Part 2 – Critical Application Questions
Read the following scenario:
The local community has received grant money to rejuvenate a city park that has fallen into disrepair. This park rejuvenation falls under the policy for parks and recreation for the city government. The park area is the size of two city blocks. The city council has asked the nurse to serve as the leader of the park committee. The concept of health is a major vision for the park’s development and is to be included in all aspects of the rejuvenation plan. Other committee members include a playground designer, two parents in the community, two elderly community members, and a master gardener. The organization providing the grant money states they “wish to use the opportunity to improve the community’s health.” The city council has indicated a preference to prioritize funding toward new play equipment, green space, and community vegetable gardens. Currently, the space is filled with broken play equipment, trash and construction debris, and fallen trees from an earlier storm. The area is not considered safe. Minor drug use and sales activity are known to occur in this area, usually after dark. The neighborhood has lower-income families living in mostly single-family homes and some multi-family units. Rates of key health indicators are the following (per 100,000 population): obesity 37.8%, substance abuse 12.3%, diabetes and endocrine disorders 67.8%, heart disease 128.9%, and smoking 28.5%.
Create a Microsoft Word document and respond to the following questions:
What health-related concerns do you see in the current condition of the city park?
How can the renovation of the city park contribute to equity, as described in the five key elements of HiAP?
Identify one aspect of the park renovation that is a win-win (addressing public health and other agency goals).
What positive health impacts could this park renovation have on the community members? Consider the current health indicators in the community in your response.
