C228 Community Health Nursing Task 1

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Neighborhood/Community SafetyInventory

Safety hazards in the natural environment in Contra Costa County range from outdoor air pollution and toxic chemical releases. Based on EPA's most current data, Contra Costa County ranked among the dirtiest/worst 10% of all counties in the US in terms of an average individual's added cancer risk from hazardous air pollutants. When the air quality in unhealthy for sensitive groups, usually those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, it may cause some concern. The top five air pollutants are carbon monoxide (193,582 tons), nitrogen oxides (49,361 tons), PM-10 (30,265 tons), volatile organic compounds (28,595 tons) and sulfur dioxide (14,447 tons) (Scorecard, 2016). The largest source contributing to added cancer risk from hazardous air pollution is mobile sources including on-road vehicles and off-road equipment. Also attention should be drawn on the air pollution caused by many oil refineries that dot the landscape in the county. Another environmental concern is toxic chemical releases from industrial facilities. Carbon tetrachloride and mercury compounds are two major toxic chemicals that release to environment contributing to cancer and other health problems (U.S. EPA, 2016). Surface and ground water source are very well protected, no water pollution were reported.

Total crime risk in Contra Costa County is 81% below national average. Murder risk and automotive theft risk are higher the national average, 112% and 105% respectively (CJSC 2014).To improve public safety, county developed and implemented a strong gang violence prevention program. The City reinstated a comprehensive Neighborhood Watch program and implemented Community Policing.Since crime prevention programs implement, overall crime has declined 12%, homicides were down 78%, risk of death was significantly declined (Contra Costa County, 2014). The credit goes to the hard working police and a renewed sense of community.

Reference

Association of Bay Area Governments (2016): Retrieved from http://resilience.abag.ca.gov/

Contra Costa County: Parks and Recreation (2016):Retrieved from http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/446/Parks-and-Recreation

Contra Costa County: Crime Prevention Programs that Works (2016): Retrieved from http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/

Contra Costa CountyOffice of Emergency Services (2011): Retrieved from http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/7352.

Contra Costa Health Services: emergency preparedness (2016): Retrieved from http://cchealth.org/emergencies/preparedness.php

CJSC statistics: crimes and clearance (2014): Retrieved from https://oag.ca.gov

Dyson, S &Smaje, C (2001) The health status of minority ethnic groups. In:

Culley, L & Dyson, S (eds) Ethnicity and Nursing Practice. Sociology in Nursing

practices. Part I. Palgrave, Basingstoke

East Bay Reginal Park District (2016): Retrieved fromhttp://www.ebparks.org/

SFGATE NEWS (2015): Retrieved from http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Five-dead-8-hurt-in-Berkeley-balcony-collapse-6329902.php