Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE) Community Diagnosis Papers

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Community Diagnosis (community assessment) is the foundation for improving and promoting the health of community members. The role of community assessment is to identify factors that affect the health of a population and determine the availability of resources within the community to adequately address these factors.

Prior to Fall 2009, students pursuing a masters degree through the Health Behavior and Health Education department at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health enrolled in “Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis,” a course which required students to get involved in communities to determine — or diagnose — the public health issues of that particular...

Works (79)

61. Chavis Heights Public Housing Community, Southeast Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina : action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action

Title Tesim:: Chavis Heights Public Housing Community, Southeast Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina : action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action
Creator:: Hanley, Sean, Bickers, Lindsey, Noonis, Felicia, Lake, Kristin, Blouin, Rachel, and Potts, Cecelia
Date of publication:: 2003
Abstract Tesim:: During the 2002-2003 academic year, six students from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education within the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health, under the guidance of a preceptor from Wake County Human Services and faculty of the program, conducted an Action Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD) of the Chavis Heights public housing community in Southeast Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. The purpose of this document is to summarize the AOCD process, present findings, and suggest future action steps to improve life within the community. The paper begins with an introduction to the AOCD process, a basic history of the Chavis Heights public housing community, and some demographic information about Chavis Heights residents. This is followed by a description of the qualitative methodology used by the student team to conduct the community diagnosis. Findings from the data collection process are reported on six prominent domains identified during the AOCD process; those domains include crime, sense of community, services, youth, health, and schools/education. Under each domain, emergent themes are discussed, including a presentation of insiders’ and outsiders’ perspectives, secondary data analysis, and participant observations. Conclusions are then drawn about how well the four sources of information about the Chavis Heights community match up. A description of the community meeting, the culminating event of the diagnosis, and potential action steps discussed at this event are also discussed. This is followed by conclusions and recommendations made by the student team at the end of the diagnosis. While residents of Chavis Heights face many challenges, the AOCD shows that community members and service providers working in the area agree on which issues should receive priority attention. It is clear that the Chavis Heights residents have a number of strengths, including a strong devotion to the many children who live within the community. The coordination of outside resources and community input would certainly enhance the lives of many community members. It is the student team’s hope that with improved communication between service providers and community members, this document can serve as a useful resource for those working to make Chavis Heights a better place in the years to come.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/ct8w-x574
Extent:: 110 leaves : illustrations, charts, forms ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2003
Keyword:: Community Health Services, North Carolina, Public housing, Socioeconomic Factors, and Health Status
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: Wake County Human Services and
Person:: Muriera, Lynda, Eng, Eugenia, Moore, Karen, Hanley, Sean, Bickers, Lindsey, Noonis, Felicia, Lake, Kristin, Blouin, Rachel, and Potts, Cecelia
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_19

62. Chatham County, North Carolina : a community diagnosis including secondary and qualitative data collection and analysis

Title Tesim:: Chatham County, North Carolina : a community diagnosis including secondary and qualitative data collection and analysis
Creator:: George, Geeta, Newman, Jamie, Fergus, Stevenson, Gagnon, Yvonne, Downs, Anne, and Griffiths, Courtney
Date of publication:: 2000
Abstract Tesim:: The Chatham County Health Department, the United Way of Chatham County, Chatham Hospital, and six graduate students from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the UNC School of Public Health collaborated to conduct this community diagnosis of Chatham County. The purpose of this community diagnosis was to learn about the health and quality of life concerns of people across the county, and the resources and strengths that exist in the county for dealing with those concerns. The community diagnosis process used primary and secondary data to discover and analyze both the concerns and strengths of the county. Methodology Secondary data was gathered from a variety of published sources. Main sources of secondary data included area newspapers, the Chatham County Economic Development Commission Report, the North Carolina Statistical Abstract, the U.S. Census, and the North Carolina Center for Health Statistics. Primary data was gathered from focus groups and interviews with community members and service providers. The development of the interview and focus group guides, as well as the identification and recruitment of interview and focus group participants, was completed using a process of close collaboration between all members of the community assessment team. Interview and focus group guides comprised of open-ended questions were designed to facilitate discussion about thoughts and experiences of Chatham County residents and service providers. During a four-month period, the team conducted 18 focus groups and eight interviews with a total of 157 residents and/or service providers. One hundred of those participants were female and 57 were males. Eighty-nine participants were White (57%), 40 were African American (25%), and 28 were Latino (18%). Coding and data analysis began after completion of the focus groups and interviews. After reading the interview and focus group notes, the team categorized comments from the interviews and focus groups into themes. All of the comments within each specific theme then were examined together to provide a complete picture of each issue. Limitations of the Methodology Because the 1990 U.S. Census provided much of the demographic information for the secondary data section, limitations exist in describing the recent population growth in northern Chatham and in the Latino community. Since focus group and interview participants were not recruited randomly, a limitation also exists in our primary data collection. While attempts were made to maximize representativeness of the Chatham County population by seeking residents from different parts of the county, and of various ethnicities, occupations, and socioeconomic statuses, it is unclear whether the participants were representative of the Chatham County population as a whole. Findings Please see the complete document for a substantive discussion of the issues of community assets, racial and ethnic diversity, growth of the Latino population, growth in North Chatham, economic development, housing, water and sewer, transportation, day care, recreation, education, health, substance abuse, and communication, as well as for a discussion of future recommendations. Findings regarding some of the most salient issues are highlighted below. Community Assets Chatham County is a community rich with both potential and currently used resources. Residents spoke with pride about their community, mentioning many of its strengths, such as the natural beauty of the county, the diversity among county residents, a neighborly attitude, collaboration between businesses and county agencies, and the numerous leaders of the county, both formal and informal. Residents frequently cited the community’s churches as sources of support. Finally, many residents felt that Chatham is strengthened by its active volunteerism, though some also often mentioned the need to sustain and further increase the volunteer efforts within the county. Racial and Ethnic Diversity Chatham County residents discussed both the benefits of and the challenges from the increasing racial diversity resulting from the growth of the Latino population. Community members spoke of the opportunities for learning and personal growth as a result of the increasing diversity. Also noted was the increase in interracial church and civic groups within the county. However, some in the county hold concerns about the growing Latino community, as evidenced by a recent anti-immigration demonstration in Siler City. A service provider suggested that the negative perceptions about the Latino community could be changed by community leaders demonstrating accepting attitudes. Moreover, another resident felt that the acknowledgement of Latino residents’ contribution to the local economy would change negative perceptions. Housing Many county residents were concerned about the lack of quality, affordable housing within the county. While the number of housing units in Chatham County has increased, much of the new housing is beyond the financial means of many current residents. More than half (1549) of the 3067 very low-income households in the county paid more than 30% of their income for housing in 1990 (Chatham Habitat, 1999). Residents mentioned problems such as the “run-down” nature of houses, lack of heating or air conditioning, and broken plumbing. County residents of various ethnicities felt that a lack of quality housing was especially a concern for rural residents and for Latinos living in the Siler City area. Recreation The lack of adequate recreational opportunities within the county was raised in nearly every focus group and interview conducted for this community assessment. These concerns mirrored the findings of a recent survey, in which 65% of the 590 respondents characterized the recreational facilities and activities in the county as “inadequate” (Chatham County Department of Parks and Recreation, 1999). County residents perceive the lack of recreational opportunities as affecting all age groups in the county. Many residents feel that the problem especially affects county youth. Solutions proposed by community members to address the lack of recreational opportunities included increasing the amount of county funding for recreational activities, utilizing school buildings for recreational activities on the evenings and weekends, as well as applying for grants. In September of 1999, the County Board of Commissioners approved a parks and recreation master plan that addresses many of these concerns of county residents. Education The quality of education was an area of concern for many county residents. Secondary data from the Department of Public Instruction (1998) affirms these concerns, showing that the average Chatham County SAT score (973) is lower than the state average (982). Moreover, residents noted that disparities in quality exist among the schools within the county, stating that schools in Moncure and Siler City have many needs. Some residents feel that the school system should improve its ability to recruit and retain good teachers. Community members, especially Latino community members, were also concerned about the lack of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers within the district. According to community residents, a result of the growing student population is that the schools are unable to maintain the quality of education they offer, and this, in turn, impedes future growth in the county. Health The health problems most often cited as concerns by the community were not the leading causes of mortality in Chatham County, which are heart disease, cancer, and cerebrovascular disease. Rather, residents were most often concerned about dental care, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases. A common sentiment expressed by a wide range of county residents was the need for additional health education and preventative health care. The barriers to accessing health care commonly mentioned by residents were a lack of transportation and inadequate financial resources. Residents suggested sliding scale clinics and the ability to pay for medical care incrementally as ways to overcome the financial barriers. Economic Development Many Chatham County residents expressed a wide variety of often-conflicting ideas for methods to increase economic development in the county. However, most Chatham County residents agreed that increasing the number of businesses and employment opportunities within the county was critical to the future of Chatham. Some residents felt that increased employment opportunities within the county were necessary for current residents to have the ability to work without commuting out of the county. Increased employment opportunities were also considered necessary for Chatham’s youth to have the capability in the future to stay, work, and live in the county. Moreover, residents stated that strengthening Chatham’s economy was necessary to increase the tax base within the county. Recommendations Chatham County residents have many recommendations for the future of the county. One of the most critical recommendations mentioned by many residents is the need for increased communication within the county. Many residents feel that the current lack of communication within the county contributes to many of the concerns discussed above. Currently, residents do not all rely on a single news medium, causing difficulties in communication between different parts of the county. Moreover, many residents felt that the county lacked spaces such as community centers where different groups could interact, further inhibiting communication between different groups within the county. The lack of communication can be addressed on many levels. At the policy level, county government could work to develop a method to increase communication across the county, as well as to provide funding for spaces in the community that would encourage communication between different groups. At the community level, residents could collaborate with county officials to create these spaces and to encourage the various communities within Chatham to continue current discussions as well as engage in future discussions.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/82cx-s838
Extent:: v, 96 pages, 19 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2000
Keyword:: Public health, North Carolina, Community health services, Chatham County (N.C.), Health Status, and Socioeconomic Factors
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: Chatham County Health Department and
Person:: Jeffries, Vanessa F., Quinn, Sandra Crouse, Hickle, Andrea, George, Geeta, Newman, Jamie, Fergus, Stevenson, Gagnon, Yvonne, Downs, Anne, and Griffiths, Courtney
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_18

63. Cedar Grove, Orange County : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action

Title Tesim:: Cedar Grove, Orange County : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action
Creator:: Dillon, Colleen, Day, Andy, Babb, Alison, and Pilliod, Karen
Date of publication:: 2002
Abstract Tesim:: During the 2000-2001 academic year, four students from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, under the guidance of a preceptor from the Orange County Health Department and faculty of their program, conducted an Action Oriented Community Diagnosis of Cedar Grove, Orange County, North Carolina. The purpose of this document is to summarize that process. A brief description of the Cedar Grove community is presented to provide background information about the context of the process. This is followed by a description of the qualitative methodology used by the student team to conduct the diagnosis. Results of the process, including a discussion of themes identified as important by community members and a description of the community meeting, the concluding event of the diagnosis, are presented. This is followed by a summary of future plans made by community members and service providers as well as recommendations for future action made by the student team. While many valid and important concerns were identified through the diagnosis, the Cedar Grove community has a history of successful problem-solving. It is our hope that this process has renewed the interest of community members and service providers alike in working together to address issues related to the future vitality of Cedar Grove. We hope that this document will be of use to them in those efforts.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/76bx-1294
Extent:: v, 73 pages ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2002
Keyword:: Public health, Community health services, Cedar Grove (Orange County, N.C.), Orange County (N.C.), Socioeconomic Factors, North Carolina, and Health Status
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: and Orange County Health Department
Person:: Eng, Geni, King, Donna, Moore, Karen, Dillon, Colleen, Day, Andy, Babb, Alison, and Pilliod, Karen
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_17

64. Cary, North Carolina, Wake County : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action

Title Tesim:: Cary, North Carolina, Wake County : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action
Creator:: Artis, Shavon, Markatos, Betty, Giles, Catherine, Shelton, Rachel, and Johnston, Jennifer
Date of publication:: 2003
Abstract Tesim:: Background: A team of students from the UNC School of Public Health in Chapel Hill conducted an Action Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD) in Cary, North Carolina during the 2002-2003 academic year. During the AOCD process, the student team interviewed community members and service providers of diverse backgrounds to assess their perspectives on quality of life in Cary, as well as the strengths and needs of the community. The project culminated in a community dialogue that gave service providers and community members the opportunity to come together and identify action steps pertaining to the topics that arose from the interviews. Methods: This community assessment was conducted under the guidance of a preceptor from Culturas Unidas, a non-profit organization in Cary. The assessment focused on the experiences of different racial/ethnic populations in Cary. Thirty-seven interviews were conducted with 17 community members and 20 service providers during the AOCD process. Thirteen of the service providers were also Cary community residents. Interviewees included town employees, elected officials, members of community organizations, single and married residents, newcomers and long-standing residents. The team also collected and analyzed secondary data pertinent to both Cary and Wake County as a comparison to primary data, with the goals of providing supplemental information and highlighting discrepancies. Results: Interviewees felt that there were many strengths in the Cary community, such as the family-oriented nature of the town. Respondents also discussed the significant changes the town has experienced recently. Five main topic areas were identified: housing, transportation, connecting diverse groups, education, and health. The perspectives of community members and service providers were often similar. Respondents provided evidence of an economic divide in Cary, stressing that residents of lower socio-economic status are more likely to face challenges regarding affordable housing, transportation, and access to healthcare. Countywide bussing for economic diversity in schools is a topic of controversy, as well as the overcrowding of the schools. Community members also identified a need to connect diverse groups, especially differing racial and ethnic populations. The main limitation of this AOCD process was that the team was unable to provide an in-depth assessment of any one particular community within Cary, but instead focused on shared experiences across diverse racial and ethnic groups. Secondary data that was collected was somewhat limiting, as it was often not representative of certain groups, such as recent immigrants and certain ethnic/racial groups. Community Dialogue: The community dialogue was an opportunity for diverse providers and community members to come together to discuss issues of importance that emerged from the interviews. The team presented the process and findings from the community assessment on April 24, 2003. Participants then dialogued in small groups around a topic, identifying action steps for follow-up. These action steps were communicated back to the larger group for feedback, discussion and follow-up suggestions. The key action steps which arose from the dialogue included: Encourage diverse participation in town events. Organize a multicultural celebration day in Cary. Develop a list of existing after-school programs. Create a youth mentoring program. Develop lists or clearinghouses of existing health resources. Raise awareness of media – document health care shortages. Translate the existing Cary Housing Resource Guide. Put Wake County Housing Resource Center satellite office in Cary. Translate C-Tran materials into Spanish. Publicize C-Tran through police officers, radio stations, existing outreach programs, and Culturas Unidas. Outcomes and Recommendations: The team is confident that the action steps identified during the Community Dialogue will be presented to the Cary Town Council. As a direct result of the Community Dialogue, a bi-lingual Jesuit Volunteer Corps position will be housed at Culturas Unidas to address affordable housing issues.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/j81j-re92
Extent:: i, 42 pages, 50 unnumbered pages : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2003
Keyword:: Community health services, Public health, Health Status, North Carolina, Socioeconomic Factors, and Cary (N.C.)
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: Culturas Unidas and
Person:: Horna-Guerra, Fiorella, Moore, Karen, Eng, Geni, Artis, Shavon, Markatos, Betty, Giles, Catherine, Shelton, Rachel, and Johnston, Jennifer
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_16

65. Carr Court, Carrboro, Orange County : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection

Title Tesim:: Carr Court, Carrboro, Orange County : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection
Creator:: Harbour, Catherine, Haughton, Lorna, and Schegloff, Naomi
Date of publication:: 1998
Abstract Tesim:: Theory Community health educators include social and environmental concerns in their definition of health. Community diagnosis is a process for learning about a community from a variety of perspectives: from community members, from secondary data, and from service providers. Secondary data comes from census data, county, state, and municipal records, and from service providers. Other data used to learn more about a community includes qualitative data which comes from interviews with community members and service providers. The purpose of the community diagnosis is to understand a community's culture, its power structure, support networks, institutions, and history, so that a health educator can develop an "insider's view" while maintaining her perspective as an agent of change. This community diagnosis examines the Carr Court neighborhood in Carrboro, North Carolina, a community of 21 free-standing homes, ten apartments, and approximately 100 African American and Latino residents. Method The Carr Court Community Diagnosis ( CD) team members, Lorna Haughton, Catherine Harbour, and Naomi Schegloff, are first-year students in the master's program of the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Public Health. The CD team began to research and analyze secondary data in September, 1997, and conducted qualitative interviews with Carr Court residents and service providers from November, 1997 through April, 1998. In February, 1998, the team conducted a photographic activity with youth in Carr Court, to gain their perspective on the neighborhood. Little secondary data was available for the Carr Court neighborhood. Census data for an area including Carr Court and several surrounding neighborhoods gave some demographic information, however, this data was collected in 1989 and did not accurately reflect Carr Court's current situation. Other more recent data was available only for larger geographic areas, such as Orange County, and may not have accurately represented Carr Court's unique racial and socio-economic makeup. Qualitative data from interviews with community residents and service providers filled in some of the gaps in the secondary data, and added an essential social and environmental perspective. Salient issues from these interviews included: sanitation and litter, the Ready Mixed Concrete Company, community cohesion, community investment, housing, outsider presence, crime and safety, race relations, the Carr Court Family Resource Center and Carr Court Head Start, spirituality, quality of life, and hopes for the future. In addition to primary data from interviews and secondary data from statistical information and reference material, the CD team worked with youths who live in the community, to include their perspectives of Carr Court, drawing on a technique called Photovoice. Photovoice tries to provide the means for people to record and consider their community's strengths and concerns, to facilitate discussion and understanding about important issues, and to reach policy makers. After a brief orientation to learn basic photography skills, youth went into the community in small teams accompanied by a CD team member. Using the camera, participants attempted to visually answer questions such as "What is interesting in your community?" "What are you proud of in your community?" and "What would you like to change in your community?" The CD team also encouraged youths to take some photographs "just for fun," to provide a more relaxed image of life in the neighborhood. The CD team interviewed youth participants individually and in groups about life in the community, using the photographs as prompts. In all, twelve children between 8 and 17 participated. Many of the photographs and some quotes from the interviews were displayed at a Community Forum, held March 7, 1998. Community Forum At the Community Forum, the CD team presented information from their secondary data research and from their interviews with community members and service providers. Community members who attended the Forum were asked to break into small groups to discuss issues important to the them. Recommendations To overcome the language barrier between Carr Court's African American residents, who speak English, and its Latino residents, who speak Spanish, the CD team suggests capitalizing on shared interests, such as the neighborhood's appearance, spirituality, and youth. The neighborhood holds two important organizational resources—the Carr Court Family Resource Center Board and the Carr Court Neighborhood Association. The Carr Court Family Resource Center has been active in developing and running programs for the community's families, particularly its youth. The Carr Court Neighborhood Association has been active for several years, and has recently organized to lobby the Town of Carrboro for funds for rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes. Some residents mentioned dissatisfaction with sanitation services, and many would like the appearance of the neighborhood to improve with decreased litter and more landscaping. Residents were also concerned with the quality of their housing and the safety of the physical environment. Environmental concerns surrounding the cement plant and drainage were also highlighted in interviews as important concerns. Some community members felt the neighborhood was less cohesive than it used to be, and wished residents were more connected to one another. Carr Court has hosted a variety of community, University, and service groups, and community members had differing opinions about the presence of these groups. Many community members felt proud of the decreased crime and drug activity in the neighborhood, as well as of the Family Resource Center. Residents also expressed mixed emotions about the Head Start center’s location in Carr Court. Finally, many people expressed a strong sense of spirituality, and an appreciation for a high quality of life in Carr Court.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/btqb-gs67
Extent:: xi, 117 pages, 73 unnumbered pages, 46 unnumbered leaves of plates : color illustrations, color maps, forms ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 1998
Keyword:: Health Status, North Carolina, Socioeconomic Factors, Carrboro (N.C.), Community Health Services, and Public health
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: and Carr Court Family Resource Center
Person:: Quinn, Sandra Crouse, Hernandez-Pelletier, Mercedes, Harbour, Catherine, Haughton, Lorna, and Schegloff, Naomi
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_15

66. The Latino community of Carrboro, Orange County, NC : an action-oriented community diagnosis : a participatory assessment of the Latino community of Carrboro

Title Tesim:: The Latino community of Carrboro, Orange County, NC : an action-oriented community diagnosis : a participatory assessment of the Latino community of Carrboro
Creator:: Yamanis, Nina, Etienne, Stephanie, Gross, Shaina, Childs, Erica, and Stoimenoff, Kristen
Date of publication:: 2003
Abstract Tesim:: Carrboro is located adjacent to Chapel Hill, North Carolina and prides itself on being an open and welcoming community. Since 1990 the Latino population of Carrboro has grown 936%, and currently represents 12% of the community. The significant growth of the Latino community of Carrboro has contributed to the town’s diversity and has led to many changes in service delivery. An Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis of the Latino community of Carrboro was conducted by five graduate students from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, within the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This community diagnosis was conceptualized as part of a larger, county wide assessment being done by the Orange County Health Department for Healthy Carolinians. The purpose of an Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD) is to involve community members in identifying their own community’s needs and challenges, as well as its strengths and resources. The information collected through this process can assist the community in conceptualizing methods for dealing with the challenges identified and taking action to confront them. This AOCD process was implemented in three phases. Phase one included the collection of secondary data describing the overall quality of life of Latino residents in Carrboro in terms of physical and mental health, social functioning, economics and growth, crime and safety, housing, recreation, religion, and education. During the second phase, the team conducted interviews and focus groups with community members and service providers to gain firsthand insight into the community and capture the perspective of those who lived and worked there. Between January and April 2003, the students spoke with a total of 47 community members and service providers. In the third phase, the students planned and executed a community forum around the issues related to the major themes that came out of these discussions. The students systematically analyzed all primary data from these interviews. A total of four major themes and four secondary themes emerged from the data. The four major themes – so categorized because of the frequency with which interviewees discussed them – were health, education, employment, and transportation. Secondary themes included community relations, housing, recreation, and youth. Language barriers and documentation issues came up in almost every interview, and were considered overarching themes that affected every facet of life for Carrboro’s Latino population. A committee was formed to help plan the community forum where the interview results would be presented and discussed. The committee was comprised of community members, and service providers within the Latino community of Carrboro. The planning committee assisted in deciding on an appropriate date and location for the event, advised the team on the most important issues to present during the forum, participated in generating publicity about the event, and worked with the team to plan for and facilitate small group discussions at the forum. Being community members and service providers themselves, the planning committee members were essential actors in the AOCD process. Planning committee members named the process ¡Acción Latina! (Latino Action), setting the stage for a results-oriented discussion at the community forum. The community forum took place on Saturday, May 3, 2003. The students presented findings from the four major themes to the assembled group and invited participants to take part in small-group discussions about the issue of their choice. Students and planning committee members facilitated these smaller discussions, with a view to moving participants from identifying common challenges to developing concrete action steps. Participants interested in health issues focused on lack of health insurance among Latinos, the high cost of health care, and the high risk for STDs among Carrboro’s Latinos. They chose to work on strengthening the reach and effectiveness of the highly valued Carrboro Community Health Center, to ensure that information about its affordable and Latino-friendly services are widely disseminated and well-understood. With respect to STD risk, participants decided that a short-term goal should be to provide more information and services through targeted outreach to Latinos and that a long-term goal should be to increase condom use. They developed many specific recommendations to reach these goals. The education group focused primarily on enhancing Latino parents’ opportunities to be involved in their childrens’ education and schools. Participants discussed major barriers to parental involvement such as language issues, not understanding the system, and work schedules. They recommended holding a parent/teacher conference in Spanish during the first week of school which would help bring the parents together with the school system so that the parents could learn what they can do to help their children. The issue of documentation dominated the small group discussion about employment. Specific suggestions included contacting government representatives to advocate for changes to current immigration policies, establishing a volunteer-run student law clinic at the UNC Law School, and holding a workshop or information session on documentation and workers’ rights. Finally, the transportation small group came up with a series of recommendations to improve access to services for Latinos. These suggestions included translating the existing bus schedule into Spanish and encouraging members of the Latino community to join the Transportation Advisory Board and the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction Board. After the individual small group discussions, forum participants reconvened and representatives from each group presented the group’s recommendations and action steps to and accepted responsibility for following up on some of those steps.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/mbh6-jd42
Extent:: 52 pages, 98 leaves : illustrations, forms ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2003
Keyword:: Health Status, North Carolina, Carrboro (N.C.), Socioeconomic Factors, Community Health Services, and Public health
Language Label:: English and Spanish | Castilian
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:
Person:: Eng, Geni, Moore, Karen, Hitt, Maria, Clifford, Susan, Yamanis, Nina, Etienne, Stephanie, Gross, Shaina, Childs, Erica, and Stoimenoff, Kristen
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_14

67. Bragtown, Durham County, NC : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action

Title Tesim:: Bragtown, Durham County, NC : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and next steps of action
Creator:: Gupatarak, Marisa, Rothney, Erin, Anderson, Meredith, Rybka, Tara, and DiMartino, Lisa
Date of publication:: 2003
Abstract Tesim:: Between October 2002 and April 2003, five students from the Health Behavior and Health Education department at the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill worked with the help of a community member to conduct an Action Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD) in the Bragtown community of Durham County, North Carolina. The objective of this document is to summarize the UNC team’s research process and findings. To provide the reader with a clear perspective on the Bragtown community, the document begins by presenting background information on the boundaries, history, and demographics of the area. The next chapter describes the methods used by the UNC team to complete the diagnosis. The following two sections illustrate the themes and other findings that emerged from data collected through interviews with community members and service providers. Next is a description of the community forum, which was organized with the help of a planning committee comprised of community members and service providers. Finally, the UNC team presents a summary of conclusions and recommendations for individuals working in the Bragtown community and for future AOCD teams. Although Bragtown has struggled in the past to maintain a distinct identity, it is clear that the community has a rich history of working together for success. One indication that the community can be just as successful in the future is the desire of forum participants to create a community group called “Bragtown Neighbors,” which will work to improve the neighborhood. The UNC team enjoyed working in Bragtown and hopes that this document will demonstrate the strengths of the community, as well as provide a resource for “Bragtown Neighbors” and other groups or individuals.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/r1eg-cb16
Extent:: 43 pages, 55 unnumbered leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2003
Keyword:: Public health, North Carolina, Durham County (N.C.), Socioeconomic Factors, Health Status, and Community health services
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: Bragtown Community Member and
Person:: Reigel, Tina, Eng, Eugenia, Moore, Karen, Gupatarak, Marisa, Rothney, Erin, Anderson, Meredith, Rybka, Tara, and DiMartino, Lisa
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_13

68. Spanish-speaking community of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina : an action oriented community diagnosis : findings and recommendations for future action

Title Tesim:: Spanish-speaking community of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina : an action oriented community diagnosis : findings and recommendations for future action
Creator:: Griffith, Matthew, Garrettson, Mariana, De Leeuw, Kelley, Hart, Heather, Krier, Ann, and Fesperman, Carrie
Date of publication:: 2004
Abstract Tesim:: Asheboro, a small textile-manufacturing city in the southern Piedmont region of North Carolina, is considered a desirable place to live by most of its adult residents. However, the small city has been struggling to keep up with rapid population growth due in part to an influx of Latino immigrants. From 1990 to 2000 the Asheboro Latino population increased by well over 2,000%. This rapid growth has put a strain on social services in the region, as well as on the incoming residents who encounter difficulty accessing needed services. The authors of this document are six graduate students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health who were invited by Randolph Health Improvement Partnership (RHIP) to Asheboro, North Carolina to perform an Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD) on the Latino population residing in Asheboro. The AOCD was intended to help inform the RHIP’s assessment for the Healthy Carolinians project. This document presents the methodology, results and possible future steps that emerged from the AOCD. One aim of AOCD is to form a partnership between the community and the student practitioners doing the assessment. A goal of this AOCD was to gain an understanding of life in Asheboro, including both good aspects as well as challenges, in order to recommend steps for planned social change within Asheboro. However, the process has many limitations, and this document should not be considered a comprehensive evaluation of Latino residents in Asheboro. The AOCD of Latino residents in Asheboro consisted of five phases. In the first phase, secondary data was gathered from census data, newspapers, and previous assessment documents to gain a perspective on Asheboro demographics, housing, history and current events. The second phase involved getting personally familiar with Asheboro through frequent visits and volunteering in the community. In the third phase, interviews and focus groups were conducted with adult and youth Latino residents and service providers in Asheboro. The interviews were analyzed for common themes and ideas in the fourth phase, and a community forum, called “Reunión Hispana,” was planned and implemented in the fifth phase. In all, 68 people were interviewed, and many other people participated in planning, supporting, and implementing Reunión Hispana. The interviews brought up many topics that affect life in Asheboro for Latinos. Documentation and racism issues pervade nearly all aspects of life, including employment, housing, transportation, academics, and social services, to name a few. On the other hand, many positive aspects about life in Asheboro for Latinos also emerged. Among strengths mentioned were the people, the churches, the agencies, the businesses, and the personal interactions within Asheboro’s communities. Overall, Latinos regard Asheboro as a desirable place to live. Both Latinos and service providers provided insight into valuable social structures such as family and church that create a sense of community for Asheboro’s Latino residents. Like many families and recent immigrants in this country, Latinos in Asheboro are often linguistically isolated. The lack of English proficiency, given the paucity of Caucasian residents who speak Spanish, has a huge impact on the lives of both Latino community members and service providers. The language barrier between Spanish speaking and non-Spanish speaking residents of Asheboro worsens both social and service interactions. In addition, the issue of interpreters was commented on uniformly in that there are more than there used to be, but it is still not sufficient and there are those who abuse that need by overcharging for interpretation services. In addition to language barriers, Latino residents’ ability to navigate what, to many of them, is a new and complicated system of services was an often-expressed perspective. There is an informal communication network among Latino residents consisting of family members, co-workers, and friends, which is often used to communicate information about accessing services. When asked specifically about health care, the vast majority of Latinos responded that the cost of health care in Asheboro is too high for them and low cost options involve too much red tape. There is a need for health education opportunities and more widely available interpretation services in all medical settings. Specific health concerns are drug and alcohol use, motor vehicle occupant injuries, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. Two closely linked themes concerning youth emerged during the AOCD process: Many people in Asheboro are concerned with the development of gangs and the drugs and violence that come with gangs, and many people in Asheboro think the Latino youth need more activities and opportunities. Several times the lack of activities for youth in Asheboro or youth boredom was cited as a reason for youth involvement in gangs. At Reunión Hispana many of these topics were addressed, and participants in the community forum came up with various action steps, including: Learning more about personal rights, attending ESL classes, forming a group of volunteer interpreters, and providing information about what services are offered and how to obtain them. Participants also were introduced to the Latino Coalition and learned about some services provided in Asheboro. Based upon views expressed at Reunión Hispana, interview data, and team observations, it is recommended that Latino and non-Latino residents and service providers work together to do the following: Increase outreach by the Latino Coalition, integrate Latino youth into activities, provide more support for youth sports, give educational health workshops in Spanish, improve ESL Programs, hire more bilingual staff and interpreters, and decrease cost of interpreter services. Far more recommendations are discussed in the following document, along with a much richer, though certainly not comprehensive, description of the information about life in Asheboro that was generously shared by Latino residents and service providers.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/tz70-sf54
Extent:: viii, 75 pages ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2004
Keyword:: Socioeconomic Factors, Community health services, Asheboro (N.C.), Health Status, North Carolina, Public health, and Hispanic Americans
Language Label:: English and Spanish | Castilian
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: Healthy Carolinians and Randolph Hospital Health Outreach and
Person:: Massey, Debra, Moore, Karen, Eng, Geni, Griffith, Matthew, Garrettson, Mariana, De Leeuw, Kelley, Hart, Heather, Krier, Ann, and Fesperman, Carrie
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_12

69. Asbury, Chatham County, NC : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection

Title Tesim:: Asbury, Chatham County, NC : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection
Creator:: Cannon, Molly, Ballonoff, Ahna, Reed, Peter, Wheeler, Ashlee, and McPherson, Cindi
Date of publication:: 1998
Abstract Tesim:: To be able to fully comprehend the health of a community, an analysis of all social, psychological, political and environmental factors which affect the overall well being of both the individuals and the community should be examined. A thorough community assessment involving both qualitative and quantitative research methods was conducted in Asbury, a rural town in southeastern Chatham County, North Carolina. This document compiles all of the information from the primary and secondary sources. Merging published information with the perceptions of the community illustrates a comprehensive picture of the community. The process was carried out by five, first-year master’s students in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education of the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This project lasted from September 1997 to May 1998. This team of master’s students, Ahna Ballonoff, Molly Cannon, Cindi McPherson, Peter Reed, and Ashlee Wheeler was paired with a preceptor, Chatham County Commissioner Margaret Pollard in a joint effort to assess the community of Asbury. A community diagnosis examines health and quality of life information in order to gain an accurate picture of a community. This assessment is carried out by gathering general and specific information about the resources, strengths, needs, and culture that contribute to the well being of a community. The ultimate goal is to provide community members with information that will be useful to them as a reference or to inform future proposals. This nine-month process included collection and review of information pertinent to the health of Asbury. During the fall, secondary data was collected, consisting primarily of aggregate health and social statistics. Due to a lack of specific secondary data on Asbury, County statistics were used and an image of Asbury was attained through informal interviews. Sources, including Chatham Community Health Improvement Project (CCHIP), Log Into North Carolina (LINC), Geographic Information Service (GIS), web sites, agencies in the area and local service providers furnished secondary data on issues which contribute to the health status of a community. These sections included Geography, History, Economy, Community Profile, Politics/Government and Health. Asbury, a part of the Oakland Township in Chatham County lies nine miles south of the County seat, Pittsboro. The Deep and Rocky Rivers form a natural border around the community. Lydia Perry Road and Rosser Road comprise the remaining borders that connect the two rivers. The land, covered by trees, has some fields with crops as well as chicken farms and cow pastures. A majority of Asbury’s families have lived in the community for several generations, which significantly impacts the community today. Many of these families have grown up in the Asbury United Methodist Church which has historically defined the community. Both the families and the Church have helped to maintain a sense of pride in the traditions and history of Asbury. Asbury has shifted from a farming-based agricultural community, to a community where there are a few home-based businesses that contribute to the economy. Asbury is a relatively small community consisting of 349 people. The majority of the population is white and the largest age bracket is made up of those over 65 years of age. A large percentage of residents in Asbury own their homes implying that the majority of the people are settled in the community. Most residents travel outside of the community to near by towns such as Pittsboro, Sanford or Chapel Hill for work, shopping and leisure activities. Children are bused to either Pittsboro or Goldston for their schooling. Asbury is an unincorporated town and has no formal governmental body at the community level. The formal unit governing Asbury is at the County level. Asbury contributes a significant number of workers to the County government offices, and thus receives a high level of recognition in Pittsboro, the County seat. Some important political topics in Asbury include lack of water and growth and development. Residents of Asbury utilize health services in Chatham, Lee and surrounding counties. Also, the Chatham County Health Department provides a variety of services in primary care and health promotion. A number of social support groups exist in Asbury, providing strong social ties and enhancing mental health. Some of these include the Ruritan Club, Young at Heart Club, Coon Hunter’s Association and several groups within The Asbury United Methodist Church. Environmental problems including poor soil, water quality and water supply dominate health concerns of Asbury and Chatham County. The second phase of data collection in Asbury involved the collection of primary data. Interviews and discussions were conducted with community members and service providers to gain this information. An interview guide was created which consisted of questions about issues and topics to be explored during the course of an interview. Initial interviews, conducted with several prominent community members asked about their perceptions of different aspects of Asbury. The residents recommended others in Asbury who might agree to participate in an interview. Twenty-seven individuals participated in the interview process, which stopped when the ideas and themes remained consistent. Other opportunities for qualitative data collection included attending church services, a Ruritan Club meeting and Young at Heart Club luncheon. There also was a questionnaire based on the interview guide distributed as well as an informal focus group conducted. The data from these was treated the same as that from the interviews. The interviews were coded for themes, which emerged repeatedly during the primary data collection, and subsequently organized into chapters for the document. The issue of growth and development evokes different feelings for residents of Asbury. As new businesses and housing subdivisions spring up, outside people see the resources and are encouraged to move into the area. Everyone agrees that an influx of new people and development of new businesses and subdivisions would affect the community. However, residents have opposing opinions as to whether the effects will be positive or negative. The issue of growth and development is indeed complex and the effects expected to be varied. Another topic that is somewhat two-sided is the lack of formal resources in the community requiring residents to rely on outside resources. This is especially troublesome when it comes to the response of emergency services to the community and transportation needs of residents. Most interviewed residents do not expect to see any significant increase of commercial buildings in the community. This may require that residents continue to rely on outside resources, but it will also preserve Asbury’s small town feel. The concern of water and septic has been a problem vocalized in Asbury since 1995. Asbury is currently not hooked up to waterlines and water is pumped from wells or is purchased. Inadequate water supply or poor quality can potentially affect the health of a community. Asbury residents worry about the cost of water and septic systems. An increased water supply may result in an increase in development in the community. Due to the complexity of this issue, the problem is currently not resolved. Asbury residents worry about the presence of drugs and alcohol, especially the potential effect on the youth of the community. Some residents feel there is a drug problem, which is connected to a lack of activities for youth. Residents suggest a need for support groups, as well as increased youth opportunities and activities, especially activities including parental involvement. Throughout the interviews the theme of Asbury being a tight-knit community resonated. Residents often commented on the security they felt in the fact that they can call on friends and neighbors to help with anything. The bonds that already exist between the individuals and groups make Asbury competent and able to deal with issues. The strength of the ties between the people also makes Asbury a splendid place to live. The Asbury assessment document contains valuable information, however important limitations should be considered. Lack of specific statistics available for Asbury required the use of Chatham County data for socio-demographic and health information. Another limitation in the collection of secondary data is that the 1990 Census may not reflect the current population. Potential limitations in the primary data section include using guides that prompted interviewees to discuss specific issues and the referral method utilized to select interviewees. The community diagnosis of Asbury that identified strengths and concerns of the area culminated in a Community Gathering held February 7, 1998. Information found during the community diagnosis process was presented to Asbury community members through this Gathering. The Gathering also offered residents the opportunity to discuss their concerns and opinions about their community through facilitated discussions. It is hoped that the residents of Asbury will use the information presented to enhance their community.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/c5cy-8g96
Extent:: vii, 101 pages : illustrations (some color), maps ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 1998
Keyword:: Socioeconomic Factors, Health Status, Community health services, North Carolina, Public health, and Asbury (N.C.)
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:: and Chatham County Commissioner
Person:: Quinn, Sandra Crouse, Pollard, Margaret, Cannon, Molly, Ballonoff, Ahna, Reed, Peter, Wheeler, Ashlee, and McPherson, Cindi
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_11

70. Arlington Park, City of Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and suggested next steps of action

Title Tesim:: Arlington Park, City of Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina : an action-oriented community diagnosis : findings and suggested next steps of action
Creator:: Wald, Lisa, Moucheraud, Corrina, Morales, Rebecca, and Townsend, Claire
Date of publication:: 2004
Abstract Tesim:: During 2003-2004, a team of four graduate students from the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health conducted an Action-Oriented Community Diagnosis (AOCD) in Arlington Park, a neighborhood in Southeast Greensboro, North Carolina. This process was conducted under the guidance of the course instructors and Bertha Sims, a former community resident who served as the team’s preceptor. This document is intended to provide a history of the neighborhood, as well as describe the AOCD process and the information it yielded. The document begins with an overview of the history of Arlington Park, an explanation of its demographic transition, and a brief summary of recent events in the neighborhood. This is followed by a description of the AOCD process and the methods used by the student team to conduct the community diagnosis. An analysis of interview data resulted in the emergence of six themes: inaccessibility of health services and information; a lack of businesses located within or near the neighborhood, and limited knowledge regarding the social services offered outside of it; frustrations with the educational system, and a lack of recreational activities for youth; the challenges surrounding drug- and prostitution-related crime, and the neighborhood’s positive relationship with local law enforcement; abandoned homes and absentee landlords; and, community assets and leaders. The concluding section briefly summarizes the themes and limitations of the process, and offers suggestions for the future. There was considerable agreement between interviewees regarding the community’s strengths and assets, as well as the challenges facing Arlington Park. Solutions to these challenges have yet to be determined; however, both service providers and community members appeared committed to positive change. It is, therefore, the team’s hope that this document will be a useful resource for those working in Arlington Park in the future.
Resource type:: Masters Paper
Admin Note:: Paper was publicly available on HSL website. Anne does not think we need to get author permission
Affiliation Label Tesim:: Department of Health Behavior
Degree:: Master of Public Health
Degree Granting Institution:: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI:: https://doi.org/10.17615/x3y2-8j13
Extent:: ii, 45 pages, 86 unnumbered pages : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm.
Graduation Year:: 2004
Keyword:: Community Health Services, Socioeconomic Factors, Health Status, North Carolina, Greensboro (N.C.), and Guilford County (N.C.)
Language Label:: English
ORCID:
Other Affiliation:
Person:: Eng, Geni, Sims, Bertha, Moore, Karen, Wald, Lisa, Moucheraud, Corrina, Morales, Rebecca, and Townsend, Claire
Rights Statement Label:: In Copyright
Source:: community_diagnosis_papers_10