Introduction
Cambridge is an effective city because of quality health systems that benefit thousands of residents. The health of individuals is greatly affected by factors such as; recreation, work, location and residence. Knowing the health status of the community, and the factors that affect health is very critical for illustrating future health priorities, present strengths and the resources to develop, so as to benefit from the future collaborative efforts.
Sample Description
The Cambridge Public Health Department initiated a key initiative that aims at enhancing the knowledge on community health needs, and introduced programs and frameworks that address the health needs. One aim of the survey and sample distribution is to illustrate quantitative data on age distributions. Cambridge has the largest proportion of the population between the ages of 18 and 24 years old. This age group represents 17.9% of the population. The 25 to 34 years age group form 28.1% of the population. The level is higher if compared to the age proportions of Middlesex County and Massachusetts. Additionally, Cambridge has 16.8% of the households having children below the age of 18, in comparison to the county level of 29.4% and the state proportion of 28.6%. Cambridge is also racially or ethnically diverse. The diversity in the areas of linguistics, race and ethnicity, illustrates one of the key strengths illustrated through the Cambridge society. The Quantitative data illustrates that 40.1% of the Cambridge population comprises the non-white category. Asian residents form the largest proportion of the non-whites population at 14.7%. The black community closely follows the Asian proportion, with the value of 11.1%. The Hispanics residents comprise approximately 7.6% of the population. The quantitative data explains that the racial diversity level within the youth population segment is higher. More than 50% of the 18 years or lower age segment belongs to a race which is non-white (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2009-2011) .
The study also illustrates data in relation to job, income and poverty levels. The respondents, who participated in the interviews and focus group discussions, explained that Cambridge city illustrates aspects of both affluence and poverty. Research information illustrates that the median Cambridge income for the households is valued at $69,259, which is relatively 20% lower than the county general value, but greater than the state overall level. An estimated 20% of the respondents for the community assessment, and also 30% of the black population segment explain that inadequate employment opportunities socio-economic issue that affects the Cambridge health sector (Community Survey, 2009-2013).
The education level statistics is adequately discussed. The respondents illustrated that the Cambridge education standards is high, and this is mainly due to the presence of prestigious higher learning institutions. The intellectual culture is a major strength of the Cambridge society. The quantitative information similarly illustrates high education levels among the residents of Cambridge. Approximately 75% of the population possesses a college degree. The education level is thus higher than the county level of 49.9%, and the state level of 38.8%. The community health assessment was conducted to illustrate community health levels, and also initiate the community health enhancement plan that show major action areas. The integrated community health assessment and the community health enhancement procedures explain several major goals; for instance:
Initiating the community health assessments that comprehensively illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the city in creating a healthy environment for benefit of the residents.
Initiate community health improvement framework that acts as the blueprint for enhancing the city’s health within five year duration.
Collaborate with partners, organizations and people to develop a healthy vision for the city, and working towards realization of the vision.
Enhance the effectiveness of the Cambridge Public Health Department, so as to realize national accreditation.
Data Collection Approaches
The study applied both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, in the areas of data collection. The collected data was based on; community health assessment, participatory approach and collaborative efforts, to analyze the broader aspects of health, with adequate concentration on the wider socio-economic issues that affect health, and how the features determine disproportionately certain aspects of the population. The techniques that were applied in the process of community health assessment are: secondary data review, interviews, focus groups and health assessment surveys.
Secondary data review, which aimed at studying the present health and socio-economic information that were retrieved from the state and also the local state agencies. The community health assessment survey, utilized a brief survey to describe the major health concerns of the Cambridge residents, adequate access to health services, and the health sector priorities. 1,627 respondents participate in the survey. Interviews and also focus groups were also applied in data collection processes. The community respondents participated in eight focus group discussions. Eighteen interviews were conducted on a wide range of community stakeholders; for instance, low income earners, youths, elderly residents, immigrants, families, black residents, wellness professionals, city council representatives, law enforcement agencies and personnel, religious groupings, special groups, human services and learning institutions. Generally, the qualitative research utilized more than 90 participants (Cambridge Community Health Assessment Survey, 2013).
Data Analysis Method
The data analysis approach applied entails utilization and review of the secondary data collection sources. The community health assessment process was conducted based on the comprehensive study of the data collected through the city agencies; for instance, the Cambridge Police Department, the Cambridge Public health department, public learning institutions in Cambridge, and also the Cambridge Community Development Department. More secondary data utilized in the study, were generated from the information sources such as; the U.S. Bureau of Census, University of Wisconsin Population Health institute, U.S. Bureau of Health Statistics, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Cambridge Community Health Assessment Survey, 2013).
The community survey was applied in collecting data from the residents of the city. The survey generated additional quantitative data that was not illustrated through the secondary sources, and also to collect data on the public health perceptions among the city residents. The survey enquired on diverse issues related to health; for example, socio-economic and health issues, health services access levels, public health experience, and also the healthcare system. The Cambridge partners transmitted the survey links through the computer connections; for example, disseminating email announcements to the appropriate contacts and the internet databases, and also the application of mass media transmission.
Research Questionnaire Survey
Conclusion
The information illustrates Cambridge population information. Several factors affect the health of Cambridge residents; for instance, healthy meals, education levels, resource availability, transportation services and income levels. The distribution of these characteristics influences health service provision and resource allocation (U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 2009-2011).
References
Cambridge Community Health Assessment Survey. ( 2013).Top Health Concerns in Cambridge among Survey Respondents by Race and Ethnicity. http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/publications/FinalCambridgeCHAreport.pdf
U.S. Department of Commerce. (2009-2011).Percentage of Families in Poverty in Cambridge: American Community Survey 3Year Estimates.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. (2009-2011). Percent age of Population Who Speak Language Other Than English at Home by State, County, and City: American Community Survey.
Community Survey. (2009-2013).Cambridge Community Health Assessment Survey Respondents as Compared to the Cambridge Population Overall.
Cambridge Community Health Assessment Survey.( 2013).Top environmental health and safety issuesin Cambridge. retrieved from http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/publications/FinalCambridgeCHAreport.pdf
Cambridge Community Health Assessment Survey. (2013).http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/publications/FinalCambridgeCHAreport.p df
.
