NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 – Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 – Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities. Describe the impact of health disparities and SDOH on care outcomes. Explain the role of the community health nurse in addressing these SDOH. Describe how the community health nurse can advocate for practices to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 sample 1

Social determinants of health can affect families and communities. It determines the healthcare quality and service and health status of the families and people in the community. Suppose you notice that people who have higher pay jobs and who live in a safer environment are healthier than people who are in poverty. SDOH has five aspects that affect the family’s and community’s health that influence the quality of healthcare service and health status: Economic Stability, Education Access and Quality Economic, Health Care Access and Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and social and community Support.

First, Economic Stability is essential for care outcomes. A family with stable and steady jobs will have better healthcare than an unemployed family in poverty because a family in poverty cannot afford healthcare insurance. Second, Education Access and Quality can also affect the care outcome. People with higher education get better paying jobs, thus better opportunities for healthcare. Furthermore, people with higher education are less likely to live in poverty; therefore, they can afford healthy food and live in a safer environment. Third, Health Care Access and Quality are critical in care outcomes because, without healthcare access and quality, more people can get sick or develop diseases. For instance, families will not be able to have yearly check-ups and updated vaccinations that can prevent diseases. Fourth, Neighborhoods or Environments can affect care outcomes because of poor housing, environmental contaminants, and high crime rates. For example, poor housing can mean mold in the house that can affect the family’s lungs, environmental pollutants could be contaminated water or lack of clean water, and high crime can mean stress that can lead to heart disease, anxiety, depression, and suicide. Lastly, Social and Community support can reduce that negative impact on a person’s health.

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The contribution of the community health nurse to SDOH is vital. A community health nurse’s job is to collect all data and research on a population and identify risk factors, promote community health and safety, prevent infectious disease, and improve access to quality healthcare. Community health nurse can advocate practices to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion because some work for state health departments and federal and international public health agencies such as CDC and WHO and can influence state and federal agencies to change policies due to their findings and research.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Public Health Nursing.cdc.gov.https://www.cdc.gov/scienceambassador/documents/module-7-career-spotlight-infection-public-health-nurse.pdf NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 – Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

Social Determinants of Health – Healthy People 2030 | Health.gov.(n.d.).https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health

NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 SAMPLE 2

Topic 1 Discussion 1

Social determinants of health (SDOH) comprise factors beyond healthcare that affect individuals’ and communities’ health outcomes. These include socioeconomic status, education, employment, physical environment, access to healthcare, and social support. Socioeconomic status significantly impacts health, with poverty correlating to higher rates of chronic diseases and limited access to care. Education levels also influence health outcomes, affecting health literacy and lifestyle choices. Communities with higher educational attainment tend to have better health indicators due to increased health literacy, access to better job opportunities, and healthier lifestyle choices (Flaubert et al., 2021). Conversely, lower levels of education can lead to limited understanding of health information, higher rates of risky behaviors, and limited access to healthcare services. The physical environment, including housing conditions and neighborhood safety, impacts health. Communities with poor environments face higher risks of chronic diseases and mental health issues.
Health disparities stemming from SDOH contribute to unequal health outcomes among different population groups. Marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants, often face systemic barriers to accessing healthcare and experience higher rates of chronic diseases, infant mortality, and premature death compared to more privileged groups. Community health nurses address SDOH by assessing risks, collaborating with resources, and advocating for policies promoting health equity and social justice (Tiase et al., 2022). They provide education, partner with community organizations, and advocate for inclusive healthcare environments. Advocacy efforts include supporting policies addressing systemic inequities, promoting cultural competency, and fostering diversity in healthcare. Community health nurses aim to create healthier, more equitable communities for all.

References

Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Social determinants of health and health equity. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573923/

Tiase, V., Crookston, C. D., Schoenbaum, A., & Valu, M. (2022). Nurses’ role in addressing social determinants of health. Nursing, 52(4), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000823284.16666.96

NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 SAMPLE 3

Social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that influence individual and group outcomes in health status. These determinants are grouped into the following categories: economic stability, education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and environment, and social and community context (Social Determinants of Health – Healthy People 2030, n.d.).

Health disparities refer to the unequal distribution of environmental health hazards and access to health services among different demographic groups. SDOH play a significant role in creating these disparities. Factors such as poverty, employment, low-wage jobs, and crowded housing situations can contribute to health inequalities and poor health outcomes. For example individuals in some communities do not have access to preventative care which leads to long term health problems and negative outcomes. This leads to controllable diseases like diabetes going untreated and leading to premature deaths.

Community health nurses play a crucial role in addressing social determinants of health by working with families and communities to assess and address the factors that influence outcomes. Some examples of their work include collaborating with community organizations, advocating for policy changes, providing education, and connecting individuals to resources and support systems.

Community health nurses can advocate for practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion by promoting inclusive healthcare practices, raise awareness about health disparities, collaborate with diverse communities to develop culturally sensitive interventions, and work towards reducing inequities.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Public Health Nursing. cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/scienceambassador/documents/module-7-career-spotlight-infection-public-health-nurse.pdf NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 – Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

Social Determinants of Health – Healthy People 2030 | Health.gov. (n.d.). https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health

NRS 425 – Topic 1 DQ 1 SAMPLE 4

Social determinants of health are factors that have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Many social determinants of health affect families and communities. These include safe housing, safe community, racism, violence, education, job opportunities, income, access to nutritious food and physical exercise, quality or air and water, and language and literacy skills. Inadequate access to either of these determinants can lead to health disparities. For example, people that no do live in safe communities have to worry about violence and potentials threats to their life. This ultimately lowers the average life expectancy of the people living in that community. People that do not have access to nutritious foods are likely to eat fast food which raises their risk for stroke, diabetes, and cardiac arrest.

It is the job of a community health nurse to address these issues and help the community. Community health nurses can reduce the health disparities within communities that lack certain social determinants of health via tactics like educating the public, monitoring safety hazards, building coalitions, creating public health programs, and crafting policies that advocate for the underserved and vulnerable populations in the communities they work in. For example, nurses that work in communities where the public has poor nutrition can start campaigns to expand grocery stores and introduce healthy options in community markets. The nurses can also educate the public on nutritious food options and alternatives to fast food. With the help of dedicated community health nurses, big impacts can be made in areas of need.

Reference:

Health People 2030. (n.d.). Social determinants of health. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Public health nursing. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/public-health-nursing/