Introduction
The Oakview community is in Chicago’s southwest suburbs, a suburban area comprising largely single-family homes. The community is considered diverse, including people of various age groups and ethnic backgrounds (Point 2, 2023). It is located adjacent to restaurants, schools, and stores, offering convenient access to crucial services and facilities for the inhabitants. Additionally, the housing in the area comprises houses constructed using several materials and different architectural and ages. Therefore, although the community has various resources meant to enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants, obesity is prevalent among children.
Windshield Survey Observation
Housing and Commercial Buildings
In the community, there are different houses and commercial buildings. The houses and buildings vary in age, with the median year of construction being 1979 (Point 2, 2023). The materials utilized in construction range from conventional brick and wood to more contemporary materials such as steel and concrete. The houses display architectural variety, with some comparisons in older localities.
Additionally, most houses are separated and have space in front and behind (Point 2, 2023). Although there are symbols of disrepair in some buildings, the community prides itself on well-tended lawns. Recent amenities such as modern plumbing, central heating, and air conditioning are common.
Open Space
Cook County combines urban and suburban zones with some countryside pockets. The quality of open spaces varies from luxurious green parks to vacant areas, and possibly some require enhancement. Houses, lawns, and flower boxes differ in size based on the specific neighborhood. In addition, there are trees on most streets and green islands along most streets. Most open spaces are public and private, with residents and visitors using these areas for recreation, leisure, and community events.
Boundaries
The boundaries of neighborhoods in the community are usually marked by physical features such as railroads, highways, or separate changes in the landscape. Some neighborhoods may be detached by natural fundamentals such as rivers (Point 2, 2023). In addition, economic boundaries are viewed through differences in real estate and the existence of industrial or commercial units along residential areas. Most of their neighborhoods have their identity and official names exhibited on signs. Informally, inhabitants use unofficial names representing specific areas in the community, showing a sense of local belonging and identity.
Commons
This community’s neighborhood hangouts comprise schools, bars, convenience stores, restaurants, parks, and drugstores. Individuals from different age groups and backgrounds gather at these spaces (Point 2, 2023). Learners usually occupy schoolyards during weekdays. Drug stores and convenience stores attract visitors throughout the day and night. Furthermore, parks have recreational gatherings in the evenings and weekends. These commons are open to all, promoting a sense of community.
Transportation
In Oakview, people mainly use cars for transport, with roads and streets offering good access for bicycles and vehicles, encouraging community life. The county has major highways acting as main commuter routes, linking Oakview to adjacent regions and serving a huge population (Point 2, 2023). Public transportation is available, with recurrent bus services and train stations offering convenient alternatives for commuters. Gas stations are easily reachable through the community, meeting the needs of motorists.
Service Centers and Stores
The community is well-served by different service centers comprising social agencies, schools, and recreation centers that display signs of action and meet the needs of inhabitants. Medical services, such as dentists’ offices and doctors’ offices, are available (Point 2, 2023). Parks are available and used actively by people in the community. Residents can access neighborhood stores, shopping centers, and outside markets for their shopping needs. They mainly travel by car or public transport to access these services and facilities, warranting expediency for residents.
People Out and About
During the daytime in Oakview, the streets are full of different people. Parents with children, passersby, joggers, and bikers are familiar. Sometimes, door-to-door sales assistants or mail workers can be spotted undertaking their tasks (Point 2, 2023). The dress of people differs, with some dressed informally and others in expert clothing. However, some unexpected characters, such as artists and street performers, add to the lively atmosphere. As for animals, one may see stray cats, well-maintained pets, vigilant watchdogs on lawns, and different bird species together with the community’s liveliness.
Signs of Community Vibrancy
Oakview is a vibrant community on the way up. The signs of vibrancy comprise well-tended yards, street vendors, and good pavement conditions. The absence of abandoned cars, trash, and political posters shows a sense of civic engagement and cleanliness (Point 2, 2023). In addition, the availability of real estate symbols and mixed partitioning use show an active real estate market and different organizations. The vigor and community engagement appear evident, leading to the neighborhood’s positive path.
Race, Ethnicity, and Religion
The residents of the community are US-born and non-US-born citizens. This shows that the region is incorporated with people from different racial backgrounds. As for ethnicity, there are signs such as places of worship and food stores to meet the needs of various cultural groups (Point 2, 2023). Regarding religion, although the denominations of temples, churches, and mosques are not mentioned, it is presumed that there is religious heterogeneity indicating diversity. These religious facilities may act as community centers outside worship days, enhancing social unity and relations among people.
Health, Politics, Media, and Physical Environment
There were signs of accidents and infectious diseases such as common cold and flu. The existence of mental illness and drug addiction is evident. The close hospital is about a 10-minute drive away, whereas the nearest clinic is within walking distance (Point 2, 2023). Based on politics, political campaign posters are demonstrated throughout the community. A headquarters for a given party was present, showing the main party affiliation. Satellite dishes can be seen in most households, explaining the usage of television. Residents read magazines and newspapers, such as local health, lifestyle, and entertainment publications.
Moreover, the media sold in the stores includes CDs, DVDs, and newspapers. Television is the most important type of media for people, and it is trailed by radio. The different forms of media embodied various languages, such as English, Chinese, and Spanish (Point 2, 2023). The physical environment displayed additional fast-food restaurants, showing a favorite for fast meals. Billboards showed ads for local organizations and community events. Many cell phone towers ensure common cell phone access in the community.
Public Health Concern
A public health issue is the prevalence of obesity among children in the susceptible population. The existence of various fast-food restaurants and inadequate access to healthy food choices. The community has a high rate of childhood obesity compared to the state and nationwide averages (County Health Rankings, 2019). This shows a need for focused programs to enhance healthy eating habits and raise physical activity in children. The adoption of epidemiological goals such as lowering the eating of sugary beverages, increasing the availability of affordable, nutritious food, and promoting physical education in schools (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2016; United States Census Bureau, n.d.). This can mitigate this public health problem and enhance the health outcomes of vulnerable residents.
Conclusion
The community experiences a public health problem with a high prevalence of childhood obesity among susceptible inhabitants. The Windshield Survey and data from the County Health Rankings website show reduced access to healthy food choices and the existence of various fast-food restaurants. To mitigate this concern, epidemiological aims such as lowering the consumption of sugary beverages should be adopted. This can be solved by enhancing physical education in schools and establishing secure recreational spaces.
References
County Health Rankings. (2019). How healthy is your community? Web.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2016). Healthy people 2020. Web.
Point 2. (2023). Oakview demographics. Web.
United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Web.
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