Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

This week, you will be introduced to the important work of population-based health in general and to the role of the public health nurse. Why should nurses who work in an institutional setting even concern themselves with what is going on in their community? Don’t nurses have enough to do to keep up with what is happening in their own practice? In their textbook, Population Health:Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health. Creating a Culture of Wellness, Nash, Fabius, Skoufalos, Clarke, and Horowitz (2016) provided an excellent idea of why population health is now becoming the wave of the future in health care.

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According to these authors, participants in a culture of health select lifestyles that foster health, which in turn reduces morbidity. Ultimately, participants in cultures of health and wellness use the health care system more appropriately, judiciously, and wisely. It is in everyone’s best interest to cultivate a culture of wellness in communities, states, and in the nation since we must accept that health care resources are finite, and reacting to illness is an expensive undertaking. Nurses must offer education to populations indicating that it is in everyone’s best interest for illness and injury to be prevented whenever possible.Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

Learning Objectives

Analyze the role of the community health/public health nurse in advancing population-based care
Develop an intervention plan in collaboration with other professionals that contribute to health and the prevention of illness or injury
Identify strategies to provide culturally competent care

To prepare for this Discussion, you will be required to read the assigned chapters in your Stanhope and Lancaster text. Then, call the Department of Health or your local Public Health Department and speak to a nurse. Find out the top health concern(s) for your community. Please focus your attention on the unique tools that nurses who work in the community utilize to care for populations, including the Intervention Wheel.Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

Please listen to Dr. Attia’s Ted Talk in the resources for this week and then respond to the following questions:

Pick a top health issue in your community and describe some ways in which a nurse might improve this issue at the population level.
Are the problems that your colleagues are sharing the same as you are seeing in your communities, or are they different?
Help each other consider different aspects of intervention(s) at the system and community levels of care to address health problems in their own communities. Consider Dr. Attia’s profound message as you respond to your peers and think outside the box.Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.

Notes Initial Post: This should be a 3-paragraph (at least 350 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Avoid quotes; paraphrase to incorporate evidence into your own writing. A reference list is required. Use the most current evidence (usually ≤ 5 years old).Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

I live and work in the Central Kentucky area (Lexington/Georgetown). This has to be written in APA 7th edition. The sources have to be 5 years or less. I have attached readings and transcripts from the videos within the lesson.

The general aim of the National Health Service is to prevent disease and improve the quality of health. Obesity qualifies as a public health issue since most incidences of chronic diseases, including arthritis, asthma, blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attack, can be directly linked to obesity. Various studies have ranked Kentucky as the most obese state in the US. A survey in 2016 revealed that 34.4% of the state’s adult population was overweight (Gustafson et al., 2016).  The statistics are fast becoming alarming as they infer poor public health in the state of Kentucky. Obesity is quite a complex issue hence the need to examine it deeply. The causes of obesity vary from eating habits to lifestyle and pre-exposure, among other factors. This post discusses the issue of obesity in Kentucky, possible interventions, and nurses’ role in improving community health in the region.Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

Studies have established that the causative factor for high obesity levels in Kentucky is unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. Data from recent surveys illustrate that about 46.9% of the adults living in Kentucky include little to no fruits in their diet, adding that their physical activity is lowest (Gustafson et al., 2016). Most high school students, for instance, would prefer processed juice and foods over fruits or vegetable-rich diets. Studies on physical activity revealed that the percentage of students with at least one hour work out every seven days reduced from 23.9% in 2015 to 22% in 2017 (Gustafson et al., 2016). The issue of obesity can be traced back to childhood decisions and lifestyle. Even the population of the state demonstrates high rates of pediatric obesity hence the consistency into adulthood.Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

Possible Interventions for Obesity in Kentucky

Possible intervention measures for obesity in Kentucky include lifestyle adjustment and diet re-establishment. The recommendation towards better public health encompasses community health awareness and cultivating healthy habits. Tackling the issue of obesity right from childhood would go a long way in managing the impending epidemic. Creating health policies that foster public awareness on obesity and its impacts on health is perhaps the best social intervention towards a healthier state population (Speck, & Hometown). The cultivation of healthy eating and physical activity habits among children is critical in combating obesity. Maternal education during antenatal and postnatal care can also go a long way in changing lifestyle decisions and, as a result, reduce obesity rates. Also, studies have proven that breastfeeding reduces childhood obesity a great deal. Implementing policies that enhance access to healthy foods is also critical in combating obesity.Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.

The Role of Nurses in the Prevention of Obesity

The complexity of maintaining a healthy population poses a challenge in nursing practice. Besides being at the center of medical care, nurses play a critical role in the community’s health. These practitioners thus play a crucial role in healthy decision-making and the quality of life. Public health also tasks nurses in ensuring that every contact with patient counts (Craig, & Senior, 2018). Studies have illustrated that most hospital admissions can be attributed to inconsistencies in the health system, particularly between primary and secondary caregivers. The first role nurses play in enhancing community health lies in the creation of health strategies that fast track patient mortality from preventable conditions, including obesity and hypertension. Offering wholesome patient care is also a great way to encourage patients to make healthy life decisions (Speck & Hometown). Community health education would also go a long way in combating obesity and improving the quality of life.Introduction to the Role of the Nurse in Population Health.