| Nursing is in a central position to assist in developing and maintaining community health. Nurses need to understand collaborative, community-focused efforts that effectively address health-related concerns in the cultural and environmental contexts of communities.;The purpose of this ethnographic study was to explore relationships among health, environment, culture, and health-related policy in one community. The sample consisted of 33 primary participants who live, work, worship or have family of origin in San Jose, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 40 secondary participants have time limited or single-issue exposure to the activities and concerns of the people of San Jose. Secondary participants also included adults with whom I had brief, but illuminating interactions. Data generation methods included interviewing, participant observation, artifact review, and photography. Interview transcripts and field notes were analyzed qualitatively to yield categories, domains, and themes.;Findings reported include domains and themes. Domains, or cultural symbols identified were: the children; it's our culture, crime, the environment, and experiences of politics and power. Cultural themes, or larger units of thought that were identified were: The Albuquerque San Jose Community Awareness Council, Inc. (Awareness Council) is a visible presence that has both internal (local) and external (official) validity and support. It is perceived as representing the community, advocating for the community, protecting the community, and promoting the future of the community (1) There is a persisting sense of community in San Jose; (2) There is an uncertain sense of the future of San Jose; (3) Community health is a multidimensional experience that can be described as quality of life from the perspective of the people who live there. One overarching, integrative theme emerged: In San Jose, sustainable community health embodies and reflects an empowerment process.;Findings that reflect the local history of this community highlight the emancipatory, yet ambiguous, process through which this community transformed individual symptoms of illness into an experience and examination of the community environment and community health. |
