Part 1 Instructions: Response to each peer in 1 paragraph, using APA. Use reference.
Peer 1 : Rural America is a vulnerable population and something that isn’t talked about much. As stated in our book rural America has several barriers to healthcare. Such as, accessibility, and affordable (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2022). Most time in rural areas there isn’t a clinic to help maintain their chronic health issues and if they do have a doctor’s office then often times, they don’t have insurance. Some health problems that are affected due to certain things are higher risk of death due to long drives to hospitals (About Rural health,2023). They also are high risk of using tobacco products which can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems (About Rural Health,2023).
Some barriers that effect the rural communities are lack of transportation, sometimes lack of internet, and cell services. They are often more exposed to more than like toxic gases, plant dust, and molds which put them at greater risk of respiratory issues (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2022). As a healthcare worker being able to know and understand these barriers will better help the rural communities. Being able to have this knowledge could help resolve some problems as well.
One way is having a better access to healthcare such as a doctor office in a small community even if they could be open different hours (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2022). Due to the reason most rural areas they work sunup to sundown. Having something like telehealth could be an option if the community has a public/private area they could to a healthcare worker about certain things. Having a mobile clinic for things like mammograms and blood works and screening for secondary prevention (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2022).The only thing that would be able to help places like the rural community is policies and government funding because after all most rural areas are feeding America.
Peer 2: Stanhope and Lancaster (2022, p. 407), describes vulnerable populations as people predisposed to untoward reactions to anything that is not aligned to their wellbeing. Children in the community that I am surveying are the vulnerable ones. They are not mature enough to navigate toward a community playground without an adult. On any given day, weather permits, navigation toward the playground can only be done by vehicular transportation because of the absence of a walking path from the residential area to the park.
The health problems in this vulnerable group are related to potential injuries that can happen because of the proximity of the playground to a high traffic area where car accidents happen, traffic lights do not operate appropriately, vehicular exhaust fumes are polluting the air that the children breathe, and outdated gates that can be easily opened and not up to date. The risk factors with this playground are related to a supervision ability because according to the South Carolina Public Safety Playground Section 2.2.7 (retrieved March 22, 2024, p. 10), children are to be supervised when at a playground for anything such as: faulty equipment, equipment’s appropriate age suitability, closed attention to children’s whereabouts, and most of all, parents need to watch out for children who walk away. Parents of guardian are to always watch the children, no matter the age group. According to Sansakorn et al, 2022), risk and danger are commonly found with the use of a playground.
Community health can help break the cycle by assessing children playground supervision mode which is, according to Cohen et al, (2023), usually done by women because they are the nurturers. However, community health can request the collaboration of whoever is doing the supervision, and to educate on the risks involved when visiting such playground. Data can be obtained to assess the number of reported incidents by parents, accident occurrences, types of injuries, the number of faulty equipment involved, outcomes of occurrences. Data from local levels can be examined for best evidenced-based practices that have worked at other playgrounds with the same risk factors. Community health can develop a 6-month trial of a plan of action that can include plans to create a walking path, till a safer site is found through the local zoning department to relocate the playground. Street closures can also be effective during the afternoon from 3-4 pm during the weekends.
