Capella 4055 Assessment 1

Capella 4055 Assessment 1

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Health Promotion Research

Adolescent substance abuse, involving drug or alcohol misuse among individuals aged 12 to 18, poses significant threats to health, development, and social integration (Brockie et al., 2022). In particular, American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth demonstrate disproportionately high substance use rates compared to other groups. This health promotion initiative is tailored for AI/AN adolescents living in Kanawha County, West Virginia. The program emphasizes risk reduction, coping mechanisms, educational outreach, and linkage to local support systems to reduce substance misuse.

Population Analysis

AI/AN youth in Kanawha County, WV, are at elevated risk for substance use. Although AI/AN individuals comprise just 0.3% of West Virginia’s population, they are significantly overrepresented in substance use statistics. National data show AI/AN teens are nearly three times more likely to have used illicit substances in the past month compared to other groups (SAMHSA, 2024). Approximately 10% of AI/AN adolescents meet criteria for substance use disorders, with 7.1% reporting alcohol misuse (Kaliszewski, 2024).

Kanawha County, home to Charleston, the state capital, faces widespread socioeconomic challenges, including poverty and limited access to culturally attuned health services. AI/AN youth here also contend with generational trauma, cultural disconnection, and stigma around mental health support (Brockie et al., 2022). Limited rural infrastructure in WV compounds these issues, especially for tribal area residents who have greater needs but less access to treatment options.

Points of Uncertainty and Underlying Assumptions

There are several assumptions in this analysis. Firstly, it presumes national AI/AN substance use data accurately represent conditions in Kanawha County, despite limited localized research. Another assumption is that culturally tailored interventions will be effective, although evidence specific to rural Appalachia is limited. Nevertheless, the high levels of need justify the deployment of culturally responsive health promotion strategies.

Community Characteristics and Relevance to the Larger Target Population

This initiative targets AI/AN adolescents aged 12–18 in Kanawha County. Though this demographic is a small portion of the county’s population (~180,000), AI/AN youth experience disproportionately high rates of substance abuse. These adolescents often belong to economically disadvantaged families. For instance, the teen poverty rate in WV stands at 22%, and rates may be even higher among Native youth due to systemic barriers (America’s Health Ranking, 2025).

Challenges for AI/AN teens include inadequate access to culturally relevant healthcare, transportation limitations, and educational disparities. Many live in underserved regions with limited behavioral health services. Educational attainment is also a concern—only 86% of WV residents aged 25+ hold a high school diploma, and marginalized populations are underrepresented in this figure (America’s Health Ranking, 2025). The absence of culturally inclusive school programs further alienates Native youth.

These challenges align with broader adolescent substance abuse issues, especially in rural Appalachia. However, they are exacerbated by historic injustices and racial disparities. For example, 17.4% of AI/AN adolescents report recent drug use, nearly double the national average of 9.4% across all races (SAMHSA, 2024). This highlights the urgent need for culturally attuned interventions. Health professionals can craft more effective strategies when they understand these contextual factors (Brockie et al., 2022). Such initiatives may serve as models for other marginalized adolescent populations nationwide.

Importance of Substance Abuse Prevention in Kanawha County

AI/AN youth in Kanawha County, WV, experience alarmingly high rates of substance use. With 17.4% engaging in recent drug use and 10% experiencing substance use disorders, this community faces significant disparities (Kaliszewski, 2024). Early substance use is associated with adverse lifelong outcomes such as mental health disorders, academic challenges, risk-taking behaviors, and chronic disease (America’s Health Ranking, 2025). Early prevention strategies can mitigate these risks and lead to healthier developmental trajectories.

Health Disparities and Contributing Factors

Substance misuse among AI/AN adolescents is influenced by a combination of trauma, social exclusion, and systemic inequality. In Kanawha County, economic instability, low educational attainment, and familial disruption further elevate the risk of substance use. Additionally, the lack of culturally relevant prevention resources worsens disparities (WV.gov, 2025). Many Native youth feel alienated by traditional outreach approaches, reducing their effectiveness.

Access to Services and the Role of Health Promotion

Mental health and substance use services in Kanawha County are scarce, particularly in rural zones and among Native populations. Barriers such as transportation, provider shortages, and healthcare distrust hinder treatment access (WV.gov, 2025). Health promotion initiatives that integrate Indigenous values and emphasize community involvement can bridge these gaps. Culturally adapted outreach enhances youth engagement, boosts resilience, and fosters positive health changes.

SMART Health Goals for Substance Abuse Prevention

Conclusion

Substance misuse among AI/AN adolescents in Kanawha County demands culturally sensitive solutions. Addressing disparities through tailored education, community engagement, and behavioral interventions offers a path toward resilience and improved well-being. Empowering youth like Mariah with skills and culturally relevant resources can interrupt cycles of addiction and create long-term health benefits.

References

America’s Health Ranking. (2025). Explore illicit drug use – youth in West Virginia | AHR. America’s Health Rankings.org. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/youth_IDUM/WV

Brockie, T. N., Campbell, J. C., Dana-Sacco, G., Farley, J., Belcher, H. M. E., Kub, J., Nelson, K. E., Ivanich, J. D., Yang, L., Wallen, G., Wetsit, L., & Wilcox, H. C. (2022). Cultural protection from polysubstance use among Native American adolescents and young adults. Prevention Science, 23(7), 1287–1298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-022-01373-5

Capella 4055 Assessment 1

Callaghan, T., Kassabian, M., Johnson, N., Shrestha, A., Helduser, J., Horel, S., Bolin, J. N., & Ferdinand, A. O. (2023). Rural healthy people 2030: New decade, new challenges. Preventive Medicine Reports, 33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102176

D’Amico, E. J., Dickerson, D. L., Brown, R. A., Klein, D. J., Agniel, D., & Johnson, C. (2021). Unveiling an “invisible population”: Health, substance use, sexual behavior, culture, and discrimination among urban American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69(2), 285–292.

Kaliszewski, M. (2024). American Indian/Alaska Native Substance Abuse. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/native-american

SAMHSA. (2024). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-annual-national-report

Capella 4055 Assessment 1

WV.gov. (2025). Behavioral Health Services for Youth. State of West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. https://dhhr.wv.gov/behavioral-health-services