Community Assessment of Price County Community

12
A Community Assessment Comparative Analysis of Price County and Milwaukee County
Community Nutrition November 25, 2012

12
A Community Assessment Comparative Analysis of Price County and Milwaukee County
Community Nutrition November 25, 2012

Table of Contents page
Definition of the Community……………………………………………………………….…...1
Goals………………………………………………………………………………………….….2
Objectives………..………………………………………………………………………….….. 2
Methods……………………….…………………………………………………………….….. 3
Results…………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Assessment of Problem Areas………………………………………………………………… 10
Overall Assessment……………..…………………………………………………………………...… 11
Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………..13
References……………………………………………………………………………...………15

List of Tables page
Table 1………………………………………………………………………………………2

Table 2………………………………………………………………………………………2

Table 3…………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

Table 4………………………………………………………………………………………8

List of Figures

page
Figure 1………………………………………………………………………………………5

Figure 2………………………………………………………………………………………6

Community Assessment of Price County Community
Definition of the Community Price County, Wisconsin is located in the Northern region of Wisconsin and is approximately 1,278 square miles. Price County compared to its peer county, Milwaukee Wisconsin is much larger in scale as Milwaukee Co is located in the southern part of the state only making up about 241.40 square miles.. According to Table 1, the race distribution was found to be 97.1 % of white as Milwaukee is at 60%, the next leading race at 1.1% of Hispanic/Latino with very low percentages in other races as Milwaukee was relatively higher along with African Americans, which was found to be a significantly higher percentage than Price County. Although the square mileage of Price Co. is larger than Milwaukee it’s population is 15,581, a smaller population when considering Milwaukee with a population of 1,751,361. The socioeconomic characteristics of Price and Milwaukee County are shown in Table 2. The median household income is $41,026, the percentage of children in poverty is 22%, a little lower than Milwaukee, and the percentage of people unemployed was very similar when comparing the two. The average household size is about 2.37 people about 1 person lower than Milwaukee. All of these characteristics are contributing factors when assessing the community and its health concerns and statuses. When we have this data to assist in assessing a community it is helpful in the fact that it will allow the assessor to determine what factors may be contributing to current health problems or factors that will help with deciding how to intervene when attempting to solve these health risks, factors, and diseases.

Table 1. Demographics by racial distribution in Price County Race | Price Milwaukee | White | 97.1 60 | African American | 0.3 25.7 | Native Hawaii/Pacific IslanderAsian | 0.5 0.10.3 3.2 | Hispanic/Latino | 1.1 12.2 |

Table 2. Socioeconomic characteristics of Price County Statistic | Value | Median Household Income | $41,026 $ 43,215 | Percentage Children in Poverty | 22% 35% | Percentage Unemployment | 10.0% 9.6 | Average household size | 2.37 persons 2.41 | | |

Goal The goal of Price County population assessment is to decrease the percentage of people who fall into the obese category.
Objectives:
Outcome Objective: By June 1st, 2013 the population of obese adults in Price County will be decreases by 5%. This will be assessed by comparing measurements before and after participant education along with 7 day dietary records
Process Objective: By April 1, 2013 a Registered Dietitian will have held four educational workshops to obese adults in Price County. These workshops will consist of how to choose and prepare healthy food to promote weight loss and optimal health. By this time there will also be measurement sessions health for before and after education programs..
Structure Objective: A community nutritionist with and RD will be hired by January 1st, 2013 to plan, coordinate, and manage the Price County Nutrition Education programs for the area.
Method
To find the data and information used in this assessment the internet was the main source used. Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3 data all contained information from the same source, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (3). This website provided all the information necessary to assess the demographic, socioeconomic, and health ranking statistics. Listings of the organization of each public health office and the employees throughout the community were found on the Public Health Department of Price County website for Price (1) and Public Health Department website for Milwaukee County (2). Finding the nutrition programs was a little more difficult as there were brochures and links provided through each counties public health website. The information about programs provided through Price County in a brochure found online called Feeding Price County (4). Programs provided through the health department for Milwaukee county were listed through the public health webpage (2).

Results
Organization of Public Health of Price County As seen in figure 1, Price Country’s Mary F. Hahn is the director of public health and human services, she is the head of the entire department including but not limited to public health programs. Under Mary is the Public Health Division Manager and Health Officer Michelle Edwards, the employees of the three offices are directed and supervised by her who is then directly under the director, Mary(1). The public health department has three offices in the county all located in a different town which makes accessibility to health professionals and programs more attainable. These offices are located in Park Falls, Phillips, and Prentice Wisconsin all employing multiple people working together to better the health of their communities. These departments offer health information and programs in the following subjects: diet/nutrition, maternal/child health, environmental health, women’s health initiatives, chronic diseases, communicable diseases.
Figure 1. Organization of Public Health Department in Price County, WI.

Organization of Public Health for Milwaukee County Figure 2 illustrates that Milwaukee County has a Regional Director of Health, by the name of Robert L. Harris, who oversees the entire Health Department of Milwaukee Co. Under Rober, Georgia Cameron helps to oversee administrators and managers of the different divisions of public health. There are two women who are the head of the nutrition programs and health education programs by the names of Sandra Poehlman and Marilyn Bolton(2).

Figure 2. Organization of Public Health for Milwaukee County, WI

Existing Community Nutrition Programs Table 3 shows the programs offered, there are almost no differences between the nutrition programs offered in Price County and Milwaukee County. These counties both have multiple offices throughout the area for the population to utilize if eligible for specific programs. The programs listed are the programs offered through the public health departments that are specifically food and nutrition related as other programs offered were not necessary for this assessment.

Table 3. Nutrition Education Programs Offered in Price and Milwaukee Counties Program | Price County | Milwaukee County | Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) | Y | Y | SNAP | Y | Y | Meals on Wheels | Y | Y | Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program | Y | Y | Cooperative Extension | Y | Y | Community Meals | Y | Y | Farmers Market Program | Y | Y | National School Lunch Program | Y | Y | Salvation Army | Y | Y | Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program | Y | Y | Food Pantries | Y | Y | Food Share Program | Y | Y | Community Garden | Y | Y | Senior Nutrition Programs | Y | Y | Kids Against Hunger | Y | Y | | | | | | |

Health Measures Price County and Milwaukee County have similar health ranking and statistics. As seen in Table 4, the percentage of adult obesity in both areas is 32%. This is a fairly high percentage of the population falling into the obese category. Theses similar findings may be an indicator that both counties could use similar interventions as well. The information on Table 4 contributes to the idea that addressing the obesity rates in Price County is important. Not only is obesity a concern in Price County but Milwaukee County as well. Relating to the obese statistics, Price County scores very low in access to recreational facilities with zero accessibility which is lower than the peer county. There is some difference when comparing the counties and their limited access to healthy foods. Price County ranks very low in its accessibility to healthy foods as Milwaukee is not as limited. Fast food restaurants are very popular in both areas, parallel to the limit to healthy foods this allows people to be less health conscious and more at risk to becoming obese . Because the fast food industry is easily accessible to the people of Price and Milwaukee counties, this may contribute to people becoming unhealthy, overweight, and obese, increasing the risk of health issues as well as health related deaths.
Table 4. Price County health rankings statistics compared to Milwaukee County | Price County | Milwaukee County | Adult Obesity | 32% | 32% | Access to Recreational Facilities | 0 | 8 | Limited Access to Healthy Foods | 11% | 4% | Fast Food Restaurants | 30% | 50% |

Perceptions of Health and Wellness Issues In this assessment our plan is to provide an opinion survey addressing the issues creating the barrier between Price County and its optimal health while decreasing the obesity rate. The key informants that this survey will provide are: the limitations amongst the community contributing to obesity, possible contributors to obesity in the community, knowledge and education of healthy eating, and interest in health throughout the community. We plan to administer the survey to the participants of the nutrition education workshops after each session is over as well as to other community members to gather more information on how the community views health throughout Price County. This survey can be seen in Appendix A. There is an informed consent statement provided. This statement provides information to the participants taking the survey that they are giving us their consent to participate and allow us to use the information in further assessing the community and the issues targeted. By taking the survey and handing it in, they will have given us their consent after being informed of the process. At the end of the consent form there will be a place for participants to sign and date agreeing to the terms.
This consent statement also provides information to the participant that their participation will be completely confidential. Their name will not be included on any documents, excluding the signed consent form which will be kept separate from any data, nor will they be asked to provide their name on the survey. People participating will not be able to be identified by any means. Once the survey is taken and tuned in it will be in the hands of only delegated advisors of the program and then kept in a locked safe. This safe will only be accessed by only the researchers and advisors. Upon completion of the collection of data needed all data information will be destroyed. This statement can be seen in Appendix B.

Assessment of Problem Areas
Problem Areas Based on the data collected during this assessment there are problem areas within the Price County community. As the obesity rate is high there are issues that are present in the data provided that need to be addressed. These problems include: limited health education, limited access to healthy food, limited access to recreational facilities, and easy accessibility to fast food restaurants. Limited education of health is one of the most important areas that should be addressed. This is because the less educated a person is about health, the less likely they are to obtain healthy behaviors. Although there are programs available throughout Price County the amount of people educated about these programs may be low therefore, the amount of people utilizing these health education programs may be low as well. Limited access to healthy food is an important issue to address because what people eat plays a significant role in the health, weight, and risks of a person. Because the access to foods that would optimize a person’s health is limited, the population of Price County has a high percentage of obese people. If we were to address this in the community there can be ways to make healthy food more accessible helping lower the obesity rate. Limited access to recreational facilities decreases physical activity which is also a factor involved in obesity and addressing this issue can allow for more ways of getting the community active towards a better health status. Lastly, easy access to fast food restaurants is an obvious issue in the obesity epidemic. The quick and convenient process of getting fast food is something a person may be doing on a regular basis. The order that these issues are addressed in are important as well. In the above paragraph the order of importance is specific to the importance of each issue. Education is first because it is the basis of getting people thinking and being conscious of their health. Access to healthy food is next because after people are educated on the behaviors that optimize health and what they should be eating they need accessibility to these sources. Next come access to recreational facilities because of the importance of physical activity and lastly fast food restaurants because even though they contribute to obesity if patrons are educated on moderately eating at these places, fast food eating can be limited. Areas of Strength As seen in Table 3 Price County has multiple nutrition programs they can offer to the community. This is strength to have because they obtain the information that is needed by the public. If these programs are implemented and utilized to their potential, they can be great for the community. Not only can the people who are eligible for specific programs benefit from the education but the entire population can if healthy opportunities are more accessible. If the knowledge obtained by professional through education programs are implemented there could be an improvement in obesity rates within the county.
Overall Assessment After collecting the data from Price County, the low availability to healthy foods and recreational facilities along with easy access to fast food with a high ranking in obesity, indicates that Price County may lack knowledge and education of healthy behaviors and should improve their overall health and lower obesity rates. By improving the accessibility to healthy foods, recreational facilities, and nutrition programs, the community will be able to increase their knowledge and awareness of health while decreasing the obesity rate. Four things that could be included in the assessment of Price County’s health that were not used in this assessment could be; level of education when assessing knowledge of health, the number of people participating in currently offered nutrition programs, process of marketing available nutrition programs, current (if any) measures being taken to reduce the number of obese people in the community. All of these things would be helpful in assessing other possible reasons for poor health and the things being done to correct this and their effectiveness. Helpful groups to partner with during this assessment are the city chamber employees, health department employees, and nutrition and health care professionals in the area. All of these groups would be helpful in assessing and implementing helpful programs.

Appendix A: Opinion Survey
Health in Price County
Community Nutrition Class, UW Stout
Please complete the questionnaire to the best of your ability. By completing this questionnaire, you are giving your consent to participate in this survey.
Check your gender: ____Male ____Female
What type of foods do you prefer to eat?______________
Why do you eat in this manner? ______________________________
Are you aware of any programs that can help you to stay healthy?_________________________
If you were informed about eating more healthy, would you?____________________________
What topics would be of interest to be presented in an educational seminar that would be beneficial to the obese population?_________________________________________________
Thanks for all your help with completing this survey!

Appendix B: Informed Consent Statement
Informed Consent Statement
University of Wisconsin Stout Signed Consent Form
Description:
The purpose of this project is to strive to prevent any factors that cause obesity to people who live in low-income people in Milwaukee, WI and Price County, WI.
Risk and Benefits:
There are no potential risks to this study. Stepping outside of your comfort zone to tell about your personal idea of why you eat the way you do. Although, we may ask for your personal opinion, but this study is only for the best for Milwaukee, WI and Price, WI.
Time and Commitment and Payment:
Each participant who takes the survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete. Not too much just honesty on your opinion.
Confidentiality:
Your name will not be included on any of the documents used for this study. Your name will not be asked to share if you do not wish to.
Right to Withdraw:
You have all right to withdraw from the study at any time. Your results will not be counted in the study if you withdraw during the study.
IRB Approval:
This study has been reviewed and approved by The University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB has determined that this study meets the ethical obligations required by federal law and University policies. If you have questions or concerns regarding this study please contact the Investigator or Advisor.

Signature of Consent

I am give permission for my opinion to be used in this study.

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Signature of Participant Date
References
1. Price County Public Health Department. Available at: http://www.co.price.wi.us/government/healthdepartment/default.htm. Accessed November 20, 2012. 2. City of Milwaukee Health Department. Available at: http://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Executive-Leadership-Team. Accessed November 20, 2012. 3. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Available at: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/#app/. Accessed November 15, 2012. 4. Feeding Price County. Available at: http://www.co.price.wi.us/appsforms/Hunger_Resource_Guide.pdf. Accessed November 16, 2012.

References: 1. Price County Public Health Department. Available at: http://www.co.price.wi.us/government/healthdepartment/default.htm. Accessed November 20, 2012. 2. City of Milwaukee Health Department. Available at: http://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Executive-Leadership-Team. Accessed November 20, 2012. 3. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Available at: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/#app/. Accessed November 15, 2012. 4. Feeding Price County. Available at: http://www.co.price.wi.us/appsforms/Hunger_Resource_Guide.pdf. Accessed November 16, 2012.