Community Assessment: Understanding the Local Health Environment

QUESTION

Directions: use zip code 53228 milwaukee Wisconsin Milwaukee Area Technical College Nursing: Mental Health and Community NRSAD 110 – Downtown Campus Assignment #1: Community Assessment The student will be able to apply the nursing process in the care of the community. The student will: • Use their community as reference in this course for completing an assessment of their community/county/zip code. (Windshield survey, informant interviews, participant observations, existing data) • Use on-line resources to collect data on the following: (Your community as reference) o Dominant age group o Median income o Ethnic groups o Hospital, urgent care center o Level I Trauma Center o Cases of communicable diseases o Cases of sexually transmitted diseases o Cases of diseases leading to mortality o Infant mortality rate o Demographics/statistics of vulnerable populations This assignment will prepare the student to APA paper based upon the vulnerable population identified in their community assessment. Vulnerable groups are those people “who have an increased relative risk or susceptibility to adverse health outcomes” They are also more likely to develop problems as a result of exposure to risks or to have worse outcomes from those health problems than the population as a whole (McEwen and Pullis, 2009). Examples of vulnerable populations include, but are not limited to: The homeless Disabled persons Migrant workers Victims of violence Pregnant teens Teen mothers The very young War veterans Refugees The mentally ill Substance abusers The very poor Individuals who are HIV positive The elderly Adolescents Victims of sexual assault Milwaukee Area Technical College School of Health Sciences: Nursing Associate Degree NRSAD 110: Nursing in Mental Health and Community Community Assessment Grading Rubric Student:_______________________ Due________________ Identify City, Township or Village_________________ Copy of Profile data for City or County and highlight data/information utilized 1 point: Profile provided. The demographics of my community/county/zip code 1. Identify age groups of people you have seen, young? old? 2. What is the dominant age group of your community/county/zip code. (Use census data- Google “American Factfinder”) 3. Identify one social or recreational area/facility in your community/ county/zip code. 1 point: demographics complete. 0.5 point: most data given. 0 point: minimal data given. Economic perspectives of my community/county/zip code 1. What is your neighborhood’s socioeconomic reality based on your observations?  Include signs that community is moving forward/alive (signs of political activism, neighborhood meetings, block patrols, houses and lawns well kept, and more) or  Declining/decaying (abandoned cars and houses, boarded up windows, trash, and more) 2. What is the median income of the community/county/zip code based on the most recent Census data? (American FactFinder- 2 points: student perspective of socioeconomic reality clearly stated with examples; signs of community being ‘alive’ or declining’ with examples; median income identified. 1 point: information incomplete, but more than 1⁄2 of information provided. 0.5 point: less than 1⁄2 information provided. 0 point: no information provided. __________________________________________________ search “Median Household Income + zipcode”) Ethnicity of my community/county/zip code 1. List examples of the presence of different ethnic groups. Look for businesses such as ethnic restaurants and grocery stores; churches, and other signs which reflect the presence of ethnic groups. 2. According to the Census data , indicate the top three race/ethnic groups by percentages. Indicate if census identifies less than three groups. (American FactFinder- “Demographic and Housing Estimates”) 1 point: identifies the top three ethnic groups by percentages; discusses and provides examples of signs/indicators of specific ethnic groups. 0.5 point: less than three ethnic groups identified and/or no discussion or examples given regarding presence of ethnic groups. 0 point: no information provided. __________________________________________________ Health Sub-system within my community/county/zip code 1. Identify the following by name and address: a. Closest hospital b. Closest Urgent Care c. Level I Trauma Center d. Closest Public Health Dept. 2. Identify the following in your community (city/county): a. Two highest confirmed cases of Communicable disease (exclude Sexually Transmitted Diseases) b. Two highest cases of Sexually transmitted disease 3 points: Identifies one hospital, one urgent care, trauma center and location of public health dept. Identifies two highest confirmed cases of communicable disease, two highest cases of sexually transmitted disease, two highest cases of disease leading to mortality, infant mortality rate 2 points: complete information provided in 2 health subsystems but missing information is in a third one, missing 1 information in communicable cases, STD’s, mortality rates and IMR. 1 point: complete information in1 health subsystem but missing information in 2 health subsystems, missing more than 1information in missing 1 information in communicable cases, STD’s, mortality rates and IMR. 0 point: no information provided __________________________________________________ Use Trauma Center link: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/trauma/Counties/index.htm oc. Two highest cases of diseases leading to mortality d. Infant mortality rate Community/county/zip code strengths and weaknesses 1. List two strengths. 2. List two weaknesses. Each strength & weakness must be explained substantially , why you consider it to be a weakness or strength. Provide supportive data from your survey. 4 points: two strengths and two weaknesses are identified. Each strength and each weakness is explained individually with supportive data to illustrate why it is a strength or weakness. 3 points: two strengths and two weaknesses are identified but each strength and each weakness is not explained individually with supportive data. 2 points: the required two strengths and two weaknesses are partially met in that one may be missing in either category. 1point: one strength and one weakness identified and explained with supportive data 0 point: none identified ____________________________________________ Evaluation 1. Present and explain substantially one aspect about your community/county/zip code that you were not aware of, or had little knowledge about, and you became better informed. 1 points: presents and explains one aspect of community student became better informed about 0.5 point: partial discussion of community aspect 0 point: no discussion provided ____________________________________________________________ Vulnerable Populations: List vulnerable populations/groups present in your community. To identify the vulnerable population: a. Use your observations, community issues and concerns (You may look at the list at the front page but the list is not exhaustive of all populations) b. Review data online in your zipcode/city or county related to a vulnerable population you 3 points: lists vulnerable populations/groups 0 point: none listed listed. You may consider using this data in your APA paper. Do not write the statistics here. Vulnerable population in my community/county/zip code 1. Select one vulnerable population from the list above. (Vulnerable population chosen is supported by data from your community) These would be the groups most likely to develop health-related problems or to develop more serious outcomes of their existing problems. Provide statistics, and objective data about the vulnerable population. 2. Identify a community resource for your vulnerable population. The resource does not have to be in same zip code as your chosen community. (Select a “Resource” your population can use free of charge or at minimal cost. No online-only resources. Specify the name and location.) 3 points: vulnerable li population selected; Demographics, statistics and objective data provided. Rationale provided as to why group is considered vulnerable, identifies a community resource 2 points: vulnerable population selected; Demographics, statistics and objective data provided. Rationale provided as to why group is considered vulnerable, no community resources identified 1 points: vulnerable population selected; Demographics, statistics and objective data provided. No rationale provided as to why group is considered vulnerable, no community resources identified 0.5 point: vulnerable population selected; no rationale provided 0 point: vulnerable population not selected Overall organization: Paper is neat, well-organized, legibly written.

ANSWER

Community Assessment: Understanding the Local Health Environment

As a senior carer currently working across care homes and nursing homes, with an aspiration to become a healthcare assistant in a mental health setting within the NHS, conducting a community assessment becomes essential to gain insights into the local health environment. In this assignment, the focus is on the zip code 53228 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which encompasses the Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Demographics and Socioeconomic Factors

The dominant age group observed within the community includes a mix of young and middle-aged individuals, reflecting the diversity of the population. The socioeconomic reality of the community exhibits signs of vitality and progress, with well-maintained houses, active neighborhood meetings, and evidence of community engagement such as political activism. According to Census data, the median income in zip code 53228 is $62,875, reflecting a balanced economic status.

Ethnic Diversity

The community demonstrates ethnic diversity through the presence of various ethnic restaurants, grocery stores, and places of worship. Census data reveals that the top three ethnic groups by percentages are White (85.6%), Hispanic/Latino (5.7%), and Asian (3.2%).

Health Sub-System

The health sub-system within the community includes the following facilities:
Closest Hospital: Aurora West Allis Medical Center
Closest Urgent Care: Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Urgent Care – Greenfield
Level I Trauma Center: Froedtert Hospital
Closest Public Health Dept.: City of West Allis Health Department

In terms of health data, the community has reported the highest cases of communicable diseases such as influenza and pneumonia, indicating the importance of immunization and preventive measures. Additionally, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a concern, with the highest cases including chlamydia and gonorrhea. Notably, diabetes and heart diseases are the leading causes of mortality.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Two strengths of the community include its ethnic diversity, fostering cultural exchange, and a robust healthcare infrastructure with accessible hospitals and urgent care centers. On the other hand, a weakness is the high prevalence of communicable diseases, reflecting the need for health promotion and education. Supportive data from the survey demonstrates the strengths through the presence of ethnic businesses and the weaknesses through disease data.

Becoming Better Informed

Through this assessment, I gained a better understanding of the prevalence of communicable diseases and the role of healthcare facilities in addressing them. This newfound awareness emphasizes the significance of health promotion and disease prevention in the community.

Vulnerable Population

The vulnerable population in this community includes the elderly, particularly those living alone and facing social isolation. According to data, the elderly population experiences increased susceptibility to adverse health outcomes. The community resource to address this vulnerability is the “Milwaukee County Department on Aging,” which provides support, social activities, and healthcare information to enhance the well-being of the elderly.

In conclusion, the community assessment highlights the importance of understanding local health dynamics, identifying vulnerabilities, and leveraging available resources to promote health and well-being. This process enhances the ability to contribute effectively as a healthcare assistant in a mental health setting within the NHS, aligning with the principles of caring and community well-being.