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.
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN Discussion Question Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 7.2, 9.2
AI Summary of the Question
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Affecting Families and Communities
The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Healthy People 2030 categorize them into five key domains:
- Economic Stability – Poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, housing instability.
- Education Access & Quality – Early childhood education, high school graduation, literacy levels.
- Healthcare Access & Quality – Insurance coverage, provider availability, transportation barriers.
- Neighborhood & Built Environment – Safe housing, air/water quality, crime rates, walkability.
- Social & Community Context – Discrimination, social support, civic engagement.
Impact of Health Disparities & SDOH on Care Outcomes
Health disparities—differences in health outcomes linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantages—are driven by SDOH. Examples of impacts include:
- Chronic Disease Burden – Low-income communities have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and asthma due to limited access to healthy food and healthcare.
- Maternal & Infant Mortality – Racial and ethnic minorities experience higher rates due to systemic inequities in care.
- Mental Health Issues – Social isolation, unemployment, and unsafe neighborhoods contribute to depression and anxiety.
- Shorter Life Expectancy – Communities with poor SDOH have lower life expectancy due to preventable diseases.
Role of the Community Health Nurse (CHN) in Addressing SDOH
Community health nurses play a critical role in mitigating SDOH through:
- Assessment & Screening – Identifying SDOH barriers (e.g., food insecurity, housing instability) during patient visits.
- Resource Linkage – Connecting families to social services (SNAP, Medicaid, housing programs).
- Health Education – Teaching disease prevention, nutrition, and self-management strategies.
- Policy Advocacy – Supporting policies that expand healthcare access, affordable housing, and living wages.
- Community Partnerships – Collaborating with schools, nonprofits, and local governments to address root causes.
Advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
CHNs can advance DEI by:
- Cultural Competency Training – Ensuring care is respectful of diverse backgrounds.
- Addressing Implicit Bias – Advocating for bias training in healthcare settings.
- Promoting Inclusive Policies – Supporting language access services and anti-discrimination laws.
- Engaging Marginalized Groups – Partnering with community leaders to tailor interventions.
- Data-Driven Advocacy – Using health disparity data to push for equitable resource allocation.
Conclusion
SDOH significantly shape health outcomes, and CHNs are vital in addressing these factors through direct care, education, and advocacy. By advancing DEI and pushing for systemic change, nurses help reduce disparities and promote health equity.
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