Global and Community-Based Nursing

Course Description

This course explores the factors that impact the health of individuals, communities, and populations at the local, national, and global levels. Issues including public health, environmental health, emerging infectious diseases, and chronic illness will be explored, while incorporating societal and cultural issues.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain health and development within a global health context. (PLO)
2. Demonstrate an understanding of global demographic and health determinants. (PLO)
3. Identify global health challenges and issues. (PLO)
4. Utilize the process of critical thinking to develop strategies for dealing with social and ethical dilemmas in delivering healthcare in low and middle resource settings. (PLO)
5. Discuss the major communicable and noncommunicable disease burdens impacting global health. (PLO)
6. Discuss programmatic approaches to specific global health issues. (PLO)

Global and Community-Based Nursing

This subject introduces you to the foundational principles of epidemiology and the processes utilized to perform a health assessment on a community as “client.” Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations. Today, public health science of epidemiology has made major contributions to the understanding of all possible factors that contribute to health and disease in all its forms. This understanding makes up the framework for the practice of nursing in public health. This topic will focus on basic epidemiological models that nurses use to assess the dimensions of health in a community. What do you already know about assessing aspects of health in a community setting? You will apply the nursing process steps of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation to a community. The Community Health Nurse’s assessment creates an understanding of the community at the individual, family, and group levels in order to solve identified problems. Tools that are utilized to study a community include Windshield Surveys, data from Healthy People 2030, data from sites such as City-Data.com, and local hospitals Community Assessments.

WELCOME TO WEEK 6

Global health involves multinational efforts to address health problems that cross national borders. With migration and refugee numbers the highest since World War 2, there is a worldwide concern about the transmission of infectious diseases. As people migrate from country to country, their disease patterns and immunity levels travel with them. These travelers may carry virus and bacteria into new communities where it never existed before. Global health and infectious disease are complex topics covering the study of a wide range and variety of organisms and the pathological conditions they may cause, as well as their diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control. This unit presents an overview of the communicable diseases which nurses working in the community deal with most often. Are you aware of any new community health issues as a result of new immigrants settling into your community?

ASSIGNMENT #1

Vulnerable population can be defined as groups that are often considered easier abuse targets. These include children, the disabled, and the elderly.  Are they really more vulnerable than other groups? How can the public health nurse increase awareness and proficiency in working with the challenges low-income and vulnerable individuals?

• Length: 150 Words
• A minimum of 2 references (not older than 5 years) with corresponding in text citations using APA format 7^TH edition

ASSIGNMENT #2

The U.S. has seen a recent influx of immigrants. Has this changed and challenged your perspective of global health and the role of the community nurse? In your opinion, do our policies need to change to accommodate new cultural perspectives?

• Length: Minimum of 400 words to Maximum of 450 words
• Format: APA 7th Edition
• Citations & References: A minimum of 2 references (not older than 5 years) with corresponding in text citations using APA format

STUDY MATERIAL

Empowerment of Vulnerable Persons

READINGS

• Stanhope & Lancaster:
  • Ch 32: Vulnerability and Vulnerable Populations
  • Ch 33: Poverty and Homelessness
  • Ch 34: Migrant Health Issues

Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2016). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community. (9th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0323321532