Introduction
Evaluating the essential characteristics of a community is a significant task for healthcare workers aiming to improve the resident’s quality of life. Observing the individuals’ environment, common practices, and available services often highlights substantial attributes to be included in further research and used as a guide for a deeper examination. Community health nurses (CHN) are frequently involved in such assessments, gathering pertinent information from local families using a Windshield Survey (WSS). This paper focuses on the Owings Mills community in Maryland, presenting a WSS report on the local society, outlining the community picture, and offering reliable answers for these complications.
The Surrounding Environment of Owings Mills: Geographical and Organizational Attributes
Owings Mills, Maryland, is a part of Baltimore County in the United States, situated in the suburban area of Baltimore. The city is located 20 miles northwest of Baltimore, the largest residential area in Maryland. Owings Mills’ borders are defined by several notable landmarks, namely Summer Woods on the north, Riders Ridge on the west, Sunset Ridge on the south, and Green Spring Junction on the east. The city zones are classified according to the Baltimore County zoning regulations, separating residential manufacturing and retail areas, with specific locations devoted to offices, businesses, and governmental facilities.
Given that this community occupies a favorable location in the suburban area of Baltimore, it becomes a remarkable option for residents. Nevertheless, the buildings were primarily built between 1970 and 1999, with only 30% of homes constructed after 2000, and the majority of housing opportunities are apartment complexes and single-family residences (Owings Mills, Maryland, 2021). Although constructed in the previous century, the buildings are especially sturdy and made from excellent materials, from brick to concrete and vinyl siding. Community members note that the general appearance of houses in residential areas is highly appealing, and the buildings remain in good condition regardless of their age.
Most homes are equipped with contemporary appliances and electronic devices, such as central heating, air conditioning, modern plumbing, and sufficient lighting. However, a dominant majority of residents use utility gas, while only 24% of houses are supplied with electrical heating (Owings Mills, Maryland, 2021). As for the area between the houses, it is frequently occupied with miniature gardens and green corners. With most buildings remaining only relatively tall, the amount of open space perceived is especially remarkable. A tremendous prevalence in open space use is given to organized trees and greenery, making the surrounding environment highly attractive and safe for traversal.
Prominent Social Facilities and Services
A well-recognized site in the community is the AMC movie theater, located in the city’s center. Considering its beneficial location and numerous attractions in the area, the young generation often gathers in this area. After that, Mill Station and Metro Town Center, famous shopping malls, are places of attraction for individuals of all ages (Ward, 2002). Even though the number of available leisure spots appears to be quite high, transportation availability is a significant issue. The majority of residents note that it is necessary to obtain a car to efficiently move through the city, especially in the areas distant from the town center (Niche, 2021a). Nevertheless, a close presence of Interstate 795 and Owings Mills metro station, as well as major bus routes, is a significant benefit for the community members, who can easily reach Baltimore and other neighborhoods via car or train (Owings Mills, Maryland, 2020). In addition, there are several pedestrian zones in the town center and additional routes in remote housing locations. The overall safety for both drivers and public transport users is positively high, applying precautionary measures to increase the individuals’ protection.
A tremendous advantage of Owings Mills is the accessibility of numerous social services and community centers. As a part of the Owings Mills Growth Area program, multiple accommodations and recreation facilities were established in the city, providing the residents with swift access to educational, shopping, medical, and employment opportunities (Baltimore County Government, 2019). In addition, the Northwest Regional Park houses various leisure and community spots. After that, numerous pharmacies are situated in different city areas, offering quick access to medicine. In addition, a variety of smaller counseling and psychological health establishments are present in this area, with additional treatment facilities open for individuals in need.
The residents note that a high number of grocery and food stores are present in Owings Mills. Apart from large-scale supermarkets, such as Target, ALDI, Giant Food, and Wegmans, small groceries are located farther from the city center. The most frequently visited places are bigger stores and shops, such as Target, as they provide the desired variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and other essential products. Although transportation within the town center is relatively easy due to pedestrian areas, the residents from distant areas use cars to reach these establishments.
The attractiveness of the city locations is quite exceptional, as distinct green open spaces are present. There is evidence of organization and tidiness in the town center and distant neighborhoods, as trash and garbage can be rarely seen. Moreover, abandoned cars and houses are exceptionally scarce, and only temporarily non-occupied homes may be found in remote areas. However, some community members have noticed waste near their homes or office buildings, meaning that some locations are not completely well-kept.
Community Members of Owings Mills: Population Analysis
The population of Owings Mills appears to be considerably diverse, with people of multiple ethnicities and ages traversing the city’s streets. The majority of community residents, more than 55%, are African-Americans 18-34 years of age, but individuals of other races and ethnicities can also be sighted, including Caucasian, Latino, and Asian representatives (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Many pedestrians in residential areas might be seen with animals, usually leashed dogs.
Given that more than half of the population identifies as African-American, there are several ethical establishments in the city, for instance, the African Cultural Center and restaurants and cafes serving Nigerian cuisine. Other instances of cultural establishments include the Jewish Recreation Center, Asian Arts & Culture Center, and Muslim Community Cultural Center. Furthermore, there are several churches throughout the area, suggesting that the Protestant religion is predominant among the community members.
Community Life and Preferences: An Insight into Politics and Social Culture
The residents of Owings Mills appear to be mostly liberal, similar to the overall political atmosphere in Baltimore County. Many political campaigns are consistently performed in this town, especially during presidential and other major elections (Janney, 2020). Nonetheless, only slight signs of political activities can be noticed in the town in the current period. No headquarters or political party centers are present in the area.
Television broadcasts are quite famous among the residents, who claim to spend at least 2 hours of their day in front of the screen. This time is slightly shorter for the younger representatives, who have sufficient access to the Internet and social media (U.S. News, 2020). Wi-Fi and mobile data plans are specially advertised, with some of them offering unlimited access to Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, which appear to be the most famous networks.
City Business and Industrial Involvement
Owings Mills is a significant commercial and business hub in Baltimore County, representing a perfect location for manufacturers and numerous companies. The corporations are predominantly invested in the light industry, producing healthcare appliances, consumer products, and electronics (Owings Mills, MD demographics, 2021). In addition, there are several prominent enterprises classified as heavy industry contributors, namely Intralox and Stanley Black & Decker. Although these companies are mostly large employers, there are small business owners working in retail, restaurant business, and entertainment (Baltimore County Government, 2016). Community members claim it is highly possible to obtain a beneficial occupation in the city; however, as the town is close to Baltimore, the workers prefer to seek opportunities in the bigger city.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Owings Mills Community
Considering the aforementioned details, it is evident that there are several substantial advantages available to the city’s residents. Owings Mills is an excellent living option for individuals interested in leading a quiet life but remaining a short commute away from Baltimore (Niche, 2021a). Another benefit of the community is the availability of numerous shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment areas. Medical centers and groceries are situated throughout the town, providing quick access to necessary products, and both outdoor activities and fitness establishments are easily available. Another essential advantage of the community is its ethnic diversity and acceptance of foreign immigrants. Finally, numerous manufacturing facilities and business organizations ensure that job availability is at an appropriate level.
Given the focus on living opportunities and the accessibility of shopping centers and entertainment units, there are considerable disadvantages connected to educational, housing, and financial elements. The quality of public schools and colleges in this area is only satisfactory, meaning that parents must seek other learning options (Niche, 2021b). As for colleges and universities, these institutions can only be accessed outside Owings Mills. After that, accommodation prices increased substantially above the national levels (Niche, 2021b). Lastly, a tremendous limitation is the absence of credible walking and bicycle routes and the decreased efficiency of public transportation, which forces the residents to use cars for daily movement.
The health indicators of Owings Mills residents remain consistently high, similar to the statistics for Baltimore County. As such, air quality in this region is mostly elevated, with Owings Mills occupying the first position in reduced respiratory illness and cancer risks (Owings Mills, Maryland health, 2021). Furthermore, life expectancy in all county locations is substantially increased, and disabilities are exceptionally rare among the population (U.S. News, 2020; U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). However, it is essential to note that deaths of despair and depression occurrences are higher in this community compared to the national and state levels (U.S. News, 2020). Therefore, a potential health hazard might be observed according to these statistics.
As mentioned before, decreased pedestrian and biking accessibility can be a threat to the community’s well-being. Additionally, the proximity of numerous fast-food restaurants is a potential danger to the eating patterns of the community members, who often prefer to indulge in unhealthy eating behavior. Another consideration is the quality of educational facilities, which might offer insufficient knowledge regarding the characteristics of a healthy lifestyle and the importance of maintaining it. Finally, even though multiple medical centers and hospitals are present in this location, it appears that most residents are unlikely to participate in medical evaluations, which decreases the possibility of detecting health issues.
Altogether, the state of health in this community is moderately high, with positive trends in life expectancy, cancer and respiratory problems alleviation, and a decreased number of disabilities. However, a sedentary way of living and lack of appropriate physical exercise is a pertinent complications, potentially leading to obesity, heart disease, and depressive tendencies. An unhealthy lifestyle, with the influence of fast food and limited education, decreases the potential quality of welfare in the region. In this regard, it could be highly advantageous to refer to the CHN’s core functions to produce working solutions.
A potential resolution could be promoting a healthy lifestyle among the residents, with a focus on physical activity and its benefits. Establishing a method of communicating this information through such channels as advertising and social media might positively affect the well-being of individuals. Subsequently, providing educational opportunities is another excellent strategy that could be performed by healthcare institutions and local medical centers (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2019). Another approach is preventing such problems as depression and mental disorders, which could also be achieved through promotion and learning. All of these techniques constitute primary prevention options which halt the development of specific illnesses.
Secondary prevention tactics can also be implemented to improve the welfare of the Owings Mills community. Offering evaluation procedures highlighting possible health complications related to lack of exercise might greatly increase public awareness (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2019). As for depressive tendencies examination, anonymous interviews or counseling services should be launched in the region. Finally, tertiary prevention methods are also essential for maintaining a proper level of health for the population. Individuals diagnosed with physical inaptitude or mental instability might benefit from education programs to elevate their understanding of these health conditions and present strategies for battling these issues. As such, Greater Baltimore Medical Center for Primary Care and Owings Mills Medical Center could be excellent partners for this endeavor, being the most frequently visited facilities. In addition, the Faith Christian Fellowship might aid with involving religious individuals and promoting available medical services and advice.
Conclusion
To conclude, the community picture of Owings Mills and the health hazards of its members were examined in detail in this paper. WSS was used to provide a comprehensive exploration into community life, establishing current trends, health issues, and potential changes. Evidently, the residents are primarily satisfied with their living conditions, enjoying a quiet life close to Baltimore. Such advantages as location, the variety of establishments, and increased quality of life positively impact the community’s welfare. Nevertheless, the necessity to drive, which might promote the lack of physical activity and prompt the emergence of various complications, should be addressed using relevant precautionary measures. Increasing the availability of information and counseling regarding dieting, exercise, and mental issues prevention could significantly elevate the well-being of the Owings Mills community.
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