Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

Risk of Alcohol Abuse Related to Income, Education and Unemployment

Holly Hinds, Mary Sparks
Dana Rochon, Angie Robl
Nursing 340
Ferris State University

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

Abstract
The purpose of this Planned Community Change project is to analyze and target a specific
population of Kent County that has been identified by the group as needing intervention, change
to promote a healthier lifestyle for the community, and to effect long term changes for the better.
The paper includes an analysis of the data that indicates the need for change and the currently
available local, state, and national resources. Following the analysis, the problem statement is
defined.
Keywords: Community, population, abuse, intervention, change

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

Risk of Alcohol Abuse

Substance abuse affects communities in a variety of ways from employment rates to
personal relationships, (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012). In order to prevent alcohol abuse and
promote awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption, basic assessment tools must be put in
place. Nursing interventions can be applied through building a mutual trust relationship that is
based on fact and non-judgment from the healthcare worker, as well as the patients willingness
to change their behavior, (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012).
Analysis
At the local level, Kent Countys Network 180 is the community mental health authority.
Kent County has several programs of treatment, prevention, and recovery services in substance
abuse. This program is overseen by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH)
and Office of Drug Control Policy.
At the state level, the Bureau of Substance Abuse and Addiction Service (BSAAS)
oversees standards and frameworks in the MDCH on treatment, prevention, and recovery
services. As described by BSAAS, their priorities are to establish a recovery oriented system of
care (ROSC), reduce underage drinking, reduce prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse,
and expand integrated behavioral health and primary care services for persons with mental health
and substance use disorders, (2011).
At the national level, there are many programs in place regarding substance abuse. Some
programs include Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Healthy People
2020, Office of Drug Control Policy, National Institute on Drug abuse, and the World Health
Organization. Substance abuse is listed as one of the goals of the Healthy People 2020
objectives. According to Healthy People 2020, the goal on substance abuse is to Reduce

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

substance abuse to protect the health, safety, and quality of life for all, especially children,"
(2010).
According to the BSAAS, Kent County had a total of 3,113-hospital admissions related
to substance and alcohol abuse, (2011). The Michigan state wide average for hospitalizations
related to alcohol is 40.1%, (BSAAS, 2011).The percent of female admissions for alcohol related
issues for Kent County is 38.4%, (BSAAS, 2011).
Many factors can contribute to the differences on substance abuse. The goals on
substance abuse at the local, state, and national level are similar, but the factors involved
differentiate the effects on the goal. One factor affecting the risk for alcohol abuse is educational
level. Kent Countys female population with less than a high school education is 14.8% in
comparison with Monroe County at 14.8% and Missaukee County at 15.0%, (United States
Census Bureau, 2010). This data directly coincides with the statistics for hospital admissions
related to alcohol abuse since Missaukee County had the highest alcohol related admissions and
the lowest high school graduate level, (United States Census Bureau, 2010).
The second factor that contributes to a risk for abuse is household income level. A direct
connection can be linked to household income and alcohol abuse. The percent of the female
population living below the poverty level in Kent County is 29.3%, (United States Census
Bureau, 2010). In comparison, the percent of the female population living below the poverty
level in Missaukee County is 23.3% and Monroe County is 18.1%, (United States Census
Bureau, 2010). Again, this shows that income level and alcohol level are interdependent risk
factors.
The epidemiological model that explains disparities between the counties can be
explained by examining the Wheel of Causation. According to Harkness and DeMarco, the

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

wheel of causation, emphasizes the interplay of physical biological and social environments,
(2012). This explains how household income and education levels are contributing factors to
alcohol abuse.
The existing resources currently available to address the problem of substance abuse are
numerous. These include self-help groups, 12-step programs, church based programs and
privately owned rehabilitation facilities. Some of the more popular rehabilitation programs
offered in Kent County are Kent County Community Mental Health, The Adolescent Substance
Abuse Coalition of Kent County and Wedgwood Christian Services. The success of mutual selfhelp groups in helping these people sustain recovery is apparent by the sheer numbers of
individuals with substance abuse disorders who use 12-step programs as their primary mode of
treatment, (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012). Yet with all these resources available to those with
substance abuse problems Kent County continues to have a sizeable amount of the female
population who are dealing with substance abuse issues. The current programs and facilities
available are limited in the number of patients that they can treat and many are funded by charity
donations and state grants. With limited funds and availability to house and place patients the
current programs in operation are unable to keep up with the demands and needs of the many
who come seeking help. Clearly, this indicates that current resources are not adequate and that
additional options and treatment methods need to be looked at and possibly some nontraditional
methods could be explored.
In order to fully and adequately address the problem of community substance abuse, an
interdisciplinary team should be involved, (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012). Community nurses
who evaluate and diagnose conditions, councilors who help with the problem solving process,

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

and epidemiologist to provide evidence-based knowledge all play a role in community health,
(Harkness and DeMarco, 2012).
There are several different types of community groups that have been established to help
with alcohol and substance abuse. According to Harkness & DeMarco, the two most widely used
and effective are Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and both have, proven
efficacy in sustaining recovery for people with substance abuse problems, (2012). Network 180
is a public provider offered in Kent County for substance use disorders for those who are under
or uninsured (Network180, 2011). At Network 180, an Individual Treatment Plan will be put in
place to help with support groups, treatment services, relapse prevention, and recovery,
(Network180, 2011). One of the barriers for this program is that the individual must qualify for
the program, not only medically but financially as well. In the case that the individual does not
qualify for the program, they would then need to seek assistance elsewhere.
Problem Statement
Risk for alcohol abuse related hospitalizations among the female population in Kent
County, secondary to low income and insufficient education; demonstrated by the correlation
between high alcohol abuse rates and the amount of the female population living below poverty
levels. This in turn can be directly contributed to sub-standard education.

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

References
Bureau of Substance Abuse and Addiction Services.(2011). Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2010.
Retrieved from http://www.mich.gov/documents/mdch/FY10_Annl_Rpt_354978_7.pdf
Harkness, G. A.& DeMarco, R. F. (2012).Community and public health nursing: Evidence for
practice. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Michigan Department of Community Health. (2011). Bureau of substance abuse and addiction
service2009-2012 strategic plan. Retrieved fromhttp://www.michigan.gov/documents/
mdch/BSAAS_Strategic_Plan_2009-12_face_page_314793_7.pdf
Network 180. (n.d.). Network180: Lives redirected. Retrieved from http://network180.org
United States Census Bureau.(2011.). American Fact Finder. Retrieved
fromhttp://factfinder.census.gov
United States Census Bureau.(n.d.).State and County Quick Facts. Retrieved fromhttp://quick
facts.census.gov
United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Substance Abuse.Retrieved
fromhttp://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=40

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

Section

RubricAnalysis of Data andProblemStatement

Thisisagroupscholarlypaper.

Possible

Points

Analysis

Howdoesthelocaldata compare/contrast tobenchmarks?

Points
60

Earned
55

What factors contributetothe identifieddifference?What

concept,model ortheorymightexplainthedifference?What groups
areparticularlyaffectedbythis problem?Whatexisting
resourcesareavailable toaddressthis problem?Arethey adequate?If
so,whyistherestillaproblem? Whatevidence indicatesthatthis
problemis appropriatefor community nursingintervention?Whatother
disciplineswouldbeinvolved inaddressingthis problem? What
communitygroupscouldbe resourcesinaddressingtheissue?

Keydata clearlysummarized.

All resourcescorrectlysourced

Appropriate model/theory used

What arestrengths ofcommunityindicatinglikelihood of

successfullyaddressingproblem?

What existingagenciesarelikelypartners?

What possible barriers arethere?

Doestheanalysis focusona population?

The population group should have been explained and identified as

to why you selected this group earlier. See comments in paper.

Running head: RISK OF ALCOHOL ABUSE

Problem

Problemstatement:Referto theMeukearticleonamodel for

Statement

communitynursingdiagnosesfor theformatof theproblem

statement.Whois atriskofwhatrelated to whatchangeable factors as
evidenced bywhatmeasurableindicators? Rememberyoumayneed
tolookatindirectindicators.All data is clearlyandcorrectlycited.

Writing

Populationisclearlydefined(who)

What specificpopulationbased health riskhas been

identified?(riskofwhat)

What arethepossiblecausativefactorsthat canbe measured

andchanged to decreasetheincidenceof the identified
problem? (therelatedtofactors)

What indicators shouldchangeif the interventionis

successfullycarriedout?(Think of both directand
indirectmeasures).This was not explained well.

Upto30%ofgrademaybedeductedfor writingand

formaterrors.Some APA, and writing errors noted.

Grade
Group 1~Angie Robl, Mary Sparks, Holly Hinds, and Dana Rochon

40

35

-30

-2

100

88