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Family Health Assessment Overview

•  Family Health Assessment OverviewDescribe the family structure. Include individuals and any relevant attributes defining the family composition, race/ethnicity, social class, spirituality, and environment.
• Summarize the overall health behaviors of the family. Describe the current health of the family.
• Based on your findings, describe at least two of the functional health pattern strengths noted in the findings.
• Discuss three areas in which health problems or barriers to health were identified?
• Your assignment must include an eco-map and a genogram – as shown in the required textbook.

Family Health Assessment Overview

1. What is the family structure including composition race/ethnicity social class spirituality and environment?,

2. What are the family’s overall health behaviors?,

3. What is the current health status of the family?,

4. What are two functional health pattern strengths?,

5. What are three health problems or barriers identified?

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🔹 Comprehensive General Response:

Family Structure

The family assessed consists of five members: two parents (mother and father in their mid-40s), two children (ages 17 and 10), and a paternal grandmother (age 71). They identify as African American and live in an urban neighborhood with moderate socioeconomic status. The father works full-time as a bus operator, while the mother is a part-time teacher’s aide pursuing an associate degree. The family practices Christianity and regularly attends church, which plays a central role in their social support network. They reside in a rented duplex in a community with moderate access to healthcare services, public transportation, and grocery stores.

Overall Health Behaviors

The family demonstrates moderate health awareness. Meals are prepared at home and are generally balanced, although fast food is often consumed due to the parents’ work schedules. The children participate in physical activity through school programs, while the adults report limited exercise. The family avoids smoking and excessive alcohol use, though the grandmother occasionally uses herbal remedies not always disclosed to providers. Preventive care is pursued inconsistently—children receive annual checkups, while the parents seek care primarily for acute issues.

Current Health of the Family

The overall health of the family is stable but with areas of concern. The father has controlled hypertension, while the grandmother has type 2 diabetes and early signs of osteoarthritis. The mother reports chronic stress and fatigue. The children are healthy, with occasional allergies and mild asthma in the younger child. Mental health is not openly discussed, although stress and anxiety are evident in the mother and older child, especially related to school and financial pressures.

Functional Health Pattern Strengths

1. Strong Family Support System: Emotional support among members is evident. The family often gathers for meals and church, promoting cohesion and mutual care.

2. Health-Conscious Parenting: Despite time constraints, the parents emphasize medical appointments and health education for the children, including teaching about nutrition and hygiene.

Health Problems or Barriers Identified

1. Limited Access to Preventive Care: Adults tend to delay routine checkups due to work hours and perceived lack of time, leading to reactive rather than proactive health management.

2. Nutritional Challenges: Due to busy schedules, fast food is a convenient option, impacting the father’s hypertension and the grandmother’s diabetes management.

3. Mental Health Stigma: Emotional well-being is not openly addressed. Stress symptoms are present but unacknowledged, especially in the mother and teenage child, who may benefit from counseling or support services.

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🔹 Eco-Map and Genogram

You are required to submit a visual eco-map and genogram for this assignment.

Since I can’t draw them for you directly in this chat, here’s how you can create them manually or with online tools:

✅ Eco-Map Instructions:

• Place the family unit (circle labeled “family”) at the center.

• Draw lines to outside systems (e.g., school, church, work, healthcare, community centers).

• Use:

  • Solid lines for strong positive relationships.

  • Dotted lines for weak/tenuous relationships.

  • Jagged lines for stressful/conflicted relationships.

✅ Genogram Instructions:

• Chart at least three generations if possible.

• Use standard symbols:

  • Square = male

  • Circle = female

  • Horizontal line between = marriage

  • Vertical line = children

  • X through a symbol = deceased

• Include health history (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma).

Tools to Use:

• Lucidchart or Canva (search for “genogram” or “eco-map” templates).

• Microsoft Word/PowerPoint with SmartArt.

• Hand-drawn on paper and scanned/uploaded.

Family Health Assessment Overview