Monday, May 25, 2020
Sigificance Of The Apollo 11 Mission - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1773 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/08/15 Category Statistics Essay Level High school Tags: Apollo 11 Essay Did you like this example? Apollo 11On May 25, 1961, John F. Kennedy set the goal of landing the first men on the moon. This began project Apollo. The men who served on the project were brave, determined men. The project faced many obstacles including Apollo 1, where every soul was lost. But through all the challenges, mistakes were learned from, making the Apollo 11 mission successful. The men on Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, are examples of true American heroes; alongside the rest of the astronauts. Mission goals       Apollo 11 was to be the first manned mission to the moon. This, however, was not their only objective. In addition, they would perform scientific exploration, transmit radio waves to earth, place seismic monitors, and collect lunar rock samples (Apollo 11 mission overview). Indeed this mission would not only be a great success, but it would also pave the way for future space travel and more moon landings. The Previous Missions       Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Sigificance Of The Apollo 11 Mission" essay for you Create order Apollo 1 was supposed to be the first manned Apollo mission. However, on January 27, 1967, during a preflight test, a fire broke out in the command module. This killed the entire crew (Apollo Missions). The cause of the casualties was later determined to be from a faulty door that trapped the crew. Even though this was a tragic accident it possibly saved many future lives. After NASA found the problem, they were able to fix it so it wouldnt happen again.        Apollo 7 was a test of the command module and the service module (Apollo Missions). The crew launched from Kennedy Space Center on October 11, 1968, and they returned on October 22, 1968. The tests ran as planned, except for a few minor bumps. Shortly after takeoff, one of the crew members developed a cold, and the rest of the crew soon caught the cold. This caused some concern with wearing helmets during reentry because the pressure of sneezing might blow out their eardrums.       Apollo 8 was a test of the communication and path correction systems (Apollo Missions). Apollo 8s other objective was to orbit the moon. On the morning of December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 launched. On December 24, Apollo 8 allowed the first humans to see the dark side of the moon. Then on December 27, Apollo 8 reentered the Earths Atmosphere and was picked up by the USS Yorktown.       Apollo 9 had the final test mission. Its task was to test the lunar lander. To do this, they would maneuver it in space and redock to the command module (Apollo Missions). On March 3, 1969, Apollo 9 launched from Kennedy Space Center. Schweickart, the crews lunar module pilot, was supposed to have an EVA, leave the spacecraft to test the external rescue techniques. This was canceled though due to nausea. This luckily was the only dilemma the crew faced on the mission.        Apollo 10 was the last mission before Apollo 11. On May 18, 1969, Apollo 10 launched. The goal was to fully simulate the Apollo 11 mission except for the actual landing (Apollo Missions). Instead of landing they started the decent, but before they touched down, they fired the return rockets and docked to the command module. Scary Moments        For Apollo 11, everything went smoothly until the actual landing came. As soon as the lunar lander separated from the command module the problems came. When the LM separated, communications immediately got fuzzy and at times went out. But that wasnt the only problem, during the decent an alarm went off. The alarm was basically saying that the computer had too much to do, so it would shut down and restart. Back on the ground, Houston was scrambling to figure the alarm out. Houston said to go on, but this wasnt the last of their problems (Pyle). As Armstrong and Aldrin got closer, they realized they had overshot the landing zone and the area around them was full of craters. Realizing this, Armstrong leveled off and searched for a level place to land. Armstrong located a level patch, but their fuel was running short. At about 100 ft off the ground, Houston radioed that they had 60 seconds of fuel left, and abortion was considered. At about 10 ft they were down to 30 seconds, but finally, the Eagle landed. Even though they had landed their troubles didnt stop. Houston detected a high amount of pressure in the left fuel line. It seemed as though the coldness of the lunar landscape had seeped in and made an ice blockage (Pyle). As Houston considered what to do, the heat from the engine melted the ice and the problem was solved. After 3 hours of post landing checks, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were ready to set foot on the moon. They started to depressurize the module. When the pressure monitor read 0, they tried to open the door. For some reason the door wouldnt open. The pressure in the cabin was still too much to open. Aldrin resorted to peeling the door back. Finally they could leave, however as Armstrong was climbing out his backpack snapped off the engine arming switch. This was fixed by Armstrong who used a ballpoint pen to flip the lever.Accomplishments        Apollo 11 was obviously the first mission to land on the moon, but that wasnt all they did. While they were there, they collected soil and rock samples. They also took color photos and planted the American flag. During the 2 ? hours they were there, they conducted experiments too. These included experiments on the soil, the surface, and the solar winds (Apollo 11). The Astronauts        Neil A. Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930. At the age of 2, he developed a fascination with flying after his father took him to the national flying competition in Cincinnati. It grew even more after his first flight (Biographies of the Apollo 11 Astronauts).       He received a scholarship from the Navy and enrolled at Purdue University. In 1950 he got called into active service, and he became an aviator flying missions off of the USS Essex. After the war, Neil became a test pilot and engineer for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, for 15 years. Then in 1962, Neil became an astronaut during the second round of the NASA selection process. His first space flight was Gemini 8, the missions leading up to Apollo. During the mission, they were supposed to link up to the previous mission. The link up went okay. But after the two ships linked, they started to roll out of control. He saved the flight by unlinking and using the retro rockets to correct their course ( biographies of the Apollo 11 Astronauts).  Due to these incidents where he showed leadership, he was chosen to be the commander of Apollo 11 and the first man on the moon. After Neil landed back on Earth, he was greeted with ticker tape parades a nd the Medal of Freedom, the highest award a civilian can receive. After he left NASA, he became a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Then unfortunately on August 25, 2012, he died of complications from a cardiovascular bypass surgery. Edwin (Buzz) E. Aldrin was born on January 20, 1930. He Attended the US Military Academy at West Point, and he entered the airforce. He was sent to Korea where he flew F-68s (biographies of the Apollo Astronauts). Then during 1963, he was selected in the third round pick to become an astronaut. His first mission was on Gemini 12, it was a four day and fifty-nine revolution flight. He was a key member of the Gemini project because he helped to solve the problem of linking up in space.        Buzz Aldrin was the lunar lander pilot for the Apollo 11 flight. He was the second man on the moon. Buzz stepped foot on the moons surface 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong. After he left NASA, he returned to the air force for one more year before retiring.         Michael Collins was born on October 30, 1930, in Rome, Italy. Prior to joining NASA, he was a test and fighter pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, California. He was then selected during the third round of the NASA astronaut selection process. He piloted the 10 Gemini mission, and he became the third American to perform a space walk (Biographies of the Apollo 11 Astronauts). On the Apollo 11 flight, he was the command module pilot. His role would be to remain with the command module in lunar orbit. In 1970, he left NASA and became Assistant Secretary of State of Public Affairs. Later he joined the Smithsonian Institute as the Director of the Air and Space Museum (Biographies of the Apollo 11 Astronauts). Today he is an aerospace consultant and writer. He has written several books about his experiences and space. The Legacy        In 2009, the National Air and Space Museum held a gala in honor of the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11. The speakers included every Apollo 11 astronaut (Redd). Later when the astronauts offered autographs, the line stretched across the entire museum floor. President George Bush announced that in honor of the 40th anniversary the U.S.A would go back to the moon; unfortunately we have not yet realized that promise. Sadly 3 years later Neil Armstrong passed away. Now with the 50th anniversary, semicentennial, approaching in 2019, many special events will take place. The US Mint is preparing a special 50th anniversary coin to mark the occasion. The National Air and Space Museum is redoing its moon exhibit in honor of this anniversary (Redd). In addition, for the first time since 1971, the Columbia Spacecraft, the triangular part that sat atop the command module, is going on tour with stops in Houston, St. Lewis, Pittsburgh, and Seattle. CONCLUSION This year, the remaining astronauts, Buzz and Michael, will turn 88. As astronauts age and pass away, we must keep their memory and legacy alive. What they did, not only made America the leader in space, but united the world and connected nations. Today there is an International Space Station, where many countries live and work together. What they did on the moon not only was a great accomplishment, but fulfilled dreams. They helped us find out more about who we are, our place in the universe. They lead the way for millions who looked up to them and wanted to be just like them, inspiring many to shoot for their stars and be determined to reach their goals. Indeed they were just men and they didnt do it all on their own, but they were brave, determined, and courageous. They didnt do it for the fame and rewards.  They had a dream and were gutsy enough to get in a rocket, launch themselves up into space, and land on the moon, with no guarantee of being able to mak e it back alive. These astronauts were heroes who made this country and world proud. The Apollo 11 mission was the crown jewel of the Space Race and will always be remembered throughout history.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Too Much to Bear in The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Too Much to Bear The things I carry are both figurative and literal. I carry a pen, a pencil, a textbook or two, and paper. I carry memories, experiences, pain, guilt, cowardice, love and happiness. In the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, O’Brien centralizes on why people carry what they do, physical or not. To be honest, I carry what I do because I must. If I don’t carry that one textbook that one day, I’ll regret it. If I forget what it was like have my first icecream cone, what if felt like the instant my mouth froze up and the inside of my head pounded so loudly I almost screamed, I will be less of who I am today. What I carry defines me. In the novel, the tangible and intangible loads the soldiers carry define them; such as Lt. Crosss who carry’s a picture of and intangible feelings for Martha. What the soldiers burdened themselves with was largely determined, emotionally or physically, was by necessity. The tangible objects depicted in the book are especially relevant. The author’s style of writing is very elaborate only because he wants the readers to discern sympathy towards the soldiers. The author tells us about the weight of the objects each of the soldiers carry to supplement our overall total lasting impression. O’Brien says in the first chapter, he recounts the literal objects each soldier carried. â€Å"As PFCs or Spec 4s, most of them were common grunts and carried the standard M-16 gas-operated assault rifle. The weapon weighed 7.5 poundsShow MoreRelatedThe Things They Carried Questions1139 Words  | 5 Pagesâ€Å"The Things They Carried†Questions a) The main topic of this novel is burdens. O’Brien is writing about what burdens the soldiers and he had to carry throughout war, physically and emotionally. One way I know is because of the title- â€Å"The Things They Carried.†This title almost summarizes the whole book. O’Brien frequently showed and explained the burdens that were inner conflicts of his and outer conflicts too. In the chapter â€Å"The things They Carried,†O’Brien showed an emotional burdenRead MoreThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brien1579 Words  | 7 Pageslasting of the numerous burdens placed upon them. When soldiers knowingly carry these burdens into a war zone, it is so a majority of people can live life free from violence and destruction. Strong underlying metaphor is prevalent in Tim O’Brien’s Novel The Things They Carried. Metaphor is used throughout the text of the book to create a sense of understanding or to convey a different meaning than the text originally suggests. This allows the reader to more fully relate to the soldier’s experiences onRead MoreThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brien1377 Words  | 6 PagesTyler Nooney Trafford P.6 The Things They Carried Essay The central theme and true meaning of courage is shown vividly in numerous instances throughout Tim O’Brien’s classic novel The Things They Carried. O’Brien’s novel begins with the courage of coming of age, along with the author’s loss of his innocence. Tim, the protagonist of this novel, goes through an incredible change in belief when he must choose to either run away from the Vietnam War or unwillingly join the bloody battle, of which heRead More Courage and Cowardice in The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien902 Words  | 4 PagesCourage and Cowardice in The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien Through The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien moves beyond the horror of fighting in the Vietnam War to examine with sensitivity and insight the nature of courage and fear. Included, is a collection of interrelated stories. A few of the stories are brutal, while others are flawed, blurring the distinction between fact and fiction. All the stories, however, deal with one platoon. Some are about the wartime experiences of soldiers, andRead MoreBeyond The Things They Carried1210 Words  | 5 PagesBeyond the Things They Carried The Vietnam War began in 1954, consisting of many extensive, horrific years of battle that seemed to create more harm to the United States and its soldiers rather than to North Vietnam. The 500,000 United States military personnel returned home with the loss of the war and the loss of their friends on their minds. Although the physical and emotional experiences that the men went through is unfathomable, Tim O’Brien does a great job portraying what life as a soldierRead MoreWounds Endured in The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien 704 Words  | 3 Pages Tim O’Brien brings the Vietnam War back to life in The Things They Carried (1990) and elucidates the wounds suffered by soldiers during and after the war. The three main characters in this novel that exemplify the physical, social, and emotional wounds are Tim O’Brien, Norman Bowker, and Mark Fossie. These men go through immense pain both during and after the war, which is not easy to heal . During the war, many soldiers get injured, incapacitated, and/or killed; thusRead More Tim OBriens The Things They Carried Essay735 Words  | 3 PagesTim OBriens The Things They Carried Culture teaches that men must dispense of ridiculous emotions and remain firm, following expected duties. O’Brien develops this theme of the transition from youth to manhood in his short story, â€Å"The Things They Carried.†Through the protagonist Jimmy Cross, metaphors of weight, and futile ideas of freedom, O’Brien reveals how society expects young men in transition to adulthood to let go of impractical idealism and dwell instead on the cruel reality of theRead MoreThe Things They Carried’ by Tim O’Brien Essay1233 Words  | 5 Pages‘The Things They Carried’ by Tim O’Brien provides a insider’s view of war and its distractions, both externally in dealing with combat and internally dealing with the reality of war and its effect on each solder. The story, while set in Vietnam, is as relevant today with the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as it was in the 1960’s and 1970’s in Southeast Asia. With over one million soldiers having completed anywhere from one to three tours in combat in the last 10 years, the real conflict mightRead MoreThe Struggle of Weight in Tim OBriens The Things They Carried1315 Words  | 6 Pagesof Weight in Tim OBriens The Things They Carried The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the word weight as a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported. Tim OBriens war story The Things They Carried, published in 1990, explores the theme of weight and its importance to men at war in considerable depth. The opening chapter of this book, which was originally written as a short story, is comprised of a collection of lists. OBrien details for hisRead More Necessity in The Things They Carried Essay2336 Words  | 10 PagesNecessity in The Things They Carried Necessity is a rather slippery concept in terms of definition. The notion of what an individual requires for his or her survival varies with the particular situation at any given time. These needs may intensify or become distorted as one finds himself in an increasingly dangerous situation, particularly a life-and-death one such as war. Such dire circumstances may provoke in an average person feelings of extreme vulnerability, and the desire to hold on
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Importance of Customer Service Essay example - 578 Words
Importance of Customer Service Introduction Today’s organizations fail to realize the value of their customers when it comes to the success of their business. Without customer loyalty the success of your business will always be uncertain. Organizations must sensitively tailor the designs of a successful firm to the particular challenges of understanding, attracting, and keeping valuable customers. â€Å"Having satisfied customers just aren’t good enough†. Kenneth Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles, co-authors of Raving Fans, believe this concept is needed to have a successful business. I agree with this concept of customers being the focal point of any business. I would want more than just a satisfied customer; I want a â€Å"Raving Fan†.†¦show more content†¦Discover What the Customer Wants After creating your vision, try to discover what the customer wants or what their vision is. The customer will focus on just one or two things and it will be up to you to fill in the gap with your vision. You will then pick and choose which ideas you want to use to complete or build up your vision. Not every idea of the customer will be used or has to be used. Some ideas may not be feasible or even applicable to what you have envisioned. Deliver the Vision Plus One Percent This is where the vision becomes reality; make it happen just as you envisioned it. Work out the bugs and keep doing what ever it takes to make this vision come alive. Start out with something small that you know you can maintain and be consistent with it. Once you have mastered that idea, add to it, make it better by just one percent. Continue to do this with each new idea, always producing better ideas by one percent. This way the customer is not promised something that you will not deliver and you’re not promising something too big or complex to consistently follow through with. Consistency is critical; it creates credibility. Conclusion I have always believed customers are the focal point of any business. I found that having satisfied customers does not mean you are doing a good job. It may mean the customers are satisfied because their expectations are so low and there is no one else doing any better. HavingShow MoreRelatedImportance of customer service1014 Words  | 5 PagesIntroductionNowadays, many medium sized service companies have appeared in our market society. What factors have led them to success? Of course, the most important one is doing as best as they can on customer service. Customer service is not only a quick table wipe and a glass of ice water. There are many mechanisms to control it. In this essay, I am going to describe the importance of customer service, and then I am going to talk about how customer service works in the system. Follow that I wantRead MoreThe Importance Of Customer Service For A Banking Facility Essay2571 Words  | 11 PagesThe Importance of Customer Service in A Ban k How many of us have walked into a banking facility and not received the customer service we expected to receive, plus the questions/problems we had were not answered/solved. We walked out disappointed and probably did not want to come back again; some customers even take into consideration in switching to another bank that offers better customer service and answers/resolves their questions/problems in a timely manner. While other customers actually doRead MoreThe Importance of Providing Quality Customer Service in Todays Economy1101 Words  | 5 Pagesofferings, providing quality customer service is more important than ever for maintaining and growing a company. Providing quality customer service has a much more defined meaning and is different from providing exceptional customer service. Exceptional customer service is usually fulfilling a customers needs based on one particular instance that may or may not be repeated. Providing quality customer service means meeting the mater ial as well as the emotional needs of a customer before, during and afterRead MoreQuestionnaire And Questionnaire On Customer Requirements Essay1527 Words  | 7 Pages4.1. Identify customer requirements The customer is given a questionnaire and their responses are recorded in their own languages. SMEs may not immediately have knowledge or action plans to meet the customer demands, but the requirements need to be documented in the same way that it was delivered by the customers. After which the CRs can be organized hierarchically with no limit on the number of the hierarchical levels [3]. 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Research findings suggest that consumers considerRead MoreProgress Report on My Execution of Duties in the Customer Service Department from 1 June -31 August, 20111256 Words  | 6 PagesPROGRESS REPORT ON MY EXECUTION OF DUTIES IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FROM 1 JUNE -31 AUGUST, 2011 SUBMITTED BY Sekelagha mkangama SEPTEMBER, 2011 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report gives an account of the progress that I have made in execution of duties in my assignment in the Customer Service Department during the first three months that I have covered in my position as a management trainee, effective 1st June, 2011. The report starts by giving a brief background of the branch programRead MoreSample Resume : Customer Service Training Proposal Essay1676 Words  | 7 Pages Customer Service Training Proposal For GetYourStuff.com 43 North East Street, Campbell Submitted to: Daniel Joseph Director-Customer Service Submitted by: Stephen Josh Team Lead-Customer Service Read MoreCustomer Service Process Of Customer Loyalty And Their Retention851 Words  | 4 PagesCustomer service is the process of interacting with the customers and the companies to understand the customers’ demands and queries. The customer service is there for each top restaurant who wants to provide a better dining experience to their customers and to get feedbacks from them (Huemer and Setzer, 2011). The customer service helps the company or the restaurants to understand the needs and demands of its customers. By doing that, the company can retain their customers who become loyal to theRead MoreThe Importance Of Physical Environment And Service Quality1424 Words  | 6 PagesIntroduction The importance of the physical environment and service quality is considerably addressed in the tourism and hospitality management literature. Due to the intense competition for customers in these industries, various researchers have conducted studies on how to attract and retain the customers in these organisations. Indeed, the quality of the service delivered to a consumer plays a fundamental role in shaping and manipulating the consumers’ satisfaction. Services related firms for instanceRead MoreBus 430 Assignment 2: Inventory Management1369 Words  | 6 Pages(2) manufacturing or two (2) service companies that manage inventory and complete this assignment. Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you: 1. Determine the types of inventories these companies currently manage and describe their essential inventory characteristics. 2. Analyze how each of their goods and service design concepts are integrated. 3. Evaluate the role their inventory plays in the company’s performance, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. 4. Compare and
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Community Field Report Government and Relevant Stakeholders
Question: Describe about the Community Field Report for Government and Relevant Stakeholders. Answer: Background Despite the fact that there have been a lot of attention on obesity, the prevalence and incidence rates of this disorder are continually increasing. According to State of Obesity (2016), the prevalence rate for obesity in Florida has increased by 18.4% from 2000 yet 11.4% increase is noted from 11.4%. Merely based on these statistics, it is apparent that there have been a tremendous change in the demographics of Orange County since 2010 in contrast to previous years, but generally, the general population has increased by an average that is more than twice fold that of the national average (TownCharts, 2016). Stokes (2013) suggests that obesity will become a continuous cycle that will persist if the adult population does not adopt the right living strategies to lay an example for their juniors. Orange County is among the counties in Florida gravely affected by high rates of obesity, which are associated with poor socio-economic status, poor education, and lack of exercise. Yet, indivi duals in Orange County have a 97.8% access to exercise opportunities (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation cited in Health behaviors, 2016). Thereby, this report discusses obesity among the minority Hispanic and Blacks populations by identifying and addressing factors that potentially predispose them to obesity. Community Description, Orange County Orange County is at the heart of Florida County at the midpoint between Jacksonville and Miami. It consists of 13 municipalities and covers an area of 1,004 square miles. On the north, Orange County is bordered by Seminole County and Osceola County on the south. Lake County borders it on the west while Brevard County is on the east (Orange County Government Florida, 2016).- In comparison to other counties in Florida, the demographics data that was released in 2015 indicated that Orange county had the highest population at 1,200, 240 as indicated in appendix 1. This population has exponentially grown by 12.4% since 2010 and is largely attributed to migration. The whites make up the largest portion of the population at 69% while the African American account for 22.2% of this population, and the Hispanic/Latinos make up 29.2%. The Blacks and Hispanics are a minority group that does not have adequate resources at its disposable to support good health; thence, this report aims to focus on these two groups of people. The Hispanics, also referred to as the Latinos make up 26.9% of the population in Orange County while Non-Hispanic Blacks make up 19.5% as shown in the figure below (Orange County Government Florida, 2016). Adapted from Orange County (2016) Population Affected Since the Hispanics and the blacks are three times poorer than the whites, it is also likely that they are not able to access health care facilities; hence, high rates of poor health including high obesity rates. According to the Community Health Needs Assessment (2013) report, there has been an increase in vegetable and fruit consumption in all population groups of Orange County as well as a stability vis--vis a reduction in sedentary lifestyles, binge drinking, and smoking in the previous three years from the time the report was prepared. Nonetheless, the prevalence of obesity in Orange County as part of the tri-county region in Florida increased since 2010. According to a report by Community Commons (2015), 23.5% of adults from the age of 20 years had a BMI of more than 30.0 as shown below. Despite the fact that obesity continues to be an issue in Orange County, based on the map below, the initiatives that have been set up within the country have helped to maintain it at levels of less than 26.1%. In reference to this report by Community Commons (2015), the report area helps to give a tentative picture of the situation in Orange County. Based on this report area as shown below, the decline in obesity is evident and more males than female seem to be affected by obesity. Health Inequity Stratton (2013) indicates that there is economic misery among the minority populations by indicating a study that reveals variation in distribution of resources among the various races within Orange County, Florida. Whereas the blacks and Hispanics wallow in high poverty levels and unemployment, the whites sail in riches and occupy the wealthiest areas of the county. Despite the fact that there has been documentation of the strikingly wide gap in income, education, and living standards among the different ethnic groups, interventions have not adequately addressed this issue. Thereby, I intend to bridge this gap by offering mobile health promotion services as outlined in my action plan later in this paper. This will help to increase accessibility to health care because lack of health insurance is an inhibiting factor to accessing health care despite the Healthy People recommendation for 100% health care insurance coverage (Community health needs assessment, 2013). According to State of Obesity (2014), less nutritious and calorie-dense foods are cheaper and affordable to low-income and poverty stricken populations. In addition low-income households are food insecure and less likely to access the healthier and expensive foods. In the article, Bill can shower food deserts with nutrition (2015), low-income populations at the national and county levels have the same fate. Based on this information, the low-income neighborhoods are clustered in areas where supermarkets and fresh produce groceries and related stores are not available. In one study, only 8% of the African Americans lived in areas that had a supermarket in close proximity (State of Obesity, 2014). Also, most of the advertisements in these low-income neighborhoods are of high-calorie foods that are low nutritional value. The inequities in prevalence and influencing factors of obesity matter because of the associated effects of obesity. According to the State of Obesity (2014), the medical costs associated with preventable diseases, such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and renal disease, could be avoided if measures to promote equitable distribution of resources were put in place. On an annual basis, the health care system is burdened with $23.9 billion, which could otherwise be reduced or avoided if healthy strategies to attain the recommended weights in relation to height are set in place. Health Concern Obesity is a predominant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease due to the close link between obesity and hypercholesterolemia and high blood pressure (Obesity, 2005). According to Healthy People 2020 (2016), good nutrition, healthy body weight, and physical activity are predecessors of obesity, which is an essential element of an individuals overall health. The Health People 2020 (2016) note that a large percentage of the American population, and especially those from lower-income households, minority population groups, and neighborhoods referred to as food deserts as described below are not able to maintain a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and an active lifestyle. Measures Underway In 2012, a Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP) model was used as part of a Community Health Improvement Plan in Orange County (CHIP) (2012-2015 Orange County, 2012). Whereas this plan is meant to determine the Community needs of the community on a general perspective, there are limited specific strategies or interventions used to address specific issues. In reference to obesity as indicated in this report, objectives were laid down that were to be achieved by the end of last year, but data in this is not available. Since one of the objectives was to determine the barriers of engaging in physical activity despite the availability of recreational facilities noted in Central Florida (2016) where individuals can exercise, I will review these barriers and engage the community in resolving them. I intend to use the community groups to encourage engagement in physical activity. The Florida Department of Health (2014) indicates a myriad of initiatives that the department of health within the country have formulated and engaged in to improve the health status of the people in Orange County. The various models used to improve health status have an impact on obesity in one way or another since it is highlighted as one of the major risk factors for chronic diseases. Since education on nutrition is conducted among the individuals in Orange County, I will gather information on the topics that have been covered in my target population and focus on what has not been taught. In an annual report by Florida Department of Health (2014), documentation of the 12 domains of public health accreditation (PHA) health within Orange County was formulated. All the twelve domains of health that were prepared during this time are relevant to obesity, but in reference to this 2013 report, much of the focus was on communicable issues unlike non-communicable ones like obesity. Since the platform in reference to the 12 domains has already being laid down, I will develop an action plan that seeks to utilize the current data on assessment and disparity in resources to develop a health promotion program aimed to educate and encourage the adoption of a healthy lifestyle while integrating evidence-based practices. In this way, I will help to attain the objectives linked to the 12 domains of PHA. Orange County is part of the Central Florida Community Benefit Collaboration as a move to aid in the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that stipulates the need for a Community Health Needs Assessment once in three years (Community Health Needs Assessment, 2013). The DOH in Orange County appreciates evidence-based interventions through continuous clinical trials and research that helps to improve health service delivery, increase access to health, contain cost, and enhance the sustainability of relevant programs (Florida Department of Health, 2015). This 2015 report indicates that the DOH is aimed at improving the quality of foods accessed by all individuals through reduction of artificial fats and added sugars in the foods. Some entrepreneurs have thought of mobile food markets to increase the availability of the less nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods that have limited access to groceries and supermarkets (see appendix 2). Breen (2015) gives the example of the Lynx bus, which instead of ferrying individuals and goods, has been transformed into a mobile grocery store that increases availability of these fruits and vegetables. Whereas the move was not linked to nutrition, it will be integrated in my action plan as noted below. Outcome Identification The program aims to achieve the benefits associated obesity reduction as described by Ross and Bradshaw (2009). Successful outcomes will include weight loss by at least 5%, reduced waistlines and visceral fat, which are preceding risk factors for cardio-metabolic disorders, by more than 10% and consumption of healthy balanced meals with the recommended portions of the different nutrients. Planning Population Focused Objectives To increase the knowledge level of the Hispanics and the blacks regarding the constituents of a healthy lifestyle To steer the formation of community support groups through which members can mobilize resources and use them for their benefit, for example, raising money to buy vegetables in bulk at a cheaper price and equally distributing them among the members. Nurse Focused Objectives Provide 2-hour education for two weeks on pertinent topics on obesity by liaising with the department of health Use community groups to indulge in healthy living practices I will form partnerships right from beginning after formulating my objectives, activities to be accrued out and the indicators of success, as I will prepare a presentation. This presentation will be my ticket for lobbying for funds from the different stakeholders that I will target to be involved in my program. These stakeholders will include, but not limited to community organizations, the department of health, institutions of health within the area, and NGOs since they have been involved in similar programs as noted by Building a healthy Parramore (2011), as an example. I will liaise with the main suppliers so that they can supply fresh vegetables and fruits to the individuals at friendlier prices compared to prices of retailer stores. The individuals will make the purchases in bulk through the support groups, and each member will make a fair contribution for this cause. Nonetheless, the buses will continue to supply to individuals within the neighborhoods. Just like Beatty, Harris , and Barnes (2010) note, working with these partners is critical to the project. Activity Time Activity Indicators 1/9/2016-15/9/2016 excluding weekends Enrollment of individuals and households into the program -Number of participants in the register database 17/9/2016 30/9/2016 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm Education by nutritionists, doctors, and psychologists Knowledge levels using questionnaires Attendance rates Attrition rates 1/10/2016-15/10/2016 Formation of Community support groups Number of community support groups 16/10/2016-30/10/2016 MOU between the mobile market vendors and community support groups -Servings of vegetables in the households 1/11/2016 8.00 am to 5.00 pm Walk to mark the end of the program Number of participants Evaluation Using the planning objectives and the timeline as guides, I will formulate a questionnaire to help me evaluate my action plan in relation to progress and outcomes as recommended by Taylor, Purdue, Wilson, and Wilde (2015). I will periodically conduct surveys to obtain data, which I will analyze and using a pre-post design at different intervals, determine the effects of the program at different time intervals, as noted in the Community Tool Box (2016). After advertising the program and delineation of participation criteria, followed by enrolment, I will carry out a baseline survey from the people who will take part in the program (Chappelle, 2014). I will leave enrolment open so that individuals wishing to join the program as it progresses can do so after a short assessment. I will monitor the progress of the program by determining the number of participants in relation to the entire population in a neighborhood. Increase in the number of participants will mean that the program has a positive effect on the community; thus, they are ready to give their time to achieve success and sustainability of the program. Attrition rates will indicate a converse scenario, and a need to modify the program. I will determine the success of the program by determining the knowledge levels, weight loss, taking waist line measurement, and assessing the quality of meals in relation to balance and proportions of the different foods. Conclusion Often, people tend to think that the government and relevant stakeholders do not give adequate attention to their plight. In reference to Orange County where there are no grocery stores and deemed as a food desert, the government is trying to develop ideas. The major challenge is usually in its implementation phase due to the availability of several recommendations made on how to address issues, but which are met with little or no groundwork. By addressing the gaps in the interventions that are already underway in Hispanic and Black neighborhoods, I aim to contribute towards alleviating the obesity issue among the minority populations in Orange County, FL. References Beatty, K., Harris, J K., Barnes, P. A. (2010). The role of interorganizational partnerships in health services provision among rural, suburban, and urban local health departments. The Journal of Rural Health, 26(3), 248-258. Bill can shower food deserts with nutrition. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-food-deserts-legislation-20150422- story.html. Breen, D. (2015). This famers markets on wheels, bringing produce to food deserts. Retrieved from https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-orange- rolling-farmers-market-20150110-story.html. Building a healthy Parramore: A call to action to reduce childhood obesity. (2011). Retrieved from https://www.rockfl.org/sites/default/files/documents/ROCK- Building_a_Healthy_Parramore.pdf. Central Florida celebrates 2016 healthiest weight community champions. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.cityoforlando.net/news/2016/02/central-florida-celebrates-2016- healthiest-weight-community-champions/. Chappelle, E. (2014). Establishing a baseline as part of your evaluation. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/pubs/docs/cb_jan2014.pdf. Community Commons. (2015). Community health needs assessment: Advancing community health and well being. Retrieved from https://assessment.communitycommons.org/UserContents/CHNA_Contents/CHNA330 29RPT_11.pdf. Community Health Needs Assessment. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.floridahospital.com/sites/default/files/pdf/chna_with_interactive_toc.pdf. Community Tool Box. (2016). A framework for program evaluation: A gateway to tools. Retrieved from https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluation/framework- for-evaluation/main. Florida Department of Health-Orange County. (2014). Annual report-2014: Putting the pieces together. Retrieved from https://orange.floridahealth.gov/programs-and- services/community-health-planning-and-statistics/_documents/annual-report- 2014.pdf. Florida Department of Health, Orange County. (2015). 2015 Annual report. 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Retrieved fromhttps://www.orangecountyfl.net/Portals/0/resource%20library/families%20- %20health%20-%20social%20svcs/Community%20Assessment.pdf. Orange County, Florida. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.city- data.com/county/Orange_County-FL.html. Ross, R., Bradshaw, A. J. (2009). The future of obesity reduction: Beyond weight loss. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5, 319-325. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2009.78. State of Obesity. (2014). Obesity prevention in Black communities. Retrieved from https://stateofobesity.org/disparities/blacks/. State of Obesity. (2016). Adult Obesity. Retrieved from https://stateofobesity.org/states/fl/. Stokes, M. (2013). Obesity still high in Orange, Seminole. Seminole Voice. Retrieved from https://www.seminolevoice.com/news/2013/apr/17/obesity-still-high-orange- seminole/. Stratton, J. (2013). Study finds economic misery in minority neighborhoods. Retrieved from https://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-06-23/business/os-cfb-cover-poverty- clustering-20130623_1_unemployment-rates-poverty-rates-census. Taylor, M., Purdue, D., Wilson, M., Wilde, P. (2015). Evaluating community projects: A practical guide. 40 Water End, York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. TownCharts. (2016). Orange County, Florida demographics data. Retrieved from https://www.towncharts.com/Florida/Demographics/Orange-County-FL- Demographics-data.html#Figure19.
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