South Miami is a diversified community located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. This region of Florida is best known for being surrounded by two of the most popular shopping malls in the state. Although many people travel through the area, few know about the overall health of the community. In assessing the overall health of South Miami, health problems that plague the community will be explored, and factors that have led the community to face these specific health problems will be assessed.
Community Overview
South Miami has a reputation for being a great place to visit. Every year, thousands of tourists travel to the region to enjoy the beaches, and shopping. Despite the popularity of South Miami, the population suffers from a wide array of health problems. Common health problems in the South Miami community include: obesity, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and malnutrition (Center For Disease Control & Prevention, 2013; Florida Department of Health, 2013). Yet, South Miami has a strong level of economic differentiation. Some areas of the community are known for having large, expensive homes. In other areas, there are less expensive homes, with a high prevalence of crime. The decision to explore the health of South Miami was attributed to the strong level of racial and economic diversification exhibited in the region.
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Demographic Data
South Miami differs from other communities in the Miami-Dade County. Although Miami-Dade County has a high population living in impoverishment, South Miami also has a large percent of the population that is well off financially (Florida’s Department of Public Health, 2013). Statistically, the United States Census (2013) found that 8.8% of the community reports being unemployed, while 31.7% of the population reports not being in the labor force. However, the decision for nearly 1/3rd of the population in South Miami to be unemployed is unknown. The economic differentiation present in the region would suggest that some may not need to work, while others may not be looking for work due to other responsibilities.
In assessing the age of the population, South Miami Florida has a relatively young population. According to data from the United States Census (2013) the average age of the population is 36.2. As a whole, individuals over the age of 65 only compose 13% of the entire population living in South Miami Florida. Despite having a young population, nearly half of all households in South Miami Florida report not having a family (United States Census, 2013). Approximately 36.9% of the other half of residents in South Miami report being married, in a traditional husband and wife family. The remaining 13.1% of the population that have a family report raising their child/children in a single-family home.
Epidemiological Data
According to the Center For Disease Control & Prevention (2013) the most common causes of death in South Miami Florida and the Miami-Dade County are “1. Heart Diseases, 2. Cancer, 3. Stroke, 4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases, 5. Unintentional Injuries, 6. Diabetes, 7. Alzheimer’s Disease, 8. Kidney Disease, 9. Influenza and Pneumonia, and 10. Septicemia” (p. 4). However, the Center For Disease Control & Prevention further determined that there was a general lack of access to preventative care in the region. This determination was made based on hospital data that suggested many individuals had not received medical care for an extended period, frequently did not have health insurance, and had an elevated poverty rate. In assessing how these trends influenced illnesses present within the state of Florida, the Center For Disease Control & Prevention determined that individuals who do not have access to healthcare, live in poverty, and lack health insurance are statistically more likely to die from diabetes, congestive heart failure, and the effects of hypertension (strokes, heart attacks, etc.).
Windshield Survey
The results of the Windshield Survey produced mixed findings. One half of the neighborhood appeared well maintained. These homes tended to be larger, single-family homes. In this area, there were a lot of services (parks, public transportation, stores, etc.) available to the population. However, it did not appear as though many individuals were using public transportation in this area. On the other side of South Miami, it appeared as though the homes were smaller, and run down. Although there were children outside, there were no adults present. This was surprising, as this area is known for having a high crime rate. Furthermore, this area has a reputation for drug use and distribution.
In exploring healthcare utilization, it appeared as though many residents have access to healthcare services. This was first exemplified in looking through the parking lots of free clinics. However, it appeared as though these clinics were being overused, as there were long lines for individuals seeking care. These lines suggest that individuals may rely heavily on free services to meet their basic healthcare needs.
Problem Diagnosis
The health disparities present in South Miami Florida are believed to be attributed to the high percent of the population living in poverty (Center For Disease Control & Prevention, 2013). The inability to access healthcare makes it more likely that individuals will suffer from severe symptoms of illnesses that require extensive interventions to sustain their health (Henry, Sherman, and McDonald, 2014). The inability to access basic healthcare services further suggests that individuals will be more likely to succumb to heart disease in South Miami than in other regions of the country. Although heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States, the inability to access healthcare services in South Miami make it increasingly probable that a higher portion of individuals in the region will develop this condition (HealthyPeople.gov, 2015).
Summary
South Miami is best known for its diversity. Although some areas of this community are characterized by large, well-maintained homes, other areas in the community do not exhibit these features. The strong level of diversification has led to healthcare disparities in the region, causing many people to suffer from preventable diseases.
