Caring For Populations Assessment And Diagnosis

Caring for Populations: Assessment and Diagnosis The percentage of overweight and obese Americans has reached epidemic proportions. In 1959, 13% of Americans were either overweight or obese; and by 2010, that rate had increased to 69.9% (Fortuna, 2012). A community health nurse’s primary concern is improving the health the community. Combining the information gathered during a windshield survey with demographic and epidemiological data for the targeted community and surrounding areas enables the community health nurse to identify a priority health problem in the community (Nies McEwen, 2011). The purpose of this paper is to use apply the nursing process to the community health setting in order to isolate a major health†¦show more content†¦Demographic and epidemiological data Auburndale’s median annual income of $40,886 is lower than the county, state, or national median annual income of $43,113, $46,956, or $53,046 respectively (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The poverty rate in Auburndale is 19.9%. This rate is correspondingly higher than the county, state, or national rates of 18.1%, 17.0%, 14.5% respectively (Poverty USA, n.d.). Auburndale is a youthful predominately-Caucasian community. Eighty percent of the population is Caucasian, 12.8% African-American, and 13.1 % Hispanic. 86.1% of Auburndale’s residents are under the age of 65; and 32.1% are under the age of 18 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Unfortunately, a large percentage of the population in both Auburndale and Polk County are either obese or overweight. 33.5% of Auburndale’s population is considered obese, 3.7 % higher than the State, and 3.2% higher than the nation (Geostat.org, 2013). In 2014, the combined percentage of percentage of overweight and obese adults in P olk County was 72%; and the rate of obese and overweight middle and high school students was calculated to be 34% (How overweight is your county, 2014). According to Geostat.org (2013), Auburndale’s population has a higher rate of the diseases concomitant with excess weight than the nation. 29.2% of Auburndale’s residents have received a diagnosis of