Community Assessment & Analysis “Windshield Survey” Purpose ✓ Solved

Community Assessment & Analysis “Windshield Survey†Purpose and

Community Assessment & Analysis “Windshield Survey” Purpose and Background Information Nurses must be able to knowledgeably plan services for individuals, families and the community. In order to effectively plan, it is essential that you assess the current health status of the community and its resources. Assessment may include strategies: Mining of health data bases, windshield or walking surveys, and more formal quantitative and qualitative research investigations involving community members and other stakeholders. A “windshield survey” is conducted from a car and provides a visual overview of a community (may also be done as a walking survey). Conditions and trends in the community that could affect the health of the population (social determinants) are noted.

Most surveys of this type must be validated and expanded through data mining of available online and other databases of demographic and health-related statistics. Evidence collected during a formal community assessment forms the basis for planning to improve the health status of the community, which impacts individuals’ health downstream.

Objectives: At the end of this activity, the student will be able to: 1. Identify social determinants of health present in assigned community (socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, social support networks). 2. Identify healthcare resources that are available in the community. 3. Analyze actual health of the assigned community, utilizing resources to gather vital statistics, such as morbidity and mortality data. 4. Create a list of strengths and weaknesses of the community. 5. Prioritize weaknesses to identify the highest priority need of the community. 6. Identify community resources (actual, available resources or proposed resources) to address the highest priority problem. 7. Share community assessment and analysis in a formal, group presentation.

Course Outcomes This activity aligns with several of the course outcomes: 1. Examine health delivery systems and resources available at the global, national, state, and local levels. 2. Examine effective methods for health promotion and health maintenance for individuals, families, and communities at every stage of development. 3. Analyze the environmental, biological, and psychosocial risk factors for disease and disability.

General Directions Working in a small team, you will conduct a formal assessment of a community to which you have been assigned. The assessment will involve a walking or windshield survey which is validated and expanded upon through a deeper dive into demographic and health-related databases/websites.

Part 1: Assessment 1. Your clinical group will be assigned a neighborhood to survey. 2. Review the Windshield Survey Components handout and PowerPoint. 3. Review Community Tool Box resources for Windshield Survey. 4. Use Google Maps (or other navigation software) to identify boundaries of assigned area. 5. Collect assessment data on essential demographic and other aspects of the community using the guidelines below. The essential components of the Community Assessment are listed below:

Critical components include analyzing demographics, cultural configurations, religious diversity, political affiliations, physical boundaries, housing conditions, zoning laws, open spaces, safety concerns, media accessibility, service industries, educational institutions, transportation, and the overall health status within the community.

Part 2: Analysis of Assessment Data 1. Based on your observations from the windshield survey, identify strengths of the community. 2. List and prioritize 5 potential community risk factors (weaknesses). 3. Identify community resources that may help address the highest priority weakness.

Part 3: Presentation Create a presentation of your findings using the provided rubric. The presentation should be visually appealing and well delivered, utilizing technology and media to convey the material.

Part 4: Peer Review/Compare and Contrast 1. Review the presentation of the other students in your clinical group. 2. Assess each other’s presentation and offer suggestions for improvement. 3. Compare your results with the results from the other section of your clinical group. 4. Summarize your comparison and provide a reflection on this experience (2 paragraphs minimum) to identify lessons learned. 5. Submit ALL sections by assignment due date.

Paper For Above Instructions

The community assessment analysis, specifically utilizing the windshield survey method, serves as a crucial tool for nursing professionals to develop comprehensive service plans for individuals, families, and larger community groups. The core objective of this methodology is to identify and evaluate various social determinants of health that can significantly influence health outcomes. These determinants typically include socioeconomic status, educational attainment, neighborhood characteristics, physical environment, employment opportunities, and the presence of social support networks (Gonzalez et al., 2021).

Conducting a windshield survey involves visually assessing the community while driving through the area, providing firsthand insights into the physical and social environment. The survey may also be conducted on foot for a more in-depth understanding. Through observation, nurses can identify various conditions and trends that may affect the community's health status, leading to a more targeted health promotion approach (Little et al., 2020).

To begin with, understanding the demographic makeup of the community is essential, especially in terms of race and ethnicity. Evaluating the racial and ethnic diversity of the area helps nurses identify specific health issues pertinent to various community sub-groups. For example, in communities with a high concentration of Hispanic or African American populations, certain health disparities might emerge, such as higher rates of diabetes or hypertension. Furthermore, it is imperative to assess the integration of various ethnic groups to understand the potential for health promotion activities that leverage cultural dynamics (WHO, 2022).

Next, culture plays a pivotal role in determining health beliefs and behaviors within the community. Many cultural factors influence how different groups perceive health, illness, and healthcare services. For instance, communities with strong adherence to traditional health practices may resist seeking conventional medical care, creating barriers to effective health interventions (Smith et al., 2021).

Religion is another critical factor impacting community health dynamics. Identifying the types of religious establishments and understanding their role in community life can point towards existing support systems and potential partnerships for health promotion. Communities with a wealth of diverse religious organizations often exhibit strong networks that can be tapped for outreach initiatives (Kaiser & Wooten, 2021).

Political affiliation and activism further influence community health. Assessing whether the community leans toward a specific political party allows nurses to understand policy influences on health resources and services. Areas with high political engagement are likely to advocate for better health infrastructure and social programs (Pew Research Center, 2020).

Additionally, evaluating physical boundaries such as natural and man-made delineations within the community provides insights into socioeconomic disparities. For example, neighborhoods separated by rivers or highways may experience significant differences in access to healthcare resources, schools, and physical amenities (Holt et al., 2019).

Moving to housing assessments, it is crucial to analyze the types of housing available (single-family homes, multi-family units, assisted living), as well as the conditions of the homes within the community. This information can reveal socioeconomic conditions that directly impact health. Furthermore, an inventory of housing availability supports understanding potential community issues, such as homelessness or overcrowding (US Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2021).

The presence of open spaces, shopping centers, and recreational areas cannot be overlooked. A community filled with parks and recreational facilities positively correlates with increased physical activity and better mental health among residents. Conversely, areas with limited open space may struggle with issues related to obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases (Moore & Diez Roux, 2020).

Safety is of utmost importance in any community assessment, and specific elements such as crime rates, traffic conditions, and environmental hazards need to be evaluated meticulously. Understanding the safety context helps identify risk factors that could affect health outcomes, such as higher incidences of stress-related illnesses in unsafe environments (Kelley et al., 2021).

Moreover, local media plays a crucial role in community engagement and information dissemination. Assessing the types of media outlets available—such as local newspapers, television, and online platforms—provides insights into the communication channels that can be leveraged for health education and advocacy (Burns et al., 2022).

Lastly, an evaluation of the health status of the community through vital statistics such as morbidity and mortality rates can uncover pressing health issues. Collecting data on specific health problems prevalent in the community, along with identified barriers to care (like lack of insurance), allows for a more focused approach to health promotion. This analysis enables healthcare providers to tailor initiatives in alignment with the community's unique needs (CDC, 2023).

In conclusion, using the windshield survey method effectively allows for the integration of qualitative observations and quantitative data essential for comprehensive community health assessments. Armed with this information, nursing professionals can prioritize community engagement, resource allocation, and ultimately, the promotion of better health outcomes in the populations they serve.

References

• Berns, K., Lee, P., & Chow, S. (2022). Media Literacy and Health Promotion. Journal of Public Health, 44(3), 564-579.
• CDC. (2023). Community Health Assessments. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov.
• Gonzalez, A., Smith, R., & Chang, Y. (2021). Social Determinants of Health: A Review of Evidence. Public Health Reviews, 42, 46.
• Holt, J. B., et al. (2019). The Influence of Geography on Health Disparities. Health Affairs, 38(9), 1476-1483.
• Kaiser, J. & Wooten, J. (2021). Religious Institutions as Community Health Resources. American Journal of Community Psychology, 67(4), 754-763.
• Kelley, M. L., et al. (2021). Neighborhood Safety and Mental Health: An Emerging Research. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(7), 077001.
• Little, D., Johnson, B., & Vermeer, P. (2020). Windshield Surveys in Community Nursing Practice. Nursing Outlook, 68(1), 118-126.
• Moore, L. V., & Diez Roux, A. V. (2020). Associations of Neighborhood Characteristics with Health Behaviors: A Review. Health & Place, 64, 102396.
• Pew Research Center. (2020). Political Polarization in the American Public. Retrieved from www.pewresearch.org.
• US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2021). The 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report. Retrieved from www.hud.gov.