Community Assessment Project
Assessing community resources and needs for healthcare is one of the responsibilities of nurses with advanced preparation. In this project, FNP students will identify a “community”. This community can be multiple individuals with the same diagnosis (since that can be a defining trait of a community), individuals with a common need, or health issues noted within a community location, which is the most commonly selected “community”. Students will describe how a community analysis would be executed, identify existing or potential needs, resources available, and develop a plan to meet the identified need(s) of that community. Students should also address interdisciplinary resources available and how the NP would utilize or include other disciplines in the plan and management.
It is interesting to do a simple search on “Google”, using the words: how do you assess a community’s health needs. You get multiple results, and many are useful tools to review for this project. The CDC provides information on the process. You will also find resources for many statistics that might be needed for the project.
The assignment will consist of two parts: a power point presentation that has been developed by each group member, and the final recorded presentation for the assignment. The presentation should be between 30-40 slides, not including your reference slide(s). Be sure to cover each topic/focus area stated in the grading rubric well. The assignment requires a minimum of six (6) current peer-reviewed, professional references (since 2017). Evaluation will include the development and description of thought provoking and integrative ideas of how advanced practice nurses might be proactive in promoting health in a community.
I am only responsible for the Community Analysis section. The city we are doing on project on is MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. Our topic is Diabetes in Montgomery, AL
- Community Analysis: provide data, identify sources used to assess the needs of the community—where would you go to get the information you need for this community?
Community Assessment Project
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Montgomery, Alabama. The county records approximately 200 deaths per 100,000 population each year. The prevalence, incidences, and death cases due to diabetes in Montgomery differ by sex, age, and race. More men than women are diagnosed with diabetes and die due to its complications (Montgomery County Government, 2022). When compared with other races, high rates of diabetes and diabetes-related deaths occur among Native Americans and African Americans in Montgomery. Again, more older adults than younger populations have diabetes and die due to its complications. Geographically, cases of diabetes are mostly reported among residents of Silver Spring, East County, and Upcounty (Montgomery County Government, 2022).
A number of sources can be used to assess the needs of the community. These include; holding meetings with stakeholders, conducting community focus groups, completing community surveys, interviewing community leaders, and reviewing population health and other health-related data (Center for Rural Health, 2022). Good examples of health-related data where one can obtain information about Montgomery county are the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and Montgomery County government.
The main health needs of members of the community are obtaining diabetes testing and treatment. Additionally, there is a need to create recreational sites, parks, gyms, and community activities where residents can perform exercises to reduce diabetes risks. Various services are available in the community for both diabetes testing and treatment. For diabetes testing, residents can visit Labcorp, Priority Lab Testing, and Quality Assurance Testing Laboratory among others. For diabetes treatment, residents can visit endocrinologist doctors located at different offices across the county. Diabetes testing and treatment will help to reduce the disease burden in Montgomery.
References
Center for Rural Health. (2022). Community health needs assessment. https://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/community-health-needs-assessment
Montgomery County Government. (2022). Healthy Montgomery: Type 2 diabetes prevention. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/healthymontgomery/programs/type-2-diabetes/index.html#