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Purpose
A windshield survey is a structured, observational first look at a community's strengths and needs. This assessment describes a mixed residential and commercial neighbourhood observed on foot and by car over two weekday visits.
Observations by subsystem
- Housing and zoning: older single-family homes alongside a newer apartment complex; several vacant lots.
- Transportation: two bus routes with covered stops; sidewalks are uneven near the main intersection.
- Services: one pharmacy, a community health clinic with evening hours, no full-service grocery store within walking distance.
- Common areas: a well-used park with a playground; limited shade and no water fountain.
Linking observations to health goals
The absence of a nearby grocery store suggests limited access to affordable, nutritious food, which aligns with Healthy People 2030 objectives on nutrition and food security (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.). Community assessment frameworks encourage nurses to confirm observations with residents and data before setting priorities (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2020).
Priority community diagnosis
Risk for inadequate nutrition among neighbourhood residents related to limited access to full-service grocery stores, as evidenced by the nearest supermarket being beyond walking distance and the density of convenience stores.
References
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Healthy People 2030. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (10th ed.). Elsevier.
