Population (Homeless in Orlando, Fl): Problem Proposal (pt 1/3)
Paper instructions:
The first step in addressing any population health issue is clear identification of the
problem. Identification of a population health problem typically makes use of population
data, which can be generated locally - such as by a specific practice, health care, or
public health system - or through regional or state data aggregation such as through
the County Health Rankings.Links to an external site.. Once researchers use data to
amass compelling evidence of a health problem, interventions can be designed to
address that problem.
The Population Health Proposal - Part 1 assignment will be constructed in a paper
formatted consistent with 7th edition APA guidelines.
A typical Problem Identification Paper is about 3-5 pages long (not including tile and
references pages).
The paper should include the following:
A title that reflects the problem or issue (the title should not be "Problem Identification
Paper")
An introduction to the population that you defined for the week 4 presentation
assignment.
o Describe the population where the problem exists. The population can be defined in a
variety of ways such as by geographical location (e.g. those who live in a certain zip
code, city, or county), by socioeconomic status (e.g. family income at or below
the poverty levelLinks to an external site.), a combination of demographic descriptors
(e.g. men over 65, Latinas under 21, prisoners, etc.), by disease or disability (e.g. sickle
cell, obesity, autism, etc.), or by any combination of these factors.
A sufficiently detailed description (using the data you sourced about the population) of
the health risk or health-related problem/issue you identified for this group either from
the week 1 discussion assignment and/or any additional data that you have accessed or
reviewed since. NOTE: you are required to cite the source of the data utilized to identify
the health risk or health-related problem.
, 2
A discussion of the significance of the health risk or health-related problem/issue for
the identified population (supported with scholarly resources).
A discussion of the implications of not addressing the identified health risk or health-
related problem/issue (e.g. what could it mean if the problem is not addressed).
A reference list with sources matching all in-text citations.
Answer/Solution
Introduction
Homelessness is among the most pressing public health issues experienced in urban
populations all over the States. Homeless people in Orlando, Florida, encounter many barriers
to access to healthcare with disproportionate rates of preventable diseases, mental health
problems, and substance use disorders. The combination of homelessness, mental health, and
substance use disorders leads to an endless cycle that supports housing instability (Bedmar et
al., 2022). These issues have been written intensively in recent public health literature on
urban homelessness. On any given night, approximately 2,000 individuals experience
homelessness in Orlando (Council on Homelessness Annual Report 2022 , 2022). This paper
discusses the significance of concurrent mental health and substance use disorders among
homeless individuals in Orlando and the scales and effects of the same. Solving the specific
health problems in this fragile group is of paramount importance for launching specific
initiatives capable of making a difference in health outcomes and perhaps reducing
homelessness in the community.
Population Description
The homeless population of Orlando comprises a diverse social demographic group
with a different level of health vulnerability. Around 2,012 people are experiencing
homelessness in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, according to Caraballo (2025),
with an approximate 1,400 population in Orlando. Of these people, 67% are men, 32% are
women, and 1% are identified as non-binary or other gender identities. The racial makeup
shows massive disparities, with 40% being of black color, yet only 22% of the Orlando
population is of black color. About 12% of homeless people in Orlando are veterans, which is
higher in comparison to the national average of 7 % (National Alliance to End Homelessness,
2023). This difference has been visible in several urban centers in Florida. Duration of