PC5LC520 - Assessing Population Health: UK Local Health Profile Essay

This essay provides a comprehensive health profile of a community within a local authority area in England, focusing on Brent and Bristol in the UK. It explores key concepts of community profiling, including population health indicators, demographic characteristics, measures of deprivation, determinants of health, and the overall health status of the community. The study identifies health issues such as diabetes and obesity, discusses vulnerable groups affected, and interprets the community profile using relevant theories like the deficit model and the capabilities model. It also highlights the significance of community-based asset development approaches in addressing public health needs.

ASSESSING
POPULATION HEALTH

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................1
What is community health assessment needs and reason for their usage...................................1
What is community health profile and the ways in which it relates to community health
assessment...................................................................................................................................1
What is monitoring and surveillance and the ways in which it is related to community health
needs assessment.........................................................................................................................2
COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFILE..............................................................................................2
Population health indicators........................................................................................................2
Key demographic characteristics................................................................................................3
Key measures of deprivation.......................................................................................................4
Key measures of the determinants of health...............................................................................4
Key measures of the health status of the community..................................................................5
FINDINGS.......................................................................................................................................5
Discussion of profiling in context of public health needs of the community.............................5
Vulnerable and disadvantaged groups that are affected by priority public health needs............6
The ways in which theories help to interpret community profile...............................................6
Explanation about the community based asset development approach and their significance...7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Population health assessment refers to measuring, analysing, monitoring and interpreting
the population health data, intelligence and knowledge related to the health status of the
population and subpopulation which also include the social decisive of well-being and health
equivalence (Hall, 2020). The report will illustrate the health profile of a community living in a
local authority area in England. The study will highlight the concepts of community profiling
along with suggested profiles for the key health requirements of the population among the local
authority area in which the two of communities that have been chosen are Brent and Bristol in
UK. Apart from this, key measures of the health status of the community will also been
discussed in detailed manner to elaborate the conception regarding the topic.
BACKGROUND
What is community health assessment needs and reason for their usage
Community health assessment which is also known as community health needs
assessment refers to a regime, social group, local or sectional health evaluation that identifies
key health requirements along with challenges through organized and comprehensive data
collection along with their complete designation. The procedures help and supply a way to
assemblage in order to prioritize the health needs and to plan and act accordingly over unmet
community health requirements (Fung and et.al., 2021). Local public health units seeking in
order to gain or maintain accreditation that must conduct a community health assessment in
every five years. The methods that consists in assessment are based upon stakeholder meeting,
community focus group, surveys, interview with community leaders and population health along
with other health related data.
What is community health profile and the ways in which it relates to community health
assessment
Community health profile is an encompassing collection of informations about the
particular assemblage. The data within the profile reflects the health status of given community
from many diversified angles. Community might include country, region, tribe, locality, etc.
community health profiling basically related to or used in order to identify strengths,
weaknesses, requirements and issues of the specific group of people. This helps to make
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decision about health employment and to confirm appropriate allocation of resources among all
of them (Nyamande and et.al., 2020). While, community health assessment are related to the
assessment of health related requirements which involves health visiting contribution to public
health. Both are diversified from each other as the focus of community profiling is over needs
and resources, emphasize over participative approach and normally action oriented whereas the
focus of community health assessment is over company comprehensive information about the
community latest health status, issues and needs.
What is monitoring and surveillance and the ways in which it is related to community health
needs assessment
Monitoring basically refers to continuous, systematic and active or passive observation
of the people, process, thing or places while surveillance comes under consideration as targeted
monitoring of people or closely monitoring them. Public health monitoring is the regular
collection of data over relevant components of health as well as their determinants in the
population whereas surveillance helps to generate data for public health officials in order to
understand existing and emerging issues. Without proper understanding about the issues, the
data are unable to gather and will be difficult to address the challenges that have been faced by
the community.
COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFILE
Population health indicators
In context of Brent, the population health measures in terms of demographics includes
that half of their population are suffering from diabetes issues and even still expected to rise
continuously. Over 24,000 people are recorded as having diabetes issues. It is about the 8% of
the Brent's population and it has been identified that one among the four people are having
diabetes in London that are still undiagnosed. The London Borough of Brent is the 13th most
deprived within the London area and at 68th out of total 326 local authorities nationally (Keim,
2018). Over one third of the complete population live in Brent is at the bottom most deprived
areas of England. Health is determined by the crucial mixture of biological and social factors
which involves the income, housing, employment and wider environment. Moreover, there are
other health issues that identifies as the determinants of the Brent that are associated with the
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rising cases of diabetes which may also involves depression, hypertension, high blood pressure
and other forms of cancer are also have been analysed within the community of Brent.
Furthermore, in context of people lifestyle, it has been evaluated that the people within the Brent
that follows complicated kind of lifestyle. They should focus over the better health and effective
lifestyle but because of low income they are living into poor kind of lifestyle. Hence, the overall
health status of people show that they cannot resist to better form of life which creates further
increase in diabetes issues.
On the other hand, in terms of Bristol community, it has been identified that in context of
Bristol demographics, the majority of population are facing obesity issues that are remains at on
increasing rate. The adult obesity is continuously increasing and their rates also tend to rise with
age. They are highly at risk of an obesity epidemic. Most of the evidences suggests that over
75% of the psychiatric disorders are develops below the age of 25, and they are facing such kind
of issues in adulthood which thus also increases in number of antidepressants drug. Majority of
people are facing cardiovascular and diabetes issues. Among the total population, 56% are
comes under the category of overweight which comes under risk of cardiovascular attacks. Apart
from this, more than 20% of children are living in low income family group (Fortin and et.al.,
2017).
Source: Public health England, (2021)
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Key demographic characteristics
Brent has an overall population of 317, 264 and is the most densely populated outer
London borough with a population density of 74.1 persons per hac. The majority of population
is under young age group, with 35% of people aged between 20 and 40 age group. Brent
community is ethnically diverse with 66% of its complete population from Black Asian and
minority ethnic backgrounds (Dams and et.al., 2021). It is a place which is situated at outer
London in the North West area. The poverty rate within this community is higher compared to
other overall poverty rate in London. Within the Brent, 33% are living in poverty and hence the
literacy rate of the community also highly lower. This also contribute their part into increase in
diseases like diabetes and other issues because the people are unaware about the healthy living
criteria in order to avoid such challenges. Thus, these issues still keeps on increasing day by day.
On the other hand, the Bristol community which is among the core cities of England with
a population of 684,000. The urban area refers to higher population estimated at 630,000 while
the metro population is estimated at 1.02 million. Bristol is one of the few major British towns
with larger black population than its Asian population. Minority ethnic group shares 16% of the
overall population of the city (Jenkins and et.al., 2020). Education is an important determinant
of health which indicates that individuals who are less educated tend to have poorer health
outcomes. This is the major reason that people are facing obesity issues as they are highly
unaware about the healthy life style.
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Source: Public health England, (2021)
Key measures of deprivation
Deprivation illustrates the lack of material benefits such as income, job, education, home
facilities, etc. that are considered as the general necessary requirements within the society. It is
the key driver of needs in various demand led by services and a key cost driver in the current
local government funding formulas that importantly affects the distribution of funding methods.
Certain measures of deprivation has been utilized within the Brent and Bristol in order to adjust
funding for social services, child services, environmental services and other essential facilities.
These funding are helpful in order to resolve issues that are related to the health such as obesity,
diabetes, cardiovascular, etc. in order to make the community appropriate enough to deal with
their challenges (Barzilay and et.al., 2018). Thus, it has been identified that in context of
deprivation in England, the Index of multiple Deprivation which help to draw information in
collective manner from official data to produce an overall measure of relative deprivation among
one area and another.
Key measures of the determinants of health
Generally health is influenced by various factors which may basically be organized into
five broad categories which are comes under consideration as determinants of health such as
genetics, environment, behaviour medical care, health issues, social factors and physical
influence. In health assessment perception, the Brent is facing serious health issues in context of
diabetes that almost 10% of their residents are facing diabetes issues and also have been
estimated that 17% of all deaths in Brent can be attributed to diabetes. A study of NHS revealed
that one out of three people who have died within the hospital in England have been diagnosed
diabetes within them (Moore and et.al., 2021).
On the other hand, the Bristol faces obesity issues including overweight is 23% as
compared to other nations. It also creates various other issues as well that are related to the
negative mental, physical and social consequences for with substantially raises the risk of
morbidity from numerous other diseases. It also enhances the diseases like hypertension, type 2
diabetes, obesity issues, cancer issues, etc.
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Key measures of the health status of the community
Community within the Bristol are facing certain health issues that are related to the
diabetes, cancer, obesity, diseases of heart, substance etc. which are generated because of lack of
life style standard that has been identified among the people living within the society. The
limited literacy level also contribute towards the enhancement of mental health issues as well. In
order to resolve such issues, the community representatives prepare a plan which highly focused
towards the community health improvement efforts over the following health priorities.
Whereas in Brent as well, the community is facing certain issues that are related to the
diabetes measures that have been faced by the community people. In addition to this, the other
health issues also have been generated which are also associated with the diabetes such as
depression, hypertension, high blood pressure, cancer issues, etc. These are also affected by the
low income level and poor lifestyle of the people.
FINDINGS
Discussion of profiling in context of public health needs of the community
Community profiling has been utilized in order to identify certain strengths,
opportunities, weaknesses, issues and requirements of the specific community. It helps to make
decisions regarding the health services and to justify the allocation of resources in highly
optimal manner. It is a kind of systematic method which have been utilized in order to review
health issues facing by the communities that have been selected within the study such as Brent
and Bristol community. There are various methods such as stakeholder analysis, focusing over
communities, surveys, interviews and population health related data, etc. helps in order to
identify challenges faced by the people and also provide appropriate solutions to them. The
public health assessment is significant as working at community level promotes healthy living,
prevent chronic diseases and bring the greatest health benefits to the large number of people who
are in urgent need. Hence, in Brent, it has been identified that diabetes are the major issue that
have been faced by them while in Bristol, obesity is evaluated as major issue faced by the
community.
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Vulnerable and disadvantaged groups that are affected by priority public health needs
There are certain agencies that are comes under public health group such as national
Institute of Health, Health resources and services administration, the substance abuse and metal
health services administration and the agency for healthcare research and quality along with
their predecessors. From the above study it has been identified that the people who are living
within the deprived areas of Brent and Bristol are highly affected by the issues like diabetes and
obesity because they are facing lack of nutrients facilities. The group of people addressed
include ethnic minorities, food insecure individuals, people who are less literate, overweight
people, older than 45 years, etc. are more likely to face diabetes and obesity issues within the
community (Wallace and et.al., 2019). They are the people who are economically disadvantages,
racial, low income group people, elderly, homeless, and facing other chronic diseases including
severe mental illness challenges. Hence, they are the most disadvantaged group of people within
the Brent and Bristol in context of requirement of public health needs.
The ways in which theories help to interpret community profile
With the help of cultural deficit model, it has been evaluated that minority group of
people are diversified from others as they are ones who are facing difficulties because of their
culture which is deficient. This model play a vital role in the evolution of the thinking about the
social issues that have been faced by Brent and Bristol (Keim, 2018). With the rising in cases of
diabetes the people usually focuses towards their social issues rather than health issues. In
addition to that, health issues which is also known as capability model illustrate the concept that
they do not prefer to change the behaviour under such ways which provide healthy approach for
their living. It helps to promote wellness among people and decrease the cases of diabetes by
generating informative scenario among the overall population of the Brent.
Moreover, the theory of health asset helps to provide the knowledge which is related to
the required changes that is significant for the person of Bristol in order to reduce the
complications and negatives of rising cases of obesity as well as diabetes. In order to handle the
cases, government and non-government agencies implement certain interventions that are
planned to reduce the complexities of people living in the Bristol.
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Explanation about the community based asset development approach and their significance
From detailed evaluation, it has been evaluated that asset based community development
is an approach which is sustainable community driven development approach by identifying and
mobilizing existing but unrecognised assets. This approach highly focused towards the local
deficits and looks towards outside the agencies for certain resources. Moreover, this focuses
towards sharpen and investing within the strengths of the existing community (Fortin and et.al.,
2017). This should be added into future community profiles because it will help to gain deeper
understanding about the community which encourage the members to consider the community
assets and the ways in which they utilize them along with community needs and the way in
which they have been addressed.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that Brent and Bristol communities have
their own individual health issues which are related to the diabetes and obesity measures. The
Bristol community faces the over weighting issues along with certain amount of heart diseases
because of the obesity challenges. In order to handle such situations within the Brent and Bristol,
government and non-government agencies tries their maximum and prepares a plan in order to
implement certain strategies and intervention to reduce specific complications. In addition to
that the campaigns that have been generated in order to change the overall lifestyle of the people
encourages them to adopt healthy behaviour. Apart from this, associated theories also have been
applied which are able to provide relevant data regards to the selected communities in order to
adopt healthy behaviour and hence minimize specific health issues.
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REFERENCES
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Assessing and Valuing Health Status in Adolescents and Young Adults with
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Trail. Psychiatric
Quarterly, 92(2), pp.459-471.
Fortin, M., and et.al., 2017. Self-reported versus health administrative data: implications for
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Keim, M., 2018. Assessing disaster-related health risk: appraisal for prevention. Prehospital and
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Moore, M.J., and et.al., 2021. REVIEW Assessing North Atlantic right whale health: threats,
and development of tools critical for conservation of the species. Diseases of Aquatic
Organisms, 143, pp.205-226.
Nyamande, F.N., and et.al., 2020. Intersectional equity in health care: assessing complex
inequities in primary and secondary care utilization by gender and education in northern
Sweden. International Journal for Equity in Health, 19(1), pp.1-12.
Wallace, D., and et.al., 2019. Assessing the need for mobile health (mHealth) in monitoring the
diabetic lower extremity. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(4), p.e11879.
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Online
Public health England, 2021. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/health-profiles/data#page/1/gid/3007000/pat/6/
par/E12000007/ati/202/are/E09000005/yrr/3/cid/4/tbm/1>.
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