NR 443 Week 2 Direct Care Project Part 2

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-443 RN Community Health Nursing

Prof. Name:

Date

NR 443: Direct Care Project Part 2: Planning the Presentation

Student Name

Agenda

Community Description
Problem Description
Air Quality Flag Program Description
Community Resource
Implications for Practice
Conclusion

Community Description

Pasadena is a suburban city located in Los Angeles County, California. It is a diverse community with a mix of races and ethnicities, including a white majority along with African Americans, Indian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics/Latinos. The city’s population is approximately 141,029, with 48% males and 52% females. Among this population, 7% are children under the age of 5, while 15.6% are individuals aged 65 and older. One significant health issue in the area is the high prevalence of pediatric asthma, largely attributed to poor air quality. Children in Pasadena, particularly those under the age of five, are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution, which contributes to respiratory problems like asthma.

Problem Description

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects thousands of children in Pasadena, with poor air quality being a major contributor to the high incidence of this disease. Key risk factors include pollution from vehicle exhausts, including gases such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, which are harmful, particularly to young children. Furthermore, the industrial nature of the city means many factories emit pollutants without proper regulation, worsening air quality. Additionally, the presence of landfills in Pasadena poses a health risk to individuals living within a five-kilometer radius, as these areas are associated with increased risk of respiratory diseases such as lung cancer. These environmental factors exacerbate asthma symptoms and cause respiratory infections in children, leading to more frequent asthma attacks.

Air Quality Flag Program Description

The Air Quality Flag Program is an initiative designed to raise awareness about air quality and its effects on health, particularly in schools and communities. This program uses colored flags to indicate daily air quality levels, which correspond to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index. The colors range from green (good air quality) to purple (very unhealthy air). This system allows communities to adjust their daily activities based on air quality, especially to protect children and sensitive groups such as the elderly and individuals with lung diseases.

The program is cost-effective, requiring only the purchase of flags—available in sets of five colors for about $100. Outreach materials such as newsletters, flyers, and radio announcements are used to inform the community and raise awareness about air quality conditions.

Cost and Outreach

The Air Quality Flag Program is a low-cost initiative, requiring minimal investment. The primary cost involves purchasing the flags, which can be obtained from local or online vendors for as little as $100. Outreach materials such as newsletters, emails, and flyers are available to help educate teachers, parents, children, and the broader community about the importance of air quality monitoring.

Use: How It Works

The Air Quality Flag Program functions by raising a colored flag at schools every day, indicating the air quality for that day. Each color has specific implications for outdoor activities:

Green: Air quality is good; no health risks are expected.
Yellow: Air quality is acceptable; sensitive individuals should limit prolonged exposure.
Orange: Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children and the elderly.
Red: Air quality is unhealthy; sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exertion.

These flags help guide outdoor activities, particularly for schools, to ensure children’s health is protected on days with poor air quality.

Example and Outcomes

Children, particularly those under five, are at heightened risk for the negative effects of air pollution. The Air Quality Flag Program in schools can help modify outdoor activities based on the air quality index. For example, when a green flag is raised, children can engage in outdoor activities without concern. When the flag indicates a higher level of pollution (e.g., orange or red), outdoor activities can be adjusted to protect children’s health.

Community Resource

The Pasadena Community Asthma Program, part of the Huntington Hospital’s Community Outreach department, offers free classes on asthma prevention and management, as well as free asthma screening services at local clinics. This program aims to reduce asthma-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and missed school or work days by educating patients on managing their condition and communicating with healthcare providers. The program plays a vital role in supporting the community in managing asthma, especially among vulnerable populations.

Implications for Practice

The implementation of the Air Quality Flag Program in schools is crucial for reducing respiratory issues in children, particularly asthma. By monitoring air quality and adjusting outdoor activities accordingly, schools can mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution. Additionally, data on asthma prevalence can help schools create supportive environments for children with asthma, ensuring their health and safety. The program offers a proactive approach to managing outdoor exposure to air pollution and improving overall health outcomes for both children and adults in the community.

Conclusion

Pasadena is a diverse and highly industrialized suburban community in California with significant air quality challenges that contribute to a rise in childhood asthma. The Air Quality Flag Program provides a simple yet effective way for schools and communities to stay informed about daily air quality levels, helping to protect the health of vulnerable populations, especially children. This initiative, combined with local resources like the Pasadena Community Asthma Program, supports efforts to mitigate the impacts of poor air quality on respiratory health.

References

American Lung Association. (2020). Estimated prevalence and incidence of lung disease. https://www.lung.org/research/trends-in-lung-disease/prevalence-incidence-lung-disease

County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. (2018). Explore rankings. http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/

U.S. Census Bureau. (2018). State and county QuickFacts. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/