WGU D627 Task 1 Diabetes Prevention Communication Strategies for Rural & Hispanic/Latino Populations2026 Update with complete solutions 100 % correct & verified

D627 Public Health education and promotion Task 1 Communication Strategies for Different Audiences and Sectors A: Topic Chosen 2 Topic: Diabetes Prevention A1: Topic Background According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report in 2023, 12.0% of the total population in the U.S. suffer from diabetes (both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases), representing about 39.8 million adults above the age of 18. Prevalence rate among adults is 14.9%, while among the adult population aged above 65, it is 28.8%. The prevalence rate among adults is 14.9%, while among those above 65 years, the rate is even higher at 28.8% (CDC, 2026). There are also increased levels in rural areas, where 2021 statistics reveal a prevalence rate of 14.3% in rural counties against 11.2% in urban counties in 41 states. There are also higher risks for Hispanic/Latino adults since in 2024, there was a 13% greater prevalence among Hispanics than the general U.S. adult population (Office of Minority Health, 2026). The prevention of diabetes is imperative because it is one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, blindness, and high health care costs. However, preventing and dealing with diabetes is not easy, thus requiring a very comprehensive approach integrating intense lifestyle modifications that are capable of cutting down the rates of development of type 2 diabetes in the population at high risk by 29-37% through weight loss (Golovaty et al., 2023). There are two public health implications that arise as a result of these trends. One is that there exist continued inequalities in health outcomes between rural and urban populations, as well as racial/ethnic minorities. Although diabetes remains prevalent in several states in rural areas regardless of sociodemographic and obesity factors, Hispanic/Latino individuals have 17% greater diabetes deaths and 81% greater chances of developing kidney failure due to diabetes (Office of Minority Health, 2026). Second, scaling up prevention programs depends on innovative and adaptive methods of implementation that will be effective for engaging different populations. There are a lot of programs that fail because of their lack of reach, retention, and equity, more so within rural and minority communities (Golovaty et al., 2023) B: Population Chosen Populations Chosen: Rural populations and Hispanic/Latino communities B1: Demographics, Statistics, and Information Rural Populations: 3 The rural population in America is composed of those adults who live in noncore counties, which are, according to the classification scheme of the National Center for Health Statistics, Urban-Rural Classification Scheme 2013. The rural population comprises people who are relatively older (average age of 51.5 years), contains more male individuals (49.9%), and has a larger non-Hispanic White population (80.7%) than their counterparts living in cities. There are three crucial health statistics in relation to diabetes among this population. The first is that the prevalence of diabetes is at 14.3% in rural settings compared to 11.2% in urban settings in 41 states in 2021. Secondly, there are consistent disparities in rural settings where people in some states, like North Carolina and Oregon, have high odds of developing diabetes even after adjusting for social demographics and obesity factors. Thirdly, the latest statistics show an increased incidence of cases of diabetes in non-metropolitan regions, increasing from 5.63% to 11.37% from 2021 to 2023 (CDC, 2026). One characteristic of the rural culture is having strong ties to one’s community and family, rooted in local customs and self-reliance. One characteristic of society is having less access to specialized healthcare and preventive care because of being geographically isolated. One rural population characteristic of economics is the lower income and educational level than people living in cities, limiting one’s means to make healthy lifestyle modifications (Khavjou et al., 2025). Hispanic/Latino Communities: Hispanic or Latino populations consist of people of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or any other Spanish cultural or racial background, irrespective of their race. The population is relatively young (approximately 29-30 years), with almost equal numbers of males and females and different racial classifications. There are three major health statistics pertaining to diabetes that should be highlighted. First, there is 13% higher prevalence of diabetes among Hispanic/Latino adults compared to the rest of the U.S. adult population, with the rate being 11.3%. Secondly, the population faced a 17% higher mortality due to diabetes. Finally, there is 81% higher chance of developing diabetic kidney failure than in the rest of the U.S. One of the characteristics of the population is the strong cultural value for families and the traditional diet that affects health behavior. Another social characteristic is that people have different levels of proficiency in the English language and use the community networks to help them. The other economic characteristic is that people are poorer and have a lower median household income than the rest of the U.S. population (Office of Minority Health, 2026). C: Cultural Factors or Values