Purpose:
To analyze the interplay between health behaviors, cultural influences, and poverty, applying health behavior change theories to suggest a focused intervention that promotes health and economic well-being in a specific low-income community.
Tasks:
Research and Theory Application:
Select a low-income community and major health issue related to poverty pair from the list below.
Rural India – Malnutrition. Focus on how poverty contributes to dietary deficiencies among children and pregnant women.
Urban Brazil – Dengue Fever. Examine the prevalence of dengue in impoverished urban areas with poor sanitation and stagnant water.
Sub-Saharan Africa (Rural Kenya) – HIV/AIDS. Explore the impact of economic factors on HIV prevention and treatment access.
Appalachia, USA – Opioid Addiction. Analyze how economic decline and lack of healthcare resources contribute to the opioid crisis.
Southeast Asia (Rural Cambodia) – Tuberculosis. Investigate TB rates in relation to poverty, including access to healthcare and living conditions.
Northern Canada – Mental Health Issues. Consider the challenges in accessing mental health services in remote, economically disadvantaged areas.
Central Australia – Diabetes. Study how socio-economic status influences diabetes prevalence and management among indigenous populations.
Choose one health behavior change theory from among those in E-Lecture 2B (e.g., Health Belief Model).
Briefly describe the community’s cultural and economic background. Apply the selected theory to understand health behaviors influenced by poverty.
Strategy Proposal:
Propose one practical intervention using the health behavior change theory you have chosen to address the health issue in the community you have chosen while considering its potential economic impact on the community. Ensure the intervention is culturally appropriate and feasible within the community’s economic constraints.
Reflection:
Reflect concisely on the potential effectiveness and broader impacts of your proposed intervention. Discuss possible challenges and the ethical considerations of implementing your strategy.
Submission Format:
Length: 750 words maximum
See syllabus for page layout, fonts and naming the file.
Components:
Brief introduction to the community and the health issue
Application of a health behavior change theory
Concise strategy proposal
Quick reflection on the strategy’s broader implications
Citations: Include in text citations and references
