In community health, what is the primary purpose of conducting a windshield survey?

The primary purpose of conducting a windshield survey is to observe community characteristics and needs. This method involves driving through a community to visually assess various aspects such as the physical environment, housing conditions, availability of amenities, and overall community health indicators. By directly observing these characteristics, public health professionals can gain insights into the strengths and challenges of the community, which is crucial for planning interventions and allocating resources effectively.

Windshield surveys allow healthcare professionals to tap into the context of community life, giving them a clearer understanding of social determinants of health that directly affect the population's wellbeing. This observational approach is particularly valuable because it captures real-time data and environmental factors that may not be reflected in written records or quantitative data alone.