NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 2 Assessing Community Health Care Needs

Name

Capella university

Prof. Name

Date

Community Health Assessment

This assessment evaluates the Jordan community in Minnesota by conducting a windshield survey to examine the overall condition and public health requirements. It will also explore environmental factors and social determinants affecting the health of the population. Finally, an executive summary will be created to help leaders understand the current health status and needs of Jordan’s residents.

General Condition and Public Health Needs

A windshield survey of several community areas in Jordan, Minnesota, including public services, hospitals, recreation areas, parks, and the downtown district, revealed that while much of the community is well-developed, there remains potential for further improvement. Jordan provides educational services through schools, an education center, and a public library. The schools are well-equipped with technology and offer a variety of academic and extracurricular activities. Healthcare needs are met by two of the biggest healthcare providers in the area, as well as St. Francis Healthcare Services, which offers inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care, along with family medical clinics, dental services, and chiropractic care. The existing recreation center features fitness facilities, a walking track, and a gym. Although there are many churches, the community lacks mosques and synagogues. 

Factors such as transportation challenges, cultural sensitivity, language, and communication barriers posed safety risks during the survey. Basic amenities, including police, street, fire, and utility services, adequately ensure the community’s safety and security. The downtown area provides easy access to shopping, medical, banking, and professional services. Lagoon Park offers picnic shelters, a playground, and a swimming beach. These aspects of the physical environment provide insight into the local community’s condition, helping assess its health needs. The survey indicates that residents have access to basic amenities that support their health needs (City of Jordan, Minnesota, 2015). However, certain challenges, such as community members’ reluctance to share information due to security concerns and limited time and resources, hindered a seamless analysis process.

Environmental Analysis

An environmental analysis was conducted for the City of Jordan, as detailed in the Appendix (Table 1). This analysis identified several environmental factors that influence the population’s health. The existing healthcare facilities offer community members the opportunity to access medical services promptly. Additionally, the abundance of schools in Jordan enhances health literacy among the population. Research shows that education on chronic disease management can prevent many illnesses (Nutbeam & Lloyd, 2020)

Furthermore, the presence of religious buildings, such as Hope Lutheran Church, contributes to spiritual well-being, which in turn positively impacts the physical and mental health of community members. However, low-socioeconomic groups in Jordan face health challenges due to limited access to care, stemming from financial constraints. Economic difficulties experienced by these individuals lead to various health issues, often due to delayed diagnoses and treatments (Kivimäki et al., 2020). Moreover, the city’s growing population poses a threat to community health due to the insufficient resources to meet the increased demand.

Social Determinants of Health

The demographics and population size, healthcare and education status, and the presence of religious buildings—collectively known as social determinants of health—significantly influence public health in Jordan. The city’s growing population, expected to increase by 150 people annually, alongside limited existing resources, raises concerns about the community’s health (Bolson & Patzek, 2022). However, there is also potential for improved health outcomes, as the population is predominantly young adults, providing opportunities for education and raising health literacy.

This could lead to improvements in the overall health status of the Jordan community, resulting in a larger population that is better informed and able to lead healthier lives (Liu et al., 2020). The environmental analysis is based on the assumption that social determinants of health, such as age, population, education, economic status, and other social conditions, are key predictors of the population’s health. By addressing the challenges posed by these determinants, authorities and legislators can implement measures to enhance the health conditions of the community.

Executive Summary

The City of Jordan offers a distinctive mix of opportunities and challenges for community health. Our environmental analysis, informed by a windshield survey, highlights the urgent need to expand healthcare facilities to accommodate Jordan’s rapidly growing and predominantly young population. Additionally, there is a need to develop educational institutions beyond K-12 schools to provide comprehensive health education, fostering a well-informed community. Although Jordan has several strengths, there is a noticeable healthcare disparity among its low-socioeconomic groups, which calls for immediate intervention, potentially through government support.

Anticipated challenges in implementing these improvements include financial limitations, insufficient stakeholder engagement, leadership gaps, and possible resistance to change from some community members (Glyptis et al., 2020). Key takeaways from these analyses are: 1) community leaders must demonstrate commitment to enhancing healthcare, 2) the community’s existing opportunities should be leveraged effectively, and 3) healthcare disparities need to be addressed to create a healthier living environment for all residents.

References

Bolson, N., & Patzek, T. (2022). Evaluation of Rwanda’s energy resources. Sustainability, 14(11), 6440. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116440 

City of Jordan, Minnesota. (2015, November 30). Economic development. https://jordanmn.gov/city-departments/economic-development/

Kivimäki, M., Batty, G. D., Pentti, J., Shipley, M. J., Sipilä, P. N., Nyberg, S. T., Suominen, S. B., Oksanen, T., Stenholm, S., Virtanen, M., Marmot, M. G., Singh-Manoux, A., Brunner, E. J., Lindbohm, J. V., Ferrie, J. E., & Vahtera, J. (2020). Association between socioeconomic status and the development of mental and physical health conditions in adulthood: A multi-cohort study. The Lancet Public Health, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-2667(19)30248-8 

NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 2 Assessing Community Health Care Needs

Liu, C., Wang, D., Liu, C., Jiang, J., Wang, X., Chen, H., Ju, X., & Zhang, X. (2020). What is the meaning of health literacy? A systematic review and qualitative synthesis. Family Medicine and Community Health, 8(2), e000351. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2020-000351 

Nutbeam, D., & Lloyd, J. E. (2020). Understanding and responding to health literacy as a social determinant of health. Annual Review of Public Health, 42(1), 159–173. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090419-102529

Table 1: Windshield Survey and Environmental Analysis

NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 2 Assessing Community Health Care Needs

References 

City of Jordan, Minnesota. (2015, November 30). Economic development. https://jordanmn.gov/city-departments/economic-development/