NR 443 Week 2 Direct Care Project Part 2

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-443 RN Community Health Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

AGENDA

Community Description
Problem Description
Air Quality Flag Program Description
Community Resource
Implications for Practice
Conclusion

Community Description

Pasadena is a suburban area located in Los Angeles County, California. The community is characterized by its diverse racial and ethnic composition, including a white majority, African Americans, Indian Americans, Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics/Latinos. The population of Pasadena is approximately 141,029, with 48% male and 52% female residents. Among this population, 7% are children under the age of five, while 15.6% are seniors aged 65 and older. A concerning issue within the community is the prevalence of pediatric asthma, significantly attributed to poor air quality.

Problem Description

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects a considerable number of children in Pasadena. The community faces serious air quality challenges that contribute to the rising instances of childhood asthma. Key risk factors include emissions from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, which release harmful gases like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, adversely affecting young children. Additionally, the presence of factories without proper emission controls poses a health risk, particularly to vulnerable populations, including children. The existence of landfills in proximity to residential areas also increases the likelihood of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer. The pollutants generated from these sources can lead to upper respiratory infections, exacerbating asthma symptoms.

Air Quality Flag Program Description

Elements of the Program

The Air Quality Flag Program employs brightly colored flags to raise community awareness about daily air quality conditions. The colors correspond to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index, indicating the cleanliness or pollution level of the air. The primary objective of the program is to enhance public awareness, safeguard children’s health, offer activity guidelines, and promote understanding of air quality issues within schools.

Cost and Outreach Materials

This program is a cost-effective initiative, requiring minimal investment. A set of five flags—green, yellow, orange, red, and purple—can be purchased for as little as $100 from local or online vendors. To facilitate education and awareness, various outreach materials such as newsletters, emails, flyers, posters, local newspapers, radio announcements, and word-of-mouth communication are utilized to inform teachers, parents, children, and the surrounding community.

Use: How It Works

The program utilizes colored flags aligned with the U.S. EPA’s air quality index to inform the public about outdoor air quality conditions. Schools display a flag each day according to the local air quality forecast:

Green Flag: Indicates good air quality with no expected health impacts.
Yellow Flag: Signifies acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit extended outdoor exposure.
Orange Flag: Indicates unhealthy conditions for sensitive populations, such as those with asthma, children, and seniors.
Red Flag: Represents unhealthy air quality, prompting sensitive groups to avoid prolonged outdoor activities while encouraging others to limit their exposure.

Example Outcomes

Children, especially those under five, are particularly susceptible to air pollution. The Air Quality Flag Program serves as a guide for schools to adjust outdoor physical activities based on the air quality index, thus protecting the health of all children within the community. For instance, when a green flag is displayed, it signals a suitable day for outdoor activities for children.

Community Resource

The Pasadena Community Asthma Program, part of Huntington Hospital’s Community Outreach department, offers free asthma prevention and management classes. It also provides complimentary medical screenings for asthma at its clinics. The outreach initiative aims to educate asthma patients about their condition and enhance communication with healthcare providers. Furthermore, it seeks to reduce asthma-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and absenteeism from work or school.

Implications for Practice

The Air Quality Flag Program is a vital resource for mitigating respiratory complications among school-aged children. Understanding the prevalence of childhood asthma is essential for implementing measures that prevent exacerbation of the condition and foster safe, supportive learning environments. By adopting this program, schools can reduce exposure to outdoor air pollution for children and adults alike, thus improving overall health outcomes within the community.

Conclusion

Pasadena is a diverse suburban community in California, housing around 141,029 residents, with a notable percentage of children and elderly individuals. Due to its industrial nature, the city experiences significant air pollution from various sources, resulting in increasing cases of childhood asthma. The Air Quality Flag Program utilizes vibrant flags to inform the community about daily air quality, enabling schools to adapt outdoor activities accordingly. This program not only protects children from adverse health effects associated with poor air quality but also complements resources like the Pasadena Community Asthma Program, which provides essential education and support to asthma patients.

References

American Lung Association. (2020). Estimated prevalence and incidence of lung disease. https://www.lung.org/research/trends-in-lung-disease/prevalence-incidence-lung-disease

County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. (2018). Explore rankings. http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/

U.S. Census Bureau. (2018). State and county QuickFacts. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/