Health Assessment & Prevention Project: Part 1: Windshield Survey (Unit 2)

Population Health Assessment and Prevention Project Assignment GUIDE Remember- This is the guide- use the template to complete the assignment

Part 1: Windshield Survey: Unit 2

Community Identification

Community of Interest: (City, Town, State, and zip code) Approximate population: Rationale for selection of this community for assessment: When did you assess the area: (This should include two diOerent times of the day).

Windshield Survey: Area Assessment and Boundaries Write a narrative description of what you “see” when driving or walking in the identified area. Include in your assessment details regarding infrastructure, public structures, housing, streetscapes, sidewalks, street signs, environmental quality, street use, land use, parks, industry, etc. Observe where and when people “hang out” and their behavior. Are kids playing in the street due to lack of parks/recreation facilities or are the parks/recreation areas unsafe (observe who is “hanging out” in the parks/recreational facilities). Use the assignment guide to help with full development of this section. Locate your community on a Google map and compare to your findings from driving around the community. Are the boundaries as evident as the physical boundaries observed? Include the map where boundaries can be seen. Embed the image into this document, in this section.

Windshield Survey: Physical Characteristics Assessment Findings Community Existence: How long has the community been in existence? Provide history of the area. Use evidence and cite according to APA format.

Demographic Data: People: What type of people do you see? For example, young, old, homeless, families, or loners. How do you feel in the community, welcome? Review demographic data and include here; be sure to cite the sources using APA format. Click or tap here to enter text. How does what you see align with the demographic data presented above? Be descriptive. This discussion should show your nursing assessment of the community.

Windshield Survey: Psychosocial Characteristics

Religion: What types of religious institutions/organizations do you see? How many? Any data about number of people who attend religious institutions? Do the institutions of one particular religion or sect dominate? Are there separate houses of worship for people of diTerent ethnicities or races, even if they share the same faith? Health & Social Services: What evidence of acute or chronic health conditions such as, drug addiction, alcoholism, or mental illness do you observe? What types of clinics, hospitals, doctor oTices, etc. are there? Is the hospital accessible to community members? Do you see childcare facilities? Do you see homeless or abuse shelters? Food banks, welfare oTices, etc.? Are they concentrated in a particular area? Are they easy to reach by public transportation? Economy: Is it a thriving community or a struggling community? What kind of businesses or industries are there? Are there shopping centers or neighborhood stores? Is there a mix of large and small businesses? Are there boarded-up or vacant storefronts? Are there grocery stores within walking distance to homes? Is there opportunity for local employment? Transportation: How do people get around? What type of private and public transportation is available? If public transportation exists how accessible is it and how frequently is it available and/or used? Who usually uses it and does it allow relatively easy access to all parts of the community? Is it easy to navigate and use? How much does it cost? Are there major highways nearby? How heavy is the traTic in the community? Is it mostly commercial and industrial (vans, trucks, etc.) or mostly private cars? Is there an issue with rush hour and/or gridlock? Is there much bicycle traTic and/or bike lanes? Are there bike racks in many places? Do you see people walking? Can people with disabilities get around easily? Safety: What types of protective services are available, fire, police, and ambulance? Where are they located? Are they visible in the community? Do you observe any evidence of criminal behavior? Is the community well-lit at night? Do you feel safe in the community? Crime statistics?

Politics & Government: Are there signs of political activity, such as election signs or billboards? Is political activity/participation allowed and/or encouraged? Are there protests or demonstrations? Do people tend to get out and vote? Don’t just think in terms of national or state elections. Consider local government and civic involvement (mayor, city council, county representative, sheriT, school board, etc.). Communication/Media: Are there local media outlets – radio and TV stations, newspapers, Internet sites devoted to local issues? Are they independent, or are they sponsored or run by government or corporations? Where are their facilities? What types of billboards/advertisements do you see? Education: Are there schools in the area? How do they look? What is the nearest elementary/middle school? Are schools well maintained? Are there libraries? Are there children of school age visible in the neighborhood during the day? Are there two- and four-year colleges and/or universities in the community? Where are they located? Do they seem open to the community, or do they seem self-contained and isolated? Recreation: Where do people gather? Where do children play? Are parks used by a variety of people?? Are parks and recreational areas safe and well-maintained? Are there sports facilities – basketball courts, soccer pitches, baseball fields, cricket pitches, pools, etc.? Are they used at night? Culture & Entertainment: Are there museums, libraries, theaters, restaurants, clubs, sports stadiums, historic sites, etc.? Are they accessible to all parts of the community (centrally located, reachable by public transportation)? Do they reflect the cultures of community members? What evidence is there of organizations in the community? Are there service clubs – Lions, Elks, Masons, etc.? Are there other organizations – centered around community issues, the environment, sports or leisure pursuits, socialization, etc.? Values: What is the “feel” of the community? Your overall impression? Is the population homogeneous or integrated? Do you see indicators of more than one ethnicity, restaurants, churches, private schools, festivals? Can you tell what people value? Is the environment in decay or disrepair? Some additional thoughts to consider:

• What are the community’s outstanding assets? • What seem to be the community’s biggest challenges? • What is the most striking thing about the community? • What is the most unexpected? • Are you struck by the aesthetic quality of the community, either positively or

negatively – i.e., is it particularly beautiful or particularly ugly?

Windshield Survey: Analysis Based on what you have assessed so far, what do you predict the data will show regarding the most significant health needs within the community? No need for evidence here…use your nursing skills to analyze the cues within the community. This analysis needs to show detail and insight into the windshield survey process as well as your nursing assessment of the community.

References List all references using APA format.