Introduction of Community (20 points)
The selected community for this survey is Miami Gardens. This is a suburb are located in Miami City, Florida. Most of the people in the community are African Americans and Latinos (Allender, Rector, & Warner, 2014).
Windshield Survey (75 points)
Vitality
The majority of the people in the community are seen in their respective workplaces. Some of them are students. The common races in this neighborhood include Latinos and African Americans (Staub, 2016). Their age range is 15-65 years. The predominant age is that of adolescents. The general appearance of the people is that they are healthy. However, a few of them use wheelchairs. Obese individuals can be seen in the community. The majority of them are clean and well dressed. The community receives visitors from different parts of the world. Some residents are under the influence of alcohol. Women with young children can be seen on the streets.
Indicators of social and economic conditions
The neighborhood has single-family and multifamily structures. Public housing supports the needs of different people. Public transport is also evident. Bust stops are adequate and equipped with benches. Healthcare transport resources services are available.
The community has factories and business firms that provide job opportunities to the people. However, the community has a small number of unemployed individuals. The only congregating groups on the street are school-going children. The community is not rural. The factories provide jobs to seasonal workers. Women can be seen coming from their places of work. The community does not have children out of school during the day. The neighborhood lacks campaign signs or posters. The people are informed frequently about different health practices using billboards and TV stations. Such methods are effective. The community has public, private, and daycare institutions.
Health Resources
Miami Gardens has several hospitals located in different parts of the city (Allender et al., 2014). Several clinics serve individuals with special needs. Family planning services are available in such facilities. Drug/alcohol treatment centers are missing in this neighborhood. However, nursing homes, mobile clinics, health departments, and shelters for the homeless are evident in the community. The available centers and resources are sufficient to address people’s health problems.
Environmental conditions related to health
Air pollution is a major problem in this neighborhood. Houses have suitable sanitary conditions. Housing is not crowded. The identified houses are not in need of repair. The roads are in good condition. The drainage systems appear to be in place. Traffic lights, curbs, signs, and sidewalks are evident in every street across the neighborhood. The urban region is not heavily trafficked. The streets and parking lots are properly lit. There is handicapped access to buildings, streets, and sidewalks.
The area is served by a number of functional recreational facilities. There is a community center that serves young people. Preschools and daycare centers are common in the community. There are designated playgrounds for children. The facilities discourage children from playing in the alleys and parking lots (Allender et al., 2014). The region has several restaurants. The public tend to eat in different public areas. Ice creams and drinks are sold on the streets. Sitting areas and trash receptacles are present. Public restrooms are also evident in the neighborhood. Nuisance arises from flies and mosquitoes. The community does not have stray animals.
Social functioning
Most of the families observed are nuclear in nature. The man is the head and provides for the family. Women also take up various roles or jobs. Children are cared for in different centers. Competent teachers provide adequate care and support to them. There are several generations in the community. These include the elderly, adults, and young chidlren. The community is characterized by different groups that are related to one another. For instance, there are Latinos from different regions such as Mexico and the Caribbean. People share public spaces and worshiping areas. The survey indicates that members of the community tend to have meetings. This practice fosters cohesiveness. The common religious structures are churches. These are used by different groups such as Catholics and Protestants (Allender et al., 2014). The presence of a small number of individuals affected by alcoholism is a clear indication that the community has specific social challenges. However, adolescent pregnancy and gang activity are not evident.
Attitude toward healthcare
Some people embrace the use of folk medicine. Several clinics provide similar services. Adverts inform more people about herbal medicines. Health departments and resources are utilized adequately in the community. Preventive and wellness care are available in different healthcare facilities. Several promotions and campaigns aimed at dealing with diabetes and tuberculosis were identified. These efforts are critical towards supporting the neighborhood’s health outcomes.
Vulnerable population (20 points)
The main vulnerable population identified is characterized by drug/alcohol addicts. Most of the affected individuals are homeless. Such individuals do not have jobs and struggle to lead better lives. The available rehabilitation services cannot meet their needs. The affected individuals are also unable to pursue their potential.
Conclusion (20 points)
This windshield survey indicates clearly that the people of Miami Gardens are supported by different facilities, healthcare resources, and programs. The major races include Latinos and African Americans. Members of the community live harmoniously with one another. The major health problems include pollution and alcohol abuse. The absence of adequate resources to meet the needs of different underserved persons is something that should be addressed carefully (Greshman, 2016). New improvements in healthcare services and provision of shelter can transform the welfare of more persons.
References
Allender, J., Rector, C., & Warner, K. (2014). Community & public health nursing: Promoting the public’s health. New York, NY: Wolters Kluwer Health.
Greshman, B. (2016). Today’s health professions: Working together to provide quality care.Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
Staub, J. (2016).Private gardens of South Florida.Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith.