Community or Population Description of Health Project - Coursework Example

? Community Health Project Community or Population A community can be defined as the group of people that involves sharing knowledge and beliefs which significantly allows a communal understanding. Moreover, the definition of community can also be considered with common interest of each individual regarding a common heritage or set of objectives. The community or population consigns the interaction among group of people from with a certain degree of proximity. The term significantly refers to a social component which is bigger than a household with sharing common values along with including social consistency (Cubit Planning, Inc., 2012). With this concern, the community of Minneapolis MN can be determined as one of the largest cities in the United States with more than 387,000 citizens situated in the banks of the Mississippi river. The demographic description of Minneapolis signifies its increasing population which has been considered as one of the most populated areas among the 906 cities in the state of Minnesota. The average household income of Minneapolis can be estimated as USD 46,075 in the year of 2010. In the similar context, the median age has been estimated as 31.4 years old young people involving white, black and Hispanics within Minneapolis ethnic/racial groups (Cubit Planning, Inc., 2012). Windshield Survey The windshield survey of any community involves the collection of subjective data in a personal observation about any population or community. With this regards, the surveyors implement his/her good judgments in data collection process. In the context of conducting windshield survey for Minneapolis community, the assessment will be comprised with the comprehensive study of significant informational areas where the population or community resides. The major components of the windshield survey for Minneapolis would be included as follows: Windshield Survey Table of Minneapolis Windshield Survey Components Survey Findings Boundaries The natural boundaries of the community are stretched on both the banks of Mississippi river The name of the community is “Minneapolis MN”, well known as “City of Lakes” Housing and Zoning The conditions of housing in Minneapolis is comfortable and spacious being arranged according to systematic plans The general condition of the housing in the community were mostly traditional and hence require regular maintenance Open Space The space location within the community can be considered in a proper way of using open space among each building The open spaces are constructed noticeably in safe and attractive forms in Minneapolis community Common Areas The common areas for hangout in Minneapolis are the banks of Mississippi and Stone Arch Bridge The families, schools and college students spend their weekends in various attractive hangout areas within the community as well Transportation The transportation facility in Minneapolis consists of bus services, personal vehicles along with car rental facilities Moreover, the inhabitants use their motorbikes and bicycles as an efficient source of transportation Social Service Centers The community is surrounded with more than 25 healthcare institutions, both government and private as well Various healthcare facilities to cure different health issues are rendered to the locales A sufficient number of recreation centers along with special treatment centers and medical institutions are also present within the community Stores The resident shops in Minneapolis are mostly situated in the major streets of the community The shoppers of the community use personal as well as commercial vehicles during shopping The shops mostly serve with fresh food items including, groceries, fruits along with other necessities Street Scene The street environment of the community is significantly efficient due to a proper arrangement of shops and other business complexes There are no stray dogs and cats or “watchdogs” found on the street of Minneapolis community Condition of the Area The community can be considered as well-kept with respect to abandoned cars and houses along with mix-zoning conditions The information that are provided in the street signage for marketing promotional advertisements along with employment broadcasts Race, Ethnicity, Religion The community involves a race of multiethnic cultures and religions, with white Americans as the dominant race Ethnic diversity has a considerable impact on Minneapolis’ social structure The conduction of separate Temples, Mosques and other religious places within the community, indicate an equal right for each religion Politics Politics is not a pertinent movement in Minneapolis Any political campaigning posters were not found in the community Health Indicators The health indicator within the community involves a large number of healthcare institutions and clinics for various types of physical and mental issues Media An increasing growth has been signified in media activities within the community. The inhabitants are advanced with current scenarios through different types of media that are present in Minneapolis Business and Industry A free market business environment along with manufacturing and distributing channels of organization have been found in the Minneapolis community The large employers can be considered as the private firms such as, retail and hospitality industries People frequently move to other developed countries for betterment of their career; however, the community also possess sufficient wealth distribution facilities for its labor force Data Collection Section1: Population Characteristics Minneapolis can be determined as one of the most diversified countries in the United States. The community involves different levels of economic classes among the people. The economic classes of the community comprises of lower income group, middle income group and the elite class of people. Furthermore, the increasing rate in the household income is significantly lowering the level of poverty within the community. In this regard, the average household income of the people can be considered as USD 46.075 as per the year 2010. However, 22% of their total populations of Minneapolis resident are suffering from poverty (University of Minnesota, 2011). The community entails with multi ethnic or cultural groups among its population. In the context of ethnicity or cultural diversity, it has been observed that the population of Minneapolis includes whites, blacks, American Indians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders along with other races of populations. The white populace within the community is the major dominating race that comprises more than 60% of the total population. The sub-cultures in the Minneapolis can be identified the African American, American Indian and Asian American groups of peoples. However, the country significantly possesses an active role of social awareness along with a low rate of crime irrespective of its involvement with different cultural and racial groups in terms of a diversified community (University of Minnesota, 2011). Housing The community initiates several plans for housing development and urbanizing the housing programs for its populations. With this concern, the housing development organizations are playing an important role for the purpose of developing the housing and zoning facilities within the Minneapolis. The community also provides the facility for the people who are homeless or unable to afford the price of acquiring shelter (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2011). Section 2: Economic Systems The present economic system of Minneapolis can be considered as one of the stable economic systems in the United States. The economic condition of the community involves increasing development in the industrialization divisions. In the context of increasing pace in the economic development, manufacturing has been regarded to be the major source of generating value. The major manufacturing areas of the community are machinery, electronics, along with graphic arts and food processing (Advameg, Inc., 2009). Protective Systems The crime prevention divisions of Minneapolis are significantly reducing the amount of criminal conducts within the community. Minneapolis Preventive Patrol can be regarded as one of the most effective programs of the community to reduce the overall crime. Moreover, Minneapolis Police Department possesses effective strategies in order to dissuade the crime activities. The department also initiates “hot spots” with regards to immediate presence in the crime areas (Office of the Justice Program, n.d.). Food Supply Systems In the context of food supply system of Minneapolis, the community seeks to prefer homegrown foods. With this concern, the initiative of Homegrown Minneapolis is playing a crucial part in order to supply fresh food items for the people of the community. Stating precisely, Homegrown Minneapolis is an initiative of the city to expand the abilities of the community to process, eat or distribute local food items. The program also facilitates the commencement of small farms in order to generate new trade opportunities (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2012). Section 3: Health systems In the perspective of healthcare programs, Minneapolis Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) Healthcare Program can be considered as one of the effective plans of best practices in supporting clinics to render services concerning chronic diseases and obesity preventions. The project is currently working with more than 5 clinics of the Minneapolis community to develop the implementation of preventing health related issues within the community (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2012). Section 4: Religious/Cultural/Ethnic Groups Minneapolis community is one of the largest and most diversified US communities that involve a wide variety of cultures and religions. The European American population can be identified as the dominant race in the overall population of the community. Moreover, non-Hispanic whites can be considered as the populous ethnic group covering more than 60% of total population of Minneapolis (Cubit Planning, Inc., 2012). Educational System Minneapolis Public School runs with more than 36,000 students in various segments of primary and secondary educational institutions. The public schools involve the dimensions of elementary discipline, special education discipline, alternative discipline, charter discipline and higher education discipline (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2012). Transportation System In the transportation system of Minneapolis, more than 60% of the total population possesses personal vehicles. The encouraging alternative transportation facility of the community can be identified as the city auto services along with metro transit transportation system (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2012). Section 5 Political System Political system of Minneapolis is a monopolistic form of government that significantly supports the “Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party” (DFL) which is an associated form of government of the Democratic Party. There are thirteen numbers of wards that are constructed as the “Minneapolis City Council”. According to the present day context, DFL acts as a dominant player in terms of making any community based decisions. Recreation Programs The population of the Minneapolis community are facilitating with a numbers of recreational programs. A range of recreational programs take place from various classes and cultures that are associated by the “Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board”. The recreation programs of the community further involves environmental concerts, sports leagues along with regional cultural programs of Minneapolis (Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 2012). Environmental Systems The current environmental system of Minneapolis focuses on an increasing pace in industrialization. The effective geographical location of the community also facilitates the benefits of international trade among the various neighboring countries. However, the air and water pollutions are becoming major constraints to the prosperity of the community well-being. Part 4: Data Analysis Population Characteristics The population of the Minneapolis is often regarded as one of its major strengths. The community comprises of people belonging to various cultural and ethnic groups which significantly identifies its competency in terms of its striving economic growth. Even the increasing form of business enterprises, including national and global firms are taking place owing to the virtues of effective and individualistic free market model persisting within Minneapolis. Moreover, the Hispanics and other immigrants within the Minneapolis population are also considered as a major contributor towards the increasing financial structure of the community. Healthcare System The healthcare system of Minneapolis is also an important asset for the community. The “Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support” (MDHFS) initiate “Community Health Service” (CHS) Programs after every four years in aid of “City’s Community Health Board”. According to the current statistics of Health and Human Service spending of Minneapolis, it has been observed that the community expenses around 99.5% (USD 2.3 million) of its estimated amount of USD 2,346,614 for developing Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support (MDHFS) (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2012). Therefore, it can be stated that the community should consider generating awareness amid the locales for developing the health and well-being of the urban and county population of the community. With this concern, it can be recommended that it will be beneficial if the MDHFS attempts to consider implementing the healthcare programs in every two years. Moreover, the preparation would also be effective for MDHFS in terms of proper utilization of the investment along with attaining cost effectiveness. Education Segment The educational segment of the community can be considered as the other major contributory element towards the growth of the community. The educational programs of the community can be identified as strategically focused on initiating developed and advanced plans for the public schools. In order to develop the educational segments of the community, “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” plays an important function through focusing an intensive educational support for the school areas along with its other partner agencies (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2012). In the context of providing authentic educational benefit for the population, the development in the primary divisions along with higher study segments also needs to be taken into consideration by the Minneapolis Educational Council. In the perspective of higher education, the students seek to move to other countries. Therefore, it is becoming highly essential for the educational board of Minneapolis to provide better high educational benefits for its population. Analysis of Strengths/Assets and Opportunities for Improvement of the Community’s Health FACTOR IMPORTANT ASSET OPPORTUNTIES FOR IMPROVEMENT Population Characteristics Evidence: Cultural and Ethnic groups, Hispanics and other immigrants (White, Black, American-Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander and other Races) http://www.minnesota-demographics.com/minneapolis-demographics Economic growth and cultural diversity programs for effective and individualistic free market Educational Systems Evidence: Public educational program for multi ethnic populations, healthcare and fire prevention education and higher educational programs http://www.minneapolismn.gov/residents/education/index.htm Opportunity for the improvement of educational guidelines, improvement in the adult education and higher educational programs Health Systems Evidence: Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support” (MDHFS) and other healthcare programs http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health/ship/dhfs_ship-meetings Physical wellbeing of the populations, childcare, social healthcare projects Three Major Goals for Improving Community Health People 2020 Childcare Programs The community healthcare programs of Minneapolis should be focused on childcare programs in the county side along with urban segments of the community. According to the current statistics of Health and Human Service spending of Minneapolis, it has been observed that the community expenses around 99.5% (USD 2.3 million) of its estimated amount of USD 2,346,614 for developing Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support (MDHFS) (City of Minneapolis, MN, 2012). With this concern, MDHFS should also involve special childcare programs to other residential areas in various segments of the community. Healthcare Programs for mental ailments Besides the aforementioned aspects, the healthcare divisions of the Minneapolis community should also consider preparing plans for the increasing numbers of mentally challenged old age group citizen. Stress Management Programs for the professionals The increasing number of industrialisation and global competition has been observed to significantly affect the professionals in Minneapolis. Therefore, it is important for the healthcare divisions of Minneapolis to provide advanced stress management programs for the people who are working in the corporate organisations. In the context of nursing intervention, Disease and Health Event Investigation Program will be highly beneficial for the Minneapolis community. With this concern, the strategies would be effective for the community with the virtuous support of MDHFS along with other governmental and non-governmental healthcare institutions. Moreover, the involvement of the non-profit social organisations and other voluntary associations would also be an effective strategy for accomplishing the target of Health People 2020. References Advameg, Inc. (2009). Major Industries and Commercial Activity. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Midwest/Minneapolis-Economy.html City of Minneapolis, MN. (2011). Community Planning & Economic Development. Retrieved from http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/housing/cped_housing_reports City of Minneapolis, MN. (2012). Minneapolis Sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/index.htm City of Minneapolis, MN. (2012). Directions & Parking for Public Service Center. Retrieved from http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health/ship/dhfs_ship-health-care-sites City of Minneapolis, MN. (2012). Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.minneapolismn.gov/recovery/c-cat_HealthandHumanServices Cubit Planning, Inc. (2012). Get Minneapolis, MN Demographics. Retrieved from http://www.minnesota-demographics.com/minneapolis-demographics Office of the Justice Program. (n.d.). Minneapolis (Minn.) Preventive Patrol. Retrieved from http://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=58 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. (2012). Activities and Programs. Retrieved from http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=74 University of Minnesota. (2011). Minority Affairs and Diversity. Retrieved from http://www.meded.umn.edu/minority/community_TwinCities.php Read More