Windshield Survey
Windshield Survey
When planning a care plan or services for a community as a registered nurse, it is
imperative to be fully aware of all aspects pertaining to that specific area. Such aspects
include acquiring knowledge of the community, health-related resources that may be
useful to its’ members, and learning about gaps in services. The following paragraphs
will discuss data particular to the city of Covina, California in the purpose of conducting
an assessment and survey of the community.
Community
A community is defined as a local area made of formal organization systems
mirroring society’s institutions, informal groups, and aggregates (Shuster & Goeppinger,
2008). In specific, Covina is considered a fairly small city in the heart of San Gabriel
Valley of Los Angeles County. The community of Covina mission statement is as
follows: To provide responsive municipal services and manage public resources to
enhance the quality of life for our community (City of covina, n.d.). Another important
part of a community is the health community aspect. “Community health has three
characteristics: status, structure, and process” (Shuster & Goeppinger, 2008, pp. 345).
Rather than focusing on shared characteristics of people, community health focuses on
geographic areas. Status, for example, makes up the biological, emotional, and social
parts. Services and resources are the structure part of community health, and third,
process is defined as the steps needed for community action (Shuster & Goeppinger,
2008, pp. 345-347). Every community may also be referred as a client, especially when
the attention is set to the population.
WINDSHIELD SURVEY 3
Community Aspects Affecting Health
Different aspects of a community may hinder health. Examples of three effects
include: childhood obesity, diabetes
When planning a care plan or services for a community as a registered nurse, it is
imperative to be fully aware of all aspects pertaining to that specific area. Such aspects
include acquiring knowledge of the community, health-related resources that may be
useful to its’ members, and learning about gaps in services. The following paragraphs
will discuss data particular to the city of Covina, California in the purpose of conducting
an assessment and survey of the community.
Community
A community is defined as a local area made of formal organization systems
mirroring society’s institutions, informal groups, and aggregates (Shuster & Goeppinger,
2008). In specific, Covina is considered a fairly small city in the heart of San Gabriel
Valley of Los Angeles County. The community of Covina mission statement is as
follows: To provide responsive municipal services and manage public resources to
enhance the quality of life for our community (City of covina, n.d.). Another important
part of a community is the health community aspect. “Community health has three
characteristics: status, structure, and process” (Shuster & Goeppinger, 2008, pp. 345).
Rather than focusing on shared characteristics of people, community health focuses on
geographic areas. Status, for example, makes up the biological, emotional, and social
parts. Services and resources are the structure part of community health, and third,
process is defined as the steps needed for community action (Shuster & Goeppinger,
2008, pp. 345-347). Every community may also be referred as a client, especially when
the attention is set to the population.
WINDSHIELD SURVEY 3
Community Aspects Affecting Health
Different aspects of a community may hinder health. Examples of three effects
include: childhood obesity, diabetes
References: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, (2008). Childhood obesity: Tipping the balance toward healthy, active children Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, (2007). Diabetes on the rise in los angeles county adults Shuster, G.F., & Goeppinger, J. (2008). Public Health Nursing: Community as Client: Assessment and Analysis