Community/public health nursing and community partnerships combine information and involvement about the entire population with clinical and personal understandings of sickness and well-being experiences of individuals and families in society. Collaboration, combining abilities, and sharing resources increase the likelihood and chances for favorable health outcomes. Because of the high cost and complexity of the medical environment, those participating in preventative measures, such as public health agencies, cannot function in isolation. Cooperation produces superior positive outcomes that outperform those produced by individual companies and agencies acting alone (Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, & Owusu Ananeh-Firempong, 2016). The Influence of Social Determinants of Health, Such as Culture and Access to Resources in the Case Study Family’s Community
In a social determinants approach, similar to other aspects of a person’s life, health is not seen as a distinct and separate entity. It is interdependent on and interconnected with larger systems like an individual, family, community, and the entire environment. As seen in the case study, the region’s culture affects individual perceptions of health, as the community members are individualistic and do not take care of the general health factor affecting the whole community. The latter also does not address adverse environmental issues such as waste disposal, making the people suffer from controllable conditions. Besides, the community does not have access to information on medical insurance status, lacking health literacy, barriers to care, transportation and distance, and the stigma of the conditions like the disability or issues to do with the drug abuse.
Comparison of Epidemiological Data for the Family’s Community to State-Level Data
The epidemiological data of the city is highly unfavorable with features of poor disposal and drainage system, as factories dump untreated waste into a river which is a source of water for families in the city. Drug abuse is also prevalent among the young population in the area despite government policies that bar the residents from using harmful substances. Besides, social and health services in the area are restricted. In comparison, the state level data is commendable, as the drainage system is controlled and well regulated, drug abuse among teenagers is at a minimal rate, and access to social and medical services are unlimited.
Community Nursing Diagnosis
The community nursing diagnosis for the mother in the family would be lack of access to healthcare services, no prenatal care, inadequate income, and an insufficient healthy dietary supply. The father has disability, lack of access to healthcare services, inadequate income, and a reduced healthy nutritional supply. All the children in the family lack proper parental care.
Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator (LHI)
For this case study, the family had a disrupted structure. It is evident by the jail sentence of the son due to murder, the unknown whereabouts of the daughters, and the disappearance of a family member without much concern from the relatives. Hence, the most suitable LHI topic that would be preferable to the family is social determinants. The indicator will check on the issue of discipline, stable employment, quality education, access to preventive services, safe homes, and neighborhoods.
The mother and father can attend family counseling that will help them deal with their marital problems. The latter can also receive rehabilitative care for his disability. Children can benefit from therapy and referral to social service (Luitel et al., 2015). Health partnership(s) that can assist in implementing the interventions include government agencies, non-governmental bodies, and community development programs.
Nursing Plan for Community Change
Goals: obtain PTSD treatment for the mother; ensure physical therapy for the father. The entire family should also receive the appropriate medical attention that involves family therapy.
Planned action: both parents need insurance coverage and assistance to find preferable health organizations that can aid them.
Needed resources: therapist, physician, and NP willing to attend to a family that has limited financial resources.
Time frame for evaluation: unlimited due to the many issues affecting the entire family. Family therapy should take a minimum of five months, as the one for children takes a minimum of six months. After the counseling, there should be a follow up of the family’s progress.
References
Betancourt, J.R., Green, A.R., Carrillo, J.E., & Owusu Ananeh-Firempong, I.I. (2016). Defining cultural competence: A practical framework for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health and healthcare. Public Health Reports, 118(4), 293-302.
Luitel, N.P., Jordans, M.J., Adhikari, A., Upadhaya, N., Hanlon, C., Lund, C., & Komproe, I.H. (2015). Mental health care in Nepal: Current situation and challenges for the development of a district mental health care plan. Conflict and Health, 9(1), 3-14.
