Windshield survey
Jeanette Voelker
Nurs 340
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Windshield survey
will explain the demographics of White Cloud and its community as a whole as it
can relate to the health of the people who reside here. I will share with you some
disease that affects this area will then follow as well as how I feel healthcare to this
Community
Newaygo, Michigan. The population has declined in White Cloud over the years,
according to the United States Census Bureau in 2016 the estimated population of
White cloud was 1,377, a decline of about 2.2% from 2010 when the population
was documented at 1408. The average household size is 2.9 persons and the
average famiy size is 3.2 persons. Small older homes are established within the
city limits as you travel outside the limits you find larger properties with houses or
modular homes. As I drive through town I notice that several of the homes could
use some updating on the outside. Homes have play sets for children and serveral
old cars sit in other yards. These vehicles appear to possibly not run, or are being
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worked on. As you travel outside the City limits several small hobby farms are
also noted. Horses, Chickens and cows graise through the fenced in areas of these
homes
White Cloud is a total of 2.2 square miles within the city limits. The
majority of this is land with a small boundary of water using 0.05% of this area.
M-20 and M-37 are the two main roads that travel through this city. M-20 extends
west from US 131 into White Cloud, then continues just south of town into
Fremont, Michigan. You can also drive north or south on M-37 through White
Cloud from Grant and Kent City to the South and to the north you will drive
through Baldwin, Bitely and can go straight through to Traverse City if needed.
In the City limits you will find small thrift stores which appear to be family
owned. There is also a Hardware store, a post office, a pet grooming salon and a
few law offices. The Newaygo County Sheriff, courthouse, and county buildings
also reside in the city of White Cloud. Local sheriff vehicles are noted driving
through town quite frequently. There is a local Housemans grocery store and
several smaller restaurants that advertise for home cooked meals. Outside of town
there is a local bar that is observed to have several motorcycles in the parking lot,
with baseball fields in the background of the establishment. I do not notice any
signs of public transportation in this area, people are seen walking to and from the
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local grocery store and gas station. A few smaller churches are located just outside
the city and have large numbers of vehicles in the parking areas on Sunday.
A small park like setting sits at the intersection of M-20 and M-37 which has
for sale. As you travel south of the city there is a county roadside park for
At risk population
different health issues. The most prevalent population I noted was the elderly.
Several men and women were seen walking around town carrying grocery bags. I
even noticed a man in an electric wheelchair riding down the sidewalk who in fact
was smoking a cigarette. I would say that health care for these individuals is
difficult to find due to lack of transportation. There are not any local physician
offices in the area for this population to visit, it also appears that transportation is
an issue for some of population.The other population I see that is at risk would be
the younger children. According to the US census Bureau the median income for a
household within the city limits was $2,313 which also puts about 21.8% of the
population below the poverty line. Children raised in homes that fall below this
line tend to have public health care. With lack of healthcare facilities in the area,
prevalent within the count of Newaygo. In 2017 Diabetes prevalence was 10.6%
years of age with a diagnosis of Diabetes. Adults who smoke are an even higher
prevalence of 20.8%. Through my assessment of the area three top health issues of
White Cloud and Newaygo county would be 1) Access to health care, 2) Diabetes ,
and 3) COPD.
2) Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all
groups.
3) Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all.
Areas of concern for White Cloud and Newaygo counties would be 1) lack
of community transportation in order to live a life that is full and free of chronic
disease. In order to promote a healthy and long quality of life, I feel that this
community would benefit from the use of some public education, community
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resources for transportation are in order for those unable to transport themselves, as
improvement for health care. The lack of heathcare facilities and transportation
limit individuals and families the needed healthcare to provide the needed care and
References
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/About-Healthy-People
http://www.dhd10.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/DHD10_CHNA_2017.
NOTES
Boundaries Geographic boundaries:According to the US Census
Bureau, white cloud is a total of 2.0 square miles. The
majority of this is land with 0.05 square miles of water.
The bodies of water include the Whit river as well as Lake
White Cloud. M-20 is the main Highway that runs from
US 131 west to White Cloud then again from M37 it
connects White cloud to Fremont area.
Economic boundaries include the downtown White Cloud
area, with homes, local stores and the Newaygo County
Sheriff office as well as the courthouse and jail. There are
no names for the neighborhoods that are posted for
public view.
Housing and zoning Buildings in this area appear to be older, possible from
the late 1800s to the 1900s. The homes appear to have
been builty within the last 60-70 years, with some being
built within the last decade. There are several modular
homes and these appear to out number the stick built
homes. The homes appear to be mid to lower income
range homes, some needing definite repairs. No high
value homes in this area. Outside of the downtown area
are homes on several acres of land. Small hobby farms
are also located outside the city limits.
Signs of decay The appearance of the small town is more run down. The
homes within the local city limits are older, with broken
down cars, playsets and small amounts of trash around.
Outside of the city limits shows a higher amount of
broken down vehicles, old bicycles as well as fenced in
yards with dogs.
Parks and recreation areas There are a few smaller public parks downtown White
Cloud. Not many with play areas for children. Outside
the city limits there is a lot of forest area, where hunting
and fishing can take place. There are several trails for
snowmobiling, skiing and walking.
Common areas Bars seem to be the hang out spot for locals. There are
some local restaurants that the older population like to
hang out at. The main restaurant in town is Sallys for
local cuisine and social gatherings.
Stores ! Grocery store called Housemans, some small thrift
stores, a Wesco gas station, 1 pet salon and the local post
office.
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Protective SErvices County and local police agencies are noticed throughout
the area due to the county buildings in this town. There
is a fire station as well as a DNR office.
Ethnicity Accordig to the US census Bureau the racial makeup of the
city was 83.7% White, 7.0% African American, 0.6% Native
American, 0.5% Asian, 3.1% from other races, and 5.2%
from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were
6.5% of the population
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