Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive health profile of Tranmere, a neighborhood located in Wirral. The area borders a vibrant community located in Merseyside, United Kingdom. In this study, we shall discuss Tranmere historical background, demographics, social determinants, epidemiology, and health needs, all in relation to the larger United Kingdom. Our purpose at the end of this discourse is to uncover the unique health challenges faced by the people of Tranmere residents. We shall mainly rely on current research, and this data will be collected from secondary sources. From the outcomes of the study, this paper suggests that the United Kingdom government has a targeted health promotion strategy to make people aware of conditions they might have been exposed to.
Introduction
Community Profiling and Health Disparities
It refers to gathering and interrogating information related to a given population. Community profiling is crucial in understanding the health disparities and needs of neighborhoods like Tranmere in Wirral. Community profiling will help identify health disparities, explore the social determinants of health, and formulate effective interventions (Roger et al., 2020).
Tranmere is a suburb in England Located on the eastern side of the Wirral Peninsula while on the western side of the Mersey River. It is a town that has a strong history, as it has been a hub for shipbuilding for centuries. The town is relatively highly populated with very good road linkages to cities like Liverpool, which makes its access easy (Roger et al., 2020). Tranmere is a town within Wirrals constituency with an overall population of 320,600, a shared figure. The tranmer region, however, faces numerous challenges ranging from unemployment to low-income levels (Virani et al., 2020). These factors lower access to health care for many persons earning lower incomes. The essence of this community profile will be to identify societal gaps and health disparities that need remedial action.
Historical Background
Tranmere, Wirral, has undergone significant transformations throughout history, shaping its current socio-economic and health landscape from its origins as a bustling port town to its transition into a residential area and an economic hub. The region has witnessed migration from neighboring cities like Liverpool and Mersey due to its accessibility (Virani et al., 2020). This has affected access to health care as the sporadic population is not commensurate with the available healthcare resources. Moreover, many of these persons are coming to the community to seek jobs, thus worsening the already existing unemployment problem.
The community has witnessed steady growth in terms of healthcare, with the government and local investors setting up local clinics, thus employing more clinicians and medical staff. Over the years, the healthcare systems of the Tranmere region in the UK have steadily improved. There were initially safety concerns relating to the health and sanitation of Tranmere (Maas et al., 2021). With the high influx of people into the region, waste disposal has been problematic for a long period. This problem necessitated local county officials to expand and develop more infrastructure to reduce blockage-related disease risks.
Over the ages, the region has been renowned for shipbuilding for several years, dating from World War 2. However, this phenomenon is declining, and many people have been jobless. The economy of the region is steadily shifting towards a socio-economic hub. A shift from production to service orientation completely changed the industrial landscape in Tranmere (Maas et al., 2021). Currently, only efforts are being made to attract foreign investments and revitalize the region’s economy. These layoffs have significantly affected people’s capability to have quality medical care.
Demographics
According to the last census that was held in 2022, the actual Resident Population for Tranmere was slotted at 4,229. However, the region’s population density stood at 2863 persons per square kilometer.
The population comparison for males and females stood at 49.3 and 50.7%, respectively hence the assertion that there were almost equal men to women. From the population distribution of Tranmere, it was apparent that people aged between 18 to 64 made up a significant portion of the population (Heron et al., 2019). The older people beyond age 65 were represented by 11.9%. This is a huge number considering the care it takes to promptly care for an older person. It suggests a need to have more investment in drugs to manage old age-related complications. 14.2 % of the population accounted for persons who cared for elderly persons. These persons had no close relatives and were at the mercy of unpaid caregivers.
The ethnic profile of Tranmere is mainly white, with this population accounting for over 88.1% of the population. There is a significant Asian population who have relocated to the area, but they only account for not more than 6 % of the population. Blacks who immigrated to the region are the minority population. The ethnicity will show the disparity, if any, between the level of care between the different ethnic backgrounds. It shows any preferential treatment between races, for instance, in ethnic discrimination on the basis of skin color. However, for Tranmere, there are a few ethnic blocks. The population consists of whites.
In terms of religion, Christianity servers to be the most predominant religion. It accounts for 59 % of the population. The influence of Christianity on healthcare is such that through missionary influence, there has been the construction of mission hospitals such as St Catherine’s Healthcare facility.30% of the population subscribe to no religion (Heron et al., 2019). Muslims in the region account for 3% of the population. The uniformity in religion in this region depicts the area to be pro-medication. Religion, on the other parts, influences medication uptake in the guise of faith.
Since the gender is relatively the same, there is a need to have data relating to both genders. Ann’s examination of cardiovascular complications relating to both genders found significant findings. The common denominator between the two genders is the sedentary lifestyle hence the rising concern and need to investigate the existence of cardiovascular diseases.3% of males. Females suffer from cardiovascular complications (Heron et al., 2019). Moreover, Tranmere’s mortality rate is three persons per 4000 members. This is relatively high compared to the mortality rate from the complications on a national scale. It portrays the presence of other underlying factors in the community, most probably poor healthcare facilities. All these population parameters will assist us in determining the need of this community.
Health trends
The prevalent health condition in the Tranmere population suggests the presence of cardiovascular diseases among the population. Data mined suggests that 2 out of 4 people are on medications meant to regulate their blood pressure. Moreover, the report suggests that lifestyle changes from active ship-making to more service-oriented businesses contribute to this pandemic (Jilani et al., 2021). This applies to the middle-aged population, who make up the bulk of the population. On the other hand, the elderly are battling advanced organ failures and cardiovascular complications. This has been attributed to high junk and inactive lifestyles for the elderly and the middle class. Other associated disease includes diabetes and obesity. If you walk in the streets of this community, most of the people you meet will tend to have weight issues (Kontopantelis et al., 2021). Their prescriptions are more often than not related to sugar control medications.
Social Determinants
Housing and Health Outcomes
Housing plays a crucial role in shaping health outcomes. We investigate housing conditions in Tranmere, Wirral, focusing on the prevalence of social housing and its impact on health disparities. We identify potential associations with health outcomes by analyzing tenancy rates and housing availability for different age groups and propose strategies to address housing-related health disparities.
The relatively high rates of social housing in Tranmere indicate that there is generally a high concentration of individuals living within the community. Moreover, due to the forces of demand and supply, the high rates will directly affect individuals with lower incomes (Orlandi et al., 2020). This is the population’s major segment due to the geographical region’s economic change. Moreover, due to potential associations, housing relates a correlational result with health outcomes. For instance, when there is overcrowding and poor housing conditions in a given area, The resources in the health care institution thus become overstretched. Housing affects health as hygienic homes often cause death during patients’ recuperation, let alone being nursed (Orlandi et al., 2020). Analyzing tenancy rates and the quality of housing can help identify areas where interventions, including areas that need more medical supplies. The housing standards depict the levels of poverty within a given area. These factors influence the well-being of the individual.
Economy and Health Inequalities
This section will explore Tranmere’s economic landscape, including employment and unemployment rates. We shall examine the relationship between employment opportunities, socioeconomic status, and overall community health (Ambrosetti et al., 2021). Finally, we shall compare local and national data, thus identifying the potential triggers of health inequalities and proposing initiatives to promote economic stability and access to resources.
Regarding economic performance, Tranmere is generally lower than other states and neighborhoods. This has been measured using and inferring from the revenues collected. Low economic performance indicates a population struggling between two necessary needs: food and medication. A look at Tranmer indicates that the employment rates could be more stable. There have been massive layoffs through job restructuring and changes in business orientation within the community (Ambrosetti et al., 2021). The increasing inflation on the cost of commodities has worsened the problem. Such challenges prevent persons from paying their insurance premiums and expose them to several risks.
People living below the poverty line in the Tranmer area are susceptible to more health complications, unlike their counterparts in other regions in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the hard economic time and the employment challenges in Tranmer make it difficult for them to access health services. The difference in economic power often leads to disparity in quality of services received (Howden-Chapman et al., 2023). There are often people who get first-class service, unlike others. The tranmer community has both the wealthy and the poor, caused by the economic challenge. The statistics that were deduced from the previous census indicated that 2 in every five cables working did not have an income stream.
The lack of unemployment in the region is attributed to the change in the business environment. Initially, people living in this region relied heavily on production. However, this phenomenon changed, and many people were rendered jobless (Howden-Chapman et al., 2023). The shift toward the business and service industry came as a wave, and many people needed to adjust appropriately. The second cause for the economic challenges is the international pressures and economic depressions across the globe. This fact has led to many layoffs and the inability of people to access health care services.
Nutrition and Healthy Eating
The Tranmere community has limited availability of fresh supplies. Owing to the high population per square kilometer, it would be prudent to have alternative sources of fresh supplies of fruits and vegetables in order to lower susceptibility to preventable diseases by boosting immunity through healthy diets. The vegetables are rich in vitamin C, which will contribute to the eradication of cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure etc.
Residents mainly rely on convenience stores for cheaper fast food. The lack of accessible, wholesome organic foods has led to increased obesity in the region as well as diabetes and high blood pressure. The huge disparity within Tranmer and the costly pricing of vegetables and fruits is slowly brewing a catastrophe in the region (Howden-Chapman et al., 2023). There is growing concern among health experts about having policies that promote the consumption and production of fresh farm produce. This can be achieved by having more input tax on junk food and more zero rating on fresh farm produce.
Transport and Facilities
Public Transport and Healthcare Access
Accessible transportation is essential for healthcare access. This segment highlights public transport infrastructure in Tranmere, Wirral, discussing its reliability and impact on individuals’ access to healthcare services. It presents both positive and negative attributes of public transport while proposing measures to enhance their performance to improve health outcomes.
The public transport system in Tranmere is critical as it determines whether people can access healthcare services. Most people living in this region are not economically endowed to the point of owning private means of transport (White-Williams et al., 2023). For this reason, they mainly rely on public means of transport. Despite the presence of public transport in this region, reliability has been a major concern. The presence of buses and railway systems has, over time, witnessed delays, for residents who live far away from terminals face the challenge of accessing these means of transport. Such circumstances can lead to deaths and poor medical outcomes in emergencies.
By having fairly good infrastructure in the region, Tranmere has increased access to medical services. People can reach the facility in real time owing to the good nature of the roads (White-Williams et al., 2023). By reducing downtimes, the governing authorities at Tranmer can optimize the performance of the public transport system, thus positively affecting patient outcomes in emergencies.
Facilities and Resources for Community Health
Tranmere benefits from various community resources, including health centers, recreational spaces, and educational institutions. However, some of these facilities are charged; hence access to such areas becomes restricted. These hindrances make people opt for indoor inactive lifestyles that end up harming their health and increasing junk food uptake through endless snacking (Roger et al., 2020). The health centers have been instrumental in patient care, thus acting as a point of relief that is close. Despite the economic challenges in the area, the hospital follows the rule of attending to all emergency cases without charging a penny.
Epidemiology
Health Profiles and Prevalent Diseases
Epidemiology refers to the analysis of data relating to the distribution as well as determinants of a given population. Cardiovascular issues are a major problem in Tranmere, Wirral, and Liverpool, UK. These conditions result in heart disease, hypertension, and even stroke. With the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, it is possible to infer risk factors like unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and obesity (Virani et al., 2020). These can be coupled with Socioeconomic factors like challenges in accessing healthcare services. In Tranmere, cardiovascular diseases are quite high. The area experiences limited access to affordable healthy food options. Moreover, there are few recreational facilities as well as dependable transportation. Most healthcare services that target cardiovascular problems are reactive instead of preventive.
Health inequality is when there are disparities in health outcomes between different populations segment. In Liverpool, cardiovascular diseases are significantly rising but at a slower rate compared to Tranmer. It also faces socioeconomic inequalities and sedentary life leading to cardiovascular health complications. There have been efforts to address this problem, including community-based initiatives and health promotion campaigns. Collaboration has also been between local authorities, healthcare workers, and the people (Maas et al., 2021). For Tranmere and Liverpool to improve cardiovascular health outcomes, targeted interventions will be needed to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and quitting smoking. There will also be a need for cardiovascular screenings and cardiac treatment.
Health Needs Analysis
Identifying Vulnerable Groups and Health Needs
Most affected groups are middle-aged men and women aged 18 to 64. It is surprising that these medical conditions are increasingly being diagnosed in younger persons. However, the most vulnerable selection is the elderly persons beyond 65 years. They tend to present with advanced cardiovascular conditions, making them totally reliant on medications. They also face the challenge of organ failure (Kontopantelis et al., 2021). From this analysis, I recommend that the health team make more efforts on preventive approaches to managing these conditions. For instance, commercials can highlight the causes and preventive measures against these conditions.
Conclusion
Addressing Health Disparities in Tranmere
In summary, the community profile analysis of Tranmere in Wirral, United Kingdom, portrays diverse demographics of balanced genders and prevalent health conditions within the geographical region. The identified health needs are mainly cardiovascular diseases. The disease is a major challenge due to few facilities against the ever-rising demand. Social determinants of health care include housing, economy, and nutrition. All these determinants play a significant role in shaping health outcomes.
Moreover, a global data comparison reveals similarities and unique health challenges in Tranmere. The globe is increasing diagnoses of cardiovascular conditions due to lifestyle changes. Thus, There is a need to address health issues pertaining to inequalities and behavioral risks, such as smoking (Ambrosetti et al., 2021). Through interacting with local stakeholders, it is possible to utilize evidence-based strategies. The paper presented a health promotion event for the community’s specific health needs, which happens to be cardiovascular conditions.
Recommendation
From the findings of this community profile, Tranmere community healthcare practitioners need to focus on addressing cardiovascular health issues in the community. This can be done by encouraging consciousness to promote cardiovascular well-being. Moreover, the concerned institutions can endeavor to organize targeted health promotion. These events will be geared towards highlighting the risk factors as well as preventative measures. Empowering the community both socially and economically will see an influx of people to these events, thus more screenings, education, and resources (Howden-Chapman et al., 2023). A change in lifestyle, like quitting smoking and having more active hours, will play a vital role in preventing and managing cardiovascular conditions. There will be a need for better cardiovascular healthcare services, ranging from accessibility to regular check-ups.
The Tranmere community will win the war against cardiovascular problems by prioritizing cardiovascular health and adopting these recommendations. The quality of life amongst the residents will thus be significantly improved (White-Williams et al., 2023). The education campaigns are necessary for the entire population and will be funded by the health budget for advertisement in Tranmere. The campaigns can be on social, print, and mainstream media.
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