Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member.

Investigate population health and epidemiological data to learn about prevalent disease trends within your geographic region. Compare and contrast the prevalence of diseases in the selected region with disease rates and trends in a different geographic area of your choosing.

Statistics from valid, reliable sources such as professional population health-focused organizations, governmental agencies, local and state health departments, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are appropriate sources to validate assessment findings.

1. Download the Application of Epidemiology template  (template is attached here)  
2. Complete the Application of Epidemiology template to answer the questions related to your investigation. Use of this template is required. If the template is not used, a 10% deduction will be applied. See the rubric. Save the template and include your name in the file name. 
3. Follow APA grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation rules consistent with formal, scholarly writing.  
4. Use APA in-text citations and complete references to support your writing. 

Include the Following Sections (detailed criteria listed below and in the grading rubric)

1. Prevalent Infectious and Chronic Diseases
   1. Describe the selected geographic region
   2. Identify the prevalent infectious and chronic diseases in the region
   3. Compare and contrast the prevalence of those diseases in a separate geographic region of your choosing, noting similarities and differences.
   4. Discuss the variables that contribute to the noted similarities and differences.
   5. Provide an in-text citation from one scholarly source to support your writing. 
2. Application of the Epidemiological Model
   1. Select and describe one of the prevalent diseases noted in the previous section.
   2. Discuss physical and social determinants of health that influence the disease process.
   3. Identify and explain one epidemiological model that will be applied to the selected disease (i.e., Epidemiological Triangle, Web of Causation, or another legitimate epidemiological model).
   4. Apply the epidemiological model to the selected disease in a well-developed, comprehensive manner, addressing the entire model.
   5. Provide an in-text citation from one scholarly source to support your writing. 
3. Levels of Prevention
   1. Explain the levels of prevention used within population health practice.
   2. Discuss one primary prevention to address the disease.
   3. Discuss one secondary prevention to address the disease.
   4. Discuss one tertiary prevention to address the disease.
   5. Provide an in-text citation from one scholarly source to support your writing. 
4. Reflection
   1. Describe how the advanced practice nurse can monitor the application and efficacy of the prevention strategy.
   2. Discuss how you will apply the identified prevention strategies in your practice.
   3. Reflect on what you have learned from this assignment.

Advanced practice nurses must be equipped to critique scholarly literature and discern its value for application to practice. Select one current single-study qualitative scholarly article related to your PICOT question. Appraise the article using the Rapid Critical Appraisal Questions for Qualitative Evidence (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023, Appendix C). Summarize your appraisal of the article in your own words. 

1. Define aging from biologic, sociologic, and psychological theories.
2. Develop nursing interventions based on the psychosocial issues and biologic changes associated with older adulthood.
3. Discuss several nursing implications for each of the major biologic, sociologic, and psychological theories of aging.
4. Based on your experience what health promotion strategies would you recommend to facilitate successful aging?

• Describe and discuss the pathological conditions that might affect the sexual responses in older adults.
• How and why do you think Nutritional factors, psychological factors, drugs and complementary and alternative medications affect the immune system in older adults.