NR 442 Week 3 Health Promotion & Policy Insights

NR 442 Week 3 Health Promotion & Policy Insights

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-442 Community Health Nursing

Prof. Name:

Date

Health Promotion and Risk Reduction

Health promotion emphasizes proactive strategies that encourage individuals to maintain and enhance their well-being. Fundamental components such as proper nutrition, adequate rest, and personal hygiene play a significant role in supporting good health. Several determinants influence health outcomes, including genetic makeup, individual behaviors, social support, environmental factors, policies, and access to healthcare services. A mnemonic, “But Brittney Says Please Pay Access,” helps remember these components: Biology, Behavior, Social Environment, Physical Environment, Policies and Interventions, and Access to Quality Health Care. Another framework, “Every Person Enjoys Free Cable Hookups,” highlights six domains: Economic Stability, Physical Environment, Education, Food Access, Community and Social Networks, and the Health Care System.

There has been a noticeable shift in healthcare from treatment to prevention. Several theoretical models provide insights into health-related behaviors. Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM) examines how biopsychosocial elements encourage engagement in healthy habits. The Health Belief Model (HBM) focuses on individuals’ perceptions of health threats and their readiness to act. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) presents stages of behavioral change—pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination—highlighting why change is difficult for some. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) asserts that behavioral intentions drive actions. Additionally, risk factors for illness can be classified as either modifiable (e.g., smoking, diet) or non-modifiable (e.g., age, genetics). It is also important to distinguish between a “serving” (typically 1 cup) and a “portion” (the amount actually consumed).

Chapter 10: Policy, Politics, Legislation, and Community Health Nursing

Nurses, making up one in every 44 women voters, hold substantial influence in policy and governance. A policy is a strategic plan adopted by governments, organizations, or institutions to reach specific objectives. When established by governmental entities, this becomes public policy, representing the collective principles concerning the public’s welfare.

Health policy refers to specific decisions and strategies aimed at achieving health-related goals, while nursing policy centers on the leadership roles nurses play in influencing both healthcare policy and practice. Institutional policies are operational guidelines within organizations that direct workflow and manage staff responsibilities. Social policies, in contrast, focus more broadly on societal well-being.

NR 442 Week 3 Health Promotion & Policy Insights

Laws are formalized rules derived from legislative acts, court decisions, constitutional interpretations, and administrative directives. Public health law includes three core areas: the authority to regulate health for public safety (police power), prevention of disease and injury, and legal structures affecting population health.

Statutes are legislative mandates enacted at different government levels. Various organizations and professional associations—often nonprofit entities—work to set standards, support members, and serve the public interest.

Below is a table summarizing government branches and their health-related functions:

Medicaid, a joint federal-state program, offers health coverage based on income and family size.

Chapter 11: The Health Care System

The U.S. healthcare system consists of two principal components: the private sector, which includes employer-sponsored and out-of-pocket insurance coverage, and the public sector, encompassing government-funded programs. Each subsystem operates with distinct goals—while the private system emphasizes individualized care, the public system targets population-wide services.

Chapter 12: Economics of Health Care

Economic considerations are pivotal in healthcare planning and access. Medicare, the federal insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and older, is categorized into four parts:

Medicaid supports low-income individuals and families, with eligibility determined by income and household size.

Chapter 14: Environmental Health

Environmental factors significantly affect individual and community health. The term “sick building syndrome” describes health issues (e.g., fatigue, headaches, allergy symptoms) experienced by individuals within poorly ventilated or contaminated buildings.

To systematically assess environmental health risks, the IPREPARE model is employed:

This approach supports nurses and healthcare professionals in evaluating and addressing potential environmental threats to health.

References

Maurer, F. A., & Smith, C. M. (2022). Community/Public Health Nursing Practice: Health for Families and Populations (6th ed.). Elsevier.

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2022). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community (11th ed.). Elsevier. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Medicare & Medicaid Programs. https://www.cms.gov/

NR 442 Week 3 Health Promotion & Policy Insights

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Healthy People 2030. https://health.gov/healthypeople