Environment Health and Safety

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Nurses are charged to incorporate knowledge of the
environment into their nursing practice. Nurses are
essential to improve environmental health through
nursing education, research, and practice. A public
health nurse incorporates an “upstream” focus in the
community health position working with the community
population. The community health nurse must consider
the precautionary principle in the upstream focus. The
nurse has to consider how the core functions of public
health will be applied.
1. What strategic actions does the community
health nurse need to consider as part of the
upstream framework?
2. The community health nurse is using the
precautionary principle in the upstream
framework in the community. What is the
precautionary principle and how is it applied to
public health and the core functions?
3. The core functions of public health can be
applied to public health nursing. What are the
core functions of public health?

Sample Solution

The strategic actions that a community health nurse needs to consider as part of the upstream framework include:

  • Identifying the root causes of environmental health problems. This involves understanding the social, economic, and political factors that contribute to environmental health problems.
  • Working with communities to develop solutions to environmental health problems. This involves engaging communities in identifying and addressing the environmental health problems that they face.
  • Advocating for policies and programs that promote environmental health. This involves working with policymakers to ensure that environmental health is a priority.
  • Empowering individuals and communities to take action to protect their environmental health. This involves providing individuals and communities with the information and resources they need to take action to protect their environmental health.

2. The community health nurse is using the precautionary principle in the upstream framework in the community. What is the precautionary principle and how is it applied to public health and the core functions?

The precautionary principle is a decision-making framework that states that if there is a threat of serious or irreversible harm, even if the full extent of the harm is not fully understood, action should be taken to prevent it. The precautionary principle is applied to public health by taking steps to prevent environmental health problems before they occur. This can be done by identifying and addressing the root causes of environmental health problems, working with communities to develop solutions, and advocating for policies and programs that promote environmental health.

The precautionary principle is also applied to the core functions of public health. The core functions of public health are assessment, policy development, assurance, and research. The precautionary principle can be applied to each of these core functions. For example, in the assessment function, the precautionary principle can be used to identify potential environmental health hazards. In the policy development function, the precautionary principle can be used to develop policies that prevent environmental health problems. In the assurance function, the precautionary principle can be used to ensure that environmental health services are provided to all individuals and communities. In the research function, the precautionary principle can be used to research the potential impacts of environmental hazards on human health.

3. The core functions of public health can be applied to public health nursing. What are the core functions of public health?

The core functions of public health are assessment, policy development, assurance, and research.

  • Assessment: The assessment function involves collecting data about the health of a population and the factors that influence health. This data is used to identify health problems and to develop interventions to address those problems.
  • Policy development: The policy development function involves developing policies that promote health and prevent disease. This includes working with policymakers to ensure that health is a priority in decision-making.
  • Assurance: The assurance function involves ensuring that essential public health services are available to all individuals and communities. This includes ensuring that there is access to quality healthcare, that environmental health hazards are addressed, and that healthy behaviors are promoted.
  • Research: The research function involves conducting research to improve the understanding of health and to develop effective interventions. This includes research on the causes of disease, the effectiveness of treatments, and the best ways to promote health.

Public health nurses can use the core functions of public health to improve the health of individuals, communities, and populations. By using the core functions, public health nurses can identify and address health problems, develop and implement interventions, and ensure that essential public health services are available to all.

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