Community Assessment of Phoenix Arizona, Essay Example

Abstract

Community assessment practices are essential to nursing knowledge in appreciating other cultures and removing biases. The following pages of this document relate an assessment of Phoenix, Arizona Community.

Introduction

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona. It can be located at ‘33°27′ North, 112°4′ West (33.4485°, ?112.0738°) of the Salt River Valley also called the Valley of the Sun at the central of  Arizona. The mean elevation is 1,117 feet (340 m), in the northern aspect of the Sonoran Desert. It is surrounded to the northeast by the McDowell Mountains; in the west byWhite Tank Mountains; to the far east by Superstition Mountains,in the southwest by Sierra Estrella to the southwest. Phoenix has subtropical weather; very hot during summer and warn in the winter (VanderMeer, 2010).

The 2011 census revealed that Phoenix has a population of 6,445,632. Distribution according to ethnicity is  65.9% white of which 46.5%  are non-Hispanic; 40.8% Latino (35.9% Mexican, 0.6% Puerto Rican 0.5% Guatemalan, 0.3% Salvadoran, 0.3% Cuban; Black or African American: 6.5% (6.0% non-Hispanic) other races make up the smaller mixed ethic group. This has been a traditionally predominant 80% non-Hispanic white community, but with immigration the population composition has changed. Presently there is approximately 490,000 illegal immigrants in Phoenix Arizona (US Census Bureau, 2011).

The political culture consists of high proportion of Republicans who are known to be pro-life supporters and anti-immigration due to the large influx of Mexicans who have easy access to the state through border travel. Importantly, the city possesses a rich cultural heritage displayed in fine arts, sports, entertainment, health care and job opportunities. Besides, it has a flourishing, economy and the ancestry language is English and Mexican. Food culture embraces Mexican, Korean, Hispanic and Brazilian dishes (VanderMeer, 2010).

Transportation throughout the city and state is accessed by air, rail, buses, bicycles and walking. There is public transportation as well as private buses and cars. There is accessible health care through private and public hospital. Numerous schools and universities are present in the community.

My impression of Phoenix is that residents are not very friendly to immigrants and they dislike Mexicans for their illegal immigration practices. Also, the community seems to be thriving socially and has a very strong influence in American politics.

Biased Impressions

My biased impressions relate towards it predominantly white ethnicity; anti-immigration policies and anti-prochoice regarding abortions. These impressions can make my assessment of this community very subjective. Therefore, the resolution plan is to see myself as a member of the community in order to understand their cultural away from my biases.

Community Diagnosis/ Planning/ Learning Experience

Phoenix Arizona has a well-integrated health care system. There is community preparedness intervention planning in case of emergency, executed through the public health division. The health care system is designed for quality healthcare delivery to legal residents and citizens. As such, there is no immediate crisis except for illegal immigrants who are not covered under Medicaid and most of them are without health insurance. Hence, laws pass to detect and deport because they can be either be a burden to the health care system or spread diseases due to no medical care. The learning experience taught me to respect everyone and their belief system.

Conclusion

Recommendation Venue

The recommendation venue for the plight of no health care for illegal immigrants in Phoenix Arizona is addressing a letter to senators who are already angry concerning illegal immigration in the city to gain their compassion in providing some health care for them.

References

VanderMeer, P. (2010). Desert Visions and the Making of Phoenix, 1860–2009. Univ of New Mexico Press

US Census Bureau (2010). United States Census.