In a 8-page proposal (not including title page and references), address the following:
Briefly identify your selected chronic health issue and population (Alcohol Use Disorder in the Veteran population).
Describe the geographic region and important characteristics of this population.
Describe the patterns of the disease in your selected population using the epidemiologic characteristics of a person, place, and time.
Identify one health outcome you would like to improve for the population.
Briefly summarize current evidence that supports the importance of improving this health outcome.
Briefly describe the evidence-based program you are developing, and why this approach will best fit the needs of your population.
Explain what data you would need to collect, and how you would obtain and analyze it. You may choose to collect primary data or use secondary data. Justify your choice.
AUD is particularly salient in the Veteran population due to the high rates of co-occurring mental health conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), for which alcohol is often used as maladaptive self-medication.
Geographic Region and Population Characteristics
Geographic Region: The proposal will focus on Veterans residing in Rural Areas of the Southwestern U.S. (e.g., specific counties across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas).
Characteristics of the Population:
Age/Gender: Predominantly male, though the female Veteran population is growing. Significant age diversity, spanning recent post-9/11 combat Veterans (younger) and Vietnam-era Veterans (older).
Service-Connected Disability: High rates of service-connected disabilities, particularly musculoskeletal injuries and PTSD.
Rural Isolation: This group experiences significant geographic isolation, limited access to specialized behavioral health services, and reliance on primary care clinics often distant from their homes. This isolation is a critical barrier to care.
Cultural Context: Strong military cultural emphasis on self-reliance, stoicism, and resilience, which often creates a cultural barrier to seeking mental health or substance use treatment.
Sample Answer
This detailed outline and content guide addresses the requirements for your 8-page proposal focusing on Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the Veteran population.
⚕️ Proposal Outline and Content Guide: Alcohol Use Disorder in the Veteran Population
Page 1: Introduction and Problem Identification
Chronic Health Issue and Population
The chronic health issue selected is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), defined as a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over alcohol intake, and a negative emotional state when not using. The selected population is United States Military Veterans.