Cassandra’s father has recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Although she already knows..

Cassandra’s father has recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Although she already knows that diabetes is a major health problem in the United States, she is surprised to discover that it is one of the leading causes of death. As she researches diabetes, she is even more surprised to learn that the prevalence of diabetes is significantly higher in the state of Tennessee, where she and her family live, than in most other states. Although the data she looks at sometimes vary depending on the source, comparing data from her state with national data gives her a better understanding of the impact of this disease. As Cassandra examines genetic, lifestyle, and environmental risk factors for the disease, she uncovers compelling distinctions between Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes that heighten her interest in addressing this health problem through her work as a health care administrator and as an advocate for improving health outcomes, not only for her father, but also for others who suffer from complications of Type 2 diabetes.

In this Discussion, you will research one of the leading causes of death in the United States, comparing data from your state with national data and examining risk factors associated with the health problem.

To prepare for this Discussion, examine the leading causes of death in the United States using the following websites from this module’s Learning Resources:

CDC: Leading Causes of Death
Medical News Today: What Are the Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in the US?

Select one leading cause of death on which to focus for this Discussion.

Using credible websites, research how your state’s data compare to national data related to this health condition. For example, you may search for information on the following websites, found in this module’s Learning Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
United Health Foundation: America’s Health Rankings
Trust for America’s Health
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Ensure that you examine comparable data from reliable sources. For instance, look at state and national prevalence rates from the same year and, ideally, from the same source.

Review the information on determinants of health (also referred to as risk factors) presented in Chapter 2 of the Shi and Singh (2015) textbook. In addition, conduct research using the Walden library and credible websites to identify and analyze the causes of your selected health problem and associated lifestyle, genetic, and environmental risk factors.

If you are an international student, you may research a leading cause of death in your country and compare data from your local community with national data.

Post by Day 3 of Week 8a substantive and cohesive response to the following:

Describe one of the leading causes of death.
Compare your state’s data with national data related to this health problem. Identify your sources of data.
Describe the causes of this health problem and associated lifestyle, genetic, and environmental risk factors/determinants.

Reminder: Use and cite sources to support your posting and responses.