community diagnosis and intervention plan to solve the health problems shall be discussed.
During the community assessment, the top three priority needs for health that were identified
include physical activities need, tobacco use, and the management of chronic conditions. Among
these three health needs identified, discussion about management of chronic conditions shall be
addressed in the program planning proposal. The target population shall be the elderly, aged 65
years and above, because, during the assessment, many of them were found suffering from
multiple chronic conditions in the community.
According to Smith (2015), Chronic conditions refer to the diseases that last for more than three
months without healing. These conditions noted amongst the elderly include diabetes, arthritis,
coronary heart disease, amongst others. Chronic conditions cannot be cured but can be managed
to avoid their morbidities and mortality. There is a health risk of diabetes-related to the lifestyle
of the people, as evidenced by sedentary lives lived therein, lack of physical exercise, and
insufficient information on how to control chronic conditions and prevent them (McCardle,
2015.)
Diabetes is a disease diagnosed with fasting sugar blood tests. It is treated concerning the type of
diabetes, such as diabetes type 1, diabetes type 2, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes presence is
termed to be prevalent in society, which is associated with obesity, heart diseases, injuries, and
death, among others. This health need can be solved by educating the community members on
how to manage diabetes, for example, by properly administering insulin and taking of other
medications. Counseling and education should be offered to all members of the community to

Health assessment needs 3
help every member in addressing chronic conditions and their related risks like poor nutrition,
high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and hypertension (Salzman, Collins, & Hajjar, 2012). The
intervention strategy to be used includes the provision of access to the programs of chronic
disease self-management such as weight watchers for obesity. The outcome expected from
chronic disease management is reduced morbidity associated with diabetes and reduced diabetes
cases. It is achieved by the community educators offering education, timely administration of
insulin, and medication, leading to controlled diabetes and reduced risks (Bergman, 2014). Its
management starts immediately after the administration of the first insulin or medication dose.
To identify whether the interventions offered for diabetes are successful, consecutive blood
glucose tests are done to know whether the right sugar levels have been maintained. The
resources needed include financial materials, blood sugar monitoring log, and human resources
such as carers, family members, and health care professionals such as the clinical nurse.
There are very many needs deficits in society. The health needs of a particular community can
only be accessed through community assessment to identify the types of care they need, the type
of education they deserve, and the topics to address for the betterment of the health of all
members in the community.
THE SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths: The strengths identified from the community assessment interview are that a
complete picture of the people willing to support change was created by the stakeholders, the
community members and the local government. Collaboration is expected among the community
leaders, the members and the health practitioners to help reduce chronic conditions together.