For the next newsletter, you have been asked to write about the effect of a specific communicable disease on your community.
Identify a communicable disease to research.
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that summarizes your research. Include the following information:
- Describe the disease and discuss efforts to control it.
- Identify the environmental factors related to this disease.
- Explain the influence of lifestyles, socioeconomic status, and disease management.
- Identify gaps and how you might connect to other resources to meet needs that are not locally available.
- Include recommendations to expand the community’s programs if there are gaps.
- Describe what the public health department is doing to reduce the threat of the disease.
- Include data findings, evidence-based intervention, and a plan to ensure quality health.
Cite at least 3 sources.
Format your assignment according to APA guidelines.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: In this paper, we will be discussing the communicable disease Chlamydia and its effect on the community.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, with an estimated 2.86 million new cases reported annually.
Efforts to control Chlamydia include screening and early detection, prompt treatment, and partner notification. Routine screening for Chlamydia is recommended for sexually active women under the age of 25 and for men who have sex with men. Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics, and partners of infected individuals should also be treated to prevent reinfection.
Environmental factors related to Chlamydia include poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections. Individuals who live in poverty or who do not have access to healthcare may be less likely to receive screening and treatment for Chlamydia. Stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections may also prevent individuals from seeking testing and treatment.
Lifestyles and socioeconomic status can also be risk factors for Chlamydia. Individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behaviors, such as having multiple sexual partners or not using barrier methods of contraception, are more likely to contract Chlamydia. Socioeconomic status may also influence risk, with individuals who live in poverty or who have lower levels of education being more likely to contract Chlamydia.
To address gaps in resources for Chlamydia prevention and treatment, it may be beneficial to connect with community organizations and healthcare providers to expand screening and treatment options. This may include offering free or low-cost testing at community clinics or partnering with local healthcare providers to increase access to care. It may also be helpful to provide education on the importance of screening and treatment for Chlamydia, as well as destigmatizing sexually transmitted infections.
The public health department plays a crucial role in reducing the threat of Chlamydia. This may include conducting surveillance to monitor Chlamydia rates, implementing evidence-based interventions such as targeted screening and partner notification programs, and collaborating with community partners to expand access to testing and treatment. Data findings can help inform public health efforts, such as identifying areas with high rates of Chlamydia or populations that may be at higher risk.
In conclusion, Chlamydia is a common communicable disease that can have significant effects on the community. Efforts to control the disease include screening and treatment, partner notification, and addressing environmental and lifestyle factors. Connecting with community resources and expanding programs can help meet gaps in care, while working with the public health department can help reduce the threat of Chlamydia through evidence-based interventions and surveillance.
Sources:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Chlamydia – CDC fact sheet (detailed). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm
2. Golden, M. R. (2011). Expedited partner therapy for Chlamydia trachomatis infection: implications for clinical practice. The Annals of Family Medicine, 9(2), 164-167.
3. Workowski, K. A., & Bolan, G. A. (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR. Recommendations and reports: Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Recommendations and reports, 64(RR-03), 1–137. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr6403a1
