Comparative Analysis Between Health Risks Data in the Windshield Survey of the Kenner, LA Population

With demographic trends reflective of the United States as a whole, Kenner, Louisiana as an informative case study for health professionals. In the report “Community Assessment of South Kenner,” researchers conduct a windshield survey and compile statistics from government agencies to obtain a full assessment of the health outcomes and issues faced by the community. By combining a quantitative assessment with a qualitative approach, the research demonstrates both the strengths and shortcomings of these methods of investigation. By evaluating the similarities and differences between the data collected through the windshield survey and through government statistics, professionals can compensate for the shortcomings of each method while obtaining a detailed perspective on the health profile of the community.

Similarities Between the Data

Both the windshield survey and the analysis of government statistics provided an overview of health concerns that impact the community. Through both methods of investigation, researchers portrayed a similar picture of the socio-economic standing of the community. First, the windshield survey described the prevalent economic conditions of the community. By observing the housing conditions in South Kenner, the researchers determined that most residents live in small, dated housing units (Community Health Assessment of South Kenner, 2014, p. 5). Further, the researchers noted that housing predominantly consisted of apartment buildings that were described as “old and unkempt” (Community Health Assessment of South Kenner, 2014, p. 5). The evaluation of housing conditions in the community also revealed many residents lacked the window units that provide central air conditioning (South Kenner, 2014, p. 5). From these descriptions, the reader can infer that South Kenner residents are from a low- to middle-income background.

The quantitative data obtained from government statistics confirm the economic assessments of the windshield survey. Data provided by the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (2012) reveals that 13 percent of the population possesses a household income under $15,000 and 12.1 percent possess a household income between $15,000 and $24,000. Representing middle-income levels, 12 percent of the population possesses an income between $25,000 and $34,999 and 15 percent possesses an income between $35,000 and $49,999 (Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, 2012). As this data confirms, nearly half of the community is representative of the low and lower-middle classes.

In addition to confirming the socio-economic conditions of the community, the windshield survey and the statistical data highlight major health concerns for the community. According to the Center for Disease Control (2014) data, heart disease and congestive heart failure is a major concern to the community. According to the 2010 data, the leading cause of death for the entire county is major cardiovascular disease (CDC, 2014). Additionally, the data cites diseases of the heart and ischemic heart disease among the top four leading causes of death (CDC, 2014). Notably, respiratory illnesses such as neoplasms of the trachea, bronchus, and lung rank in the top ten leading causes of death (CDC, 2014). While no data is available specifically for South Kenner, the windshield survey is useful for determining the extent to which these health issues might impact community residents.

While the windshield survey does not determine the leading causes of death in South Kenner, it reveals environmental factors that contribute to the causes identified by government sources. First, a survey of the restaurant establishments in the community provides an explanation for the high prevalence of heart disease. As the researchers documented, South Kenner has a wide range of dine-in, take out, or drive-thru restaurants (Community Assessment of South Kenner, 2014, p. 12). Indicating the quality of food consumed by residents, researchers noted that fast-food restaurants were among the most frequented restaurants while Mexican restaurants were the busiest (Community Assessment of South Kenner, 2014, p. 12). The high consumption of convenience food corroborates the statistics pointing to the high prevalence of heart disease in the community.

Additionally, statistical data pointed to respiratory ailments as a leading cause of death the Jefferson County. The windshield survey of South Kenner determined that residents are exposed to a high degree of environmental pollution. For example, the research determined that the proximity of Interstate 10 and several major roads contributed to excess vehicle emissions in the community (Community Assessment of South Kenner, 2014, p. 12). Further, the survey highlights that there were many dilapidated buildings in the area (Community Assessment of South Kenner, 2014, p. 12). The deteriorating condition of buildings possesses the potential to expose residents to mold and other pathogens that contribute to respiratory problems upon inhalation.

Differences Between the Data

In addition to the discussed similarities, there were several points of divergence between the window survey data and the statistical data. First, the demographic data greatly varied between the surveys. The window survey focused upon a narrow segment of the South Kenner population in its observations. As the researchers note, they observed a group that consisted of between five to ten African American males (Community Survey of Kenner, 2014, p. 5). Yet, the statistical data from the United States Census Bureau (2010) reveals that the community is ethnically diverse and possesses an even age distribution. As the Bureau’s data establishes, 33 percent of individuals in the community are under 25, 17 percent are between the ages of 45 and 54, 29 percent are between the ages of 45 percent to 64 percent, and 15 percent of residents can be classified as elderly (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Further, the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission highlights the racial diversity of the community. According to 2012 statistics, 61.1 percent of residents are Caucasian, 24.2 percent are African Americans, 22.9 percent are Asian, and 3.7 percent are Hispanic (Jefferson Parish Economic Development, 2012). As the data reveals, Caucasians and Asians were underrepresented in the windshield survey while African Americans and Hispanics were overrepresented in the observations made by researchers.

Discussion Conclusion

The assessment of South Kenner reflects the advantages and disadvantages of collecting qualitative and quantitative data for community reports. The advantage of collecting data through a windshield survey is that it enables researchers to obtain information that is beyond the scope of statistical inquiry. While statistical data indicated that Jefferson County possessed high rates of heart disease, a qualitative assessment of the eating habits of residents confirmed this to be true at the city level and provided an explanation for the data. However, qualitative data can limit the scope of a researcher’s observations. For example, because researchers did not possess the time to observe all segments of the South Kenner community, they focused on a very narrow demographic. Yet, statistical data revealed that a wide range of age groups and racial groups outside of the consideration of the windshield survey existed in the community. Overall, the research demonstrated that while qualitative data must be combined with statistical evidence to provide professionals with a complete picture of community health concerns so they can devise strategies for community health promotion.

References

Community assessment of South Kenner. (2014). [Document file].

Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission. (2012). City of Kenner Louisiana Economic and Demographic Profile. Kenner, Louisiana: City of Kenner.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2014). Data Access Tools. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/main/www/access.html.