PART 1:write a paper in which you identify a health gap for a vulnerable population in your community, describe the social determinants that impact the problem, and describe a policy strategy to address the health gap. PART 2You will then read a case study that involves a senior patient and answer questions related to discharge planning and addressing social determinants of health. (My initial draft is attached. it need some fine tuning and making sure the points on rubric is met)
Part 1: Health Disparities for a Vulnerable Population Paper (1–2 pages)
Many individuals struggle to reach their full health potential. In the United States, many local, regional, state, and national policy initiatives are designed to help mitigate those disparities and eliminate unequal health outcomes. It is important to stay aware of these initiatives so you can put them to use to create better health outcomes for the populations that you engage. The “social determinants of health” approach complements a focus on individual biology of disease with attention to social and economic factors, social support networks, physical and social environments, access to health services, and social and health policies. Engaged nurses have the power to identify social determinants and address them by implementing effective policies to help patients reach their highest attainable standard of health. Keeping this in mind, prepare a 1- to 2-page paper that addresses health disparities in a vulnerable population. Use the following as a guide for your paper:
- Identify a health gap for a vulnerable population (young, old, homeless, LGBTQ, a specific ethnic/cultural group, etc.) in your local community by consulting local, regional, state, or national data.
- List the characteristics of your selected population using multiple sources of data as support. For example, a community’s health is determined by several influences other than the quality of healthcare. Health disparities are differences in health or health-related outcomes associated with socioeconomic or environmental disadvantage. These disadvantages may be due to economics, education, healthcare access, or health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities, age (both old and young), mental disabilities, or substance use disorders.
- Identify two social determinants that impact your identified community and explain how those determinants contribute to the health gap.
- Identify and describe a policy strategy that has focused on the health gap for your selected vulnerable population in your community.
- Part 2: Case Study Assessment: Senior Patient Discharge Planning Using Social Determinants of Health (1 page)Nurses strive to support senior patients’ health as they transition from the hospital to their homes. However, hospital-based nurses are frequently more adept at caring for patients in safe and predictable hospital environments and may find it challenging to anticipate the relevant socioeconomic issues patients face when they go home, like access to healthcare, public safety, social support, etc. The case study presented in the Case Study Assessment puts you in the shoes of a nurse who must make important decisions about how to discharge an elderly patient. Read the case study and respond to the questions that follow on the template. Your responses should be about one page in length.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Health disparities are an ongoing issue in the United States that affects many vulnerable populations. As a medical professor, it is crucial to address these gaps in healthcare and provide strategies to improve health outcomes for all patients. In this assignment, we will first identify a health gap for a vulnerable population in the community, describe the social determinants impacting the problem, and provide policy strategies to address the health gap. We will then analyze a case study involving a senior patient and answer questions related to discharge planning and addressing social determinants of health.
Answer:
Part 1:
After consulting local data, it has become evident that there is a significant health gap for homeless populations in the community. Homeless individuals lack access to healthcare resources, including regular check-ups and preventative care, leading to high rates of chronic diseases and mental health issues. Additionally, this population has limited access to nutritious food and clean water, and often has inadequate housing conditions.
The characteristics of the homeless population include low socioeconomic status, a lack of access to stable employment, high rates of mental illness, and substance abuse disorders. These factors contribute to the health gap experienced by the homeless population.
Two social determinants that impact the homeless population are lack of access to healthcare and unstable housing conditions. These determinants contribute to poor health outcomes and exacerbate existing health conditions. Without adequate housing and access to healthcare resources, homeless individuals face ongoing health challenges.
A policy strategy to address the health gap for homeless populations in the community is the implementation of affordable housing programs and mobile healthcare clinics. These programs provide stable housing for homeless individuals and access to healthcare resources. Additionally, community outreach programs can help identify at-risk individuals and provide resources for healthcare and housing.
Part 2:
The case study presented in the assessment involves a senior patient who is being discharged from the hospital but lacks a support system at home. As a nurse, it is essential to consider the patient’s socioeconomic factors and potential risks related to their living situation. The nurse can assess the patient’s home environment to ensure that it is safe and accessible and work with social workers and community resources to provide additional support as needed. Additionally, the nurse can provide educational resources to the patient and their family to empower them to manage their healthcare needs effectively. By considering social determinants of health, the nurse can ensure that the patient is discharged safely and has access to the support and resources needed to maintain their health.
Expert Solution Preview
Health disparities are a significant and ongoing problem in the United States that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. As a medical professor, it is essential to identify these disparities and provide strategies to improve health outcomes for all patients. In this assignment, we will identify a health gap for a vulnerable population in the community, describe the social determinants impacting the problem, and provide policy strategies to address the health gap. We will also analyze a case study involving a senior patient and answer questions related to discharge planning and addressing social determinants of health.
Part 1:
After reviewing local data, it is evident that there is a significant health gap for homeless populations in the community. Homeless individuals lack access to healthcare resources, including regular check-ups and preventative care. This lack of access leads to high rates of chronic diseases and mental health issues. Additionally, the homeless population often has limited access to nutritious food and clean water, and inadequate housing conditions, contributing to poor health outcomes.
The characteristics of the homeless population include low socioeconomic status, a lack of access to stable employment, high rates of mental illness, and substance abuse disorders. These factors exacerbate the health gap experienced by the homeless population.
Two social determinants that impact the homeless population are lack of access to healthcare and unstable housing conditions. Without adequate housing and access to healthcare resources, homeless individuals face ongoing health challenges.
A policy strategy to address the health gap for homeless populations in the community is the implementation of affordable housing programs and mobile healthcare clinics. These programs provide stable housing for homeless individuals and access to healthcare resources. Community outreach programs can also help identify at-risk individuals and provide resources for healthcare and housing.
Part 2:
The case study presented in the assessment involves a senior patient being discharged from the hospital but lacking a support system at home. As a nurse, it is essential to consider the patient’s socioeconomic factors and potential risks related to their living situation. The nurse can assess the patient’s home environment to ensure that it is safe and accessible and work with social workers and community resources to provide additional support as needed. Additionally, the nurse can provide educational resources to the patient and their family to empower them to manage their healthcare needs effectively. By considering social determinants of health, the nurse can ensure that the patient is discharged safely and has access to the support and resources needed to maintain their health.
