Community Assessment Part 1: Windshield Survey/Research
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Community Assessment Part 1: Windshield Survey/Research
Community Overview
Description
Arlington City is a community in Texas, United States. It is a suburban setting located in the Tarrant County of Texas. The community engages in industrial and agricultural activities which began in the 1950s. The population of Arlington City is approximately 394, 270 persons as of 2022 (Arlingtontx.gov., 2022). This community health assessment will generate data regarding the factors that have an influence on the health of the residents of Arlington city.
History
Arlington City was founded in 1876. It occupies a geographical space of approximately 99 square miles. The median age of people who reside in the community is 32.3 years old. Major cities in Texas that are closest to Arlington City are Dallas and Plano (Britannica, 2021). Arlington city has a number of aerospace and automotive industries. It is also known for agricultural production and cotton ginning.
Demographics
Arlington City is comprised of older adults, adults, youths, and children. The population is heterogeneous in that, residents appear to be coming from different family forms. Some of these families are headed by two parents while others are headed by single parents. Some youth live with their parents at home while some of them are staying alone in the city.
Ethnicity
There are indicators of different ethnic groups in Arlington City as evidenced by culturally-linked festivals and restaurants. Other indicators of ethnic variations in the community include modes of dressing and language. Moreover, the types of foods available in the restaurants denote the presence of different ethnic groups in the community.
Values and Beliefs
Churches are available in most of the geographical regions of Arlington City with a few mosques around. This indicates that Arlington City is dominated by Christians. Some of the residents are Muslims but they are in large numbers.
Subsystems
Physical Environment
The physical environment of Arlington City looks attractive despite the fact that there is not much green vegetation. Buildings and structures are distributed around depicting the true picture of a suburban community. The space that is available is adequate to allow the free movement of people and animals.
Health and Social Services
Few healthcare facilities are available in Arlington City. These are evidenced by clinics and hospitals which are dispersed in the area. There is no evidence of nursing homes or mental health services. Although it is difficult to tell whether residents of Arlington City are suffering from acute and chronic health conditions, the available healthcare facilities are inaccessible.
Economy
Groceries, shops, and industries are distributed everywhere across Arlington City. These are indicators of a thriving community when compared to the way things were when the city was founded in 1876. There is no evidence of food stamps in the community. Many youths are idling around during the day, a sign that they are not employed. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), the unemployment rate in Arlington City was 5.5% by 2021.
Transportation and Safety
Residents of Arlington City are using both private and public means of transportation. There are buses, taxis, and trains around. Air travel is also used by residents of Arlington city as evidenced by the presence of Arlington Municipal Airport. There are separate highways for people with disabilities and road signs to guide commuters on the road. These help to maximize safety.
Politics and Governance
The presence of posters that bear pictures of politicians and campaign messages signifies that political activities are taking place in Arlington City. Indicators of emergency preparedness are lacking in the region. The city’s House Representative Jake Ellzey oversees the social activities that are taking place in the region.
Communication, Education, and Recreation
Residents of Arlington City use different forms of communication including newspapers, television, and radio. Means of communication are both formal and informal. Most of the schools in Arlington City are in poor conditions. Open play-grounds and swimming pools are some of the recreational sites for children in the region.
Community Needs, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Community Needs Related to Healthy People 2030 Goals and the Texas Healthcare Report
- The populations of children and the elderly are rising at a rapid rate and there is a lack of economic and social support for them.
- There are few medical facilities, and poor roads are making most of these facilities inaccessible.
- Residents have a limited understanding of basic traffic rules. This is a safety threat as it contributes to accidents.
- There is a lack of emergency preparedness despite the fact that the region is prone to natural calamities such as earthquakes and volcanos.
- High rates of school dropout are preventing residents from receiving an adequate education.
- The city lacks recreational facilities for adults and the elderly which predisposes them to the risk of developing chronic illnesses.
Strengths
- Adequate space for infrastructural development.
- Separate highways for people with disability enhance safety.
- The availability of both formal and informal means of communication encourages the transfer of information among residents.
- Arlington city has a House Representative who can facilitate policy reforms related to the provision of health insurance for the elderly and children as well as those that encourage funding for hospital construction and road development.
Weaknesses
- The slow pace of development in Arlington City has made the country retain its suburban status for several years
- High rates of unemployment are preventing residents from purchasing quality foods and from paying medical bills, especially for people without health insurance.
- Poor infrastructural development contributes to the poor network which prevents emergency communication. It is also contributing to poor roads that make healthcare facilities inaccessible and is the reason for the lack of recreational activities for adults and the elderly.
References
Arlingtontx.gov. (2022). City statistics. https://www.arlingtontx.gov/open_data/city_statistics
Britannica. (2021). Arlington, Texas, United States. https://www.britannica.com/place/Arlington-Texas
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2022). Healthy People 2030: Building a healthier future for all. https://health.gov/healthypeople
Texas Health and Human Services. (2018). About THCIC. https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/thcic/About-THCIC/
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022). Economy at a glance. https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.tx_fortworth_md.htm