NUR 305 SDOH, Health Equity and Social Justice: Addressing Health Inequities

Addressing Health Inequities through Social Determinants of Health and Nursing Interventions

Social determinants of health (SDOH) majorly cause health inequities among disadvantaged and vulnerable communities (Chelak & Chakole, 2023). Beyond health care, social determinants of health include socioeconomic position, education, neighbourhood/community and built environments, access to health care services, and social support networks (Tiase et al., 2022). Uneven distribution of resources and opportunity causes various health disorders, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, maternal mortality, and substantial health inequalities (Laari & Duma, 2023). This paper examines how socioeconomic variables cause health inequalities and how nurse-tailored intervention methods might help disadvantaged groups get adequate healthcare.

Health Condition and Its Connection to SDOH

The prevalence and progression of chronic health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, are intricately linked to social determinants of health. Low-income people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes owing to a lack of adequate food, poor health care, and hazardous surroundings that discourage exercise (Abu & Moorley, 2023). Economic instability, poor diet, and education obstacles increase diabetes risk because educated persons struggle to grasp disease prevention and treatment (Chelak & Chakole, 2023). Precarious or low-wage workers may experience chronic stress, poor health coverage, and restricted preventative treatment. Due to a lack of inexpensive medical services and preventative screenings, underprivileged people have trouble obtaining healthcare. According to research, social and economic factors influence health outcomes more than medical treatments; hence, health equality must be comprehensive (Tiase et al., 2022). To reduce these gaps, multifaceted initiatives must address healthcare and systemic policy and societal determinants of inequality. Programs that emphasize nutrition, education, and economic assistance may help reduce socioeconomic determinants of public health and improve results.

Health Inequity and Contributing Factors

Marginalized populations are particularly affected by systemic and structural health inequalities. Health disparities continue to affect public health, mainly due to economic instability, as low-income people lack access to healthcare, nutritious food, and stable housing (Chelak & Chakole, 2023). Politics, such as healthcare legislation and institutional discrimination, exacerbate inequalities by limiting access to excellent healthcare (Abu & Moorley, 2023). Health gaps may result from restricted health insurance policies, immigrant status laws, and racial medical care hurdles. Healthcare facilities and transport are lacking in the neighbourhood, preventing individuals from receiving timely and vital medical treatment (Laari & Duma, 2023). Pollution, food deserts, and dangerous living circumstances disproportionately impact low-income and minority communities, which have a greater incidence of chronic illness and mental health disorders (Tiase et al., 2022). This perpetuates health disparities in disadvantaged communities with psychological and biological variables such as chronic stress and genetic vulnerability (Laari & Duma, 2023). These elements interact, leading us to push for multi-sectoral approaches that address medical treatment and the socioeconomic determinants of health. These inequities may be reduced by reforming social welfare, education, and employment policies. Addressing these variables at the individual and systemic levels improves community health and well-being.

Importance of Addressing Health Inequities

Mitigating health inequities is a moral and ethical imperative for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who advocate for vulnerable populations. These gaps must be addressed to build a more equitable healthcare system that protects the most marginalized and provides access to important treatments (Abu & Moorley, 2023). A healthcare system that eliminates inequities, minimizes the economic cost of avoidable illnesses, and promotes public health ensures society’s well-being (Chelak & Chakole, 2023). Reduced health disparities are attractive but boost economic development by making workers healthier and improving public health by reducing healthcare system strain (Chelak & Chakole, 2023). Improving health inequalities also boosts social cohesiveness and healthcare institution trust, which boosts patient participation and medication adherence. As frontline health practitioners, nurses must actively address health inequities and advocate for health equity via social justice policies (Tiase et al., 2022). Nurses may help disadvantaged groups and create a more equitable healthcare system by integrating health equity ideas into clinical practice, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Thus, nurses should offer direct patient care and collaborate with community groups and legislators to address socioeconomic factors. These multilevel activities are needed to enhance health equality.

Nursing Interventions for Addressing Health Inequities

Nurses can reduce health disparities and enhance patient outcomes using many methods. Community health education and outreach programmes teach people how to manage and avoid chronic illnesses (Laari & Duma, 2023). These interventions might include disease prevention classes, mobile health clinics, and local organizations collaborating to provide the required services. Patient-centred care techniques like culturally appropriate care and holistic therapy are essential to meet the requirements of various communities and improve healthcare access (Tiase et al., 2022). Nursing advocacy and policy participation entail changing healthcare policies and engaging with policymakers to address system challenges that perpetuate health inequities (Abu & Moorley, 2023). Interprofessional cooperation with social workers, public health authorities, and community groups improves nursing interventions and holistic care for disadvantaged people (Chelak & Chakole, 2023). These multimodal methods stress nurses’ role in health equality via direct treatment, policy change, and community participation. Telehealth and electronic health record systems may also improve healthcare access and reduce the cost of addressing socioeconomic determinants of health in real time to enable disadvantaged people to obtain timely and efficient treatment NUR 305 SDOH Health Equity and Social Justice – Addressing Health Inequities through Social Determinants of Health and Nursing Interventions.

Conclusion

Addressing health inequities through the lens of social determinants of health is essential for fostering a more just and equitable healthcare system. The nurse can identify social, economic, and environmental issues that affect health, allowing focused actions to promote social justice and health equality. Culturally competent care, advocacy, and interdisciplinary teamwork improve nursing interventions for vulnerable groups. Fairness in healthcare may improve patient trust, treatment compliance, and infrastructure. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities must work together to reduce health inequities. Nurses and other healthcare professionals must actively promote socioeconomic determinants of health via evidence-based practice, legislation, and community participation. Advocate for structural reforms to address healthcare inequities at various levels to create a healthier, more equitable, and inclusive society. Social, economic, and environmental variables affect health, therefore nurses may aim interventions to promote social justice and health equality. Culturally competent care, advocacy, and interdisciplinary teamwork improve nursing interventions for disadvantaged communities. Nurses and healthcare workers must promote health equality and structural inequities laws to improve society.

References

Abu, V. K., & Moorley, C. R. (2023). Social justice in nursing education: A review of the literature. Nurse Education Today, 126 , 105825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105825

Chelak, K., & Chakole, S. (2023). The role of social determinants of health in promoting health equality: A narrative review. Cureus . https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.33425

Laari, L., & Duma, S. E. (2023). Health advocacy role performance of nurses in underserved populations: A grounded theory study. Nursing Open, 10 (9), 6527–6537. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1907

Tiase, V., Crookston, C. D., Schoenbaum, A., & Valu, M. (2022). Nurses’ role in addressing social determinants of health. Nursing, 52 (4), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000823284.16666.96 NUR 305 SDOH Health Equity and Social Justice – Addressing Health Inequities through Social Determinants of Health and Nursing Interventions

NUR 302 Module Three Short Paper Guidelines and Rubric

Overview

The ability to make connections between social determinants of health (SDOH) and health conditions enables nurses to provide individualized care that promotes health equity. Nurses who grasp these connections are better equipped to provide compassionate, effective, and equitable care. This short paper explores health conditions and underlying SDOH affecting health. Through this exploration, you will develop nursing interventions to meet the unique needs of the individual—interventions aimed to improve health outcomes and health equity. You will then consider how personal beliefs and values play an intricate role in carrying out these interventions through advocating for others. By understanding social justice and healthcare through this activity, you will be equipped with the tools necessary to advocate for advancing health equity and addressing vulnerabilities within the broader population.

Directions

First, select a specific health condition known for its connection to social determinants of health. Then, write a short paper on how social determinants of health contribute to health inequity and how addressing health inequity can lead to social justice for vulnerable populations. Use at least two scholarly, current (published within the last five years) resources to provide evidence-based support for your work. An APA Style Scholarly Paper Template can be found in the RN-BSN Library Guide linked in the Start Here section of the course NUR 305 SDOH Health Equity and Social Justice – Addressing Health Inequities through Social Determinants of Health and Nursing Interventions

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

Health Condition: Relate a health condition to social determinants of health. Include the following in your response:

How the social determinants of health connect to the selected health condition

Evidence from the literature to support the connection

Health Inequity: Explain how the social determinants of health contribute to health inequity for the selected health condition. Consider the following in your response:

Social and economic factors

Political context

Community resources

Environmental conditions

Psychosocial and biological factors

Addressing Concerns: Examine the importance of addressing health inequity concerns surrounding healthcare.

Nursing Interventions: Identify nursing interventions specific to health inequity concerns impacted by social determinants of health.

Health Outcome: Align a health outcome with a nursing intervention that addresses a health inequity concern.

Beliefs and Values: Contrast the positive and negative influences personal beliefs and values have on advocating for others.

Social Justice: Describe how addressing health inequity can lead to social justice for vulnerable populations.

What to Submit

Submit your completed short paper. Your submission should be a 2- to 3-page Word document with separate title and reference pages that are not part of the page count. Follow APA style standards for formatting and citing your sources.

Module Three Short Paper Rubric

Criteria
Exemplary (100%)
Proficient (85%)
Needs Improvement (55%)
Not Evident (0%)
Value

Health Condition
Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner
Relates a health condition to social determinants of health
Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions
Does not attempt criterion
13

Health Inequity
Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner
Explains how the social determinants of health contribute to health inequity for the selected health condition
Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions – NUR 305 SDOH Health Equity and Social Justice – Addressing Health Inequities through Social Determinants of Health and Nursing Interventions
Does not attempt criterion
10

Addressing Concerns
Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner
Examines the importance of addressing health inequity concerns surrounding healthcare
Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions
Does not attempt criterion
13

Nursing Interventions
Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner
Identifies nursing interventions specific to health inequity concerns impacted by social determinants of health
Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions
Does not attempt criterion
13

Health Outcome
Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner
Aligns a health outcome with a nursing intervention that addresses a health inequity concern
Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions
Does not attempt criterion
10

Beliefs and Values
Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner
Contrasts the positive and negative influences personal beliefs and values have on advocating for others
Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions
Does not attempt criterion
13

Social Justice
Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner
Describes how addressing health inequity can lead to social justice for vulnerable populations
Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions
Does not attempt criterion
13

Clear Communication
Exceeds proficiency with an intentional use of language that promotes a thorough understanding
Consistently and effectively communicates in an organized way to a specific audience
Shows progress towards proficiency, but communication is inconsistent or ineffective in a way that negatively impacts understanding
Shows no evidence of consistent, effective, or organized communication
5

Scholarly Sources
Incorporates more than two scholarly, current (within the last five years) sources, or use of sources is exceptionally insightful
Incorporates two scholarly, current (within the last five years) sources that support claims
Incorporates fewer than two scholarly, current (within the last five years) sources, or not all sources support claims
Does not incorporate sources
5

APA Style
Formats according to APA style with no errors
Formats according to APA style with fewer than five errors
Formats according to APA style with five or more errors
Does not format according to APA style
5

Total: NUR 305 SDOH Health Equity and Social Justice – Addressing Health Inequities through Social Determinants of Health and Nursing Interventions
100%