Case Study 2 Epidemiology: The Science of Prevention The information used in thi
ID: 122649 • Letter: C
Question
Case Study 2
Epidemiology: The Science of Prevention
The information used in this case is available at and was taken from the CDC website. It is available at http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/public_health.html and at http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/brfss/default.htm.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asthma is a growing public health problem, especially among children. Asthma morbidity and mortality are higher among male children and higher among African Americans than Caucasians. The highest rates of asthma-related healthcare use were among the youngest children (0–4 years).
As a nurse working in the Epidemiology Division of the District of Columbia (DC) Health Department, you use epidemiologic data to identify populations at high risk and to implement and evaluate preventive services. You have reviewed the latest Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data on asthma surveillance for DC. (Learning Objective: 5)
Using the data excerpted from the BRFSS tables below,
Table 1. Child Lifetime Asthma Prevalence Rate (%) by Age and State/Territory: BRFSS 2008*
Table 2. Child Lifetime Prevalence Rate (%) by Race and State/Territory: BRFSS 2008*
State
Age Group
Prevalence (%)
State
Race
Prevalence (%)
Total US
0-4
8.0
Total US
White
12.1
Total US
5-9
14.9
Total US
Black
21.0
Total US
10-14
16.2
Total US
Other
13.2
Total US
15-17
16.5
DC
0-4
13.5
DC
White
10.5
DC
5-9
21.6
DC
Black
20.4
DC
10-14
20.2
DC
Other
19.1
DC
15-17
20.8
* BRFSS asthma data are available from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/brfss/08/child/lifetime/tableL3.htm and at http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/brfss/08/child/lifetime/tableL4.htm. Accessed November 1, 2010.
a. How do the prevalence data among different age groups of children in DC compare with the data among children in the United States?
b. Which age group would you target for intervention?
c. What race of children would you target for intervention?
Table 1. Child Lifetime Asthma Prevalence Rate (%) by Age and State/Territory: BRFSS 2008*
Table 2. Child Lifetime Prevalence Rate (%) by Race and State/Territory: BRFSS 2008*
State
Age Group
Prevalence (%)
State
Race
Prevalence (%)
Total US
0-4
8.0
Total US
White
12.1
Total US
5-9
14.9
Total US
Black
21.0
Total US
10-14
16.2
Total US
Other
13.2
Total US
15-17
16.5
DC
0-4
13.5
DC
White
10.5
DC
5-9
21.6
DC
Black
20.4
DC
10-14
20.2
DC
Other
19.1
DC
15-17
20.8
Explanation / Answer
1-Ans:
The below table explains difference in prevalence data among different age groups of children in DC compare with the data among children in the United States.
Age Group
Total US Prevalence (%)
DC Prevalence (%)
Difference (%)
0-4
8
13.5
5.5
5-9
14.9
21.6
6.7
10-14
16.2
20.2
4
15-17
16.5
20.8
4.3
2-Ans:
15-17 year age group people are the target for intervention as there is a high in prevalence.
3-Ans:
According to BRFSS report blacks are having high prevalence rate so they are targeted for the intervention here.
Age Group
Total US Prevalence (%)
DC Prevalence (%)
Difference (%)
0-4
8
13.5
5.5
5-9
14.9
21.6
6.7
10-14
16.2
20.2
4
15-17
16.5
20.8
4.3