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Community Health Nursing

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Submitted By cljacksonrn
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RN Community Health Nursing
Course Project Milestone #2

Small Town USA
INTRODUCTION

A small town that doesn't have that big city element can be referred to as suburbia, or is predominantly white, with low crime rates. Small Town USA is more predominant than realized. Although the town of Mayberry was a fictional small town that was featured in "The Andy Griffith Show" where almost all the residents are white with little or no minorities it sets a particularly accurate setting and description to the village of Roscoe, Illinois. As with the show, there are very few black residents in the village and those who reside in the village openly acknowledge this. This brief paper will allow a community concern to the use of alcohol in the Village of Roscoe, IL versus the abuse by young adults just over the border in Wisconsin; just a mere 10 minute drive to the North. Because crime is at a minimum in this village, protecting their young is what the elders do. In addition, disease and its prevalence in Illinois is to be addressed as it is a concern that residents in the village recognize and desire to prevent.

COMMUNITY
At hand is the discussion of a small town that most in the Midwest would desire to live in, the small village of Roscoe IL that is housed in Winnebago County Illinois. The village is mostly set in rural Illinois, however there is the small part of town that even feels like a protected big town. Winnebago County is located in Northern Illinois, in which Roscoe is located. Itself, Roscoe demonstrates a slightly diverse possibilities when it comes to community. The crime is very minimal which draws a certain population, a specific age group. Roscoe, although small, is a prosperous village. Many look to Roscoe to model what their community could potentially be. In the Village, residents can enjoy a city market, a stroll on Main Street, Wednesdays on the Rock River or a quint drive enjoying the visions of the country. In Illinois, it is said that many of proud of their hometown roots and how diverse their communities are.

DEMOGRAPHIC
Within Winnebago County, Illinois the Village of Roscoe makes up roughly 10,785 residents, whereas Illinois in general has 12,830,632 residents (QuickFacts, 2015). A factor this brief paper is addressing is the major medical issues within Winnebago County. Reported, there are ten major diseases that residents can continue to try and make change in their own health regiments. The following are leading major medical problems that should be shared with residents of Winnebago County Illinois: “Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Lung Disease, Accidents, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Influenza-Pneumonia, Nephritis/Kidney, Blood Poisoning, Suicide, Liver Disease, Homicide, Hypertension/Renal and Parkinson (Health of Winnebago County, 2013)”.
In addition, it has been previously discussed with this author by community members, that there is fear that young adults will come to abuse alcohol at an earlier age. Some residents place blame on the small town that once drew them in, others place blame on the state just north, Wisconsin. Statistically speaking, “Wisconsin leads the nation with binge drinking” as is reported by HealthyPeople.gov. In Madison alone, which is slightly predisposed to the numbers based on UW, over 15% of high school youth have had the tendency to binge drink. These numbers bring solid concern in relation to the illnesses that are a dark cloud hovering over Winnebago County; cancer, heart issues, renal, kidney and suicide top the list.

WINDSHIELD SURVEY
On multiple occasions, observations were made in downtown Roscoe. In addition, the area of the Capital of Wisconsin was observed in order to obtain a clear picture for comparison of the separate areas. The observations of Roscoe, IL was during the daytime on a weekday and on an early evening on a Saturday. In the downtown area during both visits there was a diverse group of individuals visiting the area. Some families were out with double strollers, other groups were high school students who had just left the area high school for spring break, and yet others were enjoying exercise on the bike path that runs right into town. Living in this area the general make up is predominately 20-30 years of age, mostly young couples. The individuals were healthy caucasians that were well dressed, well nourished and well kept. Everyone who was walking in the area all seemed to belong, talking amongst each other in passing. Also observed were several moms with their strollers or jogging strollers. Because of the Mayberry type of community feel, this author made a conscience effort to not be noticed in order to not change behaviors of community members.
Additionally, the observation day in Madison, WI was on a day during March Madness. It was a predetermined choice in order to observe any under age alcohol consumption with an adult guardian. It was observed that there were an abundant number of patrons at the local bars/pubs in the states capital as celebrations were had by all in attendance. During the day only two younger than 21 aged individuals were noted to be drinking drinks with of age adults. There was an excessive amount of celebration by patrons of many of the local bars/pubs were busy with day drinkers. In addition, upon leaving a tavern not only one but several homeless were observed in Madison, which is not much observed in Mayberry, aka Roscoe, IL. An additional side note, health care is noted on more than one occasion while in Madison whereas in Roscoe there is no such health care offices visible during observations.

PROBLEM Over several days of observation pertinent information was collected about Roscoe, IL. With the information collected, the potential use of alcohol by minors is a substantial community concern. The biggest issues that cross over between two states and can have long term impacts is witness to minors consuming alcohol before a 21st birthday. Additionally, it can be directly connected that consumption now could lead to long term damage to ones own body. Although parents only have a mere eighteen years to educate children, the choices in the end will fall on the adolescents. Concern is that Wisconsin is such a close proximity that legal consumption is easy to access in a quick ten minute drive to the border. Statistics alone can be the key to changing the thoughts of teens as well as older adults. Knowing that bodily functions and disease processes are impacted by alcohol consumption, drugs and healthy habits

SUMMARY Gaining knowledge and information about two towns that were so close in distance yet so far in function was eye opening. Information between the two hometowns to many was similar but again, much different. By comparing and contrasting data, it can be determined that education holds the key. Both areas face problems with alcohol consumption of minors, and both areas have the potential of long term effects of the drug. The difference will be how to try and prevent the health risks that hover the heads of Mayberry, Roscoe, IL. As firsthand witnessed by this author, on numerous occasions the Village educates its community about health concerns. Free seminars, community walks and runs as well as free healthy eating seminars are provided as a service to the residents of Roscoe as well as those in the surrounding communities. It is the hope of this author that the reader is able to see the potential risks to the individuals in the Village but also observes and recognizes how the community tries to avoid health issues in years to come.

References
Healthy People 2020 (2014). Substance Abuse. Retrieved from, http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/substance-abuse
Nies, M., & McEwen, M. (2011). Community/Public Health Nursing: Promoting the Health of

Populations (5th ed.). Houston, Texas: Elsevier Saunders

Public Health (2013). Health Status Overview Report: Winnebago County, Illinois. Retrieved from, https://www.publichealthmdc.com/documents/HealthDC-2013status.pdf
Quick Facts (2015). State & County QuickFacts- Winnebago County & Dane County. Retrieved from, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55/55025.html

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