Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

Nursing with a population-based focus and community health. Organizations can obtain detailed information about their needs, problems, and state of health from a community health assessment. Understanding a community’s health state and the underlying causes of the issues it faces requires the collection of data about its health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2018) claim that a state, tribal, local, or territorial health assessment that identifies important health needs and issues through systematic, thorough data collection and analysis constitutes a community health assessment.

Community Health and population-focused Nursing
This activity enhances community and organizational coordination while raising public health awareness. The purpose of this conversation is to identify the population’s health needs in Sentinel City, a virtual community, and then use the healthy people 2020 goals to fulfill those needs.
Needs Evaluation Summary

Demographic Evaluation

Sentinel City is divided into four neighborhoods: Nightingale Square, Acer Technology Center, Casper Park District, and Industrial Heights. With a total population of 663 862, the Sentinel neighborhood is home to people of all ages, including young children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. According to statistics, 10.5% of the population is over 65 years old, 21.7% are under the age of 18, 60.4% are adults, and 7.4% are children under the age of five (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). Sentinel City’s demographic variety is shown through representations of ethnic and cultural diversity. White people make up 52.7% of the population, followed by Hispanic or Latino people with 31.5%. Blacks or African Americans make up 2% of the population, while Asians make up 3.2%. (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). Due to the observed diversity, the four areas exhibit a range of earnings, although generally the median household is $49,091 and 18.9% of the population lives below the poverty level. Sentinel City’s four neighborhoods differ from one another in terms of overall population, household income, distribution of racial and ethnic groups, and availability of health insurance. The demographic distribution or economic standing of the various populations residing in the regions may be the cause of these variations. With 352, 643 residents, the Casper Park District is the city’s largest neighborhood. With a 63% representation, White people make up the majority of residents in terms of demographics (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). While the other populations make up modest numbers, Hispanics or Latinos make about 24% of the population. 2016 veterans make up the majority of the population, who are mostly White. The age group between 18 and 65 makes up the majority of the population in the District. 33.8% of the population is under the age of 18, 10.9% is under the age of five, and 6.5% is under the age of 65. (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). People without health insurance make up 22.7% of the population in the area, where the median household income is $80,134.

With a population of 168,390, Acer Tech Center is the second-largest neighborhood in Sentinel City. There are 6208 veterans in the area, and White people make up 70.2% of the population (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). Latinos make up 13.7% of the neighborhood’s overall population and are the neighborhood’s secondary ethnic group. The percentage of people under 65 in the Acer Tech Center is 19.8%, which is nearly three times the proportion in the Casper Park District. 7.0% of the population is under 18 years old, while 4.1% is under 5 years old. With a median household income of $166,300, Acer Tech Center is second only to Nightingale Square, which has a median household income of $269,550. (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). The percentage of people under 65 without health insurance is 1.5%, while 6.7% of people under 65 live with a disability.

The richest and third-largest neighborhood in Sentinel City is called Nightingale Square. 5326 veterans make to the neighborhood’s overall population of 103,974 residents. Whites make up the majority of the population in the area with 81.3%, followed by Hispanic or Latinos with 3.7%. 13.9% of the population is 65 years of age or older, followed by 5.9% of people under the age of 18, and 2.4% of people under the age of five (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). With a median household income of $269,550, Nightingale Square is the richest city, as previously said. The lowest percentage of the four communities is made up of people under 65 who have disabilities, at 3.5%. Only 0.7% of residents under the age of 65 live in the area with the longest history without health insurance.

With a total population of 38,855, Industrial Heights is the smallest neighborhood in Sentinel City. There are 607 veterans in the area, and in contrast to neighboring communities, they are mostly Hispanic or Latino. With 46.8% of the population belonging to this race, Black or African Americans make up the secondary race, followed by Asians with 13.1%. (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). The second-highest percentage of people in the region, or 20.8%, are under the age of 18. Children under the age of five make up 10.9% of the population, compared to the elderly over 65 who make up 0.9%. The area with the lowest median household income is Industrial Heights, where there are 37.5% of persons under 65 without health insurance and a median household income of $24,672. (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). 12.9% of people under 65 have some form of disability.

Safety and Neighborhood Assessment, Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

Sentinel City shows significant variations between the four communities in terms of neighborhood and safety. This discussion’s initial point focuses on the dangers to neighborhood safety. Several sidewalks that were broken and left neglected during the examination posed a fall risk to the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Multiple piles of trash could be observed along the sides of the buildings as one walked through the neighborhood. These locations might be home to rodents, which could spread diseases throughout the city. According to the district representative, pesticides and other toxins can contaminate water, which is another issue. Litter bins are positioned along the busier routes and the majority of them are emptied, giving Nightingale Square the appearance of being more orderly.

Sentinel City’s neighborhoods display varying degrees of crime. Drug abuse accounts for 22% of the frequent arrests in the area related to drugs and substance abuse. According to reports, 6% of these arrests are related to drug usage, while 16% are connected to public intoxication and drug abuse (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). According to statistics, 24% of arrests are connected to smoking, 26% to alcohol misuse, and 18%, 12%, and 10% of arrests are for marijuana, methamphetamine, and prescription drug usage, respectively (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). Because of how terrible these abuses are, it is necessary to develop methods to reduce drug usage and abuse in the city. According to statistics, Industrial Heights has the greatest rates of crime, including assault, trespassing, stealing, and disruptive behavior. Due of their fragility, women in the city are the ones who are most impacted. Safe communities can be found in high-income districts like Nightingale Square. Response to emergencies is the other factor in neighborhood safety. According to police officer Rodney Cooper, the typical response time for emergencies in the area is 15 minutes. According to City Hall Data, the EMS response time was 7.46 minutes, which was quicker than the response times in 2 of the 3 comparator cities (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). This creates a space for utilizing the available medical resources to give the individuals prompt care. The police also discusses other offences like shoplifting, bicycle theft, property damage, and intoxication-related disorderly conduct. Aggravated assault is the most common crime and gang violence is widespread throughout the city.

The city’s housing reflects the four neighborhoods’ income levels and degree of poverty. Industrial Heights has a bad housing situation with outdated homes and boarded-up structures covered in graffiti and trash. The good houses in high-income districts like Nightingale Square and Acer Tech Center may be seen from the road. Due to the reduced industrial activities in these areas, there is also access to high-quality air conditioning. Due to the various enterprises present, areas like the Industrial Heights have contaminated air. Water tanks are installed on the roofs of homes in high-income regions to conserve water, and the drainage systems in these areas are well-designed to avoid flooding and water stagnation.

Windshield Inspection, Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

When doing a community assessment, a windshield survey is a crucial instrument that enables the provider to document the patterns and behavior of a community. Healthcare practitioners can uncover community health concerns and resources available to address such concerns by analyzing survey data. The status of residential and commercial buildings is noted in the survey’s first section. Generally speaking, the majority of the structures were multi-level, multi-resident designs, such as apartments and condominiums, without a single residential unit in front or behind. There were no windmills or solar panels in the city as I strolled through it. In contrast to developed districts, I noticed a lot more graffiti in low-income regions like Industrial Park. Buildings in the wealthier areas of Nightingale Square and Acer Tech appeared to be newer and had lighter exteriors than the predominantly brick homes in the less wealthy area of the city. Another important factor was how far apart the houses were, with better houses on the more developed sides and less space between them in Industrial Park.

The simulated drive-through makes it clear that Sentinel City is an urban setting. The homes in the neighborhoods are all packed together, leaving little room for other environmental activities. Despite the abundance of trees, there aren’t many open places around. Concrete dominates most open areas, with only a little amount of grass on the playfields. The boundaries between the affluent and impoverished areas are not particularly clear. There is a seamless transition between the wealthy and impoverished settings, indicating an average community. The presence of common areas like parks and other recreational areas is another factor that is clear from the survey. Depending on the peculiarities of the neighborhood, several types of transportation are used throughout the city. There are enough bus lines to allow for travel throughout the city. The presence of parked automobiles suggests the use of private transportation, especially in high-income districts, whereas several individuals are seen moving around on foot or bicycles. The city has a variety of service centers, which are dispersed among the four neighborhoods. For instance, Nightingale Square is home to the public health agency and Sentinel City Health. A medical facility is located in Industrial Heights, and the Casper Park District is home to the ABC childcare. There are indications of life as one travels around the city, with people out and about chatting and sharing. While some people are side walking, others can be seen lounging in parks and on bicycles. Schoolchildren in uniform can be seen riding their bicycles and walking to class. The Interfaith Church in Industrial Heights is the sole visible site of worship in terms of religion.

Health of the Population Scavenger Hunt, Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

Using the population health scavenger, it is possible to evaluate a community’s services and how they impact residents’ health. The availability of parks and leisure amenities was the first thing noticed. According to information obtained, there is not much money available to maintain parks and recreational facilities. The high-quality legal facilities in Industrial Heights serve as an illustration. Maintenance issues lead to issues with nighttime cleanliness and safety. The second concern describes the city’s healthcare system and how it specifically caters to the needs of the elderly. The health services offered to the elderly, such as senior transportation, support programs, and medical care advocacy, are of increased concern. According to statistics, there is a rise in the need for senior services to care for their health.

Most regions of Sentinel City are said to lack access to healthcare services. Pregnancy testing and counseling, contraception treatments, preconception health counseling, STI services, breast and cervical cancer screening, and more are all offered by the Better Health Clinic in Industrial Park. The prevalence of STIs in the area is concerning, with 70% of screenings revealing gonorrhea cases, 63% chlamydia cases, and 5% HIV/AIDS cases (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). Additionally, the number of adolescent pregnancies is worrying. The soup kitchen provides free meals for the homeless, food assistance programs, and emergency food supplies, among other nutritional services. 64 percent of the homeless are fed by the kitchen (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). The inexpensive Housing Project, especially in low-income neighborhoods, is ready to handle problems such property disputes, tenant complaints, vacant units, and regulation of housing charges.

Analysis of Data, Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

Epidemiology is the study of how health is distributed throughout a population, its determinants, and the prevention of health issues that are already present. One of the most important aspects of health that I noticed in Sentinel City was the importance of childhood vaccinations against prevalent ailments. High vaccination rates are found in higher-income districts like Nightingale Square (94%) compared to lower-income ones like Industrial Heights (78%). (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). The other element of health that has been noted is the city’s garbage disposal, which has the potential to result in significant diseases. Poorly managed wastes and contaminated water can spread disease in low-income areas. Because low-income areas are less safe, there are more crimes, assaults, and violent crimes there.

The second portion focuses on the factors that influence health in Sentinel City, particularly access to healthcare, money, and personal traits. In Industrial Heights, the Better Health Clinic is open to the public and offers a wide range of medical services. Poor healthcare-seeking behavior in low-income communities is likely a result of the majority of individuals not having health insurance due to their poverty level. Most people engage in reckless behaviors like drinking, smoking, and substance misuse because of their socioeconomic level. As a result, illnesses like hepatitis B and STIs are on the rise. According to Sentinel City’s demographics, the crude death rate is 693.9, of which lung cancer and malignant neoplasms account for 154.2 of those deaths and 195.1 of cardiovascular disease.

Concerns for Sentinel City’s health, Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

Three areas of concern

The Healthy People 2020 national health goal highlights the biggest health risks and sets objectives to achieve the desired results. The program’s overarching objective is to help people live better, longer lives free from avoidable illness, disability, injury, and early death. Immunizations and infectious diseases are the first issue in Sentinel City that relates to the Healthy People 2020 objectives. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), 2021a), states that this topic’s Healthy People 2020 goal is to enhance immunization rates and decrease infectious disease that can be prevented. In Sentinel City, there is inequity in the vaccination rate, particularly in low-income regions like Industrial Heights, which has a 78% vaccination rate. In order to meet the goals of the program, this rate needs be increased to greater than 80%.

The growing prevalence of STDs in the city is the second area of health concern. To prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and associated complications, Healthy People 2020 aims to promote healthy sexual behavior, build community capacity, and enhance access to high-quality treatments (ODPHP, 2021b). According to data from colleges and universities, 67% of high-level institutions do not provide complete student health services (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2021). HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B account for 92%, 80%, and 77% of the cases of confirmed STIs in Better Health Clinic, respectively.

The rise in teen pregnancies is the third topic of concern in the area. The Healthy People 2020 objective in this area is to decrease pregnancies among teenagers (ages 15 to 17) and young adults (ages 18 to 19). (ODPHP, 2021c). There are presently 475 teen pregnancies in Sentinel City, and the rate is rising. This rising rate necessitates intense education about the use of contraception, protection, and abstinence.

Community Assets, Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

Adolescent pregnancies in Sentinel City have been chosen as the topic for this discussion. The Better Health Clinic in Industrial Heights is the first local resource offered to address this health condition. This clinic provides health services for promotion and prevention that can be extremely helpful in resolving this problem. For instance, setting up community outreach programs and using the media to inform young people about appropriate sexual behavior. Second, the presence of schools can serve as a source for health education and other school health initiatives designed to address teen births that are not planned. The final option is to use City Hall to address teen pregnancy as a societal issue.

Principal Prevention Issue, Nursing with a population-based focus and community health

The theme of this conversation will be sexual and reproductive health. Sexually transmitted diseases, sexual transmission, and STD prevention, particularly HIV/AIDS, are the subjects of this discussion. There is a health issue in Sentinel City where the prevalence of infections including syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS is rising.

Nursing with a population-based focus and community health : Use of Assessment Strategies

My understanding of data collecting and important population health topics that must be covered during the population health assessment has increased as a result of using the assessment tools that were supplied. I now know that a community assessment can aid in detecting disparities in the community’s allocation of resources and health condition. I’ve discovered that in order to help in the creation of a community diagnostic, additional data about a community must be gathered. In my subsequent evaluations, I’ll spend time talking to people and gathering information to help determine the community’s true health issues. I’ll also involve neighborhood groups and agencies because they have better knowledge about the services offered and those that are required in a certain area.

References

Centers for Disease Control and prevention. (2018). Public health professionals gateway: Assessments and plans. https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/cha/plan.html

Healthcare Learning Innovations (Sentinel City) [Computer Software]. (2021). Aurora, Co. Retrieved from http://wgu.ucertify.com/

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2021a). Healthypeople.gov: Immunization and infectious diseases.

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/immunization-and-infectious-diseases

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2021b). Healthypeople.gov: Family planning.

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/family-planning/objectives

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2021c). Healthypeople.gov: Sexually transmitted diseases.

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/sexually-transmitted-diseases#:~:text=Goal,(STDs)%20and%20their%20complications.

Related Posts: