NR-503: Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles

Course Assessment: Population Health Research Project

Overview and Purpose

This assignment focuses on the application of epidemiological methods to identify and analyze a specific health disparity within a vulnerable population. Students must integrate statistical principles to evaluate health outcomes and propose evidence-based interventions designed to improve community wellness. The goal is to move beyond clinical observations to a macro-level understanding of health determinants.

Assignment Instructions

1. Identify a Population and Health Issue: Select a specific vulnerable group (e.g., rural elderly, migrant workers, or inner-city adolescents) and a correlating health concern (e.g., Type 2 Diabetes, Opioid Use Disorder, or Maternal Mortality).

2. Epidemiological Analysis: Use current data to describe the distribution and determinants of the health issue. Include prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates where applicable.

3. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): Analyze how environmental, social, and economic factors influence the chosen health issue within this population.

4. Statistical Interpretation: Evaluate a minimum of two peer-reviewed studies related to your topic. Deconstruct the statistical methods used (e.g., p-values, confidence intervals, or odds ratios) and explain their clinical significance.

5. Intervention and Policy Proposal: Develop a population-level intervention or policy change based on your findings. Explain how this intervention addresses the “Triple Aim” of healthcare: improving the patient experience, improving the health of populations, and reducing costs.

Discussion Board Participation

• Initial Post: Due by Wednesday. Provide a 300-word summary of your chosen population and the primary epidemiological data point that justifies your focus.

• Peer Responses: Due by Sunday. Respond to at least two classmates. Your feedback must include one additional SDOH that may impact their chosen population and a recommendation for a relevant data source.

Evaluation Criteria

• Analysis Depth: Evidence of critical thinking regarding epidemiological trends.

• Application of Statistics: Accuracy in interpreting research data and statistical significance.

• Evidence-Based Support: Integration of high-quality, peer-reviewed literature.

• Clarity and Structure: Professional tone, logical flow, and adherence to APA formatting.

This guide streamlines the transition from theoretical epidemiology to practical application, ensuring students can effectively interpret complex data to improve community health outcomes. Analyzing health through a statistical lens allows for the identification of systemic gaps that individual clinical care may overlook.

Learning Materials and Peer-Reviewed Resources

1. Braveman, P., Arkin, E., Orleans, T., Proctor, D., and Plough, A. (2022). What Is Health Equity? And What Differences Does a Health Equity Approach Make?. Princeton: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

2. Curley, A.L.C. (2020). Population-Based Nursing: Concepts and Competencies for Advanced Practice. 3rd edn. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

3. Friis, R.H. and Sellers, T. (2021). Epidemiology for Public Health Practice. 6th edn. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

4. Galea, S. (2023). ‘The Social Determinants of Health: A Primer’, American Journal of Public Health, 113(3), pp. 280–285.

5. World Health Organization (2024). World Health Statistics 2024: Monitoring Health for the SDGs. Geneva: World Health Organization.