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Community Assessment Activity Sheet

County and State: Broward County, Florida

Identify three (3) areas of strength in Broward County compared to state and/or national

benchmarks. Provide the rationale for the selection. Include a citation after each statement in

APA format.

 Broward County has a higher high school graduation rate compared to the state of

Florida. According to Mancini (2022), the high school graduation rate in Broward County

is 91.3%, while the state average is 87.2%. This demonstrates the county's success in

supporting educational attainment.

 Broward County's population is more diverse compared to the state of Florida. According

to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 estimates, Broward County had a population of

approximately 2 million people, with a racial and ethnic composition that included 46.2%

White, 29.4% Black or African American, 27.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 4.7% Asian. In

contrast, the state of Florida had a population that was 52.1% White, 16.9% Black or

African American, 27.2% Hispanic or Latino, and 3.5% Asian. This diversity enhances

social cohesion, promotes cultural understanding, and fosters a tolerant and inclusive

atmosphere (Council of Europe, 2021).

 Broward County offers numerous parks and outdoor recreational facilities. The county

operates a vast park system that includes over 50 parks and nature centers, providing

ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and picnicking.

Additionally, Broward County is home to approximately 23 miles of coastline, featuring

beautiful beaches that attract residents and tourists alike (Visit Lauderdale, 2020).

Identify three (3) areas of weakness in Broward County compared to state and/or national
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benchmarks. Provide the rationale for the selection. Include a citation after each statement in

APA format.

 Broward County faces challenges related to housing affordability. the median monthly

housing cost in Broward County was $1,639 in 2020. In comparison, the median monthly

housing cost for Florida was $1,437, and the national median was $1,386 during the same

period. This indicates that housing costs in Broward County are higher than both the state

and national benchmarks, making it more difficult for residents to find affordable housing

options. This issue contributes to housing insecurity and may impact overall well-being

and quality of life (Muchomba et al., 2022).

 Traffic congestion is a significant concern in Broward County. the average annual delay

per commuter in Broward County was 57 hours in 2019. In comparison, the average

annual delay per commuter for Florida was 52 hours, and the national average was 54

hours during the same year. These statistics demonstrate that Broward County

experiences higher traffic congestion compared to both the state and national

benchmarks. (Thompson et al., 2012).

 Broward County has a higher-than-average rate of uninsured individuals. According to

Mancini (2022), approximately 14.2% of the population in Broward County lacks health

insurance coverage, compared to the state average of 12.7%. This can lead to barriers in

accessing necessary healthcare services and preventive care.

Identify one health issue that could be improved for Broward County and provide the rationale

for the selection. The health issue selected may become the priority health issue for your Health

Policy (capstone) paper. Avoid poverty and lack of health insurance/primary care access as a

priority health issue. Include a reference in APA format.

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Health Issue: Mental Health

Rationale: Mental health is a significant concern in Broward County, as it is in many

communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges, including

increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Broward County can benefit from comprehensive

mental health programs and services that promote mental well-being, early intervention, and de-

stigmatization of mental health issues. According to Kar et al., (2020), 38.2% of adults in

Broward County reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder within the

past 12 months. This is higher than the state of Florida, where 33.1% of adults reported similar

symptoms, and the national average of 32.8%. These statistics highlight the higher prevalence of

mental health challenges in Broward County compared to both the state and national benchmarks

(Kar et al., 2020). Addressing mental health concerns can positively impact the overall health

and productivity of individuals and the community.

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References

Council of Europe. (2021). Intercultural integration Strategies: Managing Diversity As An

Opportunity Model Framework For An Intercultural Integration Strategy At The

National Level. https://rm.coe.int/model-framework-for-an-intercultural-integration-

strategy-at-the-natio/1680a2ecf9

Kar, S.K., Yasir Arafat, S.M., Kabir, R., Sharma, P., Saxena, S.K. (2020). Coping with Mental

Health Challenges During COVID-19. In: Saxena, S. (eds) Coronavirus Disease 2019

(COVID-19). Medical Virology: From Pathogenesis to Disease Control. Springer,

Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4814-7_16

Mancini, N. (2022). Office of the Superintendent: High School Graduation Rates.

https://www.browardschools.com/cms/lib/FL01803656/Centricity/Domain/

13954/2021GraduationRateMemo.pdf

Muchomba, F. M., Teitler, J., & Reichman, N. E. (2022). Association between housing

affordability and severe maternal morbidity. JAMA Network Open, 5(11), e2243225.

https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.43225

Thompson, G., Brown, J., & Bhattacharya, T. (2012). What really matters for increasing transit

ridership: understanding the determinants of transit ridership demand in Broward County,

Florida. Urban Studies, 49(15), 3327–3345. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098012443864

Visit Lauderdale. (2020, January 1). Greater Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) Fact Sheet.

Www.visitlauderdale.com. https://www.visitlauderdale.com/media/press-releases-and-

resources/post/greater-fort-lauderdale-broward-county-fact-sheet/