NR586NP Application of Epidemiology
Name: Fabiola Trujillo Rodriguez
Investigate population health and epidemiological data to learn about prevalent disease trends within
your geographic region. Compare and contrast the prevalence of diseases in the selected region
with disease rates and trends in a different geographic area of your choosing.
Statistics from valid, reliable sources such as professional population health-focused organizations,
governmental agencies, local and state health departments, and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention are appropriate sources to validate assessment findings.
General Instructions
Carefully read the assignment guidelines and rubric and complete each section of the worksheet below
using complete sentences. Integrate sufÏcient scholarly literature to support the information
presented.
Include the following sections:
Prevalent Infectious and Chronic Diseases
a. Describe the selected geographic region.
The selected geographic region was my current city Charlotte located in Mecklenburg, N.C. compared
to North Carolina’s capital Raleigh, in Wake County.
b. Identify the prevalent infectious and chronic diseases in the region.
Mecklenburg county and Wake county share the same prevalent chronic conditions which is cancer
followed by cardiovascular diseases.
c. Compare and contrast the prevalence of diseases in the selected region with disease rates
and trends in a different geographic area of your choosing, noting similarities and differences.
0320 RB/KK
, The leading cause of death in Mecklenburg county is Cancer with a total of 1,273 compared to its
counterpart totalling 1,356 in Wake county (Petteway, Kippes , Mushonga , & Hoke, 2020). While both
counties share similarities in chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases they are both
followed by a different leading prevalence. In Mecklenburg county the next chronic prevalence is
Alzheimer’s disease while in Wake county is cerebrovascular disease. Holding the 4th most prevalent
condition in both reports is repiratory diseases, specifically lower respiratory diseases such as asthma
and COPD.
d. Discuss the variables that contribute to the noted similarities and differences.
In similarities, cancer achieves the top ranking due to its versatility, cancer in all physical diseases which
explains why it holds the majority of causes for death. Lack of screening and treatment expenses
contribute to many of these deaths. Alzheimer’s while not being fully understood, is commonly
contributed to age-related changes in the brain and in Mecklenburg county 12% of the population is
older than 65 years of age which increases chances for Alzheimer’s. Both counties contribute smoking as
the most common variable for lung cancer and respiratory diseases. The 2018 County Health Rankings
reported that 14% of Wake County adults smoke every day or most days and have smoked at least 100
cigarettes in their lifetime (Petteway, Kippes , Mushonga , & Hoke, 2020).
Application of the Epidemiological Model
a. Select and describe one of the prevalent diseases noted in the previous section.
One of the prevalent diseases that most caught my attention during this analysis was cancer,
specifically lung cancer contributed to nicotine consumption. In North Carolina vaping and tobacco
products are the most influential smoking devices across the lifespan.
b. Discuss physical and social determinants of health that influence the disease process.
Many diseases root from genetic components and health deterioration but social influence has
increased the number of deaths in the country by commercial promotion of alcohol consumption and
smoking. Lung cancer is considered one of the most common cancers globally. Even though tobacco
smoke remains the chief cause of lung cancer, there is increasing concern that E-cigarette, or vaping,
products use could also increase lung cancer risk (Shehata et.al,2023). Nicotine causes the release of
dopamine in the brain, which gives people a good feeling making smoking products highly addictive.
Social factors such as peer pressure, teenage influence, social acceptance and commercial exposure
increases its influence in the public. Easy access to all these products contribute to its addiction.
0320 RB/KK
Name: Fabiola Trujillo Rodriguez
Investigate population health and epidemiological data to learn about prevalent disease trends within
your geographic region. Compare and contrast the prevalence of diseases in the selected region
with disease rates and trends in a different geographic area of your choosing.
Statistics from valid, reliable sources such as professional population health-focused organizations,
governmental agencies, local and state health departments, and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention are appropriate sources to validate assessment findings.
General Instructions
Carefully read the assignment guidelines and rubric and complete each section of the worksheet below
using complete sentences. Integrate sufÏcient scholarly literature to support the information
presented.
Include the following sections:
Prevalent Infectious and Chronic Diseases
a. Describe the selected geographic region.
The selected geographic region was my current city Charlotte located in Mecklenburg, N.C. compared
to North Carolina’s capital Raleigh, in Wake County.
b. Identify the prevalent infectious and chronic diseases in the region.
Mecklenburg county and Wake county share the same prevalent chronic conditions which is cancer
followed by cardiovascular diseases.
c. Compare and contrast the prevalence of diseases in the selected region with disease rates
and trends in a different geographic area of your choosing, noting similarities and differences.
0320 RB/KK
, The leading cause of death in Mecklenburg county is Cancer with a total of 1,273 compared to its
counterpart totalling 1,356 in Wake county (Petteway, Kippes , Mushonga , & Hoke, 2020). While both
counties share similarities in chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases they are both
followed by a different leading prevalence. In Mecklenburg county the next chronic prevalence is
Alzheimer’s disease while in Wake county is cerebrovascular disease. Holding the 4th most prevalent
condition in both reports is repiratory diseases, specifically lower respiratory diseases such as asthma
and COPD.
d. Discuss the variables that contribute to the noted similarities and differences.
In similarities, cancer achieves the top ranking due to its versatility, cancer in all physical diseases which
explains why it holds the majority of causes for death. Lack of screening and treatment expenses
contribute to many of these deaths. Alzheimer’s while not being fully understood, is commonly
contributed to age-related changes in the brain and in Mecklenburg county 12% of the population is
older than 65 years of age which increases chances for Alzheimer’s. Both counties contribute smoking as
the most common variable for lung cancer and respiratory diseases. The 2018 County Health Rankings
reported that 14% of Wake County adults smoke every day or most days and have smoked at least 100
cigarettes in their lifetime (Petteway, Kippes , Mushonga , & Hoke, 2020).
Application of the Epidemiological Model
a. Select and describe one of the prevalent diseases noted in the previous section.
One of the prevalent diseases that most caught my attention during this analysis was cancer,
specifically lung cancer contributed to nicotine consumption. In North Carolina vaping and tobacco
products are the most influential smoking devices across the lifespan.
b. Discuss physical and social determinants of health that influence the disease process.
Many diseases root from genetic components and health deterioration but social influence has
increased the number of deaths in the country by commercial promotion of alcohol consumption and
smoking. Lung cancer is considered one of the most common cancers globally. Even though tobacco
smoke remains the chief cause of lung cancer, there is increasing concern that E-cigarette, or vaping,
products use could also increase lung cancer risk (Shehata et.al,2023). Nicotine causes the release of
dopamine in the brain, which gives people a good feeling making smoking products highly addictive.
Social factors such as peer pressure, teenage influence, social acceptance and commercial exposure
increases its influence in the public. Easy access to all these products contribute to its addiction.
0320 RB/KK
