Community health assessment for the minority population in Marion County in Indiana, Indianapolis
1) The Cultural Assessment Tool
According to the United States Census Bureau, (2012), the total population of Marion County in the year 2011 was 293477 people. The Age Composition of the different populations in Marion County in Indianapolis in the year 2011 was as shown in the following table below.
Age distribution table for the different populations in Indianapolis
Image: US census Bureau (2012)
According to STATS (2012), Out of the total population of 293477 of the minority population in Marion County in the year 2011, the minority community populations were as follows,
1) Black population = 27 percent of the population
2) American Indians and Alaska native persons = 0.5 percent of the population
3) People of Asian descent = 2.1 percent of the population
4) Native Hawaiian and other pacific islanders = 0.1 percent of the total population
5) Hispanics and Latinos = 9.6 percent of the total population
6) Colored or people reporting two or more races = 2.5 percent of the total population
2) Attitudes towards age and aging prevalent in the culture
Most minority people in Marion County are positive about aging. Many people in Marion County believe that old people remain active, very vital and healthy members of the society .However; a small portion of the population has negative stereotypes about aging because of the non availability of health and geriatric care services (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
3) Attitudes towards aging that affect health
The majority of the minority populations in Marion County with positive perceptions about aging reportedly participation in healthy behaviors like exercising, healthy diets and regular doctor visits. On the other hand, a little percentage of the minority community in Marion community with negative perceptions of ageing does not engage in positive behavior like exercising (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
4) At what age are people considered adults in of Marion county = 18 years
5) Cultural rituals prevalent in Marion County and the health effects?
Unhealthy diets low in fiber, high in calories sugars and unsaturated fats and low intake of fruits and vegetables affect the health outcomes of the minority community in Marion community (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
The level of engagement in physical activity for the majority of the minority community in Marion community does not meet the recommended level of daily physical activity. Sedentary lifestyle exposes the population to high risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and hypertension (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
7) Gender composition of the communities in Marion county = Women 51.8 percent of the population. Men 48.9 percent of the population (US Census Bureau, 2012).
8) Does gender play a role in acceptance of health care providers and how?
Gender does not influence the acceptance of health care providers and their services. The minority populations suffer from inequalities in health care access due to low incomes and low medical insurance coverage (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
9) Genetic determinants of health
The minority population in Marion County is prone to healthy diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and hypertension. African Americans are more prone to hypertension cancer, diabetes, obesity and stoke compared to the other minority groups (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
10) Do members display differences in normal physiological values?
Majority of the minority populations attach some importance to physiological values. However, due to disparities in access to health services, a large population of the minorities does not have a good follow up of their physiological values (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
11) Genetically determined illnesses prevalent in the population
They include Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Hypertension and cancer (STATS, 2012).
(12) Cultural attitudes towards body parts and physiologic functions
Some cultural attitudes towards the ideal body figure and health influence the lifestyle and dietary behaviors of the populations in Marion County.
Population economic status assessment
1) Population size of minority population in Marion county =32.2 percent or 293477
2) Average household income 2006-2010= 43541 dollars
3) Percentage of households at poverty level = 17.3 percent of the total population
4) Composition of the low income earners concentrated among all the minority groups
Blacks, Asians, Latinos, Hispanics and Native Americans
5) Racial ethnic percentage of poor age groups
American Indians and Alaska natives 4496 = 0.5 percent of the population
Asian minorities = 2.1 percent of the population
Native Hawaiian and other pacific islanders =0.1 percent of the population
Blacks= 27 percent of the population
Colored / two or more races = 2.5 percent of the population
Hispanics= 9.6 percent of the population
6) Total Births per year = 15333 or 4 percent of the population
7) Percentage demographics
American Indians and Alaska natives 4496 = 0. 5 percent of the population
Asian minorities= 2.1 percent
Native Hawaiian and other pacific islanders= 0.1 percent
Blacks= 27 percent.
Colored / two or more races =2.5 percent
Hispanics =9.6 percent
Population under public assistance
Welfare (TANF) monthly average families= 29.1 percent
Food stamp recipients =20.3 percent
Free and reduced fee lunch recipients = 18.7 percent.
Unemployment rate= 8.3 percent of the population
Per capita health expenditure
Minority population’s blacks, Native Americans, Hispanics and Asians spend a lower percentage of income on health compared to other populations
Percentage with unmet health needs = 27 percent
Homelessness rate = 38. 1 percent
Source of payment for health services Medicaid, Medicare and individuals [payments are the main sources
Private insurance coverage =18 percent
Income sources for the minority populations
Wages and salary 74.3 percent
Non farm proprietors =7.2 percent
Private businesses= 85.5 percent of the labor force.
Private insurance coverage =69 percent
Medicare= 17 percent
Medicaid=11 percent
Military =7 percent
Other =1 percent
Uncompensated portion of the population= 14 percent of the population
Data courtesy of US Census bureau and STATS, (2012)
Neighborhood community safety inventory
The Marion County is well served with emergency medical services by the Indianapolis emergency medical services. The fire departments of Indianapolis also provide good fire protection for all the townships of Marion County. Marion County is also well served by the Indianapolis police department and the Marion county sheriffs department. Most of the areas of Marion County have a crime rate that is slightly higher than the average crime rates in the United States. Some parts of the county remain a challenge for law enforcers in ensuring security (Genealogy Inc, 2012).
Disaster assessment and planning guide
The Indianapolis fire department provides good fire protection to all the townships of Marion County. Emergency medical services are also provided by the Indianapolis emergency medical services.
The level of private and general insurance coverage among the minority population is very low compared to the majority population (STATS, 2012).
Community assessment
The minority population in Marion County, Indianapolis experiences some problems that are common with the minority population in other parts of the United States. The major problem facing the minority population in Marion County includes;
1) Disparities in access to health services because of social economic factors
2) Low income levels and high unemployment rate compared to the majority population’
3) Low coverage of medical and general insurance coverage
4) Social cultural factors that have some adverse effects on their health outcomes
5) A high level of homelessness and access to housing.
The community genogram summarizing the community assessment for the minority population community in Marion County, Indianapolis
Community diagnosis
Disparities in income and other social cultural factors are accountable for the problems facing the minority population in Marion County. The minority populations are also more genetically prone to some diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The unhealthy lifestyles of the majority of the minority people expose them to the healthy lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Disparities in income are the main factors that have the biggest impact on the health outcomes of the minority population in Marion County. The level of income influences the level of private insurance coverage, housing, and the number of minority groups in need of public assistance. High levels of unemployment also negatively affect the health outcomes of minority populations.
The minority population also experiences a high level of unmet health needs due to of low rates of access to health services and low levels of income that limit the spending of the minority groups on health needs. To address the problems facing the minority population in Marion County, broad based approaches that address the core issues that cause economic, social and health disparities among the minority population must be developed. Broad based polices can enhance the health and social status of the minority population in Marion county.
Genealogy Inc. (2012). Marion county, Indiana genealogy. Retrieved from
http://www.genealogyinc.com/indiana/marion-county/
US Census Bureau (2012) Marion county Indiana. Retrieved from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18097.html
STATS (2012) Indiana in depth profile Marion County, Indiana retrieved from
http://www.stats.indiana.edu/profiles/profiles.asp?scope_choice=a&county_changer=18097&button1=Get+Profile&id=2&page_path=Area+Profiles&path_id=11&panel_number=1
