D029 Task 1: Analyzing Population Health Data in Strafford Country

Student Name

Western Governors University

D029 Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care

Prof. Name

Date

Population Health Data Paper

Introduction

Strafford County is located in southeastern New Hampshire and forms part of the region widely known as the Seacoast. The county benefits from proximity to diverse natural and urban resources, including mountain ranges within an hour’s drive, Atlantic beaches approximately 30 minutes away, and the metropolitan area of Boston roughly one hour to the south. While these geographic and economic advantages support quality of life, they do not uniformly translate into optimal health outcomes. According to County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (2024), Strafford County ranks eighth out of ten counties in New Hampshire for overall health outcomes and health factors, positioning it in the lower-middle tier statewide.

This paper examines population health data for Strafford County with a focus on sociodemographic characteristics, health outcomes, and key health determinants. In addition, it analyzes priority health concerns and proposes an evidence-based public health intervention designed to improve community health while addressing identified gaps.

Sociodemographic Profile

What is the demographic makeup of Strafford County compared to the United States?

Strafford County’s population in 2022 was estimated at 33,416 residents, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 2.0%. This growth exceeds the national population growth rate of 0.5%, suggesting increasing demand for infrastructure, housing, and health services. The county’s age distribution is similar to national trends, though it has a slightly smaller proportion of children under age 18 and a marginally younger older-adult population.

Racial and ethnic composition in Strafford County demonstrates substantially less diversity than the United States overall. Nearly nine out of ten residents identify as White, compared to approximately three-quarters nationally. Minority populations, including Black or African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents, together comprise less than 10% of the county population, whereas minority groups represent more than 40% nationwide. This demographic pattern may influence the scope and focus of culturally responsive healthcare and public health programming.

Educational attainment and economic indicators in Strafford County exceed national benchmarks. Over 96% of residents possess a high school diploma or higher, and labor force participation is significantly higher than the U.S. average. These strengths are reflected in higher per capita income levels, lower poverty rates, and reduced rates of uninsured individuals under the age of 65. However, the county’s population density is considerably higher than the national average, which may place additional strain on healthcare access, transportation, and housing availability.

Population Characteristics: Strafford County Compared to the United States

Population Characteristic	Strafford County, NH	United States
Population Estimate	33,416	333,271,411
Population Percent Change	2.0%	0.5%
Percent Under Age 18	17.0%	21.7%
Percent Age 65 and Over	16.5%	17.3%
Percent Female	50.3%	50.4%
Percent White Alone	89.1%	75.5%
Percent Black or African American Alone	1.3%	13.6%
Percent Asian Alone	4.0%	6.3%
Percent Hispanic or Latino	4.2%	19.1%
Language Other Than English at Home	7.6%	21.7%
High School Graduate or Higher	96.4%	89.1%
Percent Without Health Insurance (Under 65)	7.1%	9.3%
Civilian Labor Force Participation (16+)	72.1%	63.0%
Per Capita Income	$52,752	$41,261
Percent Persons in Poverty	7.6%	11.5%
Population Density (per square mile)	1,224.9	93.8

Note. Data adapted from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (2024) and U.S. Census Bureau (2024).

Discussion of Sociodemographic Characteristics

Overall, Strafford County demonstrates strong socioeconomic indicators, including high education levels, robust workforce participation, and lower poverty rates. These factors are generally associated with improved health outcomes. Nevertheless, limited racial and ethnic diversity and high population density present challenges related to health equity, cultural competence, and service capacity. As the population continues to grow, strategic planning will be required to ensure equitable access to healthcare and preventive services.

County Health Outcomes

What are the trends in key health indicators in Strafford County?

Health outcome trends in Strafford County reveal both progress and persistent concerns. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities fluctuate annually, with some years showing rates that exceed both state and national averages. This variability highlights the need for sustained injury-prevention and substance-use interventions.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates, particularly chlamydia, remain higher in Strafford County than in New Hampshire overall and the nation. Although modest declines have occurred since 2019, rates remain elevated among adolescents and young adults. Access to healthcare shows improvement, as reflected in declining uninsured rates, yet provider availability remains a concern. The county’s primary care physician-to-population ratio exceeds both state and national averages, suggesting potential barriers to timely care.

Economic indicators such as unemployment and child poverty remain favorable when compared to national data, and preventable hospitalizations have declined, aligning with broader state-level improvements. These trends indicate effective utilization of preventive and primary care services, despite ongoing access limitations.

Health Factors Influencing Strafford County

How do health factors in Strafford County compare to New Hampshire and the United States?

An examination of health determinants demonstrates that Strafford County performs well in areas such as education, employment, and access to exercise opportunities. However, challenges persist in behavioral health, injury-related mortality, and healthcare access.

Health Factor	Strafford County	New Hampshire	United States
Adult Smoking	16%	15%	16%
Excessive Drinking	22%	20%	19%
Access to Exercise Opportunities	91%	84%	84%
Primary Care Physician Ratio	1,580:1	1,120:1	1,310:1
Unemployment Rate	3.3%	3.5%	5.4%
Children in Poverty	10%	9%	17%
Injury Deaths (per 100,000)	94	89	76
Severe Housing Problems	15%	14%	17%

Note. Data adapted from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (2024).

What are the key successes and challenges in health factors for Strafford County?

Strafford County’s strengths include strong educational attainment, low unemployment, and widespread access to recreational facilities. In contrast, excessive alcohol consumption, elevated injury death rates, and limited availability of primary care providers represent ongoing challenges. Addressing these factors is essential to improving long-term health outcomes and reducing preventable morbidity and mortality.

Analysis and Proposal for Public Health Improvement

What major health concern requires immediate attention in Strafford County?

One of the most pressing public health concerns in Strafford County is the persistently high rate of sexually transmitted infections, particularly chlamydia among individuals aged 15–24. Chlamydia often presents with minimal or no symptoms, increasing the likelihood of undetected transmission and long-term complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). The county’s chlamydia rate remains approximately 50% higher than the state average, underscoring the need for targeted, youth-focused interventions.

Proposed Program: My Friend’s Place

How can public health services address the STI challenge in Strafford County?

The proposed intervention, My Friend’s Place, is a confidential and youth-centered sexual health clinic designed to reduce STI transmission among adolescents and young adults. The clinic would offer anonymous testing, same-day results when possible, treatment services, and free prevention supplies such as condoms. Educational resources would be tailored to varying literacy levels and learning preferences to promote informed decision-making and risk reduction.

Implementation and Stakeholder Engagement

Who should be involved in planning and executing the program?

Successful implementation requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Advanced practice nurses and physicians would provide clinical leadership, while pharmacists and laboratory personnel would ensure timely treatment and diagnostics. Social workers and nurse educators would support counseling and follow-up, and grant writers would pursue sustainable funding. In later phases, information technology specialists could support development of digital tools, and youth representatives would offer feedback to ensure services remain accessible and relevant.

Public Awareness and Engagement Strategy

What strategies will promote awareness and utilization of My Friend’s Place?

Outreach efforts will prioritize digital engagement through a mobile application and social media platforms frequently used by adolescents and young adults, including TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. These platforms have demonstrated effectiveness for health communication and education within younger populations (Auxier & Anderson, 2021; Vogels et al., 2022). Messaging will emphasize confidentiality, convenience, and stigma reduction to encourage participation.

Program Evaluation

How will the success of My Friend’s Place be measured?

Program evaluation will include both process and outcome measures. Short-term indicators will include clinic utilization rates, testing volumes, and patient satisfaction surveys. Long-term outcomes will assess changes in STI incidence at the county level compared to state and national trends. Data visualization methods, such as line graphs and pie charts, will be used to communicate findings to stakeholders and support ongoing quality improvement and funding efforts.

References

Auxier, B., & Anderson, M. (2021). Social media use in 2021. Pew Research Center.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Chlamydia – CDC basic factsheet.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. (2024). Strafford County, New Hampshire.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2024). QuickFacts: United States.

Vogels, E. A., Gelles-Watnick, R., & Massarat, N. (2022). Teens, social media and technology 2022. Pew Research Center.