Windshield survey of an at-risk obesity community in Elsmere, Kentucky

1 1. Identify the at-risk / special needs community aggregate that you have chosen as your client/patient. Give a brief description of the aggregate’s a. General demographics (what do they look like?) They are generally overweight and impoverished. They often look unkempt when seen on the streets. b. What do the people in this aggregate have in common that makes this a community aggregate? They all come from a low socio-economic background. c. What characteristics make the aggregate fit into the category of at-risk or special needs? The population is at risk for obesity. d. How have you gained access to or become involved with this population? I live in the neighboring town.

2. List the name and contact information for two members of the aggregate that you have communicated with regarding the project. Do not violate HIPAA. (Make up name and number) a. Member # 1 name and contact information: Butch Howard, 120 Buckner Ave, Elsmere, KY 41017

b. Member # 2 name and contact information Gary Busey, 440 Main, Elsmere, KY 41017

3. What about this group interested you? What factors make this aggregate more vulnerable during a disaster than other groups?

I am interested in this group because they are the people of the neighboring town next to mine. I want to see them do well, but their low socio-economic status and the rundown neighborhood indicates that poor values and an inattention to good health, exercise and proper diet make them vulnerable to suffering during a disaster.

4. What are the geographic boundaries, if any, of the aggregate? If the aggregate doesn’t have a geographic boundary, use an agency that serves the aggregate and look up it’s neighborhood in a track in the US Census.

The town is between Erlanger and Florence.

Go to the 2010 US Census at http://www.census.gov/ . Using the address of either one of the members listed above or the address of an agency where the members receive services, look up the following census data:

5. Click on QuickFacts. Enter the name of the zip code for the area or type it into the search box. What address did you use? City or county __120 Buckner Ave, Elsmere____________, State ___KY___ . 6. What is the population? __8,644_ 7. What percent of the population is under 5 years old? _7.3%___ 8. What percent of the population is over 65 years old? ____10% 9. Give the percentage of the non-white population? ____13.9% 10. What percent have a bachelor’s or higher degree? ____18.4% 11. What percent are veterans? ____0.5% 12. What is the median value of an owner-occupied house? ____$105,000 13. What is the median household income? ____$52,969 14. What is the percentage of persons in poverty? ____22.5%

Data from the census track is a very broad beginning to the community assessment. Another broad assessment, but more specific to your community aggregate is the windshield survey. Using the same address used for the census, complete the windshield survey.

WINDSHIELD SURVEY (#2) LEARNING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

Select a neighborhood commonly used by members of the selected aggregate.

Name: Butch Howard Date: 7-10-18

Boundaries of the neighborhood: Main to Buckner to Dixie Hwy

Census Tract number: 214778

I. Community Core 1. History – What can you assess by looking (e.g., old, established neighborhoods; new subdivision)? Ask people willing to talk: How long have you lived here? Has the area changed? As you talk, ask if there is an “old-timer” who knows the history of the area. Assessment: People are poor; there is a strong presence of African-Americans in this area. Drug use is rampant. Many obese persons are seen about.

Problems / Concerns: Obesity and drug use indicate a community in decline.

2. Demographics -What sorts of people do you see? Young? Old? Homeless? Alone? Families? Is the population homogeneous? I see young and old people. The population is heterogenous. Most people are alone. A small group plays basketball at a park. Assessment: There are not many families in the neighborhood. Many people do not feel safe in the community.

Problems / Concerns/ Health safety issues: There is not much health education in the community. The people shop at the local dairy mart and buy cigarettes, sugary snacks and alcohol frequently.

3. Ethnicity – Do you note indicators of different ethnic groups (e.g., restaurants, festivals)? What signs do you see of different cultural groups? Mainly African-Americans and poor whites inhabit the area. There is one BBQ bar and grill in the area but nothing beyond that. Assessment: Ethnicity and culture are not big draws in the area. There is nothing that unites the community in this sense.

Problems / Concerns: Health education is not connected to family life, culture or ethnic background.

4. Values and beliefs – Are there churches, mosques, temples? Does is appear homogeneous? Are the lawns cared for? With flowers? Gardens? Signs of art? Culture? Heritage? Historical markers? There is one Catholic church near the Hwy with an elementary school. Behind it are a row of abandoned houses. There are no historical markers, gardens, flowers, signs of art or signs of culture. Assessment: The town looks abandoned in terms of having any aesthetic value.

Problems / Concerns: There is nothing to give the community a spiritual or cultural strength other than the church, and it is not that popular in the community.

II. Subsystems

1. Physical environment – How does the community look? What do you note about air quality, flora, housing, zoning, space, green areas, animals, people, human-made structures, Natural beauty, water, and climate? Can you find or develop a map of the area? What is the size (e.g., square miles, blocks)? Assessment: The community looks rundown; there is no natural beauty. Train tracks run through the center of it. The size is 2.63 sq. miles. There is only one small park and it is not kept up by the city. It has a basketball court, no swings, and no shelter. Across the street is a house that is known as a drug den.

Problems / Concerns: There is no sense of community in the area. Individuals look like they might be gangs. Loud rap music is often heard on the streets.

2. Health and social services-Evidence of acute or chronic conditions? Shelters? Alternative therapists/healers? Are there clinics, hospitals, practitioners’ offices, public health services, home health services, home health agencies, emergency centers, nursing homes, social service facilities mental health services? Are there resources outside the community but readily accessible? Assessment: The nearest mental health services facility is in the next town over in Edgewood. This is a large facility. There is another facility in the other direction of Florence. In Elsmere, there is nothing of the sort. There is however evidence of obesity and drug usage just by looking at the people on the streets.

Problems / Concerns: The community does not lack access to care, which is within a 10 sq. mile radius. What it does lack is a basic sense of community and care for the community’s own interest, as is evident by the abandoned look it has and by the apparent “rough looking” character of the people there.

3. Economy – Is it a “thriving” community or does it feel “seedy”? Are there industries, stores, places for employment? Where do people shop? Are there signs that food stamps are used/accepted? What is the unemployment rate? Assessment: The area definitely feels “seedy”—there are some stores on the Hwy but no places for employment. People shop in the next town over, either in Florence or in Erlanger. There is nothing in Elsmere, shopwise, other than the local dairy mart on Main—but it is used mainly for cigarettes, sugary snacks and alcohol.

Problems / Concerns: The community does not have many options in the way of commerce. The unemployment rate for the community is unknown but roughly 1 out of every 4 persons there is living in poverty according to the U.S. Census (2017).

4. Transportation and safety-How do people get around? What type of private and public transportation is available? Do you see buses, bicycles, taxis? Are there sidewalks, bike trails? Is getting around in the community possible for people with disabilities? What types of protective services are there (e.g., fire, police, sanitation)? Is air quality monitored? What types of crimes are committed? Do people feel safe? Assessment: People get around by bus, by walking, by riding a bike or by car. There are also taxis that drive by from time to time. There are sidewalks up and down Main and the Hwy. There is a fire station and a police station in the community. The air quality is not monitored. Types of crimes committed in the area include theft, rape, assault, burglary and drug trafficking. People do not feel safe. I do not feel safe when there.

Problems / Concerns: The place has a feel of being abandoned by the world to its fate. The people have a look of fatalism about them. There is not much joy evident in their faces and features. They appear downtrodden and focused on their next fix—whether it is a sugar rush, nicotine, alcohol or drugs.

5. Politics and government-Are there signs of political activity (e.g., posters, meetings)? What party affiliation predominates? What is the governmental jurisdiction of the community (e.g., elected mayor, city council with single member districts? Are people involved in decision making in their local government unit? Any indicators of emergency preparedness? Assessment: There is no sign of political activity—no posters, no signs for meetings. It is unknown what party affiliation predominates. The lack of interest in politics indicates that neither does. The city has a mayor and there is a city council—but both are shared with the neighboring town of Erlanger. Few people are involved in decision making in the local government. There are no indicators of emergency preparedness.

Problems / Concerns: The town seems unconcerned and unmotivated with proper governance.

6. Communication- Are there “common areas” where people gather? What newspapers do you see in the stands? Do people have TVs and radios? What do they watch/listen to? What are the formal and informal means of communication? Emergency communication sources, i.e., sirens, media, newspapers, flyers? Assessment: There are not really any common areas where people gather. There are no newspaper stands. People have TVs and radios on in their cars. They listen to rap and rock ‘n’ roll loudly. They watch whatever is on TV—news, game shows, etc. The means of communication are face-to-face and cell phone. There is a siren that goes off at noon for testing purposes but that is all.

Problems / Concerns: People can communicate in the community but it is unclear how emergency situations would be communicated other than by siren.

7. Education- Are there schools in the area? How do they look? Are there libraries? Is there a local board of education? How does it function? What is the reputation of the school(s)? What are major educational issues? What are the dropout rates? Are extracurricular activities available? Are they used? Is there a school health service? A school nurse? Assessment: There is a high school in the neighboring town that serves Elsmere. There is a library down the Hwy that also serves the town. The board of education is in the neighboring town. It functions with regular meetings. The reputation of the school is not very high. Major educational issues are actually underage pregnancy and drug use. The dropout rate is unknown. There are extracurricular activities available like track and football. There is a school nurse and there is also a daycare for unwed single mothers still in high school.