Community Assessment Essay

 This is the second part to the last paper order, Community Characteristics based on Elizabethtown NY in Essex county. I will upload this rubric and please see the first paper written by one of your writers. I would like the same writer if possible please.

The community of interest has been identified as Elizabethtown in Essex County, New York. The community currently covers an area of 3.3 square miles and has a population of 631 people (Census Reporter, 2020). A review of the community characteristics identifies hypertension as a significant health concern. The median age for the community is 57.6 years with 65% of the population being older than 49 years of age (Census Reporter, 2020). The high proportion of older adults in the community implies that a significant part of that population is at risk of hypertension with prevalence among this population likely to reach as high as 63.1% (Fryar et al., 2017). This makes it clear that the largely elderly population in Elizabethtown is at high risk of developing hypertension that would place a strain on health care resources. There is a need for intervention measures to reduce the risk of hypertension and ensure that the local population is prepared to handle any concerns associated with developing hypertension (Truglio-Londrigan & Lewenson, 2019).    Community Assessment Essay.

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Existing resources within the community at the local, regional and national level

There are a range of community resources available at the local, regional and national levels that can be leveraged to address the hypertension concern in the community. The first resource is medical services offered by medical personnel and organizations to include prevention and treatment services. This resource plays a leading role in preventing, monitoring and treating hypertension. The second resource is information and referral services that provide the community members with current information on hypertension and links them to the services and opportunities available to them (Fawcett, 201). The third resource is senior centers and nursing care homes that provide a broad spectrum of services to older adult populations to include health and mental health services such as facilities for recreational activities, and educational, nutritional and social services. The fourth resource is income support programs that help older adults with financial aid when facing financially precarious situations. The fifth resource is nutritional programs that provide opportunities for older adults to live with dignity, reduce social isolation and promote better health through improved nutrition. The sixth resource is health promotion programs that provide health education and related intervention to facilitate environmental and behavioral changes, delay disease occurrence, and minimize impact. The final resource is legal services programs and assistance that address common legal programs to include visitation, estate planning, divorce, and visitation (McEwen & Wills, 2018).

Strengths and weaknesses of the community that are integral in formulating a community health strategy

There are strengths and weaknesses within the community that are integral in formulating a health strategy within the community. There are seven strengths that have been identified. The first strength is a strong sense of community as thereby have been significant investment in the community identity. This is useful if the health strategy identifies the problem and seeks to galvanize the members to address a concern that would improve health outcomes. Secondly, there are highly skilled medical personnel who have been through successful training and learning programs. The medical workforce is highly skilled and motivated to improve health outcomes. Thirdly, the community has a successful track record of community health programs. It has successfully conducted vaccination programs. Fourthly, a strong infrastructure exists to help with investigating and responding to community health concerns (Raingruber, 2017). Community Assessment Essay. Fifthly, there is solid interest and support for improving health outcomes for the community members. Sixthly, community organizations are involved in the delivery of health care services, and their resources can be used on community health programs. Finally, there have bene successful community partnerships and organizational collaborations to strategize and mobilize to address community health concerns (Renpinning, Gebhardt-Taylor & Pickens, 2016).

The community has six weaknesses. Firstly, the community has a small population of residents thus making it difficult to justify significant investments in health programs. There is an inclination to invest more resources in high population communities than in low population communities. Secondly, there is limited investment in health informatics for the community thus making it difficult to understand the situation in the community. Thirdly, limited infrastructure and capacity for research across the whole community. Fourthly, insufficient degree of health communication that creates a perception of information silos. Fifthly, the general public lacks understanding and awareness concerning the community public health system. Finally, local organizations are often unclear and unaware about their role in the community health system (Raingruber, 2017).

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Opportunities for improving health of the community

There are four opportunities for improving the health of the community. The first opportunity is advances in information and communication technologies that can be leveraged in telehealth/telemedicine strategies. These technologies can be used to reach a larger number of community members. The second opportunity is new trends in health concerns as the community members are adopting healthier behaviors. Community Assessment Essay. This provides community health improvement opportunities. The third opportunity is that the state and federal governments identify hypertension as a health concern for older adult populations. These programs by the government open up opportunities for improving the health of the community (McEwen & Wills, 2018).

Barriers that could impact successful implementation of a community health strategy

There are six barriers that could impact the successful implementation of a community health strategy. Firstly, lack of culturally competent care. Secondly, lack of availability of health care services. Thirdly, inadequate or no insurance coverage among some of the community members. Fourthly, low population densities for community health program economics of scale in coverage. Fifthly, resource limitations to support medical personnel, use of health facilities and effective community health program operation. Finally, there is high cost of health care (Pérez & Luquis, 2014).

References

Census Reporter (2020). Elizabethtown, NY. https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US3623822-elizabethtown-ny/

Fawcett, J. (2016). Applying Conceptual Models of Nursing: Quality Improvement, Research, and Practice. Springer Publishing Company.

Fryar, C. D., Ostchega, Y., Hales, C. M., Zhang, G., & Kruszon-Moran, D. (2017). Hypertension Prevalence and Control Among Adults: United States, 2015-2016. Community Assessment Essay. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db289.htm

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2018). Theoretical Basis for Nursing (5^th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Pérez, M., & Luquis, R. (2014). Cultural Competence in Health Education and Health Promotion. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Raingruber, B. (2017). Contemporary Health Promotion in Nursing Practice (2^nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

Renpinning, K., Gebhardt-Taylor, S., & Pickens, J. (2016). Foundations of Professional Nursing: Care of Self and Others. Springer Publishing Company.

Truglio-Londrigan, M., & Lewenson, S. (Eds.) (2018). Public Health Nursing: Practicing Population-Based Care (3^rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC. Community Assessment Essay.