Health Promotion Assignment – Case Study Analysis and Action Plan for Kilbride, County Meath

HEALTH PROMOTION

The Portfolio Format and Submission Guidelines (3000 words)

In this portfolio assessment, students will first analyse a community’s health challenges, focusing on dietary habits, substance abuse, and lifestyle-related illnesses. The case study analysis will require students to explain the metabolic process of food conversion, apply dietary guidelines, discuss substance abuse impacts, and identify common health issues in the community. The action plan will build on this analysis, setting SMART goals for improving community health. Students must develop strategies for engaging local stakeholders, allocate resources, plan for monitoring and evaluation, and address cultural and ethical considerations. The action plan will also require clear identification of local health issues, resource needs, and how to evaluate the success of health promotion initiatives.

• The Portfolio should be adequately referenced. Using the Harvard Referencing Guidelines of intext citations and compiling a bibliography.
• The word count for the portfolio is 3000 words.
• The Case study analysis component is 1500 words is worth 50%
• The Action Plan development component is 1500 words is worth 50%

Case Study: Kilbride – A Community Struggling with Health Challenges

Kilbride, a small rural village in County Meath, Ireland, has long been a close-knit community, but in recent years, it has faced increasing health challenges. Economic decline and limited access to healthy food have exacerbated these issues, contributing to a growing cycle of poverty, substance abuse, and lifestyle related illnesses.

Once a thriving agricultural community, Kilbride has seen a gradual economic downturn, with fewer job opportunities and many younger residents leaving for cities in search of work. The local economy is now reliant on a small convenience store that offers mostly processed foods—chips, sugary drinks, and ready-to-eat meals—while fresh produce is expensive and difficult to access. As a result, many families, like that of Mary, a mother of three, have turned to cheaper, unhealthy food options. “The kids are used to pasta and frozen dinners. There’s just not enough money for fruit and vegetables,” Mary explained.

This lack of access to nutritious food has had significant health implications. Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are becoming increasingly common in Kilbride. Mary’s son, Sean, was recently diagnosed with obesity, and her daughter, Sophie, developed asthma. However, despite these health concerns, the rising cost of living has made it difficult for residents to afford healthier food options. Compounding the problem is the growing issue of substance abuse.

Ryan, a 22-year-old resident, turned to alcohol and prescription painkillers to cope with the stress of poverty. “Drinking helped me forget about everything—the bills, the stress, the feeling that nothing was going to change,” Ryan shared. His story is not unique; many others in the community, especially younger individuals, have turned to substances to numb the pain of their circumstances. Substance abuse has become a coping mechanism in a place where opportunities for personal growth are limited, and support systems are weak.

This cycle of poverty and substance abuse is also contributing to a rise in lifestyle related illnesses. Tom, a 55-year-old former construction worker, now suffers from arthritis and high blood pressure. “I used to walk everywhere, but now I can barely manage the stairs,” Tom said. Many residents, once physically active in their jobs, now lead sedentary lifestyles due to poor health and limited employment opportunities. As a result, diseases such as cardiovascular issues and diabetes are becoming more prevalent, further burdening the local healthcare system.

Dr. O’Brien, the local GP, has seen the impact firsthand but feels limited in his ability to help. “We need systemic change. People need better access to fresh food, opportunities for exercise, and mental health support,” he stated. While healthcare services are available, the focus on medical treatment alone is insufficient to address the root causes of the community’s health issues.

Kilbride’s situation is an example of how poverty, limited access to healthy food, and substance abuse are deeply interconnected, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Community leaders, including healthcare professionals and local activists, are calling for increased investment in health education, better access to fresh food, and support for addiction and mental health services. The road to recovery may be long, but with collective effort, Kilbride hopes to break free from this cycle and improve the health and well-being of its residents.

As Mary said, “We need something to change. If we don’t get healthier, our kids will be stuck in this same mess. They deserve better.” The community’s fight for a healthier future is just beginning, but hope is on the horizon.

Case Study Analysis Performance Criteria:

Introduction (15 Marks)

• Provide a clear introduction to the community you are analysing, outlining the specific health challenges they face and state the relevance of this case study, why it’s important to explore this community’s health, and introduce the key health issues.

Metabolic Process and Dietary Guidelines (25 Marks)

Explanation of the metabolic process: Clearly explain how food is metabolized into energy, discussing digestion, absorption, and key metabolic processes (5 marks)

• Factors affecting individual energy needs: Discuss the factors that influence individual energy needs, such as age, gender, health status, and physical activity levels, linking them to the community context. (10 marks)
• Application of dietary guidelines to the community: Apply current dietary guidelines to the community, explaining how they can help improve health outcomes. Discuss the barriers the community faces in meeting these guidelines. (10 marks)

Substance and Drug Abuse (20 Marks)

• Provide a critical analysis of substance abuse in the community (alcohol, drugs, tobacco), including prevalence rates and the social factors influencing abuse. (10 marks)
• Analyse the short-term and long-term effects of substance abuse on physical health, mental health, and the social fabric of the community. Discuss the broader consequences on public health systems. (10 marks)

Lifestyle-Related Illnesses (25 Marks)

• Identify common lifestyle-related illnesses (e.g., obesity, diabetes, heart disease) prevalent in the community. Provide data on their prevalence and impact on community health. (10 marks)
• Discuss the broader public health implications, including the strain on healthcare systems, economic costs, and societal impact. (10 marks)
• Propose evidence-based strategies to address lifestyle-related illnesses, such as nutrition programs, exercise initiatives, public awareness campaigns, or mental health support. (5 marks)

Conclusion (15 Marks)

• Summarize the key findings from your analysis.
• Reinforce the importance of addressing the community’s health challenges using integrated strategies that combine dietary changes, substance abuse prevention, and lifestyle-related illness management.
• Suggest next steps or interventions for improving the health of the community, tying them back to the recommendations you made earlier.

Action Plan Development Performance Criteria: Target Setting (20 Marks)

In this section, students are expected to establish SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to improve the health of the community. These goals should address the major issues identified in the case study (e.g., poor diet, substance abuse, and lifestyle-related illnesses).

• Set clear, specific goals for improving dietary habits, decreasing substance abuse and preventing lifestyle-related illnesses.
• Provide a timeline for each goal.
• Ensure goals are measurable
• Ensure goals are realistic, considering available resources and community challenges.

Community Engagement (25 Marks)

Effective community engagement is crucial for the success of health promotion initiatives. This section requires students to identify local health issues and outline the role of key agencies in promoting health at both local and national levels.

• Identify relevant local and national health agencies that can support the implementation of the plan.
• Discuss how these agencies can be engaged and what role they will play in the health promotion initiatives.
• Address the importance of community involvement in planning, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion activities.
• Consider strategies for raising awareness, educating, and encouraging active participation from community members.

Resource Allocation (20 Marks)

This section involves outlining the resources necessary to implement the action plan effectively. This includes both human and financial resources.

• Identify the resources required to execute each of the strategies in the action plan.
• Discuss the budget considerations necessary for the successful implementation of the plan, providing estimated costs for key initiatives.
• Suggest potential funding sources.
• Address the need for periodic reviews to ensure that the health goals are being met, and adjustments can be made if necessary.
• Highlight how resources will be managed and distributed to ensure the effective delivery of health promotion initiatives.

Monitoring and Evaluation (15 Marks)

It is essential to evaluate the progress of the health promotion initiatives. This section should detail methods for tracking the success of the action plan and ensuring accountability.

• Outline how the implementation of the action plan will be monitored over time.
• Discuss how data will be collected to assess the effectiveness of the health promotion strategies.
• Specify the criteria or indicators of success (e.g., reduction in substance abuse, increased physical activity levels, improved nutrition).
• Address the need for periodic reviews to ensure that the health goals are being met, and adjustments can be made if necessary.

Cultural Sensitivity (10 Marks)

The success of any health promotion initiative depends on understanding and respecting the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the community. This section will address how the action plan can accommodate these factors.

• Discuss the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the community and how they impact health behaviours.
• Explain how the action plan will be tailored to meet the needs of different community groups.
• Consider the challenges in implementing health promotion strategies in a culturally sensitive way and propose solutions.

Ethical Considerations (10 Marks)

• Address the importance of transparency, honesty, and fairness in the communication of health-related information to the community Health promotion activities must be carried out ethically, respecting the rights and dignity of individuals. In this section, students will need to discuss any ethical concerns that could arise during the implementation of the action plan
• Identify potential ethical issues such as ensuring autonomy in decision making, obtaining consent, respecting privacy, and preventing stigmatization, especially regarding substance abuse or lifestyle-related illnesses.
• Discuss how the action plan will address these concerns and ensure that all health promotion activities are conducted ethically.
• Address the importance of transparency, honesty, and fairness in the communication of health-related information to the community.