Upon review of data, interviewing of the residents, and observation of the Sentinel City, I have compiled a list of needs that could use some major improvements. The needs of Sentinel City were put together by assessing the demographics of each neighborhood, a windshield survey done while riding the bus, and a scavenger hunt done while observing the communities and different amenities it offers. The areas I have identified as needs in this city that pose concern are as follows: Crime, sexually transmitted diseases, homelessness, teenage pregnancy, dental care, drug use, access for the disabled, unsafe communities, and general health promotion. Through gathering all this information, I have come up with pertinent needs that require improvement.
The first area I would like to discuss is STDs and teenage pregnancy. After reviewing the statistics at the local health clinic, there seems to have been a rise in pregnancy in teens, abortions, and STDs in the last 3 years. In the last year, there were 475 teenage pregnancies, 179 of which were abortions. The community could benefit from increased outreach and prevention to intercept prior to this occurring. The local clinic could hold more classes geared toward safe sex and the prevention of STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Health fairs are also a good way to increase community outreach by providing education and passing out contraceptives. The community health nurses could also hold seminars within the high school to target teenagers and help them learn more about safe sex practices. In my opinion, the amount of teenage pregnancy and STDS shows a lack of safe sex practices within the community that needs to be addressed (Healthcare Learning Innovations, 2018).
The second area of major concern is the lack of dental care. Dental care is highly unaffordable to a lot of citizens. Most people tend to neglect their dental health because they cannot afford to pay for the care. After speaking with the residents of sentinel city, more than 50% of them had a lack in dental care. The city could benefit from opening an affordable dental clinic. A health fair would also be beneficial to help educate the people of the city on the importance of dental care (Healthcare learning Innovations, 2018).
Furthermore, I have identified homelessness as being a major concern in sentinel city. After speaking with Gary Johnson (a homeless teen) and Dwayne Thomas (a homeless vet) I have determined that the need to aid the homeless in the city is very great. There are no shelters within the city. The only places they have to go to are the church, the soup kitchen, the community center and they sleep at the reservoir. Opening homeless shelters will help lower the crime rate and increase the ability for the homeless residents to get job training, free health screenings, food, counseling and shelter they so desperately need (Healthcare learning Innovations, 2018).
Crime within sentinel city is of great concern to its residen...
