The conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play that influence their health risks and outcomes are described as the social determinants of health (Social Determinants of Health, 2020). Studies addressing the social determinants of health examine and often attempt to influence these social and behavioral factors that lead to fluctuations in health and mortality. Epidemiology investigates the distribution and determinants of these health-related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to the control of health problems in the general population (Dicker, 2012). Epidemiology observes changes taking place in a studied community and the emergence of new diseases or conditions within that community (Frérot, 2018). In this study, the treatment of hypertension was investigated at the Epworth Free Clinic in Worcester, Massachusetts. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors of morbidity and mortality and has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (Oparil, 2018 ). As one of the most common chronic medical conditions, hypertension affects more than one billion adults worldwide (Iqbal, 2020 ) with a prevalence among adults of 31.1% (1.39 billion) in 2010 (Mills, 2020 ). Here, the hypertension rates of individuals attending the Epworth Clinic and residing in Greater Worcester Community are investigated and are cross examined with the social determinants of health.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Polcari, Justin J.

Subject

• Health
• Community
• Well-Being

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-051021-162417
• 23791

Keyword

• Epidemiology
• Social determinants of health
• Hypertension
• Epworth Clinic
• Treatment of Hypertension
• Worcester

Advisor

• Nephew, Benjamin
• Faber, Brenton

Year

• 2021

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Date created

• 2021-05-10

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2022-05-16