A community health needs assessment is a method of understanding a community’s health and health-related needs and creating plans to improve the health of a community (Ravaghi et al., 2023). This process is essential for nurse practitioners since it gives them a more detailed and sophisticated comprehension of the communities they serve, making them more knowledgeable about critical health issues that need system-level adjustments and resource mobilization to establish new and inventive programs. It will help them make informed decisions and tailor interventions to meet better the specific needs of the community they serve (Ravaghi et al., 2023). Community health assessment is essential for identifying and addressing the community’s health needs to ensure that health services are responsive and appropriate to the needs of a population. This assessment will analyze the environment and conduct a virtual shield survey of a specific Jordan Town, Minnesota community. This approach will assist in evaluating the health needs of the selected community and identifying any potential health risks or concerns.
The General Condition and Needs of the Community in Jordan Town, Minnesota
Jordan is a rural town close to larger cities with a population of approximately 6500 residents. The town has numerous retail, service, and industrial businesses. The city consists of people of all ages, children, youths, adults, and the aged population. The community appears to have a well-established education system, with both elementary and middle schools and a high school that offers vocational classes. The city also has a library, restaurants, clubs, sports stadiums, and historical sites, which are easily accessible to the surrounding community. Additionally, the community has access to safe recreational spaces such as a fitness center, elevated walking track, and multiple gym stations, which is essential for promoting physical activity and healthy behaviors among community members, which can help prevent the possibility of individuals suffering from chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The city also consists of run-down buildings which pose an environmental risk to the community hence the city council should focus on renovating those buildings. Community service providers’ food shelf is available in the community, and they offer food assistance to low-income families who struggle to access healthy foods.
The community has access to religious institutions, although the institutions are of one particular religion: Christianity. There is a need for the city council to establish mosques and synagogues for other religious denominations to worship in. The town also has a center for older adults responsible for providing a supportive and engaging living environment that can promote health and well-being for the aged population. St. Francis Health Services is crucial in ensuring access to quality healthcare services for the community. It provides inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services to the community essential for meeting the diverse healthcare needs of the community. The city also consists of a dental care facility. The neighborhood consists of people of all socioeconomic statuses; the rich, the middle class, and those from lower socioeconomic standards. People of different social and economic classes can access schools, stores, and churches. However, the city seems to lack police and fire stations, and the city council should consider establishing these stations for the community’s safety.
Environmental Factors Affecting the population health of the Community
Different environmental factors significantly impact the community of Jordan. One example is the presence of various industries and businesses in the area, which result in the degradation of air quality due to pollution. Industries release air pollutants into the environment, which affect health in many ways. Air pollution can cause harm to human cells, tissues, and organs. It has both long-term and short-term effects. Brief exposure to air pollution can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, asthma, and breathing difficulties (Shen et al., 2021). When exposed to air pollution for extended periods, individuals will likely suffer from chronic asthma, pulmonary insufficiency, heart disease, and cardiovascular death. Air pollution can also cause mental health effects since an increase in the concentration of PM2.5 can cause negative emotional responses like depression, anxiety, agitation, and irritability (Shen et al., 2021).
Another critical factor affecting the population health of the Jordanian community is access to healthy and affordable food. Ohri-Vachaspati and colleagues (2019) argue that ensuring access to nutritious food is essential for enhancing public health and decreasing social disparities. The availability of healthy food at the community level has been linked to favorable health outcomes, such as decreased chances of developing heart disease and diabetes. The community residing in Jordan can access healthy food from food shelves and Radermacher’s Fresh Market, which is vital for their health.
Social Determinants of Health
The health of a population is significantly influenced by various social factors that determine health, such as the stability of the economy, the quality and availability of education, the accessibility and quality of healthcare, the environment and infrastructure of neighborhoods, and the social and community context in which individuals live (Healthy People 2030, n.d). Jordan’s economic condition is good overall; however, the survey reveals that numerous empty buildings are available. Some businesses that have run for many years are also on sale depicting a rise in economic challenges in the community. The economic conditions in a community can significantly impact its residents’ health outcomes. According to Venkataramani et al. (2020), decreasing earnings can limit the ability to obtain necessary resources like secure housing, food, healthcare, and health insurance, which are crucial for maintaining good health. Furthermore, declining economic conditions may amplify exposure to stress factors such as unfavorable environmental conditions and deteriorating air quality. The rise of economic insecurity and instability can have a direct negative impact on one’s health by increasing both biological and psychosocial stress (Venkataramani et al., 2020).
Jordan community has a high-quality, well-established education system of elementary, middle, high, and vocational training colleges. The elementary school offers specialized programs and interventions for students with diverse learning needs, such as Special Ed, ESL, Title One service, and Gifted and Talented. It has also incorporated technology into its curriculum. High school students can attend vocational classes to gain valuable skills and credits towards vocational schools. According to Raghupathi and Raghupathi (2020), people who have attained higher levels of education are more likely to have better health since most of them report experiencing low levels of illness, disability, or death. Education plays a crucial role in fostering and maintaining healthy behaviors and positive decision-making, strengthening social connections, and promoting overall well-being for oneself, one’s family, and the broader community.
Additionally, the community has access to high-quality healthcare, as evidenced by the presence of St. Francis Health Services, Allina Health, and Park Nicollet Health Services. Access to healthcare is an essential determinant of health. It enables individuals to receive timely and appropriate care for acute and chronic conditions and engage in preventive health behaviors (National Academies of Sciences et al., 2018). By offering inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care services, the facility can meet the surrounding community’s needs. Additionally, St Francis collaborates with other healthcare services to help patients receive timely and coordinated care, which helps enhance their health outcomes.
Another important social determinant of health affecting the community is the Neighbourhood and Built environment which includes parks, green spaces, and infrastructure. The neighborhoods where people reside significantly influence their health and well-being. Jordan City has access to green spaces such as Lagoon Park. Green spaces offer opportunities for social and economic advantages by providing ideal settings for unwinding, fostering social bonds, participating in physical exercise, and experiencing a stronger connection with the natural world (Nguyen et al., 2021). Higher-quality green spaces have the potential to lower the risk of cardiovascular mortality and the occurrence of cardiometabolic diseases. Moreover, green areas can promote mental well-being by minimizing exposure to stressors and replenishing mental resources for better coping (Nguyen et al., 2021). The community also has access to safe recreational spaces for physical activities such as sports and leisure. Kubota and colleagues (2019) suggest that engaging in routine physical activity can provide several advantages to adults, such as the decreased likelihood of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. Therefore these facilities have positive health impacts on the people of Jordan. Additionally, the buildings and infrastructure in the town are run down, which poses a health risk to the surrounding population.
Another important social determinant of health affecting Jordan is the social and community context. The presence of Oak Terrace Senior Living of Jordan shows that the community strives to help people get the social and community support they need which is critical for health and well-being. Oak Terrace can help older adults maintain independence and lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Summary of Windshield Survey and Environmental Analysis
Jordan is a small city with various social amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities, churches, and recreational facilities. The buildings in the town are old and not in good condition, therefore, posing an environmental risk for the population. The executive should consider renovating the buildings and lighting the streets adequately. The city’s economic condition is good, but the availability of empty buildings downtown and outlying shopping areas shows a challenge. Industrial businesses emit pollutants to the environment; hence, the executive should develop policies and regulations to regulate air pollution. The availability of churches shows that the executive should establish other religious worship houses. The town also consists of bars and restaurants, which shows that the town is tourist friendly. However, bars and restaurants in downtown areas can also contribute to health risks, such as excessive alcohol consumption, drunk driving, and the spreading of infectious diseases. Therefore, policies and programs that promote responsible drinking behavior should be developed. Police stations should also establish law and order in the community. The absence of a fire station risks the community, and the executive should consider establishing one. Overall, the environmental and social conditions of the city are good, and this positively impacts the health outcomes and quality of life of the people of Jordan.
References
Healthy People 2030. (n.d.). Social determinants of health. Home of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion – health.gov. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health
Kubota, A., Matsushita, M., Smith, B. J., Sugiyama, T., & Arao, T. (2019). The impact of a new exercise facility on physical activity at the community level: a non-randomized panel study in Japan. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7146-x
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Factors that affect healthcare utilization. In Healthcare Utilization as a Proxy in Disability Determination. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500097/
Nguyen, Y., Astell-Burt, T., Rahimi-Ardabili, H., & Feng, X. (2021). Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111028
Ohri-Vachaspati, P., DeWeese, R. S., Acciai, F., DeLia, D., Tulloch, D., Tong, D., Lorts, C., & Yedidia, M. J. (2019). Healthy Food Access in Low-Income High-Minority Communities: A Longitudinal Assessment—2009–2017. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132354
Raghupathi, V., & Raghupathi, W. (2020). The influence of education on health: an empirical assessment of OECD countries for the period 1995–2015. Archives of Public Health, 78(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-020-00402-5
Ravaghi, H., Guisset, A. L., Elfeky, S., Nasir, N., Khani, S., Ahmadnezhad, E., & Abdi, Z. (2023). A scoping review of community health needs and assets assessment: concepts, rationale, tools, and uses. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08983-3
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Venkataramani, A. S., Whitehorn, G. L., & Tsai, A. C. (2020). Economic influences on population health in the United States: Toward policymaking driven by data and evidence. PLoS Medicine, 17(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003319
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