Part 1: Servicing Vulnerable Populations
Introduction JK is a 66-year old Black woman diagnosed with hypertension and type-2 diabetes. I’m a community nursing nurse. JK doesn’t drive and lives in a food desert. JK’s family visits her weekly, but they have complicated lives and are unable to provide daily care for her. We will be evaluating the health and social resources of our community, as well as creating a plan for JK to have access to healthy foods.
Community Health Resources
The following are the community health resources evaluated for JK’s care:
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA has created a tool called “Food Access Research Atlas” that provides access to food desert areas across the United States. This tool will help in identifying the food desert areas within JK’s community.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: This CDC offers resources and information on diabetes education and management. You can also find educational materials that are available for public and health professionals.
Table 1: A Summary of Community Health Resources
| Community Health Resource | Summary |
|---|---|
| United States Department of Agriculture | Provides a tool called “Food Access Research Atlas” that helps in identifying food desert areas. |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | This site provides educational resources and materials on diabetes education and management. |
Get Adequate Access To Appropriate Foods
To ensure JK can access appropriate food, the following plan was created:
- Appropriate and Realistic Estimated Budget: JK’s weekly budget for food will be set at $50. As it falls within the budget range of American families with low incomes, this budget is realistic and appropriate.
- Shopping Locations: Shopping locations will be selected based on their proximity to JK’s residence, availability of fresh and healthy food, and affordability. Target, Aldi, Walmart and Aldi will be selected.
- Transport Means, Routes and Timing: JK uses public transport to reach the chosen shopping destinations. JK will determine the cost and route of each bus.
- JK will also be offered support services, such as access to a local food bank for low or no-cost meals. JK will also receive help from a registered dietitian in developing a diet plan that suits her particular medical needs.
Comparison of JK’s The Community to Cook County Census Data
The table below compares JK’s community to Cook County Census Data.
Table 2: Comparison of JK’s Community to Cook County Census Data
| Community | Cook County |
|---|---|
| Black Population | 30.1% |
| Low Poverty Rate | 22.1% |
| Median Income for Households | $52,974 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% |
Part 2: Disease Prevention Teaching Project
Introduction This part will identify the health issues facing our community and help us choose a local health agency. The chosen agency will be able to recommend a suitable disease prevention project for their local community.
Skokie Health Department was chosen as the community health agency.
Windshield Survey Results The community’s health problem identified by the windshield survey results is obesity.
Evaluation of the Community. The community assessment has the following results:
- Health Food Options: There are few healthy options in the community, but there is more convenience and fast food chains.
- Boundaries
- Housing and Zoning