Advance practice registered nurses (APRN) can effectively serve the needs of a population by thoroughly assessing the community. APRNs are also able to practice adequately by comprehending disparities within a community. The demographics, health indicators and services, provide essential information facilitating the requirements of a community. APRNs can prepare for these challenges of health care disparity, through prior assessment of the community. Worcester County, the chosen community for assessment, is situated centrally in the state of Massachusetts (City of Worcester, 2014b).
Community Description
Topography
Worcester County’s topography consists of 95.83% land and 65.95% water. The percentage of land and water combined makes Worcester County the largest county in Massachusetts (City of Worcester, 2014a). Geographic features include mountains, reservoirs and rivers. Quabbin and Wachusetts reservoirs supply the city of Boston with drinking water. Berkshire Mountain, positioned in Worcester County, is considered part of the Appalachians. Access to care is readily available since Worcester County’s topography is mainly land (Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, 2014b).
Climate
There are four seasons, winter, spring, summer and …show more content…
Exposure to environmental pollution is significant in air and water. Worcester County’s pollution compared to Massachusetts is a major site for chemical release. According to Goodguide, 2011 data, risk for carcinogen in the air and water is 70-80%. Worcester County’s population is at higher risk for carcinogen-associated disease due to this toxic level. Toxins released from the air are 80-90%(Good Guide, 2011b). Massachusetts is considered an environmentally unpolluted state (Good Guide, 2011a). According to the Center for Disease Control, Massachusetts overall has a low cancer incidence (Center for Disease Control,