Delivery of Care to Manage Obesity in Chinle,
Arizona|Latest Update with Complete Solution
Collaborative Leadership Plan
Prepared by [Cynthia Furman]
1
, Propose a process innovation and an implementation strategy to meet the needs of the
Chinle population. Complete this template (suggested length of 8–10 pages) by doing the
following:
A. Process Innovation Proposal
1. Summarize the needs of the Chinle population.
The residents of Chinle, Arizona face many challenges in addressing the
epidemic of obesity and its associated chronic health conditions. They
encounter significant issues of poverty, health literacy, and access to health
care that make this challenge more difficult. The town of Chinle, Arizona has a
population of 3771, and more than half of these residents live below the
poverty line with a median household income of $27,443.00 (U.S. Census
Bureau, 2021). Chinle is comprised of over 90% indigenous people from the
Navajo Nation and the relationship between obesity prevalence and health
literacy is noteworthy in both ethnic and poor communities (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Chinle is a rural community that
lacks adequate infrastructure for paved roads or public transportation which
makes access to health care limited (Rural Health Information Hub [RHI],
2022). The health of this community may be fragile, but the residents can be
empowered to address these needs.
2. Explain how cultural differences and socioeconomic factors relate to current
healthcare trends.
Chronic health conditions have continually been on the rise in Chinle and other
Native American communities. The Navajo people have long suffered poor
health status when compared with other Americans. The average life
expectancy of indigenous people is less than most other Americans at 73
years and 1 out of 3 of their deaths will be related to chronic disease (Indian
Health Services [IHS], n.d.). The traumatic history of colonialism on these
people has had a lingering effect on their disease burden, insufficient
education, disproportionate poverty, contrast in the delivery of health services,
and cultural differences. As a result of the systematic degradation of their
culture and traditions, the Native Americans have a significantly high level of
uncertainty avoidance that relates to outsiders and their initiatives that assert
power over their communities (Global Leadership and Organization Behavior
Effectiveness [GLOBE], 2020). A significant investment in public health
innovations and illness prevention education is essential to turning the tide on
severe chronic diseases.
There are persisting health inequalities due to socioeconomic factors in the
town of Chinle. Low income and education levels have been shown to be
strong predictors of a range of health problems. Over half of the population in
Chinle live in poverty and have no more than a high school education (U.S.
Census Bureau, 2021). The factors of poverty from the lack of social and
professional opportunities have had lasting effects on their behaviors and
2