Kaelyn Leonard Southern New Hampshire University IHP 330: Principals of Epidemiology Professor Haron Siringi
Population Analysis: The research study focuses on the population of the People's Republic of China (PRC), particularly in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, where the novel coronavirus outbreak originated. The population of China is vast, with approximately 1.428 billion people in 2017. The demographic breakdown includes 17% of the population being 14 years old or younger, 70% between 15 and 59 years old, and 13% over 60 years old. China is divided into 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, and four municipalities, along with special administrative regions such as Hong Kong and Macau. Social and Behavioral Determinants: 1. Urbanization: Rapid urbanization in China poses challenges to water supply and sanitation infrastructure, leading to issues such as water scarcity, contamination, and pollution. 2. Healthcare Access: While China has made strides in healthcare provision, disparities exist in access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural areas where around 36% of the population lacks access to improved sanitation. 3. Environmental Factors: China faces public health challenges due to environmental issues such as widespread air pollution and high levels of cigarette smoking, contributing to respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Disparities Associated with Health: 1. Healthcare Access Disparities: Disparities exist in access to healthcare services, with rural populations facing challenges in accessing quality healthcare compared to urban areas.
2. Environmental Health Disparities: Certain populations, especially those living in densely populated cities with high levels of air pollution, are more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses and other health issues. 3. Socioeconomic Disparities: Socioeconomic factors contribute to disparities in health outcomes, with lower-income populations facing greater challenges in accessing healthcare and experiencing poorer health outcomes. Relationship Between Determinants and Disparities: The identified social and behavioral determinants such as urbanization, healthcare access, and environmental factors contribute to disparities in health outcomes. For example, rapid urbanization leads to challenges in water supply and sanitation infrastructure, disproportionately affecting rural populations with limited access to improved sanitation. Similarly, disparities in healthcare access exacerbate health inequalities, with rural populations facing barriers to accessing quality healthcare services. Environmental factors such as air pollution further exacerbate health disparities, with vulnerable populations experiencing higher rates of respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Health Issue Analysis: 1. Risk Factors: Risk factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic include close contact with infected individuals, travel to areas with ongoing transmission, and underlying health conditions that weaken the immune system. 2. Mode of Transmission: COVID-19 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Additionally, it can spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the face.