Week 2 Assignment: Course Project – Needs Assessment
Walden University
PUBH 4030: Planning Public Health Program
14:14:53 GMT -05:00
, I have chosen to focus on Middle River, MD which is a part of Baltimore, County
Maryland. I have chosen this area because I lived there for 20 years verses the 7 months I have
been in Harford County. Middle River, Maryland is a large community with every possible
economic lever, single family homes, town homes, apartment homes, and a few trailer home
communities. Highly diverse community regarding ethnicity and age with green spaces,
shopping, and health care of every type within walking distance to housing. In addition, there are
diverse collections of housed of worship from Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist, to Mosque. Littered
with senior centers, recreation centers, and libraries. There is truly something for everyone in this
suburban area just a few miles from the city. The employment opportunities are as diverse as its
population including service, labor, administrative, and professional positions. With that in mind
you can also imagine the number of health needs within the community. District 7 which defines
the area of Middle River has identified community health need priorities as alcohol/substance
abuse and obesity related diabetes. The CNI (Community Needs Index) score of 3.0 which is
consider midrange compared to other counties in Maryland (Community Health Needs
Assessment - Umms.org 2022).
I interviewed 2 members of the community as well as myself. My first conversation was
with Ms. Jean B., an African American female in her early 70’s who is a retired Public Health
Nurse for Baltimore City, who relocated to the community from New York in 1994 when this
townhome community was first built and sold. Currently Ms. Jean identified what she perceived
as a priority health need as Mental Health and Substance Abuse as apartment communities, pubs,
and liquor stores double in number. There is also a need for more fresh foods as the number of
fast-food eateries have outpaced grocery stores by 10 to 2. Barriers as Identified by Ms. Jean is
cost friendly health care offices and facilities to those with low income and under insured,
14:14:53 GMT -05:00
Walden University
PUBH 4030: Planning Public Health Program
14:14:53 GMT -05:00
, I have chosen to focus on Middle River, MD which is a part of Baltimore, County
Maryland. I have chosen this area because I lived there for 20 years verses the 7 months I have
been in Harford County. Middle River, Maryland is a large community with every possible
economic lever, single family homes, town homes, apartment homes, and a few trailer home
communities. Highly diverse community regarding ethnicity and age with green spaces,
shopping, and health care of every type within walking distance to housing. In addition, there are
diverse collections of housed of worship from Catholic, Baptist, Buddhist, to Mosque. Littered
with senior centers, recreation centers, and libraries. There is truly something for everyone in this
suburban area just a few miles from the city. The employment opportunities are as diverse as its
population including service, labor, administrative, and professional positions. With that in mind
you can also imagine the number of health needs within the community. District 7 which defines
the area of Middle River has identified community health need priorities as alcohol/substance
abuse and obesity related diabetes. The CNI (Community Needs Index) score of 3.0 which is
consider midrange compared to other counties in Maryland (Community Health Needs
Assessment - Umms.org 2022).
I interviewed 2 members of the community as well as myself. My first conversation was
with Ms. Jean B., an African American female in her early 70’s who is a retired Public Health
Nurse for Baltimore City, who relocated to the community from New York in 1994 when this
townhome community was first built and sold. Currently Ms. Jean identified what she perceived
as a priority health need as Mental Health and Substance Abuse as apartment communities, pubs,
and liquor stores double in number. There is also a need for more fresh foods as the number of
fast-food eateries have outpaced grocery stores by 10 to 2. Barriers as Identified by Ms. Jean is
cost friendly health care offices and facilities to those with low income and under insured,
14:14:53 GMT -05:00
