Introduction
This paper is a windshield survey of Tailgate community, Kansas. The community exists in a public space, which makes it easier for outsiders to observe its characteristics without many inhibitions (Rabinowtiz, n.d.). It consists mostly of buildings, as opposed to open areas, because most of its architectural landmarks are products of colonial America. Unlike other communities around Tailgate, which do not have much human habitation, residents and inhabitants of the Tailgate community utilize it well because there were few public spaces without human activity. There were more than ten health facilities within the community’s boundaries. They ranged in apparent size and acres, based on how far, or close, they were from the central business district. There were quiet places to sit and relax, but most of them were in the outskirts of the town.
There were more than 15 recreation centers where community residents could access health services. There were also different recreational sports facilities in the community. Baseball and soccer fields emerged as the most common facilities in the community. Besides, there were well-manicured grass and mature trees that provided community members with shade. Mostly, women and parents of young children occupied these spaces. I spoke to one of the residents in the community who said the parks were mostly busy during the weekends, but had relatively few people during other days of the week. Most of the shelters (houses) in the community showed signs of proper maintenance because most of them had beautiful gardens and well-manicured playgrounds for the children. However, most of these houses appeared to be in gated communities. Although the settlements were dense, they mostly included apartments, single-family homes and townhouses. The apartments mostly centered in the shopping center, but, further away from this location, were either townhouses, or single-family homes.
After driving around the community, I realized there were more fast-food restaurants than schools or hospitals. Almost every corner of the street had a fast-food place with a constant traffic of people. Some of the residents I talked to revealed that the same was true even during odd hours of the day because at midnight, there were many patrons who bought different sorts of packed food to eat at home. The number of entertainment joints (pubs) was as high as the number of fast-food restaurants. The residents said there were many young adults who patronized such places throughout most parts of the night. Many of them appeared to enjoy smoking and drinking more than any other recreational activity. However, one resident said the human traffic in such places was higher during the night than during the day. Similarly, the traffic was higher during the weekends than during other times of the week. Although there were six malls within the community, there were no visible grocery stores where community members went to buy fresh produce. Instead, there were many quick marts. Lastly, I observed that although there were pedestrian walks and cycling lanes throughout most parts of the community, few people used them. Cars were the most common mode of transport for community members. Children appeared to love cycling, while teenagers enjoyed skating on boardwalks. Few adults participated in any of these activities.
What aspects show a Potential Health Risk
The high number of fast-food restaurants in the community could potentially be a public health concern to community members because they could be buying many unhealthy foods. A high consumption rate of these foods could cause serious health concerns, such as diabetes and obesity (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016). This assertion stems from numerous research studies, which have shown a direct correlation between a high intake of fast foods and a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes among affected persons (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016). The high number of entertainment joints in the community could also indicate the presence of another health problem associated with smoking and excessive drinking. Particularly, NCHPAD (2015) says there is a h possibility that most patrons who engage in such unhealthy lifestyle habits could suffer from cancer and avoidable motor injuries. Cancer is mostly associated with smoking while the excessive consumption of alcohol is associated with motor accidents, among other health complications, such as liver damage (NCHPAD, 2015).
The high number of cars in the community could also indicate the failure of community members to exercise adequately (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016). A sedentary life could cause serious health complications, such as an increased risk of developing colon and breast cancer (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016). Researchers have also drawn a link between a sedentary lifestyle and a high risk of developing a heart attack or cardiovascular problems (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016). The apparent lack of grocery stores within the community could also be a potential health risk because it increases the distance that community members have to cover before they gain access to fresh fruits and vegetables (NCHPAD, 2015). The presence of more quick marts than grocery shops show that more people could be tempted to buy processed foods than fresh produce, which they would have otherwise bought in the grocery stores.
Types of Health Risks to Expect
This paper has already shown the different aspects of the environment that could potentially lead to the development of different diseases. Based on this analogy, there are different types of health risks to expect in this sort of environment (Talley, 2010). For example, the risk of obesity in the community comes with their unique health risks, such as coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type-2 diabetes and cancer (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2016). A sedentary lifestyle among some community members may also cause some types of health risks such as depression, excessive weight gain, an inefficient immune system, and the loss of lean muscle tissue (NCHPAD, 2015). These health risks show the difficulty of maintaining good health without constant physical activity. The apparent lack of enough grocery stores in the community could also cause nutritional health problems because community members could potentially lack adequate access to fresh fruits and vegetables, which are an important part of their nutrition.
People at Risk
There are different kinds of health risks presented in this survey. Most of them affect different demographics. However, the adult population emerges as the most vulnerable population in this analysis. For example, the health risks of living a sedentary lifestyle and the risks associated with consuming too much “unhealthy” foods appear to affect this population group. Teenagers, the elderly and children are not the primary victims of these health risks. For example, the survey shows that many young people participate in different physical activities, such as skating and cycling. In this regard, they are more active than their parents are. The elderly population is also not as vulnerable as their adult counterparts are when we examine unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking and excessive drinking. In terms of gender differences, both men and women suffered similar vulnerabilities for the health risks discussed in this survey.
Conclusion
This paper is a windshield survey of the Tailgate community. Details of its analysis reveal the different aspects of the community that could potentially cause different health risks. The high number of fast-food restaurants, entertainment joints, preference of cars as the main mode of transport, and the lack of grocery stores are the main characteristics of the community that could potentially cause different health risks. Some of these health risks are obesity, cancer, depression, and diabetes (to mention a few). Although these risks could affect all demographic groups, this paper singles out adults as the most vulnerable demographic. Children, teenagers and elderly citizens appear to suffer less exposure to these health risks because of their active lifestyles (children and teenagers) or their old age (elderly citizens). Therefore, they are less likely to suffer from most of the diseases mentioned. Since the Tailgate environment suits young families and their children, there is a need to minimize the potential for any of the above-mentioned health problems to develop into a public health issue. The key to achieving this goal is to minimize some of the environmental health risks discussed in this study. Stated differently, community members should address the high number of fast-food restaurants, entertainment centers, preference of cars as the main mode of transport, and the lack of grocery stores as the main characteristics of the community.
References
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2016). What Are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity? Web.
NCHPAD. (2015). Sedentary Lifestyle is Dangerous to Your Health. Web.
Rabinowtiz, P. (n.d.). Community tool box: Section 21. Windshield and walking surveys. Kansas University Work Group for Community Health and Development. Web.
Talley, J. (2010). Windshield Survey Tool. Web.