Identifying Community Health Needs

Understanding the health needs of any state or locality is crucial for improving overall health outcomes and addressing health disparities. By understanding the specific health needs of a community, healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions and programs to improve access to care, increase health education and awareness, and promote healthy behaviors. This report focuses on diabetes and hypertension prevalence due to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, exploring demographic characteristics and population trends to improve health outcomes and quality of life. This assessment will analyze demographic patterns related to diabetes and hypertension in Flint and identify disproportionately affected groups. The goal is to highlight significant healthcare needs and inform strategies for effective health promotion and disease prevention.

Demographic Characteristics in Terms of Demographic Makeup, Ethnicity, and Health Status

Demographic characteristics encompass a variety of attributes that affect how individuals are perceived and treated within society. These attributes include educational level, ethnic identity, and social class. Understanding patient demographics is essential for streamlining billing processes, improving healthcare quality, and ensuring cultural competency in healthcare settings. Flint, Michigan, presents a diverse and complex demographic profile. Flint’s population of approximately 95,000 includes 54% African Americans and 37% Whites, with Hispanic, Asian, and other ethnic groups making up the rest (Brooks & Patel, 2022). Over 40% of residents live below the poverty line, significantly impacting access to healthcare and overall health outcomes. The 2014 water crisis in Flint led to widespread lead poisoning, particularly among children, resulting in long-term health and developmental issues and increased rates of Legionnaires’ disease (Eseadi et al., 2023). Chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension are prevalent in the community. According to CDC, the city has higher than average rates of these conditions than national figures. Poverty, limited healthcare access, and the water crisis significantly challenge Flint’s health efforts (Ezell & Chase, 2021). Addressing these factors with targeted health promotion and disease prevention initiatives can mitigate health disparities and enhance community well-being.

Identifying Patterns and Trends in Demographic Reports

Several patterns and trends can be observed in Flint, Michigan’s demographic reports. Some of these include:

Aging Population

Like many areas in the U.S., Flint is experiencing an aging population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Flint’s median age has gradually increased. This trend is expected to continue, reflecting broader national patterns of an aging society (AlKharraz et al., 2023). Flint has a diverse demographic composition, with African Americans making up most of the population. The African American community constitutes around 54% of the population, while Whites represent about 37%. Other racial and ethnic groups, including Hispanic and Asian populations, contribute to the city’s diversity (Brooks & Patel, 2022). Despite this diversity, Flint’s African American community remains the most significantly represented group.

Economic Challenges

Flint faces significant economic challenges, with a high poverty rate exceeding 40% (Jaffe, 2024). This economic hardship is a critical factor influencing health disparities, as lower-income individuals often have reduced access to healthcare services, healthy food options, and other essential resources.

Impact of the Water Crisis

The Flint water crisis has had profound and lasting effects on the community’s health. particularly among children, has led to long-term developmental and health issues (Jaffe, 2024). There has been an increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease, directly linked to the contaminated water supply. These health issues have disproportionately impacted the city’s African American population.

Gaps in Available Data 

A major data gap is the lack of comprehensive information on the long-term health effects of the water crisis across various demographic groups (Naseri et al., 2022). Detailed data on the health outcomes and ongoing needs of those affected by lead contamination is crucial for addressing these issues effectively. There is limited data on mental health outcomes related to the water crisis, which is essential for understanding the full scope of its impact on community health. While the overall poverty rate is high, there is limited data on income and poverty levels among specific minority groups within Flint (Rijal et al., 2024). Detailed information on economic disparities among groups such as Hispanic and Asian residents is essential for developing targeted interventions to address these disparities (Jia & Sowers, 2021). Identifying data patterns and gaps helps healthcare providers and policymakers understand Flint’s specific health needs, which is crucial for developing effective health promotion and disease prevention strategies.

Groups Highly Impacted by Health Concerns

Certain groups within Flint, Michigan, are particularly affected by the health concerns identified in the community. 

African Americans

The prevalence of health issues and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension is higher among African Americans in Flint than any other racial or ethnic group (Jia & Sowers, 2021). This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including environmental exposures, socio-economic challenges, and limited access to healthcare. African American children have been especially affected due to the water crisis, leading to long-term developmental issues and heightened health risks​​ (Liévanos et al., 2021). 

Low-Income Families

Individuals below the poverty line face significant barriers to healthcare access, nutritious food, and other essential resources. This economic disadvantage exacerbates the prevalence and severity of chronic diseases (Rijal et al., 2024). Managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension becomes particularly challenging for low-income families without adequate support and resources​​. 

Children

The impact of the water crisis on Flint’s children has been profound, with widespread lead poisoning causing severe developmental and cognitive issues (Naseri et al., 2022). The vulnerability of this group underscores the urgent need for targeted health interventions and ongoing health monitoring to address both immediate and long-term health effects​​.

Elderly Population

As the Flint population ages, older adults face increasing health challenges. Hypertension and other chronic conditions become more prevalent with age, and the compounded effects of the water crisis further threaten the health of elderly residents (Liévanos et al., 2021). Meeting the needs of highly impacted groups requires integrating reliable data and implementing evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies (Trejo et al., 2024). Ensuring comprehensive care and preventive measures is crucial for improving their quality of life and managing health concerns effectively.

Sharing Community Demographic Information and Health Requirements

Effectively conveying community demographic information and health needs is crucial for engaging diverse audiences, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and the general public (Reuben et al., 2022). In Flint, Michigan, clear and concise communication about the high rates of diabetes and hypertension among different demographic groups is crucial (AlKharraz et al., 2023). Visual aids such as charts and infographics can help make complex data more accessible and understandable. Tailoring the communication strategy i.e., Health Literacy Approach for employing health literacy techniques, utilizing bilingual materials, and conducting community workshops to address each audience’s specific concerns and interests, ensures the message is relevant and impactful. Collaboration across public health, education, and community organizations enhances information dissemination and addresses health disparities comprehensively (Sadler et al., 2021). Maintaining respect and sensitivity ensures inclusive communication efforts. This approach promotes better health outcomes for Flint’s diverse population.

Conclusion

Addressing Flint’s healthcare needs requires a comprehensive understanding of its diverse demographic characteristics and the unique challenges posed by the water crisis (Ezell & Chase, 2021). By identifying the groups most impacted by health concerns such as diabetes and hypertension, healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions to improve health outcomes. Effective communication and collaboration across disciplines are essential for disseminating information and promoting health equity (Reuben et al., 2022). Through focused efforts on health promotion and disease prevention, we can work towards mitigating health disparities and enhancing the overall well-being of Flint’s residents.

References

AlKharraz, K., Tabbah, M. J., LaChance, J., & Kriem, J. (2023). The effect of the Flint water crisis is secondary to increased lead levels in drinking water on constipation in children in the city of Flint, Michigan, USA. Cureus, 15(8), e44189. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.44189 

Brooks, S. K., & Patel, S. S. (2022). Psychological consequences of the Flint water crisis: A scoping review. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 16(3), 1259–1269. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2021.41 

Eseadi, C., Amedu, A. N., Ilechukwu, L. C., Ngwu, M. O., & Ossai, O. V. (2023). Accessibility and utilization of healthcare services among diabetic patients: Is diabetes a poor man’s ailment? World Journal of Diabetes, 14(10), 1493–1501. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v14.i10.1493 

Ezell, J. M., & Chase, E. C. (2021). A population-based assessment of physical symptoms and mental health outcomes among adults following the Flint water crisis. Journal of Urban Health, 98(5), 642–653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-021-00525-2 

Jaffe S. (2024). 10 years on the legacy of the Flint water crisis. Lancet, 403(10437), 1619–1620. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00860-2 

Jia, G., & Sowers, J. R. (2021). Hypertension in diabetes: An update of basic mechanisms and clinical disease. Hypertension, 78(5), 1197–1205. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.17981 

Liévanos, R. S., Evans, C. R., & Light, R. (2021). An intercategorical ecology of lead exposure: Complex environmental health vulnerabilities in the Flint water crisis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2217. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052217 

Naseri, M. W., Esmat, H. A., & Bahee, M. D. (2022). Prevalence of hypertension in type-2 diabetes mellitus. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 78, 103758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103758 

Reuben, A., Moreland, A., Abdalla, S. M., Cohen, G. H., Friedman, M. J., Galea, S., Rothbaum, A. O., Schmidt, M. G., Vena, J. E., & Kilpatrick, D. G. (2022). Prevalence of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in Flint, Michigan, five years after the onset of the water crisis. JAMA Network Open, 5(9), e2232556. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32556 

Rijal, A., Adhikari, T. B., Dhakal, S., Maagaard, M., Piri, R., Nielsen, E. E., Neupane, D., Jakobsen, J. C., & Olsen, M. H. (2024). Effect of exercise on functional capacity and body weight for people with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular disease: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. Sports Science, Medicine & Rehabilitation, 16(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00829-1 

Sadler, R. C., Kong, A. Y., Buchalski, Z., Chanderraj, E. R., & Carravallah, L. A. (2021). Linking the Flint food store survey: Is objective or perceived access to healthy foods associated with glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10080. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910080 

Trejo, S., Yeomans, G., & Jacob, B. (2024). The Flint water crisis’s effects on school-age children’s educational outcomes. Science Advances, 10(11), eadk4737. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adk4737