1. McEac During this course, I have learned a plethora of things. One is how much disparities affect many people, especially those in rural areas. Low-income households and the deterioration of an individual’s mental health was another interesting fact that I learned. The World Health Organization reported that four out of five chronic disease deaths worldwide today occur in low and middle-income countries (Jayathilaka et al., 2020). I never thought about how and why it is more common for low-income individuals to struggle with mental health. People living in poverty are strongly affected by mental illness (Marbin et al., 2022). Worrying about shelter, food, resources, and staying well enough to provide for yourself and your family can be overwhelming. “In many instances, a person can be unaware or conscious of the problem and is often resistant to the suggestion that he or she may have a problem (Khaliq, 2018).” 1 Peter 5:7 encourages us to cast all our cares, anxieties, worries, and concerns on him once and for all (ESV, 2001). Even when our problems seem too big or impossible, we must remember they are not. God does not always do things in our timing, but in his perfect will. Going through a struggle sometimes helps you to build your faith solely in him, especially when he is the only one who can help you. The third exciting fact I learned from this class setting is the importance of surveys. In epidemiology, surveys play a massive part in getting the information you need to conclude on any topic or confirm your research information. Being a subject matter is very important, but without surveys, a lot of vital information could be missed. Both subject matter knowledge as well as methods to generate that knowledge are entailed (Ahlbom, 2020). Other than knowing the different backgrounds of some of the patients whom we might come in contact with, how else might you use this course as a healthcare administrator?References:Ahlbom A. (2020). Epidemiology is about disease in populations. European journal of epidemiology, 35(12), 1111–1113.English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway Bibles.Jayathilaka, R., Joachim, S., Mallikarachchi, V., Perera, N., & Ranawaka, D. (2020). Do chronic illnesses and poverty go hand in hand? PloS one, 15(10), e0241232. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241232Khaliq, A. A. (2018). Managerial Epidemiology: Principles and Applications. Jones & Bartlett Learning.Marbin, D., Gutwinski, S., Schreiter, S., & Heinz, A. (2022). Perspectives in poverty and mental health. Frontiers in public health, 10, 975482. 2. MejiaEpidemiology and health disparities are two critical areas of study that are essential for any healthcare professional. As a healthcare administrator, it is essential to have a strong understanding of epidemiology and health disparities to effectively manage and improve the healthcare system. I will share three key things that I have learned in these areas and how I will apply them to my future career as a healthcare administrator.Epidemiology has taught me the importance of data and evidence-based decision making in the healthcare industry. As a healthcare administrator, I will have to make crucial decisions regarding resource allocation, budgeting, and implementing new policies. By applying the principles of epidemiology, I can gather and analyze data to make informed decisions that will ultimately improve the quality of healthcare services. For instance, I can use epidemiological data to identify the most prevalent diseases in a specific population and allocate resources accordingly (Windle et al., 2019). This will not only improve the health outcomes of the community but also optimize the use of resources.Secondly, the topic of health disparities have highlighted the significant impact of social determinants of health on a population’s well-being. These determinants, such as income, education, and access to healthcare, play a crucial role in shaping an individual’s health status (Chelak et al., 2023). As a healthcare administrator, I will keep these factors in mind while developing policies and programs. I will strive to reduce health disparities by implementing interventions that address the underlying social determinants of health. For instance, I can work towards improving access to healthcare services for marginalized communities or collaborate with educational institutions to provide health education programs in underserved areas (Chelak et al., 2023).The topics of epidemiology and health disparities have taught me the importance of cultural competency in healthcare. As a healthcare administrator, I will be working with a diverse group of individuals, including patients, healthcare providers, and staff. It is crucial to understand and respect different cultural beliefs, practices, and values to provide equitable and effective healthcare services (Nair and Adetayo, 2019). By applying the principles of cultural competency, I can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals, which will ultimately improve health outcomes.A concept that I can see myself struggling in is not getting too emotionally attached when it comes to dealing with health disparities. Health disparities is a very unfortunate thing we see in our healthcare systems so finding ways to separate my personal and professional feelings in the field of work is something I will need to work on. The Bible teaches us that all human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and are therefore worthy of dignity and respect. This means that every person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or social status, should have access to quality healthcare and be treated with fairness and equality.ReferencesChelak, Khushbu, and Swarupa Chakole. “The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Promoting Health Equality: A Narrative Review.” Cureus, vol. 15, no. 1, 5 Jan. 2023, pp. 1–8, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9899154/,English Standard Bible. (2001). ESV Online.Nair, Lakshmi, and Oluwaseun A Adetayo. “Cultural Competence and Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, vol. 7, no. 5, 16 May 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6571328/, https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002219.Windle, Michael, et al. “From Epidemiologic Knowledge to Improved Health: A Vision for Translational Epidemiology.” American Journal of Epidemiology, vol. 188, no. 12, 1 Dec. 2019, pp. 2049–2060, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8045479/, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwz085.Requirements3.RushOne of the lessons I have drawn from this course so far that I can apply in my future career is that money is an essential but complicated part of American healthcare. As part of the course, we reviewed the topic of reimbursement, and I realized that an average American would need help understanding these tenets (Khaliq, 2020, p. 176). Another lesson I learned is that while it is significantly taught in school, advocacy needs to be improved in American healthcare. Fewer people are willing to stand up and advocate for healthcare (Abbasinia et al., 2020, p. 147). This can partially be attributed to the current polarization in the country and the lack of unity in healthcare. The third lesson I picked up was the value of controls in healthcare. With rules in healthcare, things would be smooth (Okolo et al., 2024, p. 524). This is why controls need to be in play regardless of their opinion towards them.One of the ways I intend to apply this information is to use advocacy as a tool to show the need for civic education concerning the American healthcare system and the role that money plays in the system (Khaliq, 2020, p. 176). It is integral that people stand up to fight for the rights of the normal American. People must learn how healthcare works and who is in a better position to teach them than healthcare professionals. This is why we must come together to ensure the success of the endeavor for the betterment of society. I have also come to appreciate the need for controls that advocate for civic education in healthcare (Abbasinia et al., 2020, p. 147).Proverbs 4:7 states, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” This verse asserts the need for wisdom and understanding in all endeavors. One of the challenges in contemporary healthcare is the lack of understanding of the controls and reimbursement systems (Okolo et al., 2024, p. 524). The question that this situation raises is how can we make this information accessible. It is integral that all stakeholders come together to establish the means to ensure the success of this endeavor. ?ReferencesAbbasinia, M., Ahmadi, F., & Kazemnejad, A. (2020). Patient advocacy in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing ethics, 27(1), 141-151.International Bible Society. (1997). The Holy Bible: New International Version. Broadman & Holman.Khaliq, A. A. (2020). Managerial Epidemiology. (1st ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.Okolo, C. A., Ijeh, S., Arowoogun, J. O., Adeniyi, A. O., & Omotayo, O. (2024). HEALTHCARE MANAGERS IN ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES: A REVIEW OF STRATEGIES. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(4), 518-531. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scriptural reference and at least 4 peer-reviewed, scholarly references in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, peer-reviewed journals, government websites, and news media.Textbook:Khaliq, A. A. (2020). Managerial Epidemiology. (1st ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.