Upon initially reading this recommendation, I found myself wondering how I could have a significant impact on social determinants of health as a nurse who works in a hospital; surely that would be the task of a public health nurse employed by the department of health or some like organization. As I continued to read through the Future of Nursing: Recommendations and Research Priorities, the notion that nurses can make an impact on health equality “…regardless of practice setting.” (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021, p. 359), began to make more sense. As a citizen, the injustices in our country have been clear to me for quite some time, however, looking at it through the perspective of a future nurse leader has demonstrated that health disparities, injustice, and inequality are playing a huge role in the overall wellness of our population, and therefore, further burdening a healthcare system that is already struggling to meet the needs of its consumers.
The health inequalities and disparities that plague our country became abundantly clear, to even the most steadfast opposition, during the COVID pandemic. Lyon (2021), discusses the alarmingly higher COVID death rates among minority groups as well as the unequal distribution of the vaccine. The article further discusses the notion that while treatment approach research is imperative, it is also tremendously important to simultaneously conduct investigations into the cause of the issue in the first place, as causes of illness are often multifactorial, with any number of social determinants of health playing a part in many diagnoses. While many of us are trained to a single patient-centered approach to healthcare, Lyon (2021) implores healthcare workers to also consider the “…social and political issues in health-care…” (p. 262) in an effort to address the cause of health, or lack thereof.
Ogbolu (2022) discusses how a group of nurses in Baltimore took action by forming a group with the goal of addressing the health disparities in their community. The taskforce took on projects that addressed housing disparities, social injustices, inequality in education, violence among the community and transportation issues. They have gained the support of political figures and others in positions that can assist with policy change and process implementation, that the group has determined would positively impact inequality and disparities, and therefore, the health of their community. While they recognize that change will take time and significant effort, this is an example of a group, chaired by a nurse, who saw inequities in their community, and utilized their extensive knowledge of health and community, implemented, and continues to implement, positive change.
The question that I would like to pose to the reader is this: what would your priority be if you were given an opportunity to implement positive change in your community? Is there a particular social determinant of health and/or inequality in your community that you’ve seen have a negative impact on the health of the people in your area? What are some processes that you think could positively impact the issue?
References
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). The future of nursing
2020-2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25982
Ogbolu, Y. (2022). Nurses’ role in addressing social determinants of health: A case study
on the social determinants of health taskforce of Baltimore City. Journal of Addictions
Nursing, 33(3), 198-199. https://doi.org/10.1097/JAN.0000000000000474
Lyon, D. (2021). Addressing health disparities from a syndemic perspective. Oncology
Nursing Forum, 48(3), 261-262. https://doi.org/10.1188/21.ONF.261-262
The role of nurses in addressing health inequalities and disparities is crucial for achieving health equity. Despite working in different practice settings, nurses have the potential to make a significant impact on social determinants of health and promote equal access to quality care. This essay explores the importance of nurses’ involvement in addressing health disparities and the potential for positive change in communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the existing health inequalities in our society. Lyon (2021) highlights the disproportionately higher COVID-19 death rates among minority groups and the unequal distribution of vaccines. These disparities underscore the need to consider social determinants of health in healthcare delivery and address the root causes of health inequities.
Ogbolu (2022) presents a case study of nurses in Baltimore who formed a taskforce to address health disparities. This group recognized the impact of social determinants on health outcomes and took action by addressing housing disparities, social injustices, education inequalities, violence, and transportation issues. Their efforts involved collaboration with political figures and stakeholders to implement policy changes that positively impacted the community’s health.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021) emphasize that nurses can contribute to achieving health equity regardless of their practice setting. The report highlights the need for nurses to consider social and political issues in healthcare and promote a holistic approach that addresses the underlying causes of health disparities.
Reflecting on the community, readers are encouraged to identify priorities for positive change. It could involve addressing specific social determinants of health or inequalities prevalent in their community. By utilizing their expertise and knowledge, nurses can play a pivotal role in implementing processes that positively impact health outcomes.
Nurses have a unique opportunity to address health inequalities and disparities by considering the social determinants of health and working towards health equity. Through initiatives such as taskforces, policy advocacy, and community engagement, nurses can drive positive change and contribute to improving the overall health of their communities.
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