Analysis and Summary of Health Risk information about Abilene Community - Research Paper Example

? Analysis and Summary of Health Risk information about Abilene Community Analysis and Summary of Health Risk information about Abilene Community According to the 2010 census, Abilene’s population was 117,063. This is close to the number that Hope Haven Incorporation indicates as the total population of the city. Hope Haven indicates that the total population of Abilene city is approximately 125,000 people. From this population, the approximate number of people considered homeless is 625-1,875 per night. This is based on a formulae used by Housing and Urban Development to determine the number of homeless people in an area. Housing and Urban Development uses 0.5%-1.5% of the overall population to determine the number of homeless people. Local homeless population in Abilene has been determined to be around 1000 people. Hope Haven Incorporation confirms that the number of homeless people served and turned away every year is approximately 1000 (AHHI, n.d). Homelessness in Abilene is different from that observed in urban areas considering the living conditions and even the race. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, in urban areas, most homeless people are African-American males. The definition of homelessness by the federal government and the perception of homelessness by the people also affect the face of homelessness in Abilene. Abilene is a semi-rural city with white single males as most of its homeless people. The federal government considers homelessness as lack of regular, fixed and enough night-time residence. Most people have the impression that homelessness is living on the streets or in shelters. In Abilene the homeless are likely to be hidden because it is a semi-rural city. In such areas, homeless people mostly live in make-shift lean-tos, abandoned houses or in automobiles. Under these conditions, the homeless lack water and electricity (Eiserer, n.d). Additionally, homeless people in semi-rural and rural areas are less likely to live in shelters or on the streets. Most of them live with their relatives in substandard or overcrowded housing (Eiserer, n.d). This status increases the number homelessness related diseases, especially when they go unrecognized. It increases the risk of infection and affects control of already existing diseases. Abilene community also has the problem of overcrowding in elementary schools. Abilene has been experiencing increased numbers of student enrolment over the years. This however, has not been accompanied by increased elementary educational facilities leading to overcrowding. Because of overcrowding, AISD has proposed a boundary rezoning that is expected to balance the number of students in different schools. Overcrowding is expected be eased at Jackson elementary school, overcrowding is expected to create more space at Ward Elementary, and increase enrolment at Reagan and Dyess. This rezoning is expected to affect Dyess, Jackson, Ward, Bassetti and Reagan Elementary schools (Powell, 2013). Overcrowding causes health problems both directly and indirectly. It enhances the spread of infectious diseases directly, and causes strain on existing facilities, which then cause various types of health problems and diseases. Community Health Nursing Diagnosis 1 Health Risk: Higher Prevalence or Existence of Homeless Diseases than expected The conditions of the houses that the homeless people live in are a contributing factor to their health status. Hope Haven Incorporation indicates that in a year, approximately 1000 homeless people are served or turned away (AHHI, n.d). This could be exclusive of other homeless people who could be living with their relatives, in abandoned houses, make-shift lean-tos and in automobiles among other areas. It means that the number of homeless people that the city planners and charity organizations are aware of could be more than 1000. Homeless people suffer from various diseases such as tooth decay, trauma, respiratory infections, vision disturbances, trauma, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, functional limitations, mental illnesses, and dermatologic conditions like allergic rashes, skin lice, eczema, and scabies. They also suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, asthma and diabetes that are not easy to manage (Donohoe, 2004). As indicated earlier, the face of homelessness in Abilene is different from what is popularly known as homelessness in urban areas. For this reason, homeless people will go unrecognized in areas that they live in. The region may have a higher prevalence of certain diseases. There are certain factors that contribute to hard-to-manage medical and psychiatric illnesses. These include lack of privacy, excessive outdoor exposure, limited access to water, personal hygiene, enhanced vulnerability to violence and crime, infectious disease transmission due to overcrowding, dental care, social isolation, prolonged standing, increased risk of being robbed of medication, and inability to follow complex treatment (Donohoe, 2004). In case of unidentified people like those living in semi-rural and rural areas, the risk experiencing such factors is increased. Community Health Nursing Diagnosis 2: Overcrowding Health Risk: Increased Infectious Diseases in Elementary Schools and High Risk of Injuries and Illnesses Due To Indirect Effects of Overcrowding Overcrowding affects students in different ways. In overcrowded schools, students experience more violence, achieve less, and pay less attention. There is high likelihood of having inadequate or substandard safety measures, electrical and lighting systems, floors, heating systems, foundations, and ventilation and air conditioning systems. These increase the risk of injuries, accidents and occurrence of certain diseases in schools. Inadequate safety measures, for example, can lead to increased accidents in elementary schools. Inadequate and substandard heating and air conditioning system can cause various health problems such as Pontiac fever, Legionnaire’s disease, and Humidifier fever that are caused by polluted standing water in unclean heating and air conditioning systems (CUPE, 2011). According to the WHO, overcrowding and inadequate shelter are factors that contribute to the transmission of epidemic diseases with potential such as meningitis, cholera, respiratory infections, scabies, typhus and so many others. They increase the frequency of disease outbreaks and chances of experiencing more severe cases of the diseases in densely populated areas. It is only appropriate to provide extra facilities to decrease overcrowding. Abilene is at high risk of experiencing one of the epidemic diseases with potential as mentioned by the WHO (WHO, 2013). References Abilene Hope Haven Incorporation (AHHI). (n.d). Abilene Statistics. Rerieved on 1st March 2013 from: http://www.abilenehopehaven.com/old/Abilene_statistics.html Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). (2011).Health and Safety: Ventilation. Retrieved on 1st March 2013 from: http://cupe.ca/updir/Ventilation.pdf Donohoe, M. (2004, July 7). Homelessness in the United States: History, Epidemiology, Health Issues, Women, and Public Policy. MedScapeToday News. Retrieved n 1st March 2013 from: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/481800_2 Eiserer, T. (n.d). Homeless Differ Widely In Urban, Rural Areas. Texas News. Retrieved on 1st March 2013 from: http://texnews.com/homeless/differ051197.html Powell, G. (2013, February 5). Abilene’s Elementary Schools Propose Rezoning. THE OPTIMIST. Retrieved on 1st March 2013 from: http://www.acuoptimist.com/2013/02/abilenes-elementary-schools-propose-rezoning/ WHO. (2013). What Are The Health Risks Related To Overcrowding? Retrieved on 1st March 2013 from: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/emergencies/qa/emergencies_qa9/en/index.html Read More