Imagine you are a community health nurse assigned to care for a family with a newly diagnosed type-2 diabetic member. The diabetic family member, JK, is a 66-year-old African American woman with hypertension and asthma. JK lives in a food desert and does not drive. JK’s family visits her weekly, but they have complicated lives and are unable to provide daily care for her.
Evaluate the following community health resources:
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- American Nutrition Association
Create a plan detailing opportunities for JK to gain adequate access to appropriate foods for one week. Your plan must address:
- Appropriate and realistic estimated budget
- Shopping locations
- Transportation means, routes, and timing
- Support services
Compare JK’s community to your county census data.
Format your assignment as one of the following:
- 3- to 5-slide presentation
- 1-minute podcast
- 7- to 10-minute oral presentation
- 175- to 260-word paper
- Infographic
- Another format approved by your instructor
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a community health nurse, it is crucial to evaluate available resources and create a plan of action to provide access to appropriate foods for individuals with diabetes. In this scenario, a newly diagnosed type-2 diabetic member of an African-American family with hypertension and asthma resides in a food desert with no means of transportation.
Answer:
The available resources such as the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Access Research Atlas and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Small Food Stores and Availability of Nutritious Foods provide significant detail on the food deserts and their impact on health. Based on JK’s requirements, a comprehensive plan can be created by allotting $50 for a week and selecting a store that accepts EBT with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain food items. The transportation options could be through a volunteer driver service arranged by the Center for Independent Living, or an Uber ride with some financial assistance. The plan can also consist of exploring a local community garden or farmers market for fresh produce. The family members visiting JK can be encouraged to cook and store meals for the week during their visit time.
To compare JK’s community with the county census data, the family’s demographics and health information should be compared with the county’s population. The comparison should consider the ethnicity, age, income, educational levels, access to healthcare facilities, and the prevalence of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. This will provide insight into the larger community’s health status and needs, which can guide future interventions.
In conclusion, the plan should consider JK’s specific needs and limitations and tailor the resources available to provide access to nutritious foods. The comparison with the county census data can provide insights on the community’s broader health status and needs, guiding future healthcare interventions for the community.
