CH 8: Health Promo and the Community

What is the primary focus of community health nursing?

Promoting the health of populations through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of health activities.

How do community health nurses serve as agents of change?

By identifying health needs, advocating for resources, and implementing culturally appropriate interventions.

What sectors do community health nurses collaborate with?

Education, government, and voluntary organizations.

What are the main goals of community health promotion?

Reducing health disparities, preventing disease, and fostering environments that support healthy behaviors.

What key roles do community health nurses play?

Educator, leader, and policy advocate.

What is the purpose of Gordon’s 11 functional health patterns in community assessment?

To collect and analyze data for identifying community health strengths, vulnerabilities, and intervention priorities.

What does the Health Perception–Health Management pattern assess?

Community health status, health practices, and perceptions about health.

What does the Nutritional–Metabolic pattern evaluate?

Dietary habits, food availability, and nutritional programs.

What does the Elimination pattern examine?

Environmental factors like air and water quality affecting community health..

What does the Activity–Exercise pattern identify?

Recreational and physical activity opportunities and infrastructure.

What does the Sleep–Rest pattern look at?

Environmental factors such as noise that influence rest and sleep.

What does the Cognitive–Perceptual pattern assess?

Community decision-making, problem-solving, and resource management.

What does the Self-Perception–Self-Concept pattern reflect?

Community pride, image, and perceived competence.

What does the Roles–Relationships pattern analyze?

Communication channels, leadership, and social networks.

What does the Sexuality–Reproductive pattern review?

Birth rates, reproductive health services, and related data.

What does the Coping–Stress Tolerance pattern evaluate?

Community resilience and responses to stressors.

What does the Values–Beliefs pattern explore?

Cultural norms, beliefs, and traditions influencing health behaviors.

What are the three main methods of community data collection?

Observation (windshield surveys), interviews/focus groups, and measurement data.

What is a windshield survey?

A visual examination of the community’s physical environment, housing, and infrastructure.

What do interviews and focus groups gather?

Residents’ and leaders’ perceptions of health concerns, resources, and cultural practices.

What are examples of measurement data sources?

Census statistics, morbidity/mortality rates, and environmental data from agencies like the EPA.

Why combine different data collection methods?

To ensure a comprehensive and valid community assessment.

What does systems theory view a community as?

An interconnected system of structures and functions.

What are examples of community structures?

Health services, organizations, and demographic makeup.

What are examples of community functions?

Decision-making and resource allocation.

How does systems theory help nurses?

It helps identify how changes in one part of the community affect the whole and where interventions can be most effective.

What does developmental theory focus on in community health?

Identifying age-specific health risks and needs across life stages.

Give an example of developmental theory application.

Injury prevention in children or chronic disease management in older adults.

What does risk-factor theory emphasize?

Demographic, physiological, psychological, and environmental factors that increase adverse health outcomes.

Why is recognizing risk factors important?

It enables nurses to design targeted interventions to modify or eliminate hazards.

What are social determinants of health?

Conditions like poverty, education, housing, and access to healthcare that influence health outcomes.

What does achieving health equity require?

Culturally appropriate, community-engaged strategies.

What are key elements of effective health promotion?

Community participation, culturally sensitive interventions, and addressing social determinants.

What is the purpose of community-based participatory research (CBPR)?

To build trust, empower communities, and create sustainable health interventions.

What model is central to understanding health behavior change?

Rosenstock’s Health Belief Model.

What are the key components of the Health Belief Model?

Perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy.

How do nurses use health behavior models?

To design interventions that motivate behavior change and sustain healthy habits.

How do nurses influence health policy?

Through advocacy, participation in legislation, and policy development.

What are examples of nurses’ legislative activities?

Voting, lobbying, testifying, and working with organizations like the ANA.

What global initiatives do nurses support?

UN Sustainable Development Goals and global health partnerships.

Why is nurse advocacy in policy important?

It ensures community health needs shape systemic and legislative decisions.

Which groups are involved in community health promotion?

Government agencies, schools, faith groups, businesses, volunteer organizations, and residents.

What approach promotes shared decision-making in communities?

Community-based participatory research (CBPR).

Why are partnerships important in community health?

They enhance resource sharing, align goals, and sustain initiatives.

What is the purpose of evaluation in community health promotion?

To measure effectiveness of interventions and guide future improvements.

What indicators are used to evaluate health programs?

Morbidity/mortality rates, participation levels, and behavior changes.

What are the steps in evaluation?

Collaborative data review, outcome assessment, and plan refinement.

Why is continuous evaluation necessary?

It ensures programs stay relevant, effective, and aligned with community priorities.

How is a community defined?

A group of individuals sharing relationships, common interests, and often a geographic area.

What characteristics define a community?

Shared culture, norms, values, and social support systems.

What factors shape communities?

Social, economic, and environmental influences.

How does globalization affect community health?

It spreads infectious diseases, influences cultural exchange, and alters economic and environmental determinants of health.

What must nurses do in response to globalization?

Enhance surveillance, promote international collaboration, and improve global health literacy.

What trend will increase demand for chronic disease management and elder care?

The aging population doubling by 2060.

How does population diversity impact community health?

It increases the need for culturally competent care.

What economic trend challenges healthcare systems?

Rising costs of Social Security and Medicare.

What disparities persist between communities?

Urban vs. rural health disparities and barriers for vulnerable populations.

What roles do nurses fulfill in community health?

Educators, immunization providers, chronic disease managers, prenatal caregivers, workplace health nurses, case managers, disaster responders, and program leaders.

What is the role of the community health nurse as an educator?

To provide health information and lead workshops.

What is the role of the community health nurse in immunization and screening?

To prevent disease through clinics and outreach.

What is the nurse’s role in chronic disease management?

To support self-care and adherence.

What is the nurse’s role in disaster preparedness?

To educate the public and respond during emergencies.

What forms of advocacy do nurses engage in?

Legislative action, professional organization involvement, and grassroots movements.

How do nurses use research and narratives in advocacy?

To provide evidence-based stories that influence policymakers.

What environmental issues do nurses advocate for?

Clean air, safe water, and sustainable practices.

What are the steps in community health planning?

Assessment, prioritization, goal setting, strategy development, resource allocation, community engagement, and documentation.

Why is community engagement important in planning?

It builds ownership and sustainability of health programs.

What does effective planning align?

Community needs with available resources.

What does implementation involve in community health?

Executing planned interventions with community participation and cultural appropriateness.

What strategies are used during implementation?

Educational campaigns, environmental modifications, and policy advocacy.

What is the goal of post-implementation evaluation?

To measure progress, compare data, and adjust strategies for continuous improvement.

What is the overarching goal of the Healthy People 2030 initiative?

To promote health and prevent disease through population-based objectives that improve health equity and quality of life across all communities.

What are the three types of objectives in Healthy People 2030?

Core objectives, developmental objectives, and research objectives.

What do Healthy People 2030 core objectives focus on?

Evidence-based, measurable goals with national data sources to track progress over the decade.

What are developmental objectives in Healthy People 2030?

High-priority health areas that have proven interventions but lack reliable baseline data.

What are research objectives in Healthy People 2030?

Topics that require new data or studies due to limited evidence but high potential impact on public health.

Give examples of Healthy People 2030 community health goals.

Increasing cancer screenings, reducing unintended pregnancies, improving food security, and expanding access to digital health tools.

What does the term “advocate” mean in community health nursing?

A nurse who supports and speaks up for individuals, families, or communities to promote justice in health care delivery.

What is “demography”?

The statistical study of populations, including age, gender, race, and socioeconomic characteristics, used to identify community health needs.

What does “lobbying” mean in health policy?

The process of influencing legislators or policymakers to support specific health-related issues or legislation.

What are “community outcomes”?

Measurable results of health-promotion interventions such as reduced disease rates, increased vaccination coverage, or improved access to care.

What is meant by “community risk factors”?

Environmental, social, or behavioral conditions that increase the likelihood of adverse health outcomes in a population.

How do nurses contribute to environmental sustainability in health care?

By promoting energy-efficient practices, recycling, reducing waste, and supporting green policies in health care facilities.

Give examples of environmentally sustainable nursing actions.

Using renewable energy, reducing paper waste, recycling medical plastics, and conserving water.

What does “community mutual goal setting” involve?

Collaboratively developing shared health goals with community members, ensuring relevance and sustainability of programs.

What is the purpose of community nursing interventions?

To promote, maintain, and restore the health of populations through evidence-based, collaborative actions.

What are the five stages of change in Prochaska’s model?

Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

What occurs in the precontemplation stage of change?

Individuals or communities are unaware of the problem or not considering change.

What is the nurse’s role during the precontemplation stage?

Provide information, raise awareness, and identify risk factors to motivate reflection.

What happens in the contemplation stage of change?

The community recognizes a problem and begins weighing the pros and cons of change.

What is the nurse’s focus during the contemplation stage?

Discuss risks of not changing and the benefits of adopting healthier behaviors.

What is the preparation stage of change?

The community plans specific strategies or small steps toward change.

What does the nurse do during the preparation stage?

Help develop realistic action plans and provide resources for implementation.

What characterizes the action stage of change?

The community actively implements health-promotion behaviors or policies.

How can nurses support communities in the action stage?

Reinforce positive behaviors, provide encouragement, and prevent relapse.

What defines the maintenance stage of change?

The community sustains new behaviors and integrates them into routine practice.

What is the nurse’s role in the maintenance stage?

Reinforce success, highlight benefits, and plan for continued community engagement.

Why is environmental advocacy part of the nurse’s role?

Because environmental quality directly affects population health, making it an ethical and professional responsibility.

What is the function of a community in health promotion?

To allocate resources, make decisions, and adapt to changing health needs.

What is the structure of a community?

The organized parts such as health services, schools, and governmental bodies that form the community system.