Epidemiological Analysis of Key Health Indicators in Los Angeles County
Objective: This project aims to conduct a detailed epidemiological analysis of a selected key health indicator
within Los Angeles County, focusing on the analysis of disparities, determinants, and public health implications.
By integrating evidence from peer-reviewed literature, this project will provide you with a comprehensive
understanding of how epidemiological data informs public health decisions and interventions.
Why It Matters: Understanding the epidemiology of key health indicators is crucial for identifying at-risk
populations, understanding the factors contributing to health disparities, and developing targeted public health
interventions. This project will enable you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world data, enhancing your
ability to critically analyze public health information and contribute to evidence-based practice.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understanding Epidemiological Concepts: Understand the basics of epidemiology, including health
indicators and determinants, within the context of Los Angeles County.
• Interpreting Data from Secondary Sources: Learn to interpret and discuss epidemiological data from
existing research, focusing on its relevance to public health.
• Identifying Relationships Between Determinants and Health Outcomes: Understand how certain
determinants influence health outcomes and contribute to health disparities in Los Angeles County.
• Proposing Public Health Interventions: Use theoretical knowledge to suggest possible interventions
for addressing health disparities identified through literature review.
• Communicating Epidemiological Findings: Develop the skill to succinctly communicate findings and
theoretical interventions from epidemiological studies.
Submission Guidelines:
• Presentation Date: 4/30/2024 and 5/1/2024
• Report Due Date: Friday, April 26 2024
Instructions:
1. Team Formation:
• You have been assigned to a team of 4 students on Canvas.
• Collaborative effort is key, as you will work together throughout this project.
• Evaluation of peer contribution will account for 20% of the assessment for this project.
2. Selection of Key Health Indicator, select determinants and Literature Review:
• Choose a key health indicator from the provided “Key Indicators of Health” report for in-depth
study.
• What makes this health indicator a critical concern for public health in Los Angeles County?
For example, did you find significant disparities in the prevalence across different Service
Planning Areas (SPA) in Los Angeles County?
• Each team is tasked with selecting two determinants of the selected health outcome for a detailed
analysis. These determinants should be chosen based on their significance and impact on public
health within Los Angeles County.
• What modifiable factors are associated with the selected indicator? Rank them in the
other of most important and easily modifiable.
• Select the top two and conduct a literature review focusing on the epidemiology of the health
indicator and it’s association with the selected outcome.
• Written Report: Write a 10-page report including an introduction, literature review,
methodology, results, discussion, and conclusions.
• Clarity and Relevance (2.5%): Clearly introduces the selected health indicator, explaining its relevance
to public health in Los Angeles County.
• Objective (2.5%): Clearly states the objectives, outlining what the study intends to achieve.
Literature Review (12.5%)
• Scope and Depth (5%): Demonstrates a comprehensive review of relevant literature, covering key
studies, and findings.
• Source Quality and Integration (2.5%): Utilizes high-quality, peer-reviewed sources. Integrates
findings from the literature review effectively
• Critical Analysis (5%): Critically evaluates the literature, identifying gaps, strengths, and weaknesses
in identified literature.
Results (12.5 %)
• Data Presentation (2.5 %): Effectively presents data using appropriate visual aids (charts, maps,
graphs). Data is organized logically, facilitating easy interpretation.
• Appropriate use of measures (5%): Demonstrates accurate use of statistical measures where
applicable.
• Demographic, Geographic, and Temporal Analysis (5%): Provides a detailed examination of the
health indicator across different demographics, regions, and over time.
Discussion (10%)
• Interpretation of Findings (5%): Offers a clear and insightful interpretation of the results, linking back
to the literature review and study objectives.
• Contextual Relevance (5%): Discusses findings within the broader context of Los Angeles County,
considering social determinants of health and demographic factors.
Public Health Implications and Strategies (10 Points)
• Current Strategies Review (5 Points): Reviews existing public health strategies targeting the health
indicator in Los Angeles County.
• Evidence-based Recommendations (5 Points): Proposes innovative, evidence-based public health
interventions grounded in the study’s findings.
Conclusions (5% Points)
• Summary of Key Findings (2.5%): Concisely summarizes the main findings and their implications for
public health practice and policy in Los Angeles County.
• Key takeaway in plain language (2.5%): Clearly articulates the broader implications of the research
for a lay audience, highlighting the study’s contribution to public health knowledge and practice.
References (5 Points)
• Citation Accuracy and Format (4 Points): All sources are accurately cited in the text and listed in the
reference section in APA format.
• Relevance and Currency (1 Points): References are relevant to the study’s topic and include current
literature where applicable.
Write a 15-page report (double-spaced, APA format) that includes the following sections:
1. Introduction:
• Introduce the selected health indicator, highlight its significance to the public health landscape of
Los Angeles County.
• What makes this health indicator a critical concern for public health in Los Angeles County?
2. Literature Review:
• Methodology:
• Detailed description of the methodology employed for the literature review, including
the databases searched, selection criteria for studies, and the appraisal of the evidence.
• How did you ensure the comprehensiveness and relevance of your literature review?
3. Results
• Distribution:
• Describe your findings on the distribution of the health indicator across different
demographics, regions, and over time. Use visual aids like charts and maps for clarity.
• How do the patterns of your chosen health indicator vary by person, place, and time
within Los Angeles County (If there is no data for LA County, expand to other similar
populations, eg California, USA)?
• Determinants:
• Discuss the determinants, or factors associated with the selected indicator. Include
statistical measures such as Relative Risks or Odds Ratios.
• Which determinants have the most significant impact on your chosen health indicator,
and how do they interact to affect they health outcome (Provide Relative Risks, Odds
Ratios, etc)?
4. Discussion:
• Discuss your findings within the broader context of Los Angeles County. Consider the
demographics, social determinants of health and health behaviors in the different SPA as shown
in the indicators of health report.
• Did your findings explain some of the disparities observed in LA county?
5. Public Health Implications and Strategies:
• Discuss strategies that are currently targeted at the selected indicator in LA county and propose
evidence-based interventions and policy recommendations aimed at addressing the identified
disparities and enhancing health outcomes.
6. Conclusions:
• Concisely synthesize the main takeaways, implications, and recommendations from your study.
• What are the overarching messages your research conveys to public health practitioners,
policymakers in Los Angeles County and the general public?
