Community Health

Summary

This article under discussion is Sentinel City™ Community Health Simulation, which allows the experience of real-life conditions of a city, similar to any city in the USA, by community health nurses in order to assess the overall health status of the population. The simulation includes various districts: Industrial Heights, Casper Park District, Acer Tech Center, and Nightingale Square, which have proven to be essential platforms for the development of modern society. An analysis of key points of interest, including the Interfaith Church, Sentinel City School District, Better Health Clinic, and Sentinel City affordable Housing project, helps one to understand community health.

Demographic Assessment

The Demographic Assessment tool is crucial to gather information about the population of Sentinel City™ characteristics. Information about age structure, gender, ethnic origin, income, education and employment status are crucial and can be derived from this tool. Realising these socio-economic factors discussed here, we can assess the health status and requirements of the specific population group better and more accurately and vice versa. Sentinel City™ is divided into four neighbourhoods: Industrial Heights, Acer Tech Center, Nightingale Square, and Casper Park District. The author will present a descriptive demographic breakdown of important areas within these neighbourhoods in this assessment.

The interfaith church is a station located in the centre of Sentinel City™ where believers of different faiths meet. The congregation is improving gradually and is almost cosmopolitan in awakening by the city’s demography. Specifically, regarding the churchgoers’ ethnicity, most participants are Caucasians: 80. 5%, while African Americans constitute 10. 2%, and Hispanics are 30. 7% (Sentinel City, 2023). The roles of the church are as follows: Assistance in various ways and support, for example, food distribution, scholarships, and provision of health services, especially for underprivileged families and the elderly.

The Student Population: A significant characteristic of the Sentinel City School District concern is that the population consists of many children below 18, and the percentage is 28. 4%. At the ethnic level, the district is more or less diversified, with 328 of white or caucasian origin, 94 of Hispanic / Latino, and 35 of African American origin ((US), 2023). Some of the problems in this district’s schools include creating equality in education for all learners, including the disadvantaged, and implementing ERRX as requested. The proportions according to the income level are as follows: 54 000 with a family looking for children and over 14. 5% of the district’s students receive free or reduced-price lunch.

This is the Department of Transportation for a city that has 12. 3% of the people use public transport as they go to work or other places (Rahman et al., 2021). The qualifications of the majority of the users include: they are mostly low-income earners whose average income per household is $38,500 (Sentinel City, 2023). The transportation department is involved in providing transport services so that the citizens may be able to transport themselves safely within estates, particularly those deemed to be most busy, such as Industrial Heights and Casper Park District. Also essential is the enhancement of public transit accessibility, given that passengers who have mobility difficulties represent 10. 6 % of the users (Amelia et al., 2023).

Better Health Clinic offers medical treatment to a relatively large and diverse population. Hispanic or Latino are 45. 7% of patients and the other 34. 8% of patients have a Caucasian ethnic background (Sentinel City, 2023). Women aged 18 years and above without health insurance constitute a sizable portion (27. 3%) at the clinic, depicting areas of economic inequality such as industrial heights ((US), 2023). The average income of patients who visit the clinic is between $25000 and $35000, which is $32,500 ((US), 2023). Its offers include acute, routine, prevention, and early detection services, besides health promotion consultations targeting chronic diseases most prevalent within the clinic’s communities.

ABC Daycare is a childcare centre for young children in Sentinel City™, mainly targeting Casper Park District families. The daycare centre’s population also consists mainly of Hispanics or Latinos (52. 4%), while the Caucasian population is 38. 2% (Sentinel City, 2023). Consumer families earning an average of $45,200 at the centre have been taking daycare services (Sentinel City, 2023). ABC Daycare is an informal childcare provider that helps parents obtain work or study. Furthermore, daycare provides child development programs that enhance education and school preparation.

Sentinel City™ Affordable Housing Project is one of the primary services essential for families with a lower income, specifically Industrial Heights residents. The largest population section represented per the most recent census is the Hispanics or Latinos, which constitute 54.3% and the second largest is the black or African American population, which constitutes 22.5%, 61.8% of the residents are employed, while 52.7% work in manufacturing jobs, implying that the median household income of the residents is $ 22,500 (Sentinel City, 2023). More than 40% of the residents are below the poverty line (Sentinel City, 2023). Promising to offer decent and secure shelter and lodging as well as other social services, including vocational training and other financial-help programs.

City Hall is the administrative area of sentinel city™, where decisions on issues affecting all the stakeholders in the city are developed. The staff and visitors can meet the general picture of the concerned city’s population, especially 78. 9% of the total population was Caucasians, followed by 29. 4% of the Hispanics (Sentinel City, 2023). The median income among city employees is $62,000, and this is because of the secure job positions in government sectors, which are a major source of income for city employees (Sentinel City, 2023). Another function of City Hall is to conduct meetings and hearings involving members of the public, providing for people’s involvement in governing their affairs.

Originally, it was Radio Buzz 95.3 which then changed to Radio Buzz 96.5 FM and is one of the local famous radio stations with a very large number of listeners. Interestingly, Caucasians comprise most of the station’s audience, 72. 3%, followed by the Hispanics or Latinos being 24. 6%, while African Americans come third at 10. 9% (Sentinel City, 2023). The average age of the listeners is 43 years, and the average household income of the listeners is $55,400 (Sentinel City, 2023). The station is involved in presenting program knowledge and information, which is news information and service educating its people on issues impacting them and their community.

The healthcare system involves several facilities that care for the entire population, including hospitals and outpatient clinics scattered throughout the city. The patient demographics among the participants indicated that most were caucasian 77.2% and Hispanic/Latino 29. 7%, followed by African American 12. 4% (Sentinel City, 2023). Some insurance covers two-thirds (66. 3%) of patients, yet there is a significant uninsured population (18. 5%), and the median household income for patients is $47,300 (Sentinel City, 2023). This segment delivers multidimensional essential clinical treatments such as care emergencies, innovative treatments, and crucial preventable care programs.

Lilly’s is a popular restaurant based in Nightingale Square, with regulars and travellers patronising the restaurant more often than not. The largest demographic is white (83. 5%) and only 21. 9% belongs to the Hispanic or Latino category (Sentinel City, 2023). It is given that 63% of the patrons are above the age of 45 years, and the median household income is $158500, implying that Nightingale Square is a wealthy area (Sentinel City, 2023). Regarding social responsibility, Lilly’s is a company that gives back to the community by employing all its workers and purchasing raw materials and other products in the local market.

Joe’s Grocery Organization is an important need for the people living in Acer Tech Center to be able to buy food and other necessities. The demography of the customers in the store is seen in the results above, with Caucasians constituting 70.1%, while Hispanics or Latinos account for only 14.2% (Sentinel City, 2023). Customers are also an important factor, with a median household income of their customer base at $72,400 (Sentinel City, 2023). For its part, Joe’s Grocery engages in charitable activities, including food drives and nutrition awareness campaigns, all directed towards enhancing citizens’ quality of life in the community where the company is based.

The look focuses on the many parks, recreational areas, and community services under the DOPR. The department meets a multicultural spectrum of users, with white (Caucasian) people constituting 76. 4%, Hispanic or Latino 26. 8%, and black 11. 3% (Sentinel City, 2023). The park members have a median household income of $64,700 (Sentinel City, 2023). The Department’s programs work to improve the population’s wellness with an emphasis on exercise, active involvement in the community, and concern for their environment; all residents of Sentinel City benefit from the work being done. This demographic profile raises awareness of the ethnic and racial heterogeneity and socio-economic differences within this more or less imaginary Sentinel City™. It increases the comprehensibility of demographic data as a key to effective strategies of public health and community initiatives tailored to suit the Neighborhood/Community Safety Inventory.

The Neighborhood/Community Safety Inventory assesses the safety conditions existing in the region of Sentinel City™. The strategic assessment covers crime indices, the visibility factor of police, the availability and intensity of light standards, traffic cal solutions, and recreational facilities. Safety characteristics are very important in achieving good public health since they determine activity levels, mental health, etc. For example, a neighbourhood called Industrial Heights has more cases of criminal activities and graffiti vandals, implying that safety is an issue compared to Nightingale Square, with low crime levels, clean public space, and an orderly neighbourhood, which portrays safety to the dwellers. Improving these factors assists in finding out the disparities which affect the general safety and well-being of the community.

Windshield Survey

The Windshield Survey demands driving or walking through Sentinel City™ to evaluate accessibility as a physical feature of the environment. This study is compiled by taking notes on the types of houses, basic health care centres, cleanliness of roads, green zones, and socialization. For instance, there is evident vandalism, random auto wreckage, and overall downward societal decay in settings like graffiti-clad buildings and untidy streets in Industrial Heights. Meanwhile, in Nightingale Square, homes are well-built, with properly illuminated and clean roads and active park regions. These observations show living conditions and health risks in the community at that time, which are important in directing health promotion, disease control efforts and disbursing resources.

Population Health Scavenger Hunt

The Assignment entitled Population Health Scavenger Hunt aims to discover certain aspects of health in Sentinel City™. This activity entails finding hospitals, clinics, pharmacy/ drug stores, supermarkets, gym/ fitness centres, and organizations within the community. It becomes crucial to determine whether these resources are in short supply and easily accessible for addressing the needed community health. For instance, the Better Health Clinic for treating illnesses and ailments and Joe’s Grocery for food supplies are some of the strategic necessities in Acer Tech Center. At the same time, Spectrum Hospital, located in Nightingale Square, is a huge healthcare system providing rather extensive service. Listing these resources enables one to determine suitable and feasible health promotion and disease prevention measures to implement within the particular locality of each neighbourhood.

B1. Data Analysis

Firstly, based on the Demographics Assessment, Neighborhood/Community Safety Inventory, Windshield Survey, and Population Health Scavenger Hunt conducted in Sentinel City™, it is possible to assess the overall health situation. The Demographics Assessment gives an excellent outlook of the different demographics of the population, including age, ethnicity, income, education level, and employment status. Its analysis is paramount in unravelling the social and economic factors influencing the population’s health within the city. Neighborhood/Community Safety Stock assessment also provides information about safety in terms of crime, security, police presence, lighting, congestion, and recreational area accessibility. These factors are as important as the person’s mental health and exercise engagement.

These data are supported by the Windshield Survey, which provides live assessments of the observed physical environment of the city. This comprises aspects like Housing conditions, Health care facilities, State of the roads, Green space in the form of parks, and Social relations. For instance, the survey has the certified clean-looking Nightingale Square side by side with Industrial Heights, depicted as an unkempt place with graffiti and abandoned buildings. Lastly, the Population Health Scavenger Hunt outlines potential health resources or services that are accessible to people, including hospitals/clinics/pharmacies, grocery stores, exercise/fitness facilities, and nonprofit organizations. Therefore, it is easier for us to determine the health needs among communities and ensure that necessary resources are available to assist these groups.

Applying epidemiology principles, like the incidence and prevalence rate of diseases, is useful for analyzing overall Sentinel City™ health. Both social factors, such as income and education level, and ecological factors, like safety, play a key role in understanding health. Therefore, such a general approach creates a basis for recognizing crucial and essential health concerns and organizing suitable approaches to address them.

C1. Three Problem Areas

Sentinel City™ has the following three major problems: obesity, mental health, and STDs/STIs, as identified through the Healthy People 2020/2030 initiatives. Healthy People 2020/2030 initiatives had the objective of achieving reduced rates of obesity among adults. The race to unhealthy body mass, especially within Industrial Heights, has led to high incidences of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The cases of mental health issues are also caused by a lack of ease and affordability in the provision of health services, hence the objective to promote the mental health services and reduce the rate of suicide. The high rates of STDs/STIs are associated with the little given sex education and discrimination. Healthy People 2020/2030 initiatives focused on reducing the number of new STIs and improving public knowledge about sexual health.

C2. Available Community Resources

In the present project to control obesity and other related diseases, Sentinel City™ has several resources to offer. Some of the health checkups and activities offered at the Better Health Clinic include early disease detection services and health promotion and prevention services, which aid in controlling long-term illnesses. In particular, the Sentinel City Department of Parks and Recreation includes numerous sites allowing people to perform different physical exercises and attend diverse events. Joe’s Grocery also has the added advantage of offering the community an opportunity to buy fresh produce and healthy foods, among the ingredients people need for good health.

C3. Primary Prevention Topic (STDs/STIs)

A primary prevention topic associated with high rates of obesity is “Community-Based Obesity Prevention Programs.” Such programs focus on healthy eating practices, increased physical activity, and even lifestyle maintenance through education. With such resources as the Better Health Clinic, many of the programs can provide accessible nutrition counseling, exercise classes, and recreation. Public health education about the hazards of obesity and chronic disease, such as diabetes and hypertension, and numerous supports to change lifestyles can seriously diminish obesity and raise the public health level of Sentinel City™.

1. Discussion

The concepts and skills gained through Sentinel City™ simulation can be used in real life when performing community assessments: First, the accumulation and use of demographic data regarding the structure of the population and its wants and needs. Demographic information gives detailed and comprehensive details, both the age and sex of the population, Race and Ethnic background, income, level of education attained and the occupation of the people within a particular region (National Center for Health Statistics, 2022). From this information, the Community health nurses will be able to recognise at-risk groups that need its services and have the capacity to design interventions to reduce given health gaps. For instance, awareness of the socioeconomic situation may assist in the enrolment of programmes in needy families or offering health education to groups of people within certain ages.

The other best practice of AS that is quite essential is Safety Inventories, which aim at assessing the risks within the environment as well as other areas that require consideration. Safety inventories are audits of different safety aspects, including crime index, police presence, lighting level, congestion, and playgrounds. These attributes directly affect the mental state and level of physical activity among residents of cities. For instance, a high crime rate, which includes theft, can cause individuals to fear going out, hence becoming inactive, which results in health complications. This way, community health nurses and other health professionals can push for change regarding these factors, which would greatly improve the living conditions and health of the people in question.

Windshield surveys and a population health scavenger hunt are ways to conduct real observational research and identify the kind of available health services. Windshield surveys enable researchers to observe the physical landscape as it currently is since the surveys are done in real time to view the conditions of housing, assess street cleanliness, locate parks, and note interactions. The data generated assists in the early detection of potential threats to health and aspects that need to be addressed. Tools, including maps, are used in population health scavenger hunts to find key health assets like hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and grocery stores to ensure citizens of those areas have access to fundamental services. Through such a systematic collection and analysis of this information, the community health nurses will be in a better position to establish an effective assessment and appropriate development of health promotion and disease prevention measures based on the needs of society, thereby enhancing public health.

References

Amelia, A. R., Aldi, A. T. U. D. R. A., Alwi, M. K., Irfandinata, I., & Amir, H. (2023). Social security agency of health (BPJS health) implementation on dentures patient in USA community health center (Puskesmas USA) bone regency 2022. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2023017

Rahman, R., Ross, A., & Pinto, R. (2021). The critical importance of community health workers as first responders to COVID-19 in USA. In Health Promotion International (Vol. 36, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daab008

Sentinel City. (2023). Award-Winning Virtual Nursing Simulation | Sentinel City®. https://www.sentinelu.com/community-health-simulations/sentinel-city/

National Center for Health Statistics. (2022). Healthy People 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/healthy_people/hp2020.htm