Assignment Task:
Read Below:
1. Explain what the data indicates about infections rates based on age, race, and gender.
I live in Illinois and I chose to examine the HIV infection rates. The CDC Atlas Plus website reports the HIV infection rate in Illinois based on race is highest among blacks. Furthermore, the HIV infection rates are highest for males verses females and the data for age is highest in the 25-34 age range. This data was collected from 2022 which showed an increase in HIV infection rates from the prior year.
2. Identify evidence of disparities. Explain your rationale.
It is very obvious by the data provided that African Americans are at a substantially higher risk than any other race. "In 2020, African Americans were 7.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection, as compared to the white population" (OMH, n.d.). The data provided comparing males to females shows a major contrast that displays males being at a much higher risk of HIV infections. This is largely due to male-to-male sexual contact. The evidence is further proven by the data reported for the United States as a whole on the CDC Atlas Plus website displaying 25,193 cases that come from those who have had male to male sexual contact compared to heterosexual contact numbers being 8,380.
3. Discuss biases or barriers that may contribute to disparities in STD rates in your state.
I believe that the stigma that comes with HIV/AIDS is a nationwide barrier to reducing the HIV infection rates. "Several challenges contribute to the epidemic among Black people, including experiences with stigma and discrimination, higher rates of poverty, lack of access to health care, higher rates of some sexually transmitted infections, and lower awareness of HIV status" (KFF, 2024).
4. Return to the left side of the screen and change the geography indicator category to the United States. Discuss how rates in your state compare to those of the U.S. as a nation.
When I compare the HIV infection rates between Illinois and the United States overall they are very similar in regards to race, gender and age. Although there is an additional chart on the CDC Atlas Plus website that displays all 50 states and ranks them from the highest cases to the lowest and I will say I was surprised to see IL listed as the 7th highest infection rate. African Americans, males, and the age range from 25-34 still remains the population that is at highest risk for HIV infections throughout the United States.
5. Describe two person-centered actions the nurse practitioner can use to promote STD self-care management for marginalized clients.
In order for the nurse practitioner to assist these marginalized clients in STD self-care management, it is important that they have an established relationship with these patients. Ensuring that these patients are comfortable discussing these very personal experiences with you is so important.
6. As healthcare professionals we should be self-aware of our own biases and provide culturally sensitive care. Our care should be individualized to the patient's known risky behaviors and specific experiences in order to reduce their risk of HIV infection or any other STDs.
Active listening and a non-judgmental environment should be implemented in all healthcare interactions but it is especially important in situations involving sexually transmitted diseases. Specifically, because of the stigma involved when it comes to HIV/STDs.
7. Discuss opportunities for interprofessional collaboration to address disparities in STD rates.
In general, interprofessional collaboration is a great way to enhance quality of care by having multiple healthcare professionals come together with various plans to improve patient outcomes. When it comes to disparities in STD rates, the interprofessional collaboration approach can include increasing awareness of risky behaviors, community outreach, STD screenings, patient education on risk reducing strategies, providing information on community resources, funding or low cost treatment options. There are several ways for nurse practitioners and many other healthcare professionals to assist in reducing HIV and STD rates in their community.
Instructions-
a. You are to read above and reply with insight agreeing with the post. Include a minimum of two different scholarly sources with intext citation. Cite all APA references and provide references for all citations. References must be within 5 years. Engage peers and faculty by asking questions, and offering new insights, applications, perspectives, information, or implications for practice. Communicate using respectful, collegial language and terminology appropriate to advanced nursing practice.
b. Communicate with minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation. Use current APA format to format citations and references and is free of errors.