Community Assessment

Activity/Exercises
• Community fitness programs (gym discounts, P.E., recess, sports, access to YMCA, etc.).
• Recreational facilities and usage (gym, playgrounds, bike paths, hiking trails, courts, pools, etc.).
• Safety programs (rules and regulations, safety training, incentives, athletic trainers, etc.).
• Injury statistics or most common injuries.
• Evidence of sedentary leisure activities (amount of time watching TV, videos, and computer).
• Means of transportation.

Sleep/Rest
• Sleep routines/hours of your community: Compare with sleep hour standards (from National Institutes of Health [NIH]).
• Indicators of general “restedness” and energy levels.
• Factors affecting sleep: o Shift work prevalence of community members o Environment (noise, lights, crowding, etc.) o Consumption of caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and drugs o Homework/Extracurricular activities

Cognitive/Perceptual
• Primary language: Is this a communication barrier?
• Educational levels: For geopolitical communities, use http://www.census.gov and compare the city in which your community belongs with the national statistics.
• Opportunities/Programs: o Educational offerings (in-services, continuing education, GED, etc.) o Educational mandates (yearly in-services, continuing education, English learners, etc.) o Special education programs (e.g., learning disabled, emotionally disabled, physically disabled, and gifted)
• Library or computer/Internet resources and usage.
• Funding resources (tuition reimbursement, scholarships, etc.).

Self-Perception/Self-Concept
• Age levels.
• Programs and activities related to community building (strengthening the community).
• Community history.
• Pride indicators: Self-esteem or caring behaviors.
• Published description (pamphlets, Web sites, etc.).

Reference

Phoenix community has lots of activity and exercise program. phoenix has year around fitness program and public sports center, very easy