Introduction
This paper looks into the results of a windshield survey in the black community of Tampa, Florida. The survey aims to assess the health needs, concerns, and preferences of the community involved and identify areas that require improvement to improve the quality of life of those in that particular community. This report will offer a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the survey findings and provide recommendations for the identified health issues.
Aggregate Description
An aggregate is a group chosen to be studied in a particular area. The aggregate chosen for this study is an African American church. African American churches are among the most robust in the United States, with the highest population of people attending them. In the inner city of Tampa, Florida, the African American churches are, as expected, the most populated and attract a large group of people.
Community Description
Tampa, Florida, is one of the most famous cities worldwide. It is well known for its posh lifestyle and the diversity in culture it offers. It is also home to several African American churches, which makes it a suitable location for the survey.
In terms of healthcare, Tampa is seen to have mastered the art of quality healthcare by providing enough hospitals necessary to ensure that the health of its people is a priority. I chose Tampa because of its diverse population, which incorporated the aggregate I was interested in studying. Secondly, Tampa is a well-planned city and thus making it easier to carry out the study and find solutions to the problems identified.
History of African American Church in Tampa, Florida
The history of African American churches dates back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this time, African Americans in Tampa faced racial and ethnic segregation and discrimination. This applied to all areas of their lives, including the religious practices allowed. Despite all these hindrances, they built their churches and developed a strong sense of community and brotherhood. One of the earliest churches in Tampa was one in Yorba; this is said to be the mother church that gave birth to the other churches in the inner city of Tampa.
Later in the years, the churches in Tampa came together and agreed to do away with discrimination based on ethnicity. They created a community where everyone was safe expressing themselves (Waters, 2022). This also led to a shift in the people interpreted the bible, with more people following the bible strictly and in a more palatable way. In recent years, this decision made by the founders years ago has had a tremendously positive outcome and dramatically impacted the way of living.
Demography of Tampa
The population comprises different ethnic groups, including whites, Latinos, Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans. According to the statistics, the people who identified as whites occupy the most significant portion of Tampa’s population. According to the statistics provided in the last census conducted in Tampa, the city’s population is close to half a million people (Waters, 2022).
Given these statistics, it is evident that Tampa is a diverse location, so the people residing there must live in harmony. Tampa covers an area of 170.6 square miles, comprising both land and water (Pribish et al., 2019). The climate of the region is humid and subtropical in the summers and mild during the winters.
The region also prides itself with having an average cost of living lower than the average national level. The other factor is the income rate in the city where the median income is estimated to be around $61000 per household (Pribish, et al. 2019). This factor is made possible by the cost of housing, which is very affordable for the people, thus being the number one factor that makes the cost of living in Tampa affordable.
Vital Statistics of Tampa
The vital statistics of any community change according to the group being studied, and that is no different in Tampa. The vital health statistics that define a community’s population are the crude birth rate, infant mortality rate, and life expectancy. In Tampa, all these statistics spoke volumes about the city’s state.
According to the most recent statistics, the crude birth rate was 9 per every 1000 live births (Waters, 2022). Conversely, the infant mortality rate was higher than expected, at 5.6 per 1000 births (Waters, 2022). This means that children under one have lost their lives over the years; healthcare professionals have taken a keen interest in looking into the factors that may lead to the loss of infant life and providing solutions to save them.
A majority of the people in the population are at their productive age. This explains the city’s economic stability, with the life expectancy in Tampa being estimated to be between 60 and 70 years, with the median age being the 30s (Pribish et al., 2019). Moreover, the leading causes of death in the city have been discovered to be heart conditions, accidents, and chronic respiratory conditions (Pribish et al., 2019). These conditions are preventable and curable; hence, the health organizations in Tampa must address the underlying factors that aggravate these conditions and find solutions.
The reason why Tampa was chosen for the survey is its diverse nature. Tampa is home to many ethnic groups, which will make the study more diverse and inclusive. Additionally, Tampa is a well-developed city with all the required features, thus broadening the study.
General Windshield Survey Observations
During the drive through the city, it was noted that the general appearance of the city was appealing and authentic. The house and the streets were well kept and in good condition except for some old ones that need to be repaired. The age of the houses varied from recent designs to old homes. Furthermore, the space between one home and another was big enough and allowed for privacy, an essential factor in housing.
The hygiene of the community was generally clean, although not in all places. The ethnicity in the area was mixed with different ethnic groups. Additionally, the places of worship were mostly Baptist Churches that served the whole population. Important services available include recreational and social centers; both were present, represented by parks that spread out throughout the town and schools. Billboards and media displays, as would any city, were the main form of advertisement around the city, with different messages about products and services.
The mode of transportation in the city was significant through personal transportation, with a small percentage of people using public means of transport such as bikes and buses. Most people were also walking along the streets, and the sidewalk was in good shape and had been maintained to allow the pedestrians to have comfort. Regard to the play areas and the parks, the city has well-maintained parks distributed all around the neighborhood and they have their unique hangout places. This allows for social interaction between the people, thus enabling harmonious coexistence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tampa is a city that is well-equipped to harbor people and ensure that their quality of life is above average. Even though the city has some shortcomings, it is essential to note that these shortcomings are the driving force for gradual and progressive improvement. This survey will greatly help with looking into the grey areas of the town and provide recommendations.
References
Pribish, A., Khalil, N., Mhaskar, R., Woodard, L., & Mirza, A. (2019). Chronic disease burden of people experiencing homelessness: A descriptive study of student-run free clinics in Tampa, Florida. Journal of community health, 44(3) 249-255. Web.
Waters, J. (2022). Black cemeteries matter the erasure of historic black cemeteries in Polk County, Florida. The University of South Florida, 1-10. Web.