NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 2 Assessing Community Health Care Needs

NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 2 Assessing Community Health Care Needs

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 6218 Leading the Future of Health Care

Prof. Name

Date

Community Health Assessment

This paper focuses on evaluating the Armatage neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Through a windshield survey, the general condition and public health needs of the community are examined. Additionally, the analysis delves into the environmental factors and social determinants of health that influence the well-being of the Armatage population. Finally, an executive summary will be crafted to enable community leaders to effectively understand the current health conditions and needs of the Armatage residents.

General Condition and Public Health Needs

In assessing the Armatage neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, through a windshield survey focused on local businesses, healthcare facilities, and residential housing, key findings emerged. Local businesses like Cindy’s Barber Shop and Kwan’s Chinese Cuisine create a vibrant community hub, yet economic challenges, illustrated by closures like Pennhurst Cleaners, highlight vulnerabilities. Healthcare accessibility, supported by facilities such as Penn Avenue Family Dental and Snap Fitness, is noted, but the absence of major hospitals poses limitations for specialized care. Residentially, a mix of mid-century homes and newer developments suggests stability and growth, though concerns about housing quality and potential displacement persist (Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey Simulation, n.d.).

Safety concerns were also considered while conducting the survey, including ensuring safe driving practices, avoiding hazardous or high-crime areas, and monitoring weather conditions to avoid extreme weather. These precautions were essential to ensure the safety of the surveyors (Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey Simulation, n.d.). The observations are inherently subjective, influenced by the perspective and biases of the observer. This subjectivity can lead to variations in the interpretation of the neighborhood’s condition. The survey offers only a snapshot in time, failing to capture the dynamic nature of the neighborhood’s changes and seasonal variations. Additionally, the survey focuses primarily on visible factors, potentially overlooking critical but less visible issues such as indoor environmental quality, residents’ health behaviors, and detailed healthcare access (Brock et al., 2020).

Environmental Analysis 

The Armatage neighborhood in Minneapolis faces several health concerns influenced by economic, social, and technological factors. Economic disparities are evident, with a range of socioeconomic statuses and limited major healthcare facilities, potentially restricting access to specialized care. Socially, the community benefits from vibrant local businesses and accessible primary education, yet there is limited religious diversity. Technological opportunities exist in the form of local fitness centers like Snap Fitness, promoting physical health. Healthcare providers are influenced by the community’s economic diversity, creating both opportunities for growth and threats from unequal access to resources. The analysis reveals a community with strengths in local engagement and education but challenges in healthcare accessibility and economic inequality, as evidenced by the varied housing conditions and business presence (Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey Simulation, n.d.).

Social Determinants of Health

In the Armatage neighborhood of Minneapolis, several social determinants of health influence community well-being. Access to healthcare services, although somewhat limited in terms of specialized care, is supported by local dental and fitness facilities, promoting physical health. Socioeconomic diversity is evident through a mix of mid-century homes and newer developments, suggesting varying levels of economic stability that can impact residents’ access to resources and health outcomes. Additionally, the total population aged 65 and under, whose health insurance coverage status has been determined, is 4,653 individuals, representing 86.5% of this age group (Minnesota Compass, n.d.).

Educational opportunities at Armatage Elementary School underscore a positive social determinant, while the absence of significant healthcare centers poses challenges for comprehensive care (Armatage Elementary School, 2023). Assumptions include the neighborhood’s active community engagement and the belief that economic disparities may affect health disparities. Uncertainties lie in the scope of healthcare accessibility beyond primary services and the full impact of socioeconomic diversity on health outcomes, underscoring the need for further research and community engagement to address these determinants effectively.

Executive Summary

 The Armatage neighborhood in Minneapolis presents a compelling landscape of opportunities and challenges for community health. Our environmental analysis, anchored in a windshield survey, emphasizes the need to enhance healthcare access, particularly with the absence of significant hospitals within the immediate vicinity. Strengthening local healthcare facilities like Penn Avenue Family Dental and Snap Fitness is crucial to support preventive care and physical health initiatives. Furthermore, expanding educational opportunities beyond elementary levels could enrich health literacy among residents, contributing to overall community well-being (Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey Simulation, n.d.).

Despite vibrant local businesses and stable residential growth, disparities in healthcare access underscore the need for targeted interventions, potentially through collaborative efforts involving local government and community stakeholders. Challenges in implementation include financial constraints and the need for broader community engagement to address varying health needs effectively. The critical lessons learned include the importance of committed leadership in healthcare improvement, leveraging existing community assets, and mitigating healthcare disparities to foster a healthier living environment for all Armatage residents (Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey Simulation, n.d.).

References 

Armatage Elementary School. (2023, December 10). Home – Armitage elementary school. Armatage.mpschools.org. https://armatage.mpschools.org/

Brock, K. E., Allen, K. E., Barton, C., Shapiro, R., Weintraub, B., Wasilewski-Masker, K., Escoffery, C., & Johnson, K. A. (2020). A methodologic approach to conducting a statewide community needs assessment of pediatric palliative care and hospice resources. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60(3), 531-538.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.04.004 

NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 2 Assessing Community Health Care Needs

Minnesota Compass. (n.d.). Armatage | MN Compass. Minnesota Compass. https://www.mncompass.org/profiles/city/minneapolis/armatage

Vila Health: Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey simulation. 

Appendix

Table 1: Windshield Survey and Environmental Analysis

References 

Vila Health: Vila Health: Environmental Analysis and Windshield Survey simulation.

Minnesota Compass. (n.d.). Armatage | MN Compass. Minnesota Compass. https://www.mncompass.org/profiles/city/minneapolis/armatage