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POPULATION GROWTH

AND

HEALTH RISKS FOR ADULTS

TAMMY MARTIN

KAPLAN UNIVERSITY

POPULATION GROWTHADAPTING TO POPULATION GROWTH

INTRODUCTIONPopulation growth is on the rise. With the demands of millions of people

to feed, the increased need for housing, medical facilities, and

culturally diverse community services will be required. These

populations will have a higher demand for services that may not

already exist in a given neighborhood or community. Providing an

environment that has adopted community needs will be a challenge in

the near future.

DEMANDS OF POPULATION GROWTH IN JAMES CITY COUNTY, VIRGINIA

• Housing

• Diverse communities

• Increased population

• Community services

• Public Transportation

• Medical Treatment Centers

HOUSINGHere in Hampton Roads, Virginia there is a large population

of senior citizens that are living longer; with disease. There

is also a high population of visitors that vacation here

yearly, and visit the historical sites throughout the 7 cities

on the peninsula. It is home to William & Mary College;

which is the second oldest college in the nation.

Virginia Beach is overcrowded by vacationers. Housing will

need to increase in these areas. The remainder of the

population will need housing for families (Sentara

Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 2013). The housing

units in the year 2010 were 29,797; the estimated increase

in 2014 will be approximately 31, 742 homes. That is a

difference of almost 2000 homes in 4 years (Census, 2010).

DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Public transportationChurches and places

of Worship

Medical facilitiesWellness programs

Elderly Families

Diverse Cultures

Local and visiting

population

Educated and Low Income

The population increase will gradually increase over time. The senior population will increase by 13% and the adult population between the ages of 19-29, will grow. Groups in racial backgrounds will increase with a margin of 7-8% and the Hispanic population will grow from 5,973 to an estimated 6,597. The white population, which is predominate in James City County, Virginia is expected to grow from 114,561 to 125,103; an increase of 10,541 people which is 1,506 per year (Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 2013).

INCREASED POPULATION FOR WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA WHICH IS LOCATED IN JAMES CITY COUNTY

(Census, 2009-2014)

Estimated population in 2014 14,691Under age 5 years 3.1%Under age 18 years 10%Over age 65 years 13.45Female 52.9%Whites 74%Black or African American 14%Bachelor Degree 49.8%Veterans 957Household units 5176Median income $48,616Below poverty level 19.5%

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Williamsburg, Virginia offers daily public bus transportation. The buses run daily from 6:00am to 8:00pm. Limited hours

are provided on the weekends. This has been a problem for many who use the bus to get to work, shopping, etc. There

are many that work second and third shift hours and the transit is not available for them to get home (Williamsburg

Area Transit, 2015). There is also a train for public transportation that has daily trips from several of the surrounding

towns to Washington, D.C. There are 30 trains each day that transport approximately 20,000 passengers (DRPT, 2014).

The bus and train stations are located here in Williamsburg at the same location. The train stations always have many

people waiting to board and the buses are full during certain times of the day. There are also vacationers that frequently

use the buses to get around from each location.

MEDICAL TREATMENT CENTERSFortunately, there are many medical facilities here in James City County and the surrounding areas. Sentara

Medical Centers are found throughout the peninsula. There is also the Peninsula Health District which offers

beyond what a hospital entails. There are clinics that provide wellness, nutrition, and dental services. Some of

these services are free of charge and others are not. The Peninsula Health District also conducts surveillance of

disease which many times is reported by physicians, clinicians and hospitals (VDH, 2015). However, approximately

13,257 residents are underinsured or noninsured; 11,245 adults and 2011 children. This group is vulnerable to

poverty, affects the elderly and aging, and infant mortality (Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, 2013).

COMMUNITY SUGGESTIONS(Sentara, 2013)

• Behavioral services• Uninsured and Underinsured

health care• Aging services• Transportation improvement• Preventive health and wellness• Homeless Services

• Chronic pain services • Food safety and gardening• Cancer Services• Home care services• Job reentry training • Family planning

In conclusion, there are many aspects of this small community that are visited by

many tourists. There are ghost tours, historical downtown, hiking and biking trails,

and adventure for everyone. There are many beautiful beaches within a small radius

to enjoy. The population, inevitably, will expand and this community will make

adjustments to accommodate that population. Furthermore, the job market,

community health, and dietary and nutritional needs will all be a challenge for such

a small demographic location.

Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, ( 2013). Community Health Assessment. Pp 7, 9-10. Retrieved on 10/20/2015

from: http://www.Sentara.com/hamptonroads-Virginia/hospitalslocations

United States Census Bureau, (2010). People Quick Facts; Williamsburg, Virginia. Retrieved on 10/20/2015 from: http://quickfacts.census/qfd/states

United States Census Bureau, (2010). Quick Facts Beta; James City County , Virginia. Retrieved on 10/20/2015 from: http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table

Virginia Department of Health, (2015). Peninsula Health District. Retrieved on 10/20/2015 from: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/lhd/peinsula

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, (2014). Rail. Retrieved on 10/20/2015 from: http://wwww.drpt.Virginia.gov/rail/rail-overview

Williamsburg Area Transportation, (2015). Bus Routes. Retrieved on 10/20/2015 from: www.gowata.org/pages/busroutes.html

References