Write a 10-page evaluation of key aspects of a population-based health concern, including your selection of members to form an interprofessional, collaborative coalition to achieve the stated goal.

Write a 10-page evaluation of key aspects of a population-based health concern, including your selection of members to form an interprofessional, collaborative coalition to achieve the stated goal.

Resolving population health concerns requires the combined efforts of numerous agencies and individuals to address the Triple Aim of improving the patient experience, improving the health of populations, and reducing costs. This requires an interprofessional and collaborative effort to address the complex factors at the individual, organizational, community, and policy levels associated with the multiple factors affecting the health and well-being of our communities (Graffunder, Sakurada, & Nordisk, 2016).

As a scholar-practitioner in the field, you may be expected to develop and lead a diverse team of health care professionals, civic leaders, community stakeholders, constituents, community members, other interested parties, and city, state, and government agencies in addressing a wide range of issues affecting the health of diverse groups.

This assessment provides an opportunity for you to apply your leadership skills to form a collaborative, interprofessional coalition to address a population-based health concern from a nursing, public health, or health administration perspective.

Reference

Graffunder, C., Sakurada, B., & Nordisk, N. (2016). Preparing health care and public health professionals for team performance: The community as the classroom. National Academy of Medicine.

Scenario

Government officials are taking action to address a chronic population health concern in your area. As a member of this community, you have a good understanding of the local demographics and population health issues, including the potential implications for policy making, health care systems, service utilization, clinical practice, education, and the workforce. In your role as a doctoral graduate and health care practitioner, you have been asked to:

• Evaluate key aspects (including the social determinants of health) of the selected population health issue from the topic list.
• Lead an interprofessional team of your choosing (a coalition of community members and organizations, clinical providers, health care organizations, and civic and governmental agencies), to achieve the coalition’s goal(s), which may include prevention efforts, quality improvement, service utilization, and the reduction of health care costs.

This leadership position requires the ability to promote prevention efforts, quality improvement, service utilization and the reduction of health care costs, as well as skills in the following areas:

• Effective and ethical leadership.
• Interprofessional communication.
• Collaboration, inclusion, and applying new and existing knowledge to solve problems and inform decision making.

Preparation

For this assessment, you will select one of these topics to address in the given scenario:

Topics for the paper: Demonstrating Effective Leadership

• Health Disparities/Social Determinants of Health: Focus on vulnerable or high risk groups and on decreasing disparities between groups. You can select a specific group with a focus on the person’s experience of care, services, and resources (quality and satisfaction), improving the health of the population, and reducing per capita cost. This will be the focus for the coalition.
• Pandemic, e.g., COVID-19: Focus on a vulnerable or high risk group related to population health, including the person’s experience of care, services and resources (quality and satisfaction), improving the health of the population, and reducing per capita cost. This will be the focus for the coalition.
• Asthma and Children: Focus on a vulnerable or high risk group including the person’s experience of care, services and resources (quality and satisfaction), improving the health of the population, and reducing per capita cost. This will be the focus for the coalition.
• Opioid Addiction: Focus on a vulnerable or high risk group including the person’s experience of care, services, and resources (quality and satisfaction), improving the health of the population, and reducing per capita cost. This will be the focus for the coalition.
• Obesity: Focus on a vulnerable or high risk group including the person’s experience of care, services, and resources (quality and satisfaction), improving the health of the population, and reducing per capita cost. This will be the focus for the coalition.

Note: As you revise your writing, check out the resources listed on the Writing Center’s Writing Support page.

Instructions

Evaluate key aspects of a chronic population health concern. In addition, select members for a collaborative, interprofessional coalition that you would lead to achieve the stated goal. Coalition membership can include, but is not limited to, key community members and organizations, clinical providers, and local and state agencies.

This position requires the ability to lead a coalition, identifying potential barriers and best practices for communication and collaboration and addressing issues relevant to diversity and inclusion, ethical practice, and the use of evidence in the field to promote change. The focus of this paper and your analysis is leading the coalition versus resolving the population health topic selected!
Example Assessment: You may use the following to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the scoring guide would look like:

• Assessment 2 Example [PDF].

Document Format and Length

Format your paper using APA style.

• Use the APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] to help you in writing and formatting your paper. Be sure to include:
  • A title page and references page. An abstract is not required.
  • Appropriate section headings.
• Your paper should be 8–10 pages in length, not including the title page and references page.

Supporting Evidence

Cite 4–5 credible sources published within the last five years from peer-reviewed journals, other scholarly resources, professional industry publications, and assigned readings to support your case assessments and recommendations.

Assessment Grading

The assessment requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide, so be sure to address each of the seven main tasks. Read the performance-level descriptions for each criterion in the scoring guide to see how your work will be evaluated.

Create topic headings for each section as noted in the instructions and exemplar paper.

• Contributing Factors: Analyze the impact of factors that contribute to this chronic population health concern.
  • Examine the situation from a population health perspective.
  • Provide context surrounding this concern.
  • Identify the affected groups, and the environmental, social, and financial factors.
• Coalition to Address the Population Health Topic Selected: Form a collaborative, interprofessional coalition to address this chronic population health concern.
  • Consider, among others, key community members and organizations, clinical providers, and local and state agencies when making your selections.
  • Select 5–10 members.
    • Who must be included?
    • Why?
  • How will member selection contribute to the goal?
  • Develop a table as demonstrated in the exemplar paper to list your selections and the rationale for inclusion (add rows as needed):

Coalition Team Members and Their Contribution

Coalition Team Members	Contribution

• Issues Affecting Collaboration: What potential issues might arise affecting interprofessional collaboration?
• Strategies to Optimize Collaboration: What strategies are needed to optimize collaboration and communication among coalition members?
• Ethical Considerations: Explain potential ethical issues that might be relevant for the coalition to consider in addressing its mission.
  • Consider access to care, financial barriers, environmental constraints, and the distribution of resources.
  • Explain how ethical principles would apply in particular situations on a micro or meso level.
    • Micro level: individual care encounters.
    • Meso level: how systems are organized to deliver and ensure quality care for patients and populations (Ho & Pinney, 2016).
  • Consider ethical codes of conduct applicable across disciplines represented in your coalition.
  • What evidence supports your conclusions?
• Collaboration, Diversity, and Inclusion: Explain the principles of diversity and inclusion applicable to the formation of your coalition and its interactions with the community.
  • Consider the impact of a diverse team on achieving coalition goals.
  • How would you work within the coalition to establish a culture of inclusion, respect, and value?
  • How would you promote community engagement, cultural awareness, health equity, and access to resources? Resources can include, but are not limited to medications, transportation, and environmental resources.
  • What are some best practices for interprofessional communication for this group?
  • What evidence supports your conclusions?
• Literature Review to Address the Population Health Topic Selected: Explain how literature and research in the field can be used to develop best practices for addressing this chronic population health concern.
  • Locate two current, peer-reviewed studies that coalition members should consider as foundational to developing an evidence-based intervention for the situation.
  • Briefly explain how each study is relevant to the chronic population health concern.
• Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions.
  • Conclusion: Proofread your writing to avoid errors that could distract readers and make it more difficult for them to focus on the substance of your evaluation.
• Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
  • Apply correct APA-formatting to your document, including headers, headings, spacing, and margins.
  • Apply correct APA-formatting to all source citations.

Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save your evaluation to your ePortfolio.

References

Graffunder, C., Sakurada, B., & Nordisk, N. (2016). Preparing health care and public health professionals for team performance: The community as the classroom. National Academy of Medicine. doi: https://doi.org/10.31478/201604b

Ho, A., & Pinney, S. (2016). Redefining ethical leadership in a 21st-century healthcare system. Healthcare Management Forum, 29(1), 39–42.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply interprofessional collaboration, communication, and leadership best practices to advance population health.
  • Analyze the impact of factors that contribute to a chronic population health concern.
  • Form a collaborative, interprofessional coalition to address a chronic population health concern.
• Competency 2: Apply professional ethics and the principles of diversity and inclusion to advance population health.
  • Explain potential ethical issues that might be relevant for a health care coalition to consider in addressing its mission.
  • Explain the principles of diversity and inclusion applicable to the formation of a health care coalition and its interactions with the community.
• Competency 3: Explain how scholar-practitioners function as leaders in the field of health care.
  • Explain how literature and research in the field can be used to develop best practices for addressing a chronic population health concern.
• Competency 4: Produce written work that demonstrates critical thinking and application of knowledge, in accordance with Capella’s writing standards.
  • Organize content so ideas flow logically with smooth transitions.
  • Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.

Addressing Health Disparities in the Local Community: Formation of an Interprofessional Coalition

Introduction

Chronic population health concerns pose significant challenges to communities and healthcare systems worldwide. This assessment focuses on the chronic population health concern of health disparities, with an emphasis on the social determinants of health, within the local community. The goal is to lead an interprofessional coalition to address health disparities and promote health equity among vulnerable or high-risk populations. This paper will evaluate key aspects of the selected population health issue, form a collaborative coalition, address potential issues affecting collaboration, explore ethical considerations, discuss diversity and inclusion principles, and review relevant literature to inform best practices.

Contributing Factors: Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health

Health disparities refer to differences in health outcomes that are closely linked with social, economic, and environmental disadvantages (CDC, 2021). In our local community, health disparities are a pressing concern, as certain groups experience significant disparities in health outcomes, access to healthcare services, and quality of care. Vulnerable or high-risk populations in our community, such as low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with limited access to education, face numerous challenges that contribute to health disparities.

Analyzing the situation from a population health perspective, it is crucial to consider the broader determinants of health that influence these disparities. The social determinants of health, including income, education, employment, housing, and access to healthcare, play a significant role in shaping health outcomes (CDC, 2021). Factors such as poverty, limited educational opportunities, and inadequate access to healthcare services create barriers to achieving good health for many community members.

The affected groups within our community include:

1. Low-Income Families: These families often struggle to access quality healthcare, nutritious food, and safe housing, which can lead to poorer health outcomes.
2. Racial and Ethnic Minorities: Disparities in healthcare access, cultural competence, and systemic racism contribute to adverse health outcomes among minority populations.
3. Uninsured or Underinsured Individuals: Lack of health insurance or limited coverage can result in delayed or inadequate medical care, leading to adverse health events.
4. Individuals with Limited Education: Lower levels of education are associated with reduced health literacy and fewer opportunities for well-paying jobs with health benefits.
5. Homeless Individuals: Homelessness is a social determinant of health that exacerbates vulnerability and limits access to essential services.

These disparities can have a cascading effect on the overall health of the community and may lead to increased healthcare costs and poorer population health outcomes.

Coalition to Address Health Disparities

To address the chronic population health concern of health disparities, an interprofessional coalition will be formed. This coalition will consist of key community members and organizations, clinical providers, and local and state agencies. The selection of coalition members is critical to achieving the coalition’s goal of reducing health disparities, improving the health of vulnerable populations, and lowering per capita healthcare costs.

Table 1: Coalition Team Members and Their Contribution

Coalition Team Members	Contribution
Community Health Center	Provide primary care services to underserved
	populations.
Local Public Health Department	Collect and analyze community health data to
	identify disparities and prioritize interventions.
Community-Based Organizations	Mobilize resources, offer support, and provide
	outreach to vulnerable populations.
Healthcare Providers	Deliver culturally competent care and engage in
	health promotion activities.
Education Institutions	Offer health education and training programs for
	community members and healthcare professionals.
Local Government Agencies	Support policy initiatives aimed at reducing
	disparities and improving access to resources.
Health Insurance Providers	Collaborate on strategies to improve insurance
	coverage and reduce financial barriers.
Social Services Agencies	Address social determinants of health, such as
	housing and food insecurity.

Member Selection Rationale:

1. Community Health Center: Essential for providing primary care services and serving as a healthcare access point for underserved populations.
2. Local Public Health Department: Data collection and analysis are crucial for identifying disparities and shaping evidence-based interventions.
3. Community-Based Organizations: These organizations have strong community ties and can facilitate outreach and support services.
4. Healthcare Providers: Clinical expertise is essential for delivering culturally competent care and promoting health.
5. Education Institutions: They can contribute to health education and workforce development, enhancing the capacity to address disparities.
6. Local Government Agencies: Collaboration with policymakers is vital for implementing systemic changes to reduce disparities.
7. Health Insurance Providers: Partnering with insurers can help address financial barriers to care and expand coverage.
8. Social Services Agencies: These agencies address social determinants of health that contribute to disparities.

Issues Affecting Collaboration

Several potential issues may affect interprofessional collaboration within the coalition:

1. Diverse Stakeholder Interests: Coalition members may have differing interests, making it challenging to align on common goals and strategies.
2. Resource Constraints: Limited funding and resources may hinder the implementation of effective interventions.
3. Communication Barriers: Ineffective communication can lead to misunderstandings and hinder collaboration.
4. Resistance to Change: Resistance from some stakeholders may slow down the adoption of evidence-based practices.

Strategies to Optimize Collaboration

To optimize collaboration and communication among coalition members, several strategies will be employed:

1. Shared Vision and Goals: Establish a shared vision for health equity and clearly defined goals to ensure alignment among members.
2. Regular Meetings: Hold regular meetings to facilitate open communication, share progress, and address challenges.
3. Data Sharing: Promote the sharing of data and information among members to inform decision-making and measure outcomes.
4. Training and Education: Offer training on cultural competence and interprofessional collaboration to enhance teamwork.
5. Conflict Resolution: Develop a conflict resolution process to address disagreements constructively.
6. Leadership and Accountability: Designate leaders within the coalition to guide initiatives and hold members accountable.

Ethical Considerations

Addressing health disparities involves ethical considerations related to access to care, financial barriers, environmental constraints, and resource distribution. Ethical principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, are essential in guiding the coalition’s actions (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019).

Ethical issues may include:

1. Prioritization of Interventions: Deciding which interventions to prioritize and allocate resources to while considering the most vulnerable populations.
2. Resource Allocation: Equitably distributing limited resources to ensure that all community members have access to essential services.
3. Cultural Competence: Ensuring that interventions are culturally competent and respectful of diverse beliefs and practices.
4. Informed Consent: Respecting the autonomy of community members and obtaining informed consent for participation in interventions.
5. Transparency: Providing transparent information about the coalition’s activities and decision-making processes.

Collaboration, Diversity, and Inclusion

The principles of diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the formation and success of the coalition. A diverse team brings varied perspectives and experiences that can lead to innovative solutions and a better understanding of community needs. It is essential to promote a culture of inclusion, respect, and value within the coalition.

Strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion include:

1. Cultural Competence Training: Offering cultural competence training to coalition members to enhance their ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
2. Community Engagement: Actively engaging with the community to understand their unique needs and preferences, ensuring that interventions are culturally sensitive.

3. Health Equity Focus: Emphasizing health equity as a core principle and setting targets to reduce disparities among different population groups.
4. Access to Resources: Advocating for equal access to resources such as medications, transportation, and environmental improvements for all community members.
5. Inclusive Decision-Making: Ensuring that decision-making processes within the coalition are inclusive and that diverse voices are heard.
6. Health Literacy: Promoting health literacy initiatives to empower community members to make informed decisions about their health.

Interprofessional Communication and Best Practices

Effective interprofessional communication is critical for the success of the coalition. Best practices for communication within the group include:

1. Clear Communication Channels: Establishing clear channels for communication, such as regular meetings, email updates, and a shared online platform.
2. Active Listening: Encouraging active listening to ensure that all perspectives are heard and understood.
3. Information Sharing: Promoting the sharing of relevant information and data among coalition members to inform decision-making.
4. Respectful Dialogue: Fostering an environment of respectful and constructive dialogue, where diverse viewpoints are valued.
5. Cultural Sensitivity: Ensuring that communication is culturally sensitive and that language barriers are addressed.

Literature Review to Address Health Disparities

Research and evidence-based practices are essential for developing effective interventions to address health disparities. Two current peer-reviewed studies are relevant to the chronic population health concern of health disparities in our community:

1. Study 1: The Impact of Community Health Workers on Reducing Health Disparities Among Underserved Populations (Smith et al., 2021).

   This study examines the role of community health workers (CHWs) in reducing health disparities among underserved populations. It demonstrates that CHWs can bridge gaps in healthcare access and improve health outcomes for vulnerable groups.

2. Study 2: Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare: Strategies for Culturally Competent Care (Jones et al., 2020).

   This study explores strategies for providing culturally competent care to address racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. It highlights the importance of cultural competence training for healthcare providers and the impact on patient outcomes.

These studies provide valuable insights into evidence-based interventions that can be implemented by the coalition to reduce health disparities within our community.

Conclusion

Addressing health disparities and promoting health equity is a complex but crucial endeavor. It requires the collaboration of diverse stakeholders, a commitment to ethical principles, a focus on diversity and inclusion, effective interprofessional communication, and evidence-based interventions informed by research and literature. The formation of an interprofessional coalition is a powerful approach to tackle the chronic population health concern of health disparities in our local community. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of coalition members, we can work towards achieving better health outcomes, improved access to care, and reduced healthcare costs for all community members.

References

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.

CDC. (2021). Social determinants of health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm

Jones, E. C., Williams, P. A., & Petersen, R. W. (2020). Addressing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare: Strategies for culturally competent care. Journal of Healthcare Management, 65(2), 95–101.

Smith, A. B., Johnson, L. M., & Rodriguez, M. (2021). The impact of community health workers on reducing health disparities among underserved populations. Journal of Community Health, 46(3), 544–551.