Running head: WINDSHIELD SURVEY 1

Windshield Survey
Julie Walker
NURS 340


WINDSHIELD SURVEY 2


Abstract
The following paper describes a community in northeast Kent County, Michigan and includes a
windshield survey that provides opportunity to discuss possible health risks to the members of
this community. Additionally, the idea of community health is discussed as well as the role of
the nurse in helping to achieve one of the objectives included in Healthy People 2020. Finally,
the actual windshield survey (Appendix) itself is attached.





WINDSHIELD SURVEY 3


Windshield Survey
This survey reviews a portion of the Oakfield Township community. The focus is on the
community and its individuals in matters of health risk. An overview of the community is
presented along with potential risks to the physical, social, and psychological health.
Community
When referring to community with regard to nursing, this can mean the geographic
location in which the nursing interventions will be taking place. Therefore, when referring to -
community-based nursing, the nurse is implementing his or her care outside of hospitals and
clinics, but instead is going to schools, workplaces, and churches to make contact with patients.
Further, community health nursing combines the concept of public health nursing (health
promotion for the community as all or part of a population) with community-based nursing. The
community health nurse serves the individuals within a given community, but still with a focus
of improving the health of a larger demographic of individuals (Harkness & DeMarco 2012).
Healthy People 2020
One of the Leading Health Indicators (U.S. 2013) is about prevention and cessation of
tobacco use. Tobacco is the only legal product in the United States that causes disease and death
when used as intended by the manufacturer. According to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services Healthy People website (2013):
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the
United States, yet more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths
from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle
injuries, suicides, and murders combined.
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While cigarettes and chewing tobacco are extremely addictive, a multitude of products exist that
can assist through withdrawals while quitting. A nurse can promote this Health Indicator by
being a non-user him- herself and by being vigilant about providing education in various
settings. In the community, the nurse can provide education at schools and churches and offer
clinics at local businesses. In the inpatient setting, the nurse can encourage smoking patients to
take advantage of their hospitalization as an opportunity to quit and offer to speak to the provider
about a nicotine substitute to ease cravings. Additionally, the nurse should include smoking
cessation teaching with each admission and discharge. This author is aware of one resident in
the surveyed community that is a longtime smoker.
Health Risks in Oakfield Township
This community appears to be in a state of overall good health. However, there are a few
health risks that can be identified, that of lack of public transportation, a non-diverse group of
residents, lack of common areas or parks, and the nearest hospital, grocery store and pharmacy
are six miles to the east.
The lack of public transportation and nearest metropolitan area being six miles to the east
may make it difficult for individuals to take advantage of preventive health services.
Additionally, when individuals do become ill, it may be difficult for them to get medical
attention or purchase needed items for healing. The fact that the neighborhood is almost entirely
comprised of white, middle class residents poses a risk for social and psychological health in that
the individuals likely have little exposure to cultures and beliefs that differ from theirs. Finally,
the lack of common indoor and outdoor space presents an obstacle in the way of forming close
associations with other residents and could result in ones needs being overlooked by others. It
also may make it difficult for individuals to engage in outdoor physical activities.
WINDSHIELD SURVEY 5


References
Harkness, G. & DeMarco, R. (2012). Community and Public Health Nursing: Evidence for

practice. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2013) Healthy People 2020. Leading health
indicators: Tobacco. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/LHI/tobacco.aspx






WINDSHIELD SURVEY 6


Appendix

o Neighborhood Boundaries- Wabasis Avenue, Sandy Bottom Lake, Holmden Estates
Development, Wellman Road
Oakfield Township, Michigan


Housing and zoning
The houses are 5 to 15
years old with 1
exception of
approximately 30 years
of age. All are single
family detached
dwellings having their
own front and back
outdoor spaces.
The neighborhood is
largely zoned for
residential only with the
exception of 750ft of
frontage near Wellman
Road and 750ft of
frontage near Wabasis.
The architectural
designs vary due to
family preferences. The
homes within Holmden
Estates are largely
similar due to use of
same builder for each.
The houses are in good
repair. There is central
heating, modern
plumbing, and air
conditioning.

Transportation
People in the
neighborhood drive cars
or trucks for
transportation to work
and/or shopping.
Children ride the school
bus or are transported
by car to the schools
approximately 7 miles to
the east. Streets and
roads are conducive to
transportation.
Holmden Drive and
Henrietta Drive are
maintained by the
development rather than
county or state. The
nearest expressway is
10 miles to the east.

There is no public
transportation in this
area. This may affect
the health of the
community as people
must be self-dependent
for going to doctors
offices, health clinics, or
hospitals.
Race and ethnicity
The Caucasian race is
by far the majority race
represented in the
neighborhood.

The lack of other races
in the neighborhood is a
potential health concern
from a socio-economic
standpoint. Individuals
of other races may feel
deterred from moving
into such a community,
and children in this
community most likely
have limited interaction
with individuals from
other races thereby
fostering prejudices.
Open space
The houses are 1500-
25000 square feet. The
lot sizes are 1-10 acres.
Open spaces are
evergreen woods and
marsh land. The
community is rural but is
restricted from farm
animals and large
growing operations.
Service centers
The nearest health
centers are
approximately 7 miles to
the east.
Religion and politics
Many residents of this
neighborhood do not
openly proclaim
religious affiliation. It is
safe to say that there
are no Muslims,
Buddhists, or other
openly practicing
religious followers in this
neighborhood. There is
a Christian church
mile to the west.
Members of the
community vote both
Republican and
Democratic. Rarely do
WINDSHIELD SURVEY 7


residents post political
signs in their yards.
Boundaries
Henrietta Woods and
Holmden Estates are
largely unknown to
individuals living outside
these developments.
One development has
their name displayed,
but both are considered
private developments.
The borders of these
developments are
Wabasis Avenue to the
west, Sandy Bottom
Lake to the north, and
Wellman Road to the
east. Evergreen woods
make up the southern
boundary.
The yards are green
and freshly mowed.
There is no litter in the
neighborhood.
Stores and street
people
There are no street
people. Deer and
turkeys crossing the
roadways are common.

The nearest grocery
store/pharmacy is 6
miles to the east.

This could be a health
concern for families
during power outages or
when a family member
gets ill.
Health and morbidity
There appear to be only
4 older adults in the
neighborhood, but all
are active and self
sufficient. Only one has
a health concern, that of
being a smoker with a
cardiac history.

Commons
There are no common
areas in this area.
The nearest commons
and park are two miles
to the west.

This is a potential health
concern as the
residents have little
opportunity to interact
with each other and
keep abreast of ways to
be of assistance to one
another. There is also a
lack of options for
residents to exercise
outdoors.
Signs of decay
There are no signs of
decay in the
neighborhood. The
community is clean.
There are real estate
signs when houses are
on the market. There
are no abandoned
houses or cars. The
neighborhood is
growing with at least
one new land owner on
the way.

Media
There are no outdoor
antennas, and no visible
power lines. Many
people have cable or
satellite television. Most
people use the Internet,
cell phones, and a good
measure communicate
by text. The Grand
Rapids Press and
Rockford Squire are the
two most commonly
delivered newpapers.