Running head: WINDSHIELD SURVEY

City of Wyoming Michigan

Ronda Mott
Ferris State University

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2
City of Wyoming Michigan

The following is a windshield survey that was completed to study the neighborhoods
where clients reside and the impact the locale has on resident health. The windshield survey is a
subjective process by which community nurses scrutinize their surroundings by viewing the
physical features and infrastructure of the living environment. In a literal sense, the exercise
creates an understanding of the physical expression of the community as viewed on foot or
through the windshield of a vehicle (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012).
Community
A community is defined as a group of people sharing common interests, needs,
resources and environment; an interrelating and interacting group of people with shared needs
and interests (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, p. 175). Community health is the field within public
health that involves the study and improvement of the health characteristics of a population in a
defined geographical area (Mulcahy, 2004, p. 257). It may include an index of a populations
shared health risks, disease prevalence and impact, overall community wellness, infrastructure
and socioeconomic status and the collective resources available to serve the health needs of
people in a specific vicinity. A community assessment is an integral function that defines these
variables and their relationships. A windshield survey is a valuable nursing tool for assessing the
community (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012).
According to Harkness and DeMarco (2012) community health nursing is the use of
systematic processes to deliver care to individuals, families and community groups with a focus
on promoting, preserving, protecting and maintaining health. As a function of community health
nursing, caring for populations of people includes the activities, education and resource use that
address the environmental forces that impact a groups overall health. In contrast, caring for

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individuals refers to those nursing interventions that specifically affect the wellness of a single
client or a nuclear family (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012).
Possible Health Risks
The community boasts a large presence of numerous, very busy and highly advertised
fast food eateries and restaurants legitimizing concern over the populations eating patterns,
nutritional health and obesity risk.
The vicinitys geographic, commercial and community building projects leading to urban
sprawl have increased automobile traffic congestion in contrast to underdeveloped pedestrian
lanes, sidewalks and green spaces. The risk for traffic-associated injuries and accidents has
increased.
The local proximity to and tendency toward natural and weather related freestanding
water combined with communitys affluence in maintaining numerous public and private
swimming pools has contributed to higher mosquito and bird populations and subsequent risk of
vector borne illness compared to surrounding areas.
The trend toward diminished public servant, safety resources and personnel (fire and
police), despite growing population and geographic expansion creates safety risks for
disproportionate and inadequate first responder and crisis service interventions.
Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity is a major Healthy People 2020 indicator.
Despite the areas 21 parks on 655 acres, community features that may contribute to this risk
indicator include the diminishing green and physical activity space sacrificed to
commercialization and industrial re-zoning, leading to fewer public spaces for physical activity
and recreation. Community nursing initiatives to address this concern might include education

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on the growing population to recreational space disparities and advocacy toward maintaining
future adequate proportions of recreational land mass.
Windshield Survey Components
Neighborhood boundaries

Ward 1 Hall Street to Alger Street

Ward 2 Wentworth to Eastern

Ward 3 Kenowa, Division, 60th Street

20 minutes to Gerald R. Ford International Airport

30 minutes to Lake Michigan, 150 miles to Detroit, 180 miles to Chicago and serviced
by three freeways (US-131, I-196 and M-6). Area 24.5 miles.

Area zip codes: 49509 and 49519.

City motto

City of Vision and Progress

City flower

Daffodil

Housing and zoning

Homes may vary in age, style, structure from new construction to homes older than 80
years old.

Mostly single family homes, apartment and duplexes, retirement homes, nursing and
supportive homes.

There are 21 City parks on 655 acres.

Several public school systems, parochial, charter and 18 colleges in the region.

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The City of Wyoming is divided into numerous residential, commercial and industrial
zoning district classifications. Zoning codes regulate almost all types of development to
varying degrees.

Open spaces

Older residential homes have smaller lot sizes than the newer residential homes.

There is almost no farm land left in this area.

Commons

21 City parks on 655 acres

City of Wyoming Dog Park

Wyoming Senior Center

Transportation

Trucks, cars and bikes.

Public busing.

Taxis and the Go Bus.

Service Centers

Kent County Wyoming Branch Health Department

Metro Health Hospital

St. Marys Hospital Free Standing Emergency Room and Physician Offices

Spectrum Health Grandville Pavilion

Plus numerous medical, medical specialty, chiropractic and alternative medicine offices

Dental and orthodontic services

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Stepping Stones Award winning in-home therapeutic recreation program

Stores

Wyoming sits amidst some of the regions finest shopping districts.

The 3.5 mile stretch of 28th street (M-11) that extends through Wyoming contains over
230 businesses. This area is known as Wyoming Town Center is very unique with four
major uses: Rogers Plaza, Wyoming Village and Wyoming City Hall/Justice Complex all
within a half mile radius.

Rivertown Mall and local specialty stores

Grocery stores - Meijers, Walmart, Kmart, Family Fare, Big Top, Aldis, GFS

Health food and convenient stores

Numerous restaurants

Street people

No visible homeless people noted at the time of the windshield survey.

Two separate individuals were standing on busy street corners holding their cardboard
signs asking for public donations.

Signs of decay

No obvious signs of decay but several vacant buildings with grass growing in the
parking lots.

Several homes are lacking yard maintenance with occasional disabled vehicles in
driveways or yards.

Scattered real estate signs seen in all areas.

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Race and ethnicity

Caucasian

African American

Asian/Pacific Islander

Native American

Hispanic/Latino

Other

Religion and politics

Several churches are in the area Catholic, Baptist, Christian Reform,

Nondenominational, Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witness, and 7th Day Adventists.

A mix of Democratic, Republican and Liberal party residents.

Health and morbidity

During this windshield survey several individuals were noted to be obese, overweight
and smoking.

Occasionally, noted a runner, cyclist or an active walker.

Several fitness and YMCA centers seen.

Media

Dish networks.

Cable services Comcast, Universe and AT & T.

Many individuals are seen driving while talking on their cells and several attempting to
text while driving.

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Local newspaper would be the Grand Rapids Press and the Advance which may be
viewed online or available in paper form.

References
City of Wyoming (n.d.). Facts and demographics. Retrieved from
http://www.wyomingmi.gov/about/facts.asp
Dictionary.com App (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.Dictionary.com
Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. F. (2012). Community and public health nursing. Philadelphia,
PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Mulcahy, H. (2004). 'Vulnerable Family' as understood by public health nurses. Community
Practitioner, 77(7), 257.
U.S. Department for Health and Human Services (2013, June). Nutrition, physical activity and
obesity. Retrieved from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/LHI/nutrition.aspx