NR 442 Community RUA Final

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-442 Community Health Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

Background

Orthodox Jewish communities are known for their conservative views and adherence to traditional ways of life. They are typically resistant to changes in lifestyle, maintaining strong ties to ideology and authority figures. Orthodox Jews in America are predominantly located in the northeastern United States. Many within this community believe in sending their children to religious private day schools as part of preserving their faith and culture.

Congregation Bet Haverim (CBH) is a Reconstructionist Jewish congregation, having separated from conservative Judaism. CBH was originally formed by a group of gay and lesbian Jews and is open to all, regardless of gender identity or race. The congregation welcomes drag queens and kings, transgender, genderqueer, and intersex individuals. Additionally, the synagogue invites people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, aiming for inclusivity and acceptance.

Geographic Information

CBH is located in North Druid Hills, Atlanta, Georgia, within Dekalb County. Its geographic coordinates are 33.8168° N latitude and 84.3133° W longitude, with a zip code of 30329. Toco Hills, a neighborhood within North Druid Hills, is known for being home to a multi-generational Orthodox Jewish community with several congregations representing various forms of Orthodoxy. Unlike Orthodox Jews, members of CBH may drive to synagogue instead of walking. Despite its thriving community, there are concerns about safety, particularly for CBH members who have to park across a busy street to attend services. Furthermore, limited parking and difficult traffic conditions near the synagogue pose additional challenges.

Demographic Information

Toco Hills has a population of 28,410, with 13,796 males and 14,614 females. Employment in the area includes 13,375 white-collar workers and 2,637 blue-collar workers. There are 4,771 family households and 6,737 non-family households. Of these, 2,811 households have children, while 8,692 do not. The average household income is $74,546.50, with a median household income of $51,589.00. Around 6,018 people live below the poverty level, while 21,588 live above it.

In terms of marital status, 11,206 residents have never married, 8,420 are married, 657 are separated, 958 are widowed, and 1,711 are divorced. Smoking rates in Dekalb County are at 26%, while 20% of the population is physically inactive. Additionally, the area reported 644 violent crimes.

Community Health Diagnosis

Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk: The Toco Hills community has an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease due to unhealthy nutritional choices, particularly the high-fat foods consumed during synagogue gatherings and celebrations. Many individuals in this community are overweight, which contributes to the prevalence of cardiovascular issues.
Heightened Anxiety and Stress: There is a growing sense of stress and anxiety within the community, primarily driven by concerns over safety. Recent incidents, such as the tragic shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, have led to heightened fears of possible attacks.
Decisional Conflict: Members of the community face decisional conflict when their personal beliefs and values come into question. This often arises from the challenge of balancing family activities with synagogue meetings, especially when driving long distances is involved.

Plan for Priority Diagnosis

The priority diagnosis for this community centers around the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, driven by cultural food choices. A short-term goal involves educating community members on healthier ways to prepare traditional dishes, such as baking instead of frying. Nutritional classes can be offered within the next two months, and pamphlets outlining risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease and obesity can be distributed.

A long-term goal includes reducing the rate of cardiovascular disease in the community by 15% over the next year. To achieve this, health fairs focusing on cardiovascular screenings, along with workout programs and healthier food options, will be introduced to the community. By assessing individual health literacy, the community can adopt healthier practices without sacrificing their cultural identity.

Intervention for Priority Diagnosis

Lifestyle changes are critical in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease within the Toco Hills community. These changes include increasing physical activity, managing weight, reducing fried fatty foods, and practicing relaxation techniques. According to the American Heart Association (2018), seven factors improve overall health and quality of life. These include reducing blood glucose levels, maintaining a healthy diet, managing blood pressure, stopping smoking, managing weight, increasing physical activity, and keeping cholesterol levels in check. The adoption of these practices can significantly reduce the community’s risk of heart disease.

Evaluation of Priority Diagnosis

To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, questionnaires will be administered six months later to assess the community’s progress in achieving health goals. Lipid panels and weight assessments will determine whether cholesterol levels and weight have improved for those at risk. The community’s willingness to engage in lifestyle changes and share their perceptions of health will also be evaluated.

Specific measures used to evaluate the meeting of goals include observing community meals, gathering data from surveys on cooking classes and health fairs, and assessing participants’ knowledge and future plans. An outcome will be achieved when the community verbalizes negative behaviors that can be modified and demonstrates a willingness to embrace healthier eating habits and physical activity.

Community Resources

Several resources are available to the Toco Hills community, including Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) of Atlanta, which offers support services, career services, adult and intellectual disability services, and dental care. Programs like Parent n’ Me, Hebrew schools that celebrate diversity, the B’nei Mitzvah Program, and the CBH Teen Group provide opportunities for community members to bond and learn about Jewish culture. For healthcare, the community can access Emory Main Hospital, the Atlanta VA Medical Center, and Emory at Toco Hills Primary Care.

References

American Heart Association (2018). Cholesterol Management. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/

Congregation Bet Haverim. (2019). Youth and Family Education. Reconstructing Judaism: Deeply Rooted, Boldly Relevant. Retrieved from: https://www.congregationbethaverim.org/learning

Country health rankings (2019). Dekalb County: Health behaviors. Retrieved from https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/georgia/2019/rankings/dekalb/county/outcomes/overall/snapshot

Engelke, Z. R. M. (2017). Patient and family education: Teaching the patient with cardiovascular disease. CINAHL Nursing Guide. Retrieved from https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

NR 442 Community RUA Final

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