Baltimore City
Baltimore City is known for being the largest city in Maryland. It is located in the north-central of Maryland with an estimated population of 593 490. Baltimore is home to individuals of different ethnicities, although the community focus is African Americans, who constitute 62% of the total population. The health problem of focus among the people is diabetes, the leading cause of death in Baltimore City. According to the Baltimore City Health Department (2022), 14.5 % of African Americans have diabetes. The health department’s assessment also indicates that low-income individuals are at more risk of suffering from diabetes compared to the wealthiest residents. Thus, diabetes in Baltimore City is ranked among the highest-cost health conditions in public health care and systems.
In 1796, Baltimore City was incorporated as a municipality in Baltimore County but was later detached from the county jurisdictions in 1851 due to its incremental growth. In addition, Baltimore is home to major institutions such as the University of Maryland, John Hopkins University, and a top seaport.
Community Description
I conducted a windshield survey in an area mainly occupied by African Americans. The surrounding environment is large and developed, as several businesses exist, including multiple pharmacies and large community apartment complexes. Although some houses in the community section appear in good condition, I noticed many unmaintained houses made of bricks and graffiti on the wall.
Open Spaces
The community has several open spaces along the main roads. The spaces, which include intersections, alleys, and driveways, are mostly paved and well-maintained. There are also large open spaces between houses, most tented and primarily used for sports and recreational purposes. The well-maintained flowers and trees planted along have also made the spaces attractive, and one can conclude that they are safe to walk through due to their strategically placed lighting. In addition, I observed many individuals hanging out in the parks and fields that are open to the public and the community spaces despite scattered litter in some sections.
Stores
Most of the stores in the community area are corner stores. Also, I observed a few grocery stores and supermarkets, which indicates the likeliness of increased unhealthy nutrition patterns. In addition, I observed numerous fast-food outlets and restaurants in the community, thus suggesting that the community might need more adequate and affordable healthy food supplies.
Human services
I observed several churches, parks, and offices belonging to governmental and non-governmental organizations in the community area. In addition, there are other facilities such as fitness, health facilities, and a police station, which gives the community a sense of health benefits and security. However, despite several pharmacies, the community needs more healthcare facilities, such as clinics, thus highlighting a potential lack of good access to health services.
Vulnerable Population
Demographics
The windshield survey mainly focused on the African American Population. Studies indicate that African Americans have high rates of chronic conditions, including diabetes. The community I focused on also shows a high prevalence of poverty levels.
Health Determinants
First, accessibility to healthy foods is a significant health determinant identified during the survey. According to Astbury et al. (2019), low proximity of grocery stores and supermarkets is related to lower levels of DASH-accordant. Individuals lacking easy access to grocery stores and supermarkets may not adhere to healthy diets. Thus, having a few grocery stores and supermarkets in the community relates to unhealthy diets. In addition, the community’s low socioeconomic status may lead to the population facing challenges in affording healthy foods.
Second, the several fast-food restaurants accessed by the community members indicate an increased consumption of fast foods among the community’s population. According to Zhen (2021), an increased number of fast food outlets, restaurants, and stores within an area of a 1-mile radius indicates increased consumption and purchase of fast food. Thus, in this community, one can relate an increased consumption of fast foods due to the high number of observed fast-food outlets, thus translating to the consumption of unhealthy diets among the population.
Third, access to healthcare services is another health determinant. During the drive, I observed and counted only four outpatient clinics within the community’s vicinity. According to Hill-Briggs, (2021), access to healthcare is a major social determinant of health that influences the overall quality of life among individuals, including those suffering from diabetes. Thus, despite several pharmacies being observed during the survey, the ratio of clinics compared to the estimated population observed during the drive could be much higher, thus attributing to poor health outcomes.
Lastly, the high poverty rates in the community are also health determinant among the population. According to Thompson (2022), poverty is among the prime factors that significantly affect numerous health-related aspects, including healthcare, nutrition, and shelter. High poverty rates are often connected to poor health, food, and shelter outcomes, including overall poor mortality and morbidity outcomes. In addition, poorly maintained houses may also contribute to health conditions such as asthma.
Community Strengths and Resources
Despite having several weaknesses that might contribute to an increase in the prevalence of diabetes among adults, the community has various resources that can be utilized to improve the community’s overall well-being, including health. Human services such as churches and universities can reach individuals. Thus, they can be used to support social services and motivate them to engage in healthy lifestyle patterns. Similarly, parks and recreational spaces in the community allow individuals to engage in sporting and exercise activities. According to Syed (2020), engaging in physical activities can aid in reducing the overall morbidity and mortality among individuals suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Conclusion
The windshield survey results indicate that the community is at a higher risk of increased diabetes rates. From the survey, the community’s population faces numerous disparities, including; inadequate access to healthcare services, relatively poor housing units, and inadequate access to fresh, healthy foods due to insufficient proximity of supermarkets and grocery stores. These disparities significantly contribute to an increased poor life quality, unhealthy lifestyles, and overall morbidity and mortality rates. However, community resources such as parks, religious facilities, and educational institutions can be utilized to improve community residents’ overall well-being and health. Therefore, efforts to intervene and reduce the prevalence of diabetes can focus on the community’s strengths and resources to address diabetes effectively.
References
Astbury, C., Penney, T. L., & Adams, J. (2019). Home-prepared food, dietary quality, and sociodemographic factors: a cross-sectional analysis of the UK National Diet and Nutrition survey 2008-16. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1), 82-82.
Baltimore City Health Department. (2022, May 18). Diabetes prevention. https://health.baltimorecity.gov/chronic-disease-prevention/diabetes-prevention
Hill-Briggs, F., Adler, N. E., Berkowitz, S. A., Chin, M. H., Gary-Webb, T. L., Navas-Acien, A., … & Haire-Joshu, D. (2021). Social determinants of health and diabetes: a scientific review. Diabetes care, 44(1), 258-279.
Syed, I. U. (2020). Diet, physical activity, and emotional health: What works, what doesn’t, and why we need integrated solutions for total worker health. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-9.
Thompson, C. (2022). Dietary health in the context of poverty and uncertainty around the social determinants of health. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 81(2), 134-140.
Zhen, C. (2021). Food Deserts: Myth or Reality? Annual Review of Resource Economics, 13, 109-129.
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