Running head: WINSHIELD SURVEY

Windshield Survey
Karen Theus
Nursing 340
Ferris State University

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2
Windshield Survey

This wind shield survey consisted of the visual eye taking note of a particular area or
neighborhood in the specific community. I chose to observe the neighborhood I live in even
though; I live on the border line of this area. The area I chose was Muskegon Heights a county
with in Muskegon; one in which I live and work in daily. The area is predominately African
American and is declining in population, revenue, resources, and businesses. It is of lower social
economical status and minorities where about 60- 70 % have less than a high school diploma. I
have lived the area for 4 years originally from down town Muskegon area. The community
concerns me because there are resources to promote health and well being, but individuals lack
motivation. The community has high crime rate, teenage pregnancy, sexual transmitted disease,
and substance abuse problems.
Community
Community can be defined a as a geographic area, but on a more personal definition would be a
social interactive group that share the same common values as described by (Harkness &
Demarco, 2012). A community consists of an area where the people share the some of the same
interest, norms, values, and common health goals. A community thrives and grows when the
community works together to achieve the same goal.
Community Health
Community health can be viewed as meeting the needs of its people by identifying problems and
managing interactions with in the community compared to the larger society (Harkness &
Demarco, 2012). Community health is more than its individual members it includes the
community as a whole. Health of the community can influence the risk behaviors in the
community good or bad. The health of a community depends on an individuals physical,

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psychological, social, and political being to enable individuals to live healthy lives (Harkness &
Demarco 2012).
Community as Client
The client looks to the community for resources to better overall health, wither its financial,
spiritual, or health related. A community that is plentiful in resources can better help its
community to thrive and grow. Resources can be obtained through social workers, organizations,
and health clinics. The individuals need to be able to navigate the health system and find reliable
resources.
Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator
Healthy People recognize substance abuse as one of its leading goals. Substance abuse is costly
and contributes to public health problems. Some of these health problems according to Healthy
People 2020 include HIV, sexual transmitted disease, crime, teenage pregnancy, homicide, and
domestic violence just to name a few. Substance abuse effects communities; it causes
communities to fail at the common goal, drains resources, and strains the community. Nurses can
help fight substance abuse issues by educating the public and directly educating and preventing
adolescents. Indirectly nurses can work with organizations in fighting substance abuse and at risk
youth.
Conclusion
In conclusion and completion of the survey four aspects I viewed as health risk were
environment, education and low social economical status, access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and
produce, negative behaviors such as smoking, and abusing alcohol and or drugs. These behaviors
or lack thereof contributes to negative health outcomes for its individual and community. These
behaviors deprive the community of growing, developing, and thriving. The community and

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environment needs to be able to produce people who are physical, psychologically, healthy, so in
return the community is productive and able to deal with and adapt to change accordingly.

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5
References

Healthy People 2020. Substance abuse. Retrieved June 14, 2014 from:
http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=2
Harkness, G.A., DeMarco, R.F. (2012). Community and public health nursing practice:
Evidence for practice. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia.

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Neighborhood Boundaries- Getty Street, Keating Street, Glade Street, Norton Ave,
Muskegon Heights MI

Housing and zoning

The houses are 50-60
years old plus. Woodframed single family
detached garages,
small yard space in front
and back.
The architectural
designs vary, but show
same characteristics by
block. Most of the
houses are not in good
repair, it varies from
neighborhood. There is
central heating, modern
plumbing, some have
air conditioning.
There is one brick public
housing complex with
new and old units and
senior citizen apartment
complex about 7-10
years old. Roads are
not in good repair huge
potholes and disturbed
cement.
Open space
The houses are 15002000 square feet. Small
font and back yards.
Open spaces are vacant
lots from demolished
houses or businesses;
the community is urban
with unkempt lots,
poorly maintained,
grass uncut, and liter
blowing around the
neighborhood. Many old
businesses and houses
are boarded up.
This poses health
concern for
psychological
development and the
youth will view and
respect the environment
they live in.

Transportation
People in the
neighborhood walk, ride
bicycles, drive cars
trucks, ride motorcycles,
mopeds, and immobility
scooters. Streets and
roads are conducive to
transportation. The
nearest major highway
is one mile away and
serves the general
public.
There are also school
buses, public buses and
cabs for transportation.

Service centers
There are two federally
funded health clinics
with dentist offices
included. Three private
Dr. Offices and two eye
doctors offices. Three
elementary schools, one
middle school, and one
high school all with one
mile of range. Public
library, Department of
Human Services, City
Hall, Fire Department.
MAPS Organization
helps assist with
medical supplies and
education
Two hospitals are 2
miles away. 1 pain
clinic, and substance
abuse clinic in walking

Race and ethnicity

African American is the
majority race with a
small population of
Caucasians dispersed
through neighborhoods.
Indian or Arabic cultures
are present but do not
live in neighborhood just
run neighborhood stores
or gas station.
Public consist of low
socioeconomically
status, and less than
high school diploma.

Religion and politics

The neighborhood is a
heterogeneous mix of
Baptists, Lutherans, and
Christian. People go to
church on Sunday.
There are no Catholic
churches in the
neighborhood. The
community is
Democratic. Public
mostly concerned with
local politics
This poses a problem
for the community
because community do
not concern themselves
with governmental
issues, they may lack
important information or
changes.

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Boundaries
Muskegon Heights is
sub part of Muskegon
County. It is a urban
residential development
with no unofficial
names. The
developments name is
displayed on a sign. It
is bordered by public
streets, an express way
and has poorly kept
vacant lots, unkempt
grass, liter, abandoned
houses.

Commons
There is a one public
park and lake with a
park attached in the
community. Community
organizations sponsor
social activities even
though it may not be in
the community itself.

7
distance
Stores and street
people
There are excessive
street people standing
loitering, and engaging
in illegal activity. 4
liquor stores all in
walking distance and 3
gas stations.
It is 2 miles to the
grocery store. This is a
health concern for the
Community they do not
have a grocery store in
walking distance,
increased risk for
unhealthy eating. The
corner store sales liquor
which puts children at
risk of being exposed to
early.
Signs of decay
There are obvious signs
of decay in the
neighborhood. Broken
windows with minimal
graffiti The community is
unclean and unsafe.
There are no real estate
signs most houses are
for rent Houses
abandoned in poor
condition with cars 10
years or older. The
neighborhood is not
thriving businesses are
closing and lack of jobs
with no commercial
businesses.
This poses a health
concern and adds to
financial strain on the
community. Poverty and
lack of jobs leads to
poor health care.

Health and morbidity

The population consists
of young and old
substance abuse
present In both.
Teenage age mothers
pushing babies, STI
high amongst culture.
High crime rate
involving guns and
robbery.
This is a health concern
high crime areas have a
decrease in services,
and businesses coming
into the area which
leads to a decrease in
resources and jobs.

Media
There are no outdoor
antennas. Many people
have cable television or
a dish. Local advertising
on buses or billboards
Most listen to the radio
or other music. Most
people use the Internet,
or government cell
phones, and texting.
Residents read the
Muskegon Chronicle or
Grand Rapids press.

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