Summary of Health Risks
In this survey, the aggregate studied is the Southern Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. A windshield survey was carried out, and several health risks and risks of disasters were identified. First, chronic and acute respiratory tract infections are highly likely. This risk is mainly due to industries in the city that emit harmful substances into the air, thus predisposing people to respiratory diseases and lung cancer.
Additionally, people are at risk of gastrointestinal complications due to water contamination. Water gets contaminated mainly when flood storms occur in the area due to its proximity to the ocean. The leading cause of mortality in the community was heart conditions; this is thus classified as another health risk that needs to be addressed.
Nursing Diagnosis
Risk of Respiratory Diseases
Ineffective airway clearance is related to increased mucus production, as evidenced by difficulty in breathing. Respiratory conditions may be fatal as they affect the airway’s patency, which ensures all organs receive oxygen adequately. Ineffective airway clearance may be caused by various respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These common conditions can harm one’s health and significantly affect their quality of life.
Strategies to Address the Diagnosis
To enable a person to breathe with ease and have a clear airway, strategies that can be implemented include assessing the person’s respiratory status, including the oxygen saturation level, administering medications such as bronchodilators, and providing techniques to promote effective coughing and breathing (Allen et al., 2019). These strategies will significantly help to relieve the symptoms of ineffective airway clearance. When the symptoms are relieved, the condition is halfway managed, and health can be achieved.
Strategies to Address Risk for Respiratory Disease
Several strategies can be implemented to address the risk of respiratory diseases in Tampa, Florida. First off, air quality in the community must be improved. This can be done by reducing air pollution sources, which are the primary concern in Tampa. Industries should be sensitized to alternative ways of waste management other than releasing it into the atmosphere.
Additionally, there should be an effort to reduce traffic congestion and promote green spaces such as parks (Allen et al., 2019). Vaccination services should also be incorporated into the health facilities available in Tampa. These vaccines will prevent influenza and pneumonia, mitigating the risk (Brede, 2021). Most importantly, the residents should be educated on promoting and maintaining their health.
Risk of Gastrointestinal Disorders
Deficient knowledge related to the causes of gastrointestinal diseases, as evidenced by many cases of gastrointestinal disorders in the community. Gastrointestinal system disorders are also fatal, especially in children under one year, due to their potential to lead to dehydration. It is, therefore, vital that the people in the community are aware of the causes of the disorder. Additionally, they should know how the disease presents itself and how to manage it before it worsens.
Strategies to Address the Diagnosis
Lack of knowledge about a disease, its causes, and how it can be prevented is catastrophic, especially for a community where such incidents are most likely to occur. Therefore, the first strategy is health education; this involves conducting health education programs that solely focus on basic hygiene practices, including handwashing, healthy eating habits, and others that increase the wealth of knowledge (Brede et al., 2021). Additionally, collaborations should be initiated with local healthcare providers to offer educational materials and peer education. Social media campaigns should also be initiated to spread the message further.
Strategies to Address Risk of Gastrointestinal Disorders
Regarding the risk of gastrointestinal disorders, the community should be sensitized about the measures to implement in case of a flood storm. This increases the chance of water being contaminated through sewage breaks and overflows. The community should be sensitized and given the necessary tools to deal with this risk (Brede et al., 2021). Additionally, screening tests should be provided to diagnose and treat the condition early whenever necessary.
Disaster Management Plan
List of Disasters
- Hurricane: Tampa is located in the Gulf of Mexico, making it vulnerable to hurricanes such as Hurricane Irma, which caused significant damage and disruption.
- Flooding: Heavy rains and tropical storms can cause flooding in Tampa’s low-lying areas.
- Sinkholes are common in Tampa due to the state’s unique geology. They are not life-threatening but cause damage to property.
- Heat waves: due to the hot and humid weather in the region (Nehemiah et al., 2022), heat-related illnesses are common, and even fatalities during prolonged heat waves are expected.
- Tornadoes are less common than hurricanes, but when they occur, they cause damage, as experienced in the past.
Strategies for Handling Flooding and Heat Waves
When there is a risk of flooding, adequate preparation should be made early. This includes ensuring the emergency supplies are available and up to date, and implementing an evacuation plan. The residents in the area should always stay aware of the flood risk, stay informed about weather conditions and flood warnings, and be ready for evacuation (Tripathy et al., 2021).
Due to the destructive nature of floods, people should protect their properties, such as elevating electrical systems and appliances, sealing basement walls, and installing a sump pump. Additionally, an individual might consider purchasing flood insurance to cover the expenses during the crisis. Care should be taken during floods to avoid walking or driving through flood waters, as they may contain hidden hazards such as debris, sewage, and chemicals that may harm a person’s health.
During a heat wave disaster, hydration should be observed; this can be done by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcoholic drinks or caffeinated beverages, as they cause dehydration. Individuals should also stay cool by ensuring they have air conditioning. If unavailable, visit cooling centres or a pool to avoid the heat. Additionally, appropriate light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, like cotton, should be worn (Nehemiah et al., 2022), and lightweight and breathable fabrics.
Additionally, strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day should be avoided, and more breaks in shaded areas should be taken while working outside. Most importantly, sunscreen should always be worn on the whole body to protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. This can also be achieved by wearing wide-brimmed hats when outdoors.
Recommendations for a Disaster Supplies Kit
A disaster supplies kit should contain enough supplies to last at least three days after a disaster. Some recommendations include the following;
- Water: at least one gallon of water per person per day for sanitation and, most importantly, drinking
- Food: this will mainly include non-perishable goods such as dried fruits and canned goods that do not require refrigeration.
- First aid kit: This includes bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and other essential medical supplies in anticipation of injuries. This will prevent the injuries from getting worse.
- Extra clothes and blankets, in case of cold and wet weather
- Essential documents: copies of essential documents, such as identity cards and health insurance cards, should be packed in a waterproof container.
References
Allen, J., Yao, M. & Morawska, L. A paradigm shift to combat indoor respiratory infection. Science, 372(6543), 689-691. Web.
Brede, K., Wandel, M., Wiig, I., & Lippe, C. (2021). Primary immunodeficiency disease and gastrointestinal distress: coping strategies and dietary experiences to relieve symptoms. Qualitative Health Research, 31(2), 361-372. Web.
Nehemiah, S., Chagaris, D., Barbieri, L., & Allen, M. (2022). Environmental factors and stock abundance influence year-class strength seatrout at cedar key, Florida. Marine and Coastal Fishers, 14(2), e10201. Web.
Tripathy, S., Bhatia, U., Mohanty, M., Karmakar, S., & Ghosh, S. Flood evacuation during pandemic: a multi-objective framework to handle compound hazard. Environmental Research letters, 16(3), 034034.