COMMUNITY XXX
1
Community Health Diagnoses for Community XXX, Chicago, Illinois
After all the assessment data is collected, it is important to analyze the information in
order to reveal a bigger picture of the strengths and weaknesses in a community. When these are
identified, community health diagnoses can be created for the most serious of current or potential
health problems and concerns (Shuster, 2012). The following are the concerning characteristics
of the community as well as the health diagnoses for the Community XXX of Chicago, Illinois.
Areas of Concern
Respiratory Health
Cook County, including the Community XXX, failed the American Lung Association’s
“State of the Air” test receiving a failing grade for ozone, particle pollution in a 24 hour period
and particle pollution annually (compared to Cary, Illinois located in McHenry County which
received a “B” grade on all levels). This not only puts the entire population of the community at
risk for respiratory infections, diseases and lung cancer, it also puts those with asthma, COPD
and cardiovascular disease at a much higher risk for complications with their illnesses. One
example of particle pollution is that of the emissions from vehicle exhaust and when walking
throughout the Community XXX, exhaust is commonly smelled due to the amount of vehicles on
the streets (American Lung Association, 2013). This is also identified by noting the particulate
matter in this community (PM2.5: 89.2%) is high in comparison with Cary (PM2.5: 58.1%), a
suburb of Chicago (Environmental Protection Agency, 2014). The second leading cause of death
in the Community XXX is cancer, and the leading cause of cancer death is lung cancer
(Respiratory Health Association, 2014) which can be caused by air pollution according to the
American Lung Association (2013).
Child Obesity
COMMUNITY XXX
2
The children in this community are at risk for obesity and according to the high school
prevalence rate of 21% in Chicago versus 16% nationally, Chicago is at a higher risk than the
rest of the country. For children ages 3 to 7 years old, the incidence rate for child obesity is 22%
compared to that of 10.4% nationally for 2 to 5 year olds. For children ages 10 to 13, the
incident rate in Chicago is 28% compared to 19% nationally for that of children 6 to 11 years
old. These rates show that Chicago has almost double the incidence of child obesity compared to
that of United States (Yonek & Hasnain-Wynia, 2011). Obesity can increase the risk for
cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes so it is important for kids to stay active to help
combat this epidemic. Obesity has been linked to causing both in addition to strokes, type 2
diabetes, high cholesterol, certain cancers, breathing problems such as asthma and sleep apnea,
and even mental health disorders such as depression (United States Department of Health and
Human Services, 2002). Children who are obese are not only at risk for being obese in
adulthood, but they are at a much greater risk for falling victim to these diseases later in life as
well. In fact, by 2020, 44% of American women and 37% of American men at age 35 will be
obese and with that the prevalence of heart disease will rise by 16% and heart disease deaths by
19% between the ages of 35 and 50 years old (Sharples, 2007). Regular physical activity can
help combat obesity, however, the Community XXX lacks open space, large parks and
playgrounds for children to play (3 playgrounds in Community XXX community versus 14
playgrounds in Neighboring Community). Many of the children who live in the Community XXX
also do not have a backyard or front yard to play as many of the buildings are multi-dwelling
units attached to each other on city blocks that are crammed with buildings. The Chicago Park
District has sports programs and offers physical activities but compared to Neighboring Community
COMMUNITY XXX
3
where many of the classes are filled, the park district facilities of the Community XXX remain
open (Chicago Park District, 2013).
Bike Safety
With Chicago rolling out a new bike sharing program called Divvy, many more locals
and tourists have access to ride bicycles throughout Chicago. Though great for physical activity,
it can be dangerous without a helmet. Currently, the state of Illinois does not require all riders to
wear helmets. In the Community XXX, there are bike lanes on most main thoroughfares, but the
crowded streets of Main Avenue, for example, do not have bike lanes nor do many of the side streets
that are also very crowded with vehicles. Additionally, it is seen that taxi cabs and busses pull
over into the bike lanes to pick up passengers, creating a potentially dangerous situations if
cyclists and drivers are not aware of each other. Accidents caused by unintentional injury
include accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians and are the fourth leading cause of death in
Chicago (City of Chicago, 2014) compared to fifth in the state of Illinois (Illinois Department of
Public Health, 2010).
Diagnoses
Diagnosis 1
Risk for Ineffective Health Maintenance among community members, especially those
with respiratory ailments, related to environmental stressors as evidenced by high levels of air
pollution, high particulate matter in the Community XXX (PM2.5: 89.2%) compared with Cary
(PM2.5: 58.1%); a failing rating by the American Lung Association based on high levels of
ozone and particle pollution both in a 24 hour period and annually; the smell of vehicle exhaust
when walking through the community; cancer being the second leading cause of death with lung
cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths.
COMMUNITY XXX
4
Diagnosis 2
Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition, More than Body Requirements among children in the
community related to lack of physical activity as evidenced by an incident rate of 22% in
children 3 to 7 years old; an incident rate of 28% in children 10-13 years old; a prevalence rate of
21% in children of high school age; 3 playgrounds compared to 14 in Neighboring Community; a
lack of open space and yards due to buildings crammed onto city blocks leaving minimal room
for parks; lack of attendance at Chicago Park District sports programs.
Diagnosis 3
Risk for Trauma related to increasing bicycle usage among community members,
especially daily commuters, as evidence by windshield survey data of many bikers observed on
the roads, increased accessibility to bicycles through the Divvy bike sharing program placed
every few blocks; unprotected bike lanes that buses and other vehicles drive through; bike lanes
lacking on side streets and some main roads.
Conclusion
Community XXX, though sometimes appears as a thriving and lively place, is no utopia.
Using the community assessment, data was gathered and analyzed to determine the strengths and
weaknesses that affect those within Community XXX. These characteristics helped determine
the most important community health diagnoses. With these concerns now realized, Community
XXX is one step closer to becoming a healthier and safer place through planning and
intervention.
You will need to include a reference page to match your citations