Public Health Promotion Project Plan

Answer

Management and Prevention of Childhood Obesity

The rapid increase in childhood obesity has become a major concern in many developed countries across the globe. Studies have shown that obesity is among the leading causes of death in both adults and children (Lifschitz, 2015). Similarly, the number of cases of obesity in children has tripled between 1975 and 2018. In this regard, over 41 million children under the age of five are considered to be obese or overweight (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015).  Some of the common risk factors of the ailment include genetics, inactivity, age, and certain medical conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome (Lifschitz, 2015). The following health promotional project plan is intended to educate on the management of childhood obesity minimize the increasing cases of obesity and improve the health outcomes of indigenous children in Australia.

Target Group and Community

The target group for this health promotional plan are indigenous children from New South Wales between the ages of 2-4 years. Studies have shown that the number of children with obesity in this region has risen significantly over the years leading to poor health outcomes and high mortality rates, thus increasing the overall health burden in the country (Malik, Lenzen, McAlister, & McGain, 2018). As a result, a health promotional plan will be effective in creating awareness and helping the community mitigate the effects of the disease.

Benefits of the Health Promotion Plan

Childhood obesity has become a significant problem in Australia. Research has pointed out that one in every four children in the country is either obese or overweight (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015). Similarly, the estimated economic health burden of the disease is about $43.2 million per year (Trewin, 2016). Obesity occurs when persons accumulate excessive weight or body fat to an extent that it affects their health negatively. Some of the major causes of obesity include poor nutrition, lack of physical exercise, and genetics, among other contributing factors (Gurnani, Birken, & Hamilton, 2015). In this regard, studies have shown that obese children are more likely to become obese adults, as well as, develop non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancers which can be detrimental to their overall health and quality of life (Fleming & Parker, 2015).  The condition can, however, be managed through medication, proper nutrition, lifestyle changes, and surgery in some cases.

Public health promotion is an effective way of creating awareness and minimizing the spread and negative effects of diseases within a given community. In other words, through public health promotion initiatives such as patient education individuals are able to learn how to improve their health outcomes and quality of life (Fleming & Parker, 2015). In this regard, studies have shown that the number of obese children, particularly, among the Aboriginals and Torres Islanders is considerably higher compared to their non-indigenous counterparts (Trewin, 2016). As a result, the target group/ community is likely to benefit from the public health plan in numerous ways. For instance, they will learn the causes, risk factors, and effects of diabetes. They will also be taught the significance of exercise and proper nutrition, as well as, efficient ways of preventing and managing the disease (Fleming & Parker, 2015).  The health promotional plan is, therefore, more likely to yield positive results and improve the health outcomes of the NSW community in the long run.

Goals/ Aims of the Health Promotional Plan

The primary goal of the health promotion plan is to minimize the number of obese children in Australia, particularly, among the indigenous community. Research has pointed out that most children from these communities come from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds and are, therefore, at a much higher risk of being obese or overweight (Malik et al., 2018). Furthermore, the non-indigenous Australians experience a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality rates than the non-indigenous group which is epitomized by the ten year average life expectancy gap that has been worsened by the prevalence of obesity in the region (Gurnani et al., 2015).  In this regard, the health promotional plan will play a key role in mitigating the effects of the disease and helping the community manage the condition effectively.

The second objective is to improve the health outcomes and quality of life of indigenous children in NSW. In this regard, childhood obesity is often associated with numerous health issues such as heart problems, diabetes, and hypertension which can impact negatively on the quality of life and health outcomes of children (Gurnani et al., 2015). Similarly, obese children tend to be socially marginalized and suffer from self-esteem issues which can be detrimental to their relationships and school performance (Trewin, 2016). Furthermore, these children are more likely to experience the same health and social problems later in life since childhood obesity tends to proceed into adulthood (Fleming & Parker, 2015). As a result, the health promotional plan will help indigenous mothers adopt a healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition thus improving the health outcomes of their children and community in general.

The last objective of the health promotional plan is to minimize the health disparities between the indigenous and non-indigenous people in Australia.  Studies have shown that the health gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous persons in the country has increased significantly over the years (Kirmayer & Brass, 2016). The gap is attributed to the interactions or overlap between the social determinants and health risk factors of the two groups. In this regard, the indigenous people on average have higher rates of high blood pressure, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise compared to their non-indigenous counterparts (Trewin, 2016). Similarly, they are less likely to access quality and timely treatment as opposed to the non-indigenous individuals. Moreover, the indigenous Australians tend to have lower levels of employment, education, and income than non-indigenous Australians (Kirmayer & Brass, 2016). As a result, the mortality and morbidity rates of indigenous persons are higher than their non-indigenous counterparts. Furthermore, their life expectancy is lower that than that of non-indigenous Australia. In this case, the promotional health plan is intended to evaluate these factors, their impact on the target group, and appropriate ways to resolve them efficiently.

Public Health Promotion Management Perspectives

The health promotional project plan falls under the primary management perspective.  In other words, it is mainly concerned with the prevention and management of childhood obesity.  Similarly, it is intended to promote healthy lifestyles and habits among the indigenous community including proper nutrition and regular exercise in an attempt to promote positive health outcomes (Lifschitz, 2015).  Examples of useful approaches that can be used at the primary promotion management perspective include public education and awareness campaigns that advocate for a healthy lifestyle (Fleming & Parker, 2015). In this case, the campaigns will create awareness about the prevalence, causes, risk factors, and management of childhood obesity (Lifschitz, 2015). On the other hand, public education will play a key role in helping the indigenous mothers and parents of children between 2-4 years learn how to prepare healthy meals and feed their children appropriately, thus promoting positive health outcomes

Stakeholders

The success of the health promotional plan will be determined by the involvement and support of a number of stakeholders including the parents/ families of the target group, community leaders, Schools, and healthcare professionals (Fleming & Parker, 2015). In this regard, the participation of the parents/ families is important because their lifestyle, beliefs, and culture directly influences the health outcomes of the target population (indigenous children). Similarly, consulting the community leaders for permission to conduct the public awareness and education program is vital because it will attract their goodwill and support, as well as, make it possible for me to determine the number of indigenous people and children in the target population thus facilitating the success of the project (Gurnani et al., 2015). Lastly, the involvement of school other healthcare professionals will make it easier for me to carry out the health promotional project plan effectively.

Health Message/ Logo

“Let us Kick Childhood Obesity out of Australia”

Public Health Promotional Project Outline

Health promotional activities are often geared towards events that promote good health. The activities are usually intended to create awareness and educate people on how they can improve their health outcomes, manage, and prevent certain ailments (Kirmayer & Brass, 2016).  In this case, research has pointed out that health promotional activities are an effective way of involving the whole community in taking charge of their health and wellbeing, as well as, enhance positive outcomes (Fleming & Parker, 2015). The promotional initiatives can also help individuals change some of their bad habits, beliefs, and cultural practices that are detrimental to their overall health and wellbeing (Kirmayer & Brass, 2016). Example of strategies that can be included in health promotional activities include creating supportive environments, developing personal skills, and building healthy public policies.

The health promotional project plan is intended to educate indigenous mothers and the public in general on how to manage and prevent childhood obesity. Studies have shown that the condition can be controlled through lifestyle changes including regular exercise and proper nutrition (Lifschitz, 2015). In this regard, the indigenous mothers and community are connected to the target group and hence their lifestyle and cultural practices directly influences the health outcomes of the children. As a result, educating the mothers and community on the causes, risk factors, and effects of childhood obesity will help them prevent and manage the condition appropriately (Kirmayer & Brass, 2016). The project will, therefore, include promotional activities such school visits, games, cooking lessons, and awareness campaigns. The school visits and games will provide us with an avenue to educate the teachers and children about childhood obesity, as well as, engage them in physical exercise. Similarly, the cooking lessons will help the indigenous mothers learn how to prepare healthy meals and foods for their families and children (Lifschitz, 2015). Moreover, the awareness campaigns, will be useful in creating awareness on how to prevent and minimize the spread of childhood obesity in the society.

Evaluation Methods

Evaluation is a process that is often used to measure the success or failure of a project. It can also be efficient in helping people identify existing gaps or areas for improvement in a, particular program. In this regard, the success or effectiveness of the health promotional project plan will be evaluated based on the outcomes (Gurnani et al., 2015). For instance, it will be determined by the number of children who will manage to lose weight by the end of the program through exercise and proper nutrition (Kirmayer & Brass, 2016). Similarly, a decrease in the number of cases of children with obesity in the region compared to the current one or previous years will be a sign of success. Moreover, an improvement in the health outcomes of non-indigenous children between 2-4 years in the area will also be a positive outcome (Gurnani et al., 2015). Lastly, the success of the health promotional project plan will be assessed based on the number of families that will benefit from the initiatives.

In conclusion, childhood obesity has become a serious problem in many developed countries including Australia. Studies have shown that 1 in every 4 children in the country is either overweight or obese. Furthermore, the percentage of obese children is higher among the indigenous people than their non-indigenous counterparts. As a result, the life expectancy of indigenous Australians is lower than that of non-indigenous people. Similarly, the health disparities in the region has widen the health gap between the two groups.  Some of the factors that have contributed to the rise in obesity cases among children include poor nutrition, lack of physical exercise, and genetics. In this regard, this health promotional project plan is intended to minimize the number of indigenous children between 2-4 years who are obese in New South Wales.