Community representatives, including residents, families surveyed in the supermarket, staff of community health-care agencies, and public health department personnel, provide assessment information. Public documents, such as statistical health data, laws, and health department rules and regulations, also provide information.
*See individual or family assessment guidelines to clarify information.
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History
Health Perception–Health Management Pattern
In general, what is the health/wellness level of the community on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest?
Any major health problems?
Particular groups?
Any strong cultural patterns influencing health practices of groups in the area (e.g., immigrants, aged with traditional culture)?
Do people feel they have access to health services?
Demand for any particular health services or prevention programs?
Do people feel fire, police, safety programs sufficient?
Concerns with air pollution or soil, water, food contamination?
Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern
In general, do most people seem well nourished?
Children?
Adults?
Elderly?
Food supplement programs for low income?
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School nutrition programs?
Foods reasonably priced in this geographic area relative to income?
Grocery and drug stores accessible to most people?
“Meals on Wheels” available?
Dental problems common?
Dental care accessible?
Water supply and quality?
Testing services (if most people have own wells)?
Restaurant food inspection programs?
If appropriate: Water usage cost?
Any drought restrictions?
Any concern that community growth will exceed good water supply?
Utility costs manageable for most households?
Programs to help low income?
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Elimination Pattern
Major kinds of wastes (e.g., industrial, sewage)?
Disposal systems?
Recycling programs?
Any problems perceived by community?
Pest control?
Food service inspection (e.g., restaurants, street vendors)?
Activity-Exercise Pattern
Is transportation convenient and affordable for:
Work?
Shopping?
Recreation?
Health care?
People use community centers/playgrounds?
Seniors?
Children?
Adults?
Is housing adequate (availability, cost)?
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Low-income housing?
Senior housing?
Sleep-Rest Pattern
Generally quiet at night in most neighborhoods?
Usual business hours?
“Around-the-clock” industries?
Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern Most groups speak English?
Other predominant languages?
Bilingual?
Average educational level of people in the community?
Schools seen as good or need improving?
Adult education desired?
Available?
Types of problems that require community decisions?
Decision-making process?
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What is the best way to get things done/changed in this community?
Self-Perception–Self-Concept Pattern Good community to live in?
Why?
Status going up, down, or staying about the same?
Old community? Fairly new?
Does any age group predominate?
People’s mood in general: Enjoying life? Stressed? Depressed?
People generally have the kind of abilities needed in this community?
Community/neighborhood functions?
Parades/celebrations?
Picnics?
Role-Relationship Pattern
People seem to get along well together here?
Places where people go to socialize?
Do people feel government listens to them?
High/low participation at community meetings?
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Enough work/jobs for everybody?
Wages good/fair?
Do people seem to like the kind of work available (happy in their jobs)?
Any problems with violence in the neighborhoods?
Family violence?
Problems with child/spouse/elder abuse?
Get along with adjacent communities?
Collaborate on any community projects?
Do neighbors seem to support each other?
Community get-togethers?
Sexuality-Reproductive Pattern
People feel there are problems with pornography, prostitution, adult book/-video stores?
Sufficient police protection and community education to prevent sexual violence?
Do people want/support sex education in schools/community?
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Average family size?
Maternal and infant mortality rates?
Sufficient prenatal clinic facilities?
Coping–Stress Tolerance Pattern Any recent community stress?
How handled?
Any current groups under stress or exhibiting tension?
Availability of phone help lines such as 911 and suicide help line?
Groups (health-related, other) trained to handle emergencies?
Value-Belief Pattern
Community values: Top four things that people living here see as important in their lives? Note the health-related values, priorities:
People tend to get involved in causes/local fund-raising campaigns? Note if any are health-related.
Religious groups in the community?
Places to worship available for all denominations?
People tolerant of cultural or religious differences?
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Examination
Conduct your examination through observation of the community and an examination of public records.
Health Perception–Health Management Pattern
Morbidity, mortality, longevity, disability rates (by age groups and sex, if available):
Accident rates (by district, if available):
Hazardous conditions:
Health facilities (types):
Nursing home safety records (nurse/resident ratios, falls):
Hospital infection rates:
Ongoing health promotion/prevention programs (utilization rates):
Ratio of health professionals to population:
Percentage of people with health insurance:
Laws regarding drinking age:
Arrest statistics for drugs, drunk driving by age group:
Incidence of HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis:
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Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern
General appearance of people (nutrition, teeth, clothing appropriate to climate):
Children:
Adults:
Elderly:
Food purchases (observations of food store check-out counters):
Availability of “junk” food machines (in schools, etc.):
Monitoring of water supply. Check quality:
Restaurant inspections:
Elimination Pattern
Communicable-disease statistics (water-borne, etc.):
Air pollution statistics:
Activity-Exercise Pattern Recreation/cultural programs:
Availability of nursing homes:
Assistive living facilities:
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Senior center with exercise, recreational programs:
Affordable housing:
Structural aids for the disabled (curbs, bathrooms):
Child care resources available:
Rehabilitation facilities:
External maintenance of streets, homes, yards, apartment houses:
Transportation services relative to need:
Sleep-Rest Pattern
Activity-noise levels in business district:
In residential district:
Noise regulations or laws:
Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern Quality, number, location of school facilities:
School drop-out rate:
Adult education programs:
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Community government structure; decision-making lines (organizational chart showing how decisions are made that affect health-care services):
Percentage residents English-speaking:
Percentage residents speak English as second language:
English classes available?
Self-Perception–Self-Concept Pattern Racial, ethnic mix:
Socioeconomic levels:
General observations of mood, within the community at large and in meetings:
Available mental health services relative to need:
Role-Relationship Pattern
Observation of interactions (among people in the supermarket or at specific meetings):
Statistics on personal or interpersonal crimes:
Statistics on employment:
Statistics on income/poverty:
Divorce rate:
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Sexuality-Reproductive Pattern
Average family size and types of households (e.g., related or unrelated, single parent, both parents, single alone):
Male/female ratio:
Average maternal age:
Maternal mortality rate:
Infant mortality rate:
Teen pregnancy rate:
Divorce rate:
Abortion rate:
Sexual violence statistics:
Laws/regulations regarding information on birth control:
Statistics on sexually transmitted diseases:
Coping–Stress Tolerance Pattern
Statistics on social problems as measures of social stress:
Delinquency:
Drug abuse:
Alcoholism:
Suicide:
Psychiatric illness:
Suicide by age groups:
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Teenage after-school recreation areas:
Unemployment rates by race/ethnic group/sex:
Emergency and disaster plans:
Designation of shelters and medical supplies (if needed for weather-related or other crisis):
Value-Belief Pattern Zoning/conservation laws:
Scan of community government health committee reports (goals, priorities):
Health budget relative to total budget:
Parks, museums, concert programs for the public:
Places of worship (note if number relative to need):