Windshield Survey – Population Health Assessment & Prevention Project

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  1. Read the Instructions for the Population Health Assessment & Prevention Project first.
  2. Use the Community Assessment Project Template to complete the project. Your data must be typed directly into the blank template provided, NOT into the instructions.
  3. This project is divided into three parts for submission throughout the course. It is recommended to start on the project in week one and work steadily on this project to ensure timely completion.
  4. The three parts of this project total 45% of the course grade.

Be sure to follow the directions closely in each section.

Instructions for Population Health Assessment & Prevention Project:

Part 1: Windshield Survey (Unit 2)

First, select a part of your community to survey. Part of this project involves collecting county data, but for Part 1, you will choose a smaller area to survey. If selecting a large city, such as San Antonio, Cincinnati, or Tampa, you may narrow your initial survey for Part 1 down to a smaller section of the city. However, you might want to survey other parts of the city as well, to get a sense of the city as a whole and fit that neighborhood or population in its context.

Sometimes, the best survey can be a combination of walking and driving. You might survey the whole city or area in a vehicle, then use a walking survey to look closely at the area you’re most interested in. You’ll see different things and more detail on foot; you’ll cover more ground and get a broader perspective from a vehicle. Also, consider how the time of day, weekday versus weekend, and the season will affect your survey. You will want to repeat your survey more than once to capture the differences between community conditions or activities at different times.

As you assess each area consider the impact on the health of the community and potential community needs (intervention). For example:

  • The effect of the physical environment; contamination of air or water; safe sidewalks for walking; or the quality of housing and potential impact on health outcomes.
  • Consider the implications of reduced access to health care services, food, or emergency care.
  • Consider the implications of educational and work/economic opportunities.
  • Consider the impact of social determinants on health outcomes (for example: the relationship between older homes in the community and high rates of lead exposure in children under the age of 5).
  • Think about individual behavior, health beliefs/values or perspectives, and the effect on the implementation of health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
  • Observe where and when people “hang out” and their behavior. Are kids playing in the street due to the lack of parks/recreation facilities or are the parks/recreation areas unsafe (observe who is “hanging out” in the parks/recreational facilities)?

Tips to Keep in Mind:

  • Make and use a checklist to ensure that you observe and address all the areas for the survey.
  • Try to be unobtrusive. Not only do people act differently when they know they’re being observed, but they may also become suspicious or hostile.
  • Take notes as you go along. (Do not take notes while driving). You may also want to take photos or videos with a camera or cell phone, to both remember and illustrate what you’ve seen. You can add a few of those to your report if you’d like. If you wait to take notes until after the survey is done, you may not remember everything clearly, or you may ignore important details.
  • Carry identification and be mindful  of safety. Don’t stay in an area if you feel unsafe.

    Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

    Step-by-Step Guide for Completing Your Windshield Survey – Population Health Assessment & Prevention Project: Part 1

    Step 1: Select Your Community Area
    Choose a specific and manageable portion of your community.

    • If you live in a large city, focus on a neighborhood, zip code area, or town sector.

    • Consider places you can realistically visit more than once.

    • Think about an area that has visible diversity in population, housing, or public infrastructure.

    Step 2: Plan and Conduct Your Windshield Survey
    Schedule at least two visits to your selected community at different times (weekday/weekend or day/evening) to get a comprehensive understanding.
    Choose a mix of driving and walking, if possible, to gain both breadth and detail.

    While surveying, observe and take notes on the following:

    • Housing conditions (old/new, safe, well-maintained)

    • Street and sidewalk conditions

    • Access to public transportation and health care facilities

    • Presence of grocery stores, parks, schools, or community centers

    • Types of businesses or lack thereof

    • Signs of pollution, environmental hazards, or abandoned buildings

    • Who is out and about? Children? Elderly? Families?

    • Are parks being used safely, or are they neglected or misused?

    Safety Tip: Never stay in an area where you feel unsafe. Always survey with a peer or during daylight when possible.

    Step 3: Connect Observations to Health Impact
    As you write your observations in the template:

    • Reflect on how these physical and social factors may influence the community’s health.

    • Are there indicators of poverty, food insecurity, limited access to healthcare or education?

    • Consider social determinants of health, such as employment, housing, education, and environment.

    Examples to include in your analysis:

    • Poor housing may lead to respiratory issues (e.g., mold exposure).

    • Lack of sidewalks or crosswalks may discourage physical activity.

    • An absence of grocery stores may indicate food deserts.

    Step 4: Complete the Windshield Survey Template
    Use the Community Assessment Project Template provided.

    • Type your responses directly into the template. Do not enter your work into the instruction document.

    • Complete all required sections. Use full sentences and professional language.

    Step 5: Optional – Include Visuals
    If appropriate and safe, take a few photos of key community features (e.g., housing, public spaces, signage). These can help support your assessment visually. Include them at the end of your template or in an appendix if permitted.

    Step 6: Review and Revise

    • Run spell check and grammar review in MS Word.

    • Make sure your sentences flow logically and you’ve addressed each area listed in the survey instructions.

    • Keep the tone professional, observant, and objective. Avoid assumptions or judgments.

    Final Tip: Start early! This is Part 1 of a larger pro

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