Public Health Issues in California: Mental Health Prevalence and Diabetes Prevention
Overview
This coursework submission examines two major public health issues in California: the prevalence of severe mental health illnesses among adults and the diabetes epidemic. The author discusses social determinants contributing to each condition, including fragmented mental health systems, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access, while justifying topic selection and identifying research limitations.
What this coursework covers
- Issue 1: Prevalence of Severe Mental Health Illnesses Among Adults in California - discusses fragmentation in the mental health system, lack of leadership, and data gaps
- Issue 2: Diabetes Prevalence and Prevention in California - addresses epidemic prevalence, social determinants including food access and marketing, and healthcare system strain
- Author justification and concerns - explains personal interest in both topics and identifies limitations in data accessibility from community health centres
Preview
Discussion Post 1
Helena Lynch
Institutional Affiliation
Discussion Post 1
Issue 1
The public health issue I will investigate is “Prevalence of Severe Mental Health Illnesses Among Adults in California.” The California mental health system is fragmented as more people living in middle class suburbs, remote rural towns, as well as the streets of the largest cities in the state suffer from severe mental health disorders (Wiener, 2019). The main social determinant contributing to the challenge is lack of strategic leadership and clear vision required to bring advanced forms of care that can be scaled across the state. There is need to provide resources that enhance mental health awareness and general resources that will enhance the quality of life among the adult population (ODPHP, n.d.). I am interested in this topic because it provides the opportunity to assess and identify solutions to actual health risks. The population under consideration is appropriate for the because I am able to evaluate the behavioural and social factors that influence the mental health conditions of adults in California. Moreover, I am able to address the health issue based on previous experiences, personal values, and beliefs. The main concerns I have about the topic and target population is lack of sufficient data and potential gaps in health information centres about the prevalence of mental health disorders among adults in California. This may limit the scope of research as well as attaining the objectives intended for the coursework.
Issue 2
The second public health problem is “Diabetes Prevalence and Prevention in California.