Topic for Epidemiological Research

Designing an intervention can be challenging, as it is important to gather information about the selected topic and community of interest. Selecting a research topic is critical, especially when there are so many topics that seem important to study. A community needs assessment is a great way to begin creating an intervention, by first understanding the health problems within a community that need the most assistance.

For this assignment, you will perform a community needs assessment, demonstrating your understanding of the scope and magnitude of health problems within a community, and develop a fact sheet that could be used to share your needs assessment findings with community members.

Instructions

Complete this assignment in two parts.

Part 1: Needs Assessment

1. Select a public health problem or condition from a community of interest that is supported by data.
2. Apply evidence-based data to highlight the severity of an identified epidemiological issue in the community.
3. Analyze the risk factors based on the results of a needs assessment and other supporting data.
   • What are the risk factors for the selected problem?
   • Are these risk factors modifiable with behavior change?
   • What can community members do to prevent this problem?

Use the Needs Assessment Template, linked in the resources. Your needs assessment should be 3–5 pages in length.

• Describe your selected population, and provide the relevant demographic data.
• List three public health problems identified from the needs assessment.
• Select the problem or condition you will be addressing, based on the data presented.
• Identify who bears the burden of the selected problem or condition.
• Identify five risk factors associated with the selected problem or condition.
• Discuss disease trends of the past five years.

Needs Assessment Requirements

The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the Topic for Epidemiological Research Rubric, so be sure to address each point. Read the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed.

• Apply evidence-based data to highlight the severity of an identified epidemiological issue in the community.
• Identify the risk factors associated with the community health problem or condition, based on the results of your needs assessment and other supporting data.
• Communicate public health information in a way that encourages behavior change to help improve the health and well-being of a targeted population group.
  • In this instance, imagine that you will be communicating with community members in hopes that they would be willing to take action related to the issue identified.

Part 2: Fact Sheet

Select a target audience and develop a public health fact sheet, with which to share your findings. Design your fact sheet in a manner that encourages behavior change at some level from members of your targeted community.

• What population is affected?
• What is the age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, et cetera of the target population?
• What percent of the U.S. population is affected?
• What are the risk factors associated with this problem?
• What can people do to prevent this problem? Are there resources to address it?

Submission Requirements

Submit both the needs assessment document and fact sheet for this assignment.

Proofread your documents, before you submit them, to minimize errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on the substance of your needs assessment or reduce the effectiveness of your fact sheet.

Resources

• Evidence and APALinks to an external site..
• Needs Assessment Template [DOCX] Download Needs Assessment Template [DOCX].

View Rubric

Week 3 Assignment – Topic for Epidemiological Research

Week 3 Assignment – Topic for Epidemiological Research
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
Apply evidence-based data to highlight the severity of an identified epidemiological issue in a community of interest. view longer description	68 to >57.8 pts DISTINGUISHED Applies evidence-based data to highlight the severity of an identified epidemiological issue in a community of interest, and suggests criteria that could be used to evaluate the severity of the issue. 57.8 to >47.6 pts PROFICIENT Applies evidence-based data to highlight the severity of an identified epidemiological issue in a community of interest. 47.6 to >0 pts BASIC Describes an identified epidemiological issue in a community of interest, but the description does not contain sufficient evidence to highlight severity of the epidemiological issue. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not describe an identified epidemiological issue in a community of interest.	/ 68 pts
Identify the risk factors associated with a community health problem or condition, based on the results of a needs assessment and other supporting data. view longer description	66 to >56.1 pts DISTINGUISHED Identifies the risk factors associated with a community health problem or condition, based on the results of a needs assessment and other supporting data, and identifies areas of uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and/or additional information that could be used to improve the analysis. 56.1 to >46.2 pts PROFICIENT Identifies the risk factors associated with a community health problem or condition, based on the results of a needs assessment and other supporting data. 46.2 to >0 pts BASIC Identifies the risk factors associated with a community health problem or condition. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not identify the risk factors associated with a community health problem or condition.	/ 66 pts
Communicate public health information in a way that encourages behavior change to help improve the health and well-being of a targeted population group. view longer description	66 to >56.1 pts DISTINGUISHED Communicates public health information in a way that encourages behavior change to help improve the health and well-being of a targeted population group. The call to action is clear and the motivation to change behavior is supported by strong evidence. 56.1 to >46.2 pts PROFICIENT Communicates public health information in a way that encourages behavior change to help improve the health and well-being of a targeted population group. 46.2 to >0 pts BASIC Communicates public health information that is intended to help improve the health and well-being of a targeted population group, but fails to make a call for action, or encourages a change in behavior. 0 pts NON_PERFORMANCE Does not communicate public health information that is intended to help improve the health and well-being of a targeted population group.	/ 66 pts
Total Points: 0

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