Running head: WINDSHIELD SURVEY 1

Windshield Survey

Ashley Gran

Ferris State University

NURS 340
WINDSHIELD SURVEY 2

Windshield Survey

The purpose of this paper is to assess the health and wellness of the Jasonville Farms

Community in Caledonia, Michigan, by utilizing a Windshield Survey. I will start out by

defining community, community health and community as client. Then I will discuss a Leading

Health Indicator (LHI) from Healthy People 2020 that has the potential to affect this community.

Finally, I will discuss the four areas I have identified from the windshield survey that could

affect community health.

Community

A common definition of community emerged as a group of people with diverse

characteristics who are linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and engage in joint

action in geographical locations or settings. (MacQueen, et al., 2001).

Community Health

Community health is a field within public health concerned with the study and

improvement of the health of biological communities. (Dictionary.com, 2016). Community

health focuses on geographical locations and settings, and on people who have diverse

characteristics versus people with shared characteristics.

Community as Client

The concept of community as client is widely recognized and accepted in community

health nursing. (Dunn & Decker, 1990). This concept is based on the assumption that

community nursing practice is community oriented, seeking healthful change for the whole

population and not just individuals. (Dunn & Decker, 1990).

Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator

WINDSHIELD SURVEY 3

Based on the windshield survey conducted I have determined that Jasonville Farms

Housing Development is a young community. There are many mothers with young children and

babies throughout the neighborhood. As noted in Table 1, under the Street People section you

can often see them out walking about in the neighborhood. That is why I have chosen to discuss

the Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator (LHI) Maternal, Infant, and Child Health.

The well-being of mothers, infants, and children determines the health of the next generation.

(Office of Disease Prevention, 2016). Nurses are able to help improve the well-being of

mothers, infants, and children simply by providing education to the community. Preconception

(before pregnancy) and interconception (between pregnancies) care provide an opportunity to

identify existing health risks and to prevent future health problems for women and their

children. (Office of Disease Prevention, 2016). Educating communities on well baby checkups

and routine prenatal visits can help prevent future health problems for our communities.

Aspects Affecting Community Health

After reviewing the information gathered for this windshield survey I have identified four

areas that could affect health. The majority of the information gathered from this windshield

survey has been presented in table format in Table 1.

The first area I identified was a lack of racial diversity. The lack of diversity may

promote narrow minded thinking toward other races or ethnic groups. This can make it difficult

for when new people of different race move into the area.

The second area that I have identified is a lack of public transportation. Lack of

transportation for people who cannot drive can leave them stranded and unable to have access

services that are not within walking distance.

WINDSHIELD SURVEY 4

The third area that I identified also stems from public transportation. The grocery store

and other stores for this community are 3 or more miles away. People who are unable to drive

would have a difficult time getting food and cleaning supplies especially in inclement weather.

The fourth area that I identified also is transportation related. The nearest hospital that is

open 24/7 is over 14 miles away. That can be rough for people who need access to medical

facilities and are unable to drive themselves.

Conclusion

After completing the Windshield Survey for the Jasonville Farms housing development

in Caledonia, Michigan I have identified several areas that can affect community health.

Together we can work together to help improve in these areas, and have a healthier community.
WINDSHIELD SURVEY 5

References

Dictionary.com. (2016). Community Health. Dictionary.com, LLC. Retrieved from:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/community-health

MacQueen, K., McLellan, E., Metzger, D., Kegeles, S., Strauss, R., Scotti, R., Blanchard, L.,

Trotter, R. (2001). What is community? An evidence-based definition for participatory

public health. American Journal of Public Health. Retrieved from:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1446907/

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2016). Maternal, infant, and child health.

Healthy People 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-

health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Maternal-Infant-and-Child-Health
WINDSHIELD SURVEY
Table 1: Windshield Survey
Jasonville Farms, Caledonia, MI
o Neighborhood Boundaries: Cherry Valley Road, 84th Street, and Farm Land
Housing and zoning
The houses in this
neighborhood range from
brand new to around 20 years
old. They are wood framed
single family, detached
homes with large front and
back yards. The architectural
designs are similar, but
different due to family
preferences. The homes are
in good repair and lawns are
maintained. There is
evidence of central heating
and air conditioning, and also
modern plumbing.
Open Space
The houses in this
neighborhood range from
1500 to 2200 square feet.
The lot sizes are all about
acre. Open spaces are green
fields, one field even has
cows in it. The community is
in a development surrounded
by farmland. The
surrounding scenery is filled
with trees and meadows
making a very picturesque
environment.
Transportation
People in the neighborhood
are often found walking,
riding bikes, or driving a
personal vehicle. Streets and
roads are well maintained and
conducive to transportation.
The nearest major highway is
about 2 miles away and
serves the general public.
Other than school buses there
are no buses for the public to
use. This could affect the
health of the community if
people are unable to drive on
their own. They may not be
able to go to the doctors
office, health clinic, or even
the hospital.
Service Centers
There are no health service
centers available directly in
this neighborhood. There are
several local health clinics
including an urgent care
center, a dentists office,
mental health clinic, an eye
doctor, and pharmacy about
two miles away from the
neighborhood.
6
Race and Ethnicity
The Caucasian race is the
predominant race represented
in the neighborhood. There
are a few other races present
in the neighborhood, but they
are few and far between.
The lack of other races in the
neighborhood is a potential
health concern for future
residence from other races.
The lack of diversity may
promote narrow minded
thinking toward other races or
ethnic groups.
Religion and Politics
The neighborhood is mainly
Protestant. There is a healthy
mix of Baptists, Lutherans,
and Methodists. People go to
church on Sunday, and some
also go in on Wednesdays.
There is one Catholic church
near the neighborhood.
The community seems open
to both Republican and
Democratic ideas. There are
signs for politicians from
both sides on peoples lawns
in the neighborhood.
WINDSHIELD SURVEY
Boundaries
Jasonville Farms is an
established residential
development with no
unofficial names. The
developments name is
displayed on a sign. It is
bordered by fields, farms, and
two lane secondary roads.
Yards are green and well
maintained. No litter is in the
neighborhood. The
neighborhood uses both trash
and recycling bins.
Commons
There is a public park and
swimming pool in the
community.
Churches sponsor social
activities.
There are also many different
restaurants and bars that are
family friendly and they are
not territorial.
Stores and Street People
People are often out
exercising in this
neighborhood. It is common
to see mothers pushing babies
in strollers, or people out
jogging. It is also common to
see wildlife here and there,
and you can see farm animals
in the fields. There are no
strays running around. There
are some family cats that
come and visit the neighbors
from time to time though.
The nearest grocery store and
other stores like a Hallmark
store, and places like the post
office is about 3 miles away.
This could be a health
concern for the elderly, or for
those who get stranded at
home during the winter.
Signs of Decay
There are no obvious signs of
decay in the neighborhood.
The streets are free of litter,
lawns are well maintained,
and street signs are new.
When houses go up for sale
there are real estate signs
posted in their yards. There
are no abandoned houses or
cars. This young
neighborhood is thriving.
7
Health and Morbidity
All around this is a younger
neighborhood with residents
average age around 28-35.
Occasionally the elderly have
emergent health problems. A
few of the residents have
diabetes, and some have
hypertension. There are no
substance abuse issues or
infectious diseases that have
been reported. Lots of
women in the neighborhood
are pregnant or new mothers.
The nearest hospital is 14.5
miles away.
Media
There are some satellite
dishes on homes indicating
that people in the
neighborhood watch some
sort of TV. Radios can often
be heard when residents are
out working in their garages.
Most people use the internet,
have cell phones, and also
text. Residents read the
Grand Rapids Press, USA
Today, and People Magazine.