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Read Me First

Week Three

Introduction

IN THE LAST CENTURY, TREMENDOUS PROGRESS WAS MADE IN THE HEALTH OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, DUE TO SUCH BASIC IMPROVEMENTS AS SAFE DRINKING WATER, ADVANCES IN SANITATION, MORE NUTRITIOUS FOOD, AND ADVANCES IN MEDICAL CARE. HOWEVER, THE HEALTH OF POOR AND MINORITY POPULATIONS HAS LAGGED BEHIND THE HEALTH OF WHITE AMERICANS. DISPARITIES ARE NOTED IN INFANT MORTALITY, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES, KIDNEY DISEASE, AIDS, PROSTATE CANCER, AND OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS. VULNERABLE POPULATIONS HAVE DIVERSE THREATS TO HEALTH THAT REQUIRE ATTENTION FROM CLINICIANS, RESEARCHERS, AND POLICYMAKERS. ALTHOUGH THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE MULTIPLE AND COMPLEX, MANY BEHAVIORS ARE DUE TO PERSONAL HABITS AND SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, AND ARE AMENABLE TO NURSING INTERVENTIONS. THIS WEEK, YOU EXPLORE CULTURAL COMPETENCE, RESILIENCE, AND ADVOCACY.

This week in relation to the course and the program

HEALTH DISPARITIES IN OUR COUNTRY ARE RECOGNIZED AS NEEDS REQUIRING NATIONAL ATTENTION. ONE SUCH RECOGNITION HAS BEEN STATED IN THE LEADING HEALTH INDICATORS OF HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020. AS NURSES, WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE VULNERABLE IN SOCIETY. THIS WEEK, THE CHALLENGE IS TO LOOK AT STRATEGIES THAT MAY BRING ABOUT DESIRED OUTCOMES OF DISPARITY REDUCTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION. NURSES HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH DISPARITIES (AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION, 2001).

Hints for a reading strategy of the assigned materials

THE READINGS PRESENT A FOUNDATION FOR CONCEPTS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE, RESILIENCY, AND ADVOCACY. OF PARTICULAR NOTE IS THE DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE NURSE AS ADVOCATE. FURTHER READING DISCUSSES THAT VULNERABILITY IN SOME CASES IS BASED ON CULTURAL DIFFERENCE. LEININGER’S THEORY OF CULTURE CARE FOCUSES ON THE NEEDS OF A PERSON OR POPULATION BASED ON CULTURAL DIFFERENCES. READINGS ALSO FOCUS ON THE VALUE OF PROVIDING EXPERIENCES IN NURSING CURRICULA TO LEARN ABOUT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND PREPARING NURSES FOR THE ADVOCACY ROLE.

Many websites listed on the student website are helpful to this week’s content and next week’s assignment. You might find the websites for Healthy People 2020 and the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities helpful.

Some questions to ask as you develop your critical thinking

THIS WEEK, ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING:

1. What culture do you feel culturally competent in? How can you share that knowledge and sensitivity with a coworker?

2. How can you advocate for greater cultural competency at your workplace?

3. Do others see you as an advocate for a specific vulnerable population?

Summary

THIS WEEK PRESENTED A LOOK AT THE HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT FACE OUR SOCIETY AND OUR PROFESSION. NURSES ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO BE LEADERS FOR CHANGE. WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR BIASES, AND TOOLS THAT CAN BE APPLIED FOR A MORE HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT SO INTERVENTIONS ARE PLANNED THAT BRING ABOUT GREATER HEALTH FOR OTHERS, YOU ARE READY TO MOVE TO NEXT WEEK’S CONTENT, WHICH EXAMINES PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES OF HEALTH PROMOTION AND STRESS THE VALUE OF THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATIONS.

References

AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION. (2001). CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES WITH INTERPRETIVE STATEMENTS. SILVER SPRING, MD: AUTHOR.

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