Obesity in Mississippi
Running head: Obesity in Mississippi
Caring for Populations: Part I Assessment and Diagnosis
Obesity in Mississippi
Carla Hudson
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 443: Community Health Nursing
Summer session 2012
Community Jackson, our states capitol, was founded in 1821 beside the Pearl River (City of Jackson, n.d.). Jackson is centrally located in Hinds County. Hinds County has a rich cultural heritage, including 3 museums, the home of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, Pulitzer Prize winning author Eudora Welty’s house, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Jackson Zoo, and the International Ballet Competition. Hinds County occupies 869 square miles (Quickfacts). The Jackson-Evers International Airport is located nearby. While Jackson is the largest city in Hinds County, other smaller cities include Clinton, Byram, Terry, Utica, Raymond, Edwards, and Bolton.
Demographic and Epidemiological Data According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder, in the year 2000, Hinds County has a population of 250,800 people, with 47% being male, 53% female. White population is at 37.3%, compared to 75.1% in the United States (U.S.) population. African Americans make up 61.1%, compared to 12.3% in the U.S. The Latino population is 0.8%, as compared to 12.5% in the U.S. All other races, including American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, and others comprise approximately 1.5% (U.S.Census Bureau, American FactFinder, n.d.). The median household income in Hinds County is $33,991, vs U.S. median $41,994, with families below the poverty level at 16.1% vs. U.S. estimates at 9.2% (U.S.Census Bureau, American FactFinder, n.d.). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals below poverty level is 19.9% as compared to individuals in the U.S. at 12.5%. Unemployment is at 11%. Education is a challenge in Hinds County. While statistics vary, high school graduation rates are at 54%, compared to 64% for
Caring for Populations: Part I Assessment and Diagnosis
Obesity in Mississippi
Carla Hudson
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR 443: Community Health Nursing
Summer session 2012
Community Jackson, our states capitol, was founded in 1821 beside the Pearl River (City of Jackson, n.d.). Jackson is centrally located in Hinds County. Hinds County has a rich cultural heritage, including 3 museums, the home of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, Pulitzer Prize winning author Eudora Welty’s house, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Jackson Zoo, and the International Ballet Competition. Hinds County occupies 869 square miles (Quickfacts). The Jackson-Evers International Airport is located nearby. While Jackson is the largest city in Hinds County, other smaller cities include Clinton, Byram, Terry, Utica, Raymond, Edwards, and Bolton.
Demographic and Epidemiological Data According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Fact Finder, in the year 2000, Hinds County has a population of 250,800 people, with 47% being male, 53% female. White population is at 37.3%, compared to 75.1% in the United States (U.S.) population. African Americans make up 61.1%, compared to 12.3% in the U.S. The Latino population is 0.8%, as compared to 12.5% in the U.S. All other races, including American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, and others comprise approximately 1.5% (U.S.Census Bureau, American FactFinder, n.d.). The median household income in Hinds County is $33,991, vs U.S. median $41,994, with families below the poverty level at 16.1% vs. U.S. estimates at 9.2% (U.S.Census Bureau, American FactFinder, n.d.). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals below poverty level is 19.9% as compared to individuals in the U.S. at 12.5%. Unemployment is at 11%. Education is a challenge in Hinds County. While statistics vary, high school graduation rates are at 54%, compared to 64% for