Community and Public Health Nursing Reflection
Community and Public Health Nursing Reflection
Courtney Austin
NUR/405
8/11/2014
Community and Public Health Nursing Reflection
Maricopa community schools are the local schools for the Gila River Indian Community. Native American children attending these schools are generally obese and do not participate in extra-curricular activities. The Leading Health Indicator (LHI) that applies is Children and adolescents who are considered obese. Recognizing this LHI, nursing diagnoses can be generated followed by nursing interventions and finally a community health partnership that will positively influence obesity. Also, while exploring these various steps, examples of how nursing can advocate community change will be shown. However, the role of community and the epidemiological influences within the community must be discussed first.
Individuals can only be as healthy as their community allows. Native Americans live on a reservation in a rural removed from the Maricopa community and its convenience. Native Americans, especially the children, are part of the Maricopa community due to their presence in schools, the casino, and employment with various Maricopa businesses even though their residence is outside of the Maricopa geographical region. Maricopa has various parks, sidewalks, recreational programs, as well as grocery stores that promote healthy living. Unfortunately, Native Americans can’t partake in these facilities due to geographical limitations. Native Americans do have a central health clinic on the reservation but it is the only one. Public nursing and community health partnerships can help identify where changes can be made along with services provided to promote better health.
Native Americans are different than the other cultures living in Maricopa. Maricopa is already culturally diverse but the Native American populace is unique in some of their health challenges, especially with obesity. For example, “Native Americans face
Courtney Austin
NUR/405
8/11/2014
Community and Public Health Nursing Reflection
Maricopa community schools are the local schools for the Gila River Indian Community. Native American children attending these schools are generally obese and do not participate in extra-curricular activities. The Leading Health Indicator (LHI) that applies is Children and adolescents who are considered obese. Recognizing this LHI, nursing diagnoses can be generated followed by nursing interventions and finally a community health partnership that will positively influence obesity. Also, while exploring these various steps, examples of how nursing can advocate community change will be shown. However, the role of community and the epidemiological influences within the community must be discussed first.
Individuals can only be as healthy as their community allows. Native Americans live on a reservation in a rural removed from the Maricopa community and its convenience. Native Americans, especially the children, are part of the Maricopa community due to their presence in schools, the casino, and employment with various Maricopa businesses even though their residence is outside of the Maricopa geographical region. Maricopa has various parks, sidewalks, recreational programs, as well as grocery stores that promote healthy living. Unfortunately, Native Americans can’t partake in these facilities due to geographical limitations. Native Americans do have a central health clinic on the reservation but it is the only one. Public nursing and community health partnerships can help identify where changes can be made along with services provided to promote better health.
Native Americans are different than the other cultures living in Maricopa. Maricopa is already culturally diverse but the Native American populace is unique in some of their health challenges, especially with obesity. For example, “Native Americans face
References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2000). Healthy places. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/about.htm#Healthy%20Env Richards, T. J., & Patterson, P. M. (2006, August). Native American obesity: An economic model of the "Thrifty Gene" theory. American Journal of Agricultural Economins, 88(3), 542-560. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3697748 Wharton, C. M. (2004). Beverage consumption and risk of obesity among native americans in arizona. Nutrition Reviews, 62(4), 153-9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/212348616?accountid=458