Emerging Pulic Health Issues

Review other students posts and provide feedback. All student feedback must be substantial (100 to 150 words or more). Do not repeat other student's posted/submitted information.
What do you see as the most pressing emerging public health issues in this country?
In my opinion, one of the most pressing public health issues is social isolation. Working at a hospital, I see this problem firsthand with many of my patients. During admissions, when asked about their living situations, most of the patients tell me that they live by themselves. Social isolation is a serious public issue affecting many Americans today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social isolation puts individuals at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions. A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. Older adults are more at risk for social isolation due to a higher incidence of them living alone, losing family and friends, hearing deficits, and having chronic health issues (CDC, 2021).
How do you anticipate your role as a public health nurse differing on local, state, and national levels? Which level or role do you feel might interest you most and why?
As a public health nurse, I would be more interested in working with individuals at the local level. Working at this level gives nurses more opportunities to meet their patients one on one and be more involved in their care. First, I would identify the individuals at risk for social isolation. This could include people who live alone, those who have limited mobility or transportation, those who have few social connections, and those who are experiencing mental health issues. I would assess my patients’ living situations, their physical, cognitive, hearing deficits if any, abilities to perform their ADLs, and their support systems. I would encourage socialization for them, provide information on social groups and connect them to resources such as community centers, volunteering opportunities, and other social activities.
Why should the role of creating and maintaining partnerships fall to the public health nurse? Why is this important?
It is crucial for public health nurses to create and maintain partnerships whether they are between the nurses and their patients or the nurses and other organizations such as the healthcare delivery system, policy makers, community resources etc. Public health nurses are the middle persons between the individuals in a community and the healthcare delivery system. In order to promote health at the community and population levels, nurses must create and maintain these partnerships. Public health nurses work with several different organizations such as healthcare providers, government agencies, community resources, and social workers to assess the needs of the community and develop interventions.
Identify a BSN essential that applies to your topic. (Supported by cited material).
BSN Essential VII: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes correlates with this topic. In order to provide safe, effective, and efficient care and promote public health, it is important for the nurses to collaborate at the local, state, national, and international levels (The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education, 2008).
Identify a QSEN competency that applies to your topic. (Supported by cited material).
Teamwork and Collaboration is the competency that applies to this topic of discussion. Building strong partnerships with different organizations and well as with the individuals in a community are essential to promote and protect public health (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2012).
American Association of Colleges of Nursing: The Voice of Academic Nursing. (2012, September 24). Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www(dot)aacnnursing(dot)org/Faculty/Teaching-Resources/QSEN
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, April 29). Loneliness and social isolation linked to serious health conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www(dot)cdc(dot)gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html
The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education - LSU Health Sciences Center ... (2008, October 20). Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://nursing(dot)lsuhsc(dot)edu/Docs/Quality/AACN%20Essentials%20of%20Baccalaureate%20Education%20for%20Professional%20Nsg%20Practice%20(2008).pdf