NUR 4200: Public Health & Community Nursing - Week 1 Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, community types, health dimensions, levels of prevention, essential functions, and nursing roles from Week 1 of Public Health & Community Nursing.

Community

A collection of people who interact with one another and share common interests or characteristics.

Geographic Community

A community defined by shared geographic boundaries—such as a city, town, or neighborhood—that operates as a social system tied to a specific location.

Common-Interest Community

A community defined by a shared interest, goal, or bond among its members rather than a physical location.

Community of Solution

A group that forms specifically to solve one shared problem, with boundaries and structure shaped by the issue at hand and the resources needed.

Population

People residing in a specific area or sharing a defined characteristic who share a sense of belonging.

Aggregate

Any grouping of distinct individuals treated as a whole, representing the broadest of the three terms (community, population, aggregate).

Health (WHO Definition)

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Wellness

An active goal defined as the quality or state of being in good health that individuals, families, and communities actively pursue.

Subjective Dimension of Health

How people feel, representing their personal sense of well-being.

Objective Dimension of Health

An individual's ability to function effectively in their environment and carry out daily activities and goals.

Continuous Healthcare Needs

Developmental health needs occurring across the lifespan from birth to death, such as child-proofing homes, managing teen stress, or retirement guidance.

Episodic Healthcare Needs

One-time, specific negative health events, such as injuries from abuse, disease outbreaks, or natural disasters.

Upstream Focus

A public health approach that addresses the root causes of disease and illness rather than solely treating symptoms.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that influence health outcomes.

Health Disparities

Inequities in health outcomes and disease burden experienced across different population groups.

Environmental Justice

Fair treatment and meaningful involvement in environmental laws, regulations, and policies for every community.

Primary Prevention

Interventions aimed at preventing a health problem before it begins by removing risk factors.

Secondary Prevention

Interventions focused on detecting and treating health problems early to prevent disease progression.

Tertiary Prevention

Interventions aimed at reducing the severity or complications of an established disease and restoring function.

Promotion of Health

Efforts and activities designed to raise levels of wellness and move individuals, families, populations, and communities closer to optimal well-being.

Assessment (Core Function)

The systematic collection, analysis, and sharing of information regarding population health status, risks, and needs.

Policy Development (Core Function)

The core public health function of converting collected assessment information into effective public health policies, plans, and laws.

Assurance (Core Function)

The public health responsibility and pledge to ensure that necessary health services are available and accessible to achieve agreed-upon goals.

10 Essential Public Health Services Framework

A public health framework developed in 1994 and updated in September 2020 by the Public Health Functions Steering Committee, featuring Equity at its center surrounded by Assessment, Policy Development, and Assurance.

Clinician (C/PHN Role)

A role in community/public health nursing focused on providing holistic care to individuals, families, and populations.

Educator (C/PHN Role)

A role in community/public health nursing dedicated to teaching health topics and promoting health literacy across communities.

Advocate (C/PHN Role)

A role in community/public health nursing focused on championing fair and equal treatment for clients and vulnerable groups.

Manager (C/PHN Role)

A role in community/public health nursing that plans, organizes, and evaluates health services, care, and programs.

Collaborator (C/PHN Role)

A role in community/public health nursing centered on partnering with other healthcare professionals, agencies, and community members.

Leader (C/PHN Role)

A role in community/public health nursing focused on driving changes that improve community health outcomes.

Researcher (C/PHN Role)

A role in community/public health nursing that applies evidence-based practice to enhance client care and public health initiatives.