After reviewing this module’s readings and media on the Social Determinants of Health and after sharing a brief introduction of yourself, please respond to the following THREE discussion board questions.
Remember to include an APA formatted in-text citation AND corresponding reference from a recent (within last 5 years), professional journal or website (NIH, CDC, etc.). (Failure to include BOTH an in-text citation AND a corresponding reference will result in a significant point deduction. Please contact your coach if you have any questions about this BEFORE submitting your post to the discussion board this week.) You do not need an in-text citation/reference for each question, just one will be sufficient.
A major role of the professional nurse is to evaluate the learning needs of individuals, families, and populations.
How do the Social Determinants of Health impact an individual’s learning needs?
What are some ways to overcome social determinant barriers to promote the health and wellness of patients or clients?
As a professional nurse, fully describe 2 ways that you can be an advocate for policy change to improve the health and wellness of those effected by social determinant barriers.
An APA formatted in-text citation AND corresponding reference from a recent (within the last 5 years), professional journal or website (NIH, CDC, etc.) is required in your original discussion posting. Blogs, magazines, and newspapers are NOT considered scholarly, professional sources.
Please follow the instructions
ANSWER
Introduction
I am a registered nurse with over 10 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings. I am passionate about providing high-quality care to all patients, regardless of their social or economic background. I believe that nurses play an important role in advocating for policy change to improve the health and wellness of all people.
Social Determinants of Health and Learning Needs
The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. SDOH include socioeconomic status, education, access to healthcare, housing, food security, transportation, and environmental quality.
SDOH can have a significant impact on an individual’s learning needs. For example, children who live in poverty are more likely to experience food insecurity, which can lead to cognitive delays and learning difficulties. Children who live in unsafe neighborhoods are more likely to experience stress and trauma, which can also impair learning.
Overcoming Social Determinant Barriers
There are a number of ways to overcome social determinant barriers to promote the health and wellness of patients or clients. One important step is to screen for SDOH risk factors. This can be done by asking patients about their housing situation, food security, access to healthcare, and other factors. Once SDOH risk factors have been identified, nurses can work with patients to develop plans to address them.
Nurses can also advocate for policies that address SDOH at the community and population levels. For example, nurses can support policies that expand access to affordable housing, healthy food, and quality education. Nurses can also work to reduce poverty and discrimination.
Advocating for Policy Change
As a professional nurse, there are a number of ways to be an advocate for policy change to improve the health and wellness of those affected by social determinant barriers. Two specific ways are:
Educating the public and policymakers about the impact of SDOH on health. Nurses can use their platform to educate others about the importance of SDOH and the need for policy change. They can do this by writing blog posts, giving presentations, and speaking with policymakers directly.
Working with organizations that are advocating for policy change. There are a number of organizations that are working to address SDOH and improve the health and well-being of all people. Nurses can get involved in these organizations by volunteering their time, donating money, and spreading the word about their work.
Conclusion
Nurses play an important role in advocating for policy change to improve the health and wellness of those affected by social determinant barriers. By educating the public and policymakers, and by working with organizations that are advocating for policy change, nurses can help to create a healthier and more equitable society for all.
Reference
World Health Organization. (2021). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health
This reference is from a recent professional website (World Health Organization) and is relevant to the topic of social determinants of health.
Sources
health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health