DISCUSSION 4
Thereis a high prevalence of tobacco smoking in Lee County, Florida,especially among males. Research data indicates estimates the rate ofmale smokers in the county at 24.8 percent while the rate for femalesmokers stands at 17.5 percent(Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2015).As such, the high rate of smoking attributes to the increasing casesof cardiovascular diseases among others. It is now a matter of publichealth concern. In the backdrop of the above problem, the applicationof Community-Oriented Public Health principles is a reliable means ofaddressing the issue.
Underthis platform, addressing the issue will take a multifacetedapproach, involving members of the community, health organizations,and professionals from both the healthcare and non-healthcareinstitutions. Besides, the County Administration, housing department,social welfare, and the police are some of the agencies involved.Within this collaboration network, health care professionals willcarry out an analysis of community members’ health status and findout the determinants of tobacco smoking. In the same vein, healthcare professionals will offer a framework for interventionstrategies. Based on the advantages of Community-Oriented PublicHealth, the interventions can go beyond conventional restrictions andpush for changes in laws to restrict the age limit of smokers(Teitelbaum & Wilensky, 2016).Social services agencies will carry out sensitization campaigns onthe dangers of smoking while the police will enforce laws regardingthe age limit of smoking. In this manner, the intervention will helpreduce the rate of smoking therefore, preventing tobacco-relateddiseases and promoting community health.
Tobaccosmoking is a major public health issue in Lee County. However, theapplication of principles on Community-Oriented Public Health offersa platform to address the issue. This intervention entails thecollaboration of professionals in the healthcare sectors and otheragencies, working together with the aim of reducing the prevalence ofsmoking.
References
Institutefor Health Metrics and Evaluation. (2015). COUNTYPROFILE: Lee County, Florida.Retrieved March 21, 2017, from Health Data:https://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/county_profiles/US/County_Report_Lee_County_Florida.pdf
Teitelbaum,J. B., & Wilensky, S. E. (2016). Essentialsof Health Policy and Law.Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.