#1: Population, community, and public health nursing

Population

Groups of people, who may or may not interact with each other, but who have common health concerns and needs; Defining characteristics of membership

Population health

Focuses on health needs of a specific group of people; Identifies and addresses societal factors that may hinder or enhance their access to health care

Barriers to health

Finances, environment, social support, transportation, health literacy

Key elements of population health approach

Focus on health of overall population, attention to SDOH, decision making based on scientific evidence, upstream investments to maintain and promote health/find root cause of illness, collaboration across sectors and levels of society

Nightingale’s Environmental Theory

Established connection between environment and health; used data to understand mortality during Crimean War

Health outcomes

Anything that might indicate health or well-being of a population; could include measures of illness, aspects of health, quality of life

Examples of health outcomes

Cardiovascular disease, HIV, depression, COVID, infant mortality, childhood lead poisoning, asthma

How we do measure health outcomes

National indicators and objectives for each outcome that would indicate an improvement or an achievement of a “health nation” (Healthy People 2030)

Health disparities

Preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health; When one population’s health outcomes are different than another’s

Social determinants of health (SDOH)

Non-medical, environmental conditions where living, learning, playing, and working influence health, functioning, and quality-of-life

Categories of SDOH

Economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, social and community context

Public health

A field of study that focuses on improving and protecting the health of a population through health promotion and disease prevention

Examples of public health

Government policies and actions whose goals are to improve the health of entire populations, primarily through preventative measures such as health information, immunization programs, and water, food, and environmental safety

Community health

A field of study on improving the health of a group, usually within a specific geographic area, like a neighborhood

Examples of community health

Community health nurses work in the community directly, often at various clinics or agencies and sometimes with other specific populations

US Population health shift

Reimbursement has moved to value base approach rather than service based; Focus on high risk populations to improve outcomes

Three core public health functions

Assessment, policy development, assurance

10 essential public health services

Monitor health, diagnose and investigate, inform/educate/empower, mobilize community partnership, develop policies, enforce laws, link to/provide care, assure a competent workforce, evaluate, research