Demographic and Epidemiological Assessment
For this discussion, you will collect assessment data about your city or county. This post will include information about demographics (general characteristics) and epidemiological data (disease or health behavior rates) of your community.
- Demographic data: Go online to the U.S. Census Bureau at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/. Obtain a range information about the demographic characteristics of the population for your city or county of residence. You may have to look at county data if your city is not listed. Discuss demographic data about age, ethnicity, poverty levels, housing, and education.
- Epidemiological data: Go to your city or county health department website (search the Internet) or County Health Rankings (http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/) and report epidemiological data about your area.
- Identify several priority health concerns for your area.
Here is a helpful tip sheet about the U.S. Census website located in Course Resources that will assist you in using this website as a resource.
Nies, M. A., & McEwen, M. (2015). Community/Public health nursing: Promoting the health of populations (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier
In assessing a community, the nurse starts with direct observation as done in the windshield survey. The nurse will need to collect additional data to support these observations and to assist in completing a comprehensive assessment. Demographic and epidemiological data provides essential information on the aggregate. Use this data to describe your city or county and identify priority health concerns for that area. I look forward to the data you share and learning more about your community
