Community Health And Population-Focused Nursing 4 Task 1 C2

community health and poplulation focused nursing 4 Task 1 C228 Western Governors University May 14, 2020

Community health and population-focused nursing involve comprehensive assessments of communities to identify health needs, risks, and resources. This analysis focuses on Sentinel City, a metropolitan area with diverse demographics, environmental conditions, safety concerns, and healthcare resources. By examining various assessment tools such as demographic data, neighborhood safety observations, windshield surveys, and community resource evaluations, we can develop targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.

The demographic assessment reveals that Sentinel City has a total population of 663,862 residents. Age distribution indicates that 7.4% are under five years old, 21.7% are under 18, and 10.5% are 65 or older. Ethnically, the city is predominantly Caucasian (52.7%), with substantial Hispanic/Latino (31.5%) and African American (10.4%) populations. The city is divided into four regions—Nightingale Square, Acer Tech Center, Casper Park District, and Industrial Heights—each with unique socioeconomic and environmental profiles. Nightingale Square is affuent, with median household incomes of $269,550 and minimal uninsured residents (0.7%). Conversely, Industrial Heights faces economic hardship, with median incomes around $24,672 and an uninsured rate of 37.5%. Overall, 18.9% of Sentinel City’s population lives below the poverty line.

Community safety assessments point to environmental hazards, particularly in Industrial Heights, where vandalism, trash, rundown buildings, and unsafe playgrounds are prevalent. The community's social risks include high homelessness rates, youth exposure to unsafe environments, and limited access to nutritious food, creating food deserts. Neighborhoods like Casper Park also report issues with graffiti and trash, alongside food safety concerns from local grocery stores. Although Nightingale Square appears well-maintained, crime rates such as robberies, assaults, and homicides have increased over recent years, reflecting ongoing safety challenges. Substance use—specifically alcohol and tobacco—are widespread, with 25% and 24% of the population respectively engaging in these habits. EMS response times are average but need continual improvement to enhance emergency care.

The windshield survey corroborates safety assessment findings. Industrial Heights shows visible signs of neglect, including trash accumulation, graffiti, and rodent activity. There is limited access to healthy food options, as residents rely on small neighborhoods stores lacking nutritious offerings. Casper Park, while somewhat better maintained, still exhibits environmental concerns, including trash and graffiti. The downtown Acer Tech area hosts government and business entities, with community protests indicating civic engagement. Nightingale Square features newer, cleaner infrastructure with trees, parks, and health promotion billboards, signifying community investment in health and safety initiatives.

Community resources such as parks, recreation programs, elderly services, and healthcare facilities are integral to Sentinel City’s health landscape. The Parks and Recreation Department offers activities like swimming, gardening, summer camps, fitness, and sports leagues. Elderly services include transportation and healthcare advocates, with recent data indicating that 6.8% of seniors utilized transportation services, and a significant portion (200,036 residents) received Medicaid benefits. The Better Health Clinic provides essential preventive and primary care services, including contraception, STD screening, pregnancy counseling, and health education. Notably, teen pregnancies and STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are slightly rising, posing public health concerns. The city’s soup kitchen supports a largely homeless population, serving approximately 45,000 meals monthly and sourcing food from multiple nutritional programs. Additionally, affordable housing initiatives have noted slight income improvements but persistent issues such as factory smoke complaints and unit vacancies (notably in two-bedroom apartments).

Data analysis highlights critical health determinants in Sentinel City. The story of Gary Johnson, a 17-year-old homeless male engaging in risky behaviors such as prostitution, drug use, and shoplifting, exemplifies vulnerabilities among youth. His circumstances potentially contribute to the high rates of STDs, teenage pregnancies, and mental health challenges. Adolescent health, STD prevention, and environmental health emerge as priority concerns aligned with Healthy People 2020 goals. The city struggles with environmental hazards, such as waste accumulation and poor air quality, exacerbating chronic respiratory diseases like asthma. Improving environmental health requires policies aimed at waste management, pollution reduction, and green space development.

Community health interventions should leverage existing resources such as the Better Health Clinic to expand STD screening, treatment, and educational programs. Prevention efforts must start early, with schools integrating comprehensive sexual health education in both middle and high schools. Public awareness campaigns via billboards, radio, and community outreach can increase service utilization. Collaborating with local media and community leaders will amplify health messages and destigmatize seeking care. Addressing environmental health requires community engagement, enforcement of environmental regulations, and investments in sanitation infrastructure.

Applying community assessment strategies to my local environment underscores the importance of diversity and socioeconomic factors in health disparities. Regular neighborhood observations, engaging with residents, and utilizing available data help identify local needs and tailor interventions. Recognizing that community experiences vary based on geographic and economic contexts informs culturally competent and equitable healthcare practices. Communicating resource availability to patients ensures they access appropriate services, fostering healthier communities overall.

References

  • Healthcare Learning Innovations. (2018). Sentinel City community profile [Computer software]. Aurora, CO.
  • Healthy People 2020. (2020). Adolescent health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/adolescent-health
  • Healthy People 2020. (2020). Environmental health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/environmental-health
  • Healthy People 2020. (2020). Sexually transmitted diseases. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/sexually-transmitted-infections
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). STDs in adolescents and young adults. https://www.cdc.gov/std/l Pfeasures
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2018). Food deserts and community health. https://www.usda.gov
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Environmental health risks. https://www.who.int/health-topics/environmental-health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2020). Youth mental health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health
  • American Public Health Association (APHA). (2019). Community assessment and intervention strategies. https://www.apha.org
  • Wellman, S., & Harvey, J. (2019). Addressing health disparities through community-based interventions. Journal of Community Health, 44(2), 371-380.

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