This Weeks Readings Present A Look At Public Health Nursing At Local
This week’s readings present a look at public health nursing at local, state, and national levels and an overview of the evolution of global health. In particular, in the Global Health Care Issues and Policies textbook, the introduction outlined the role of the World Health Organization and the assistance provided by the World Bank in promoting global health. Chapters 1 and 2 outlined the current health status of both developed and developing countries and provided an overview of issues those selected countries are facing. Health statistics can be used to examine the functioning of a health care system within a nation. For example, infant mortality is often used for this purpose.
For this Application Assignment, write a 4-page paper comparing the infant mortality rates or HIV rates for the U.S. to one developed and one developing country. Include a summary on what the United States could learn from other countries that have better rates. Include information about the workforce that is available to care for the population in each country. This is the format for the title page used for every assignment at Walden. Refer to APA resource materials for additional information on title pages.
For all other pages check APA resources for information on, and the reference page. Title of Paper Student’s Full Name University Course Number, Section, and Title (Example: Section 04, Public and Global Health) Month, Day, Year (enter the date submitted to Instructor) NURS 4015: Week 1 Application Rubric: Major Public Health Issues in the U.S. and Developing Nations Due by Day 7 of Week 1. For this Application, write a 3- to 4-page paper comparing the infant mortality rates and HIV rates for the U.S. to one developed and one developing country. Include a summary of what the United States could learn from other countries that have better rates. Include information about the workforce that is available to care for the population in each country.
Use the following guidelines and evaluation criteria and the headings below for each section. Use a minimum of three references from the professional nursing literature in the assigned course readings and other references in the Walden Library. If they are relevant, you may use one or two professional websites in addition to the literature references. If relevant, you may use one or two professional websites in addition to literature references.
Overview—30 points
Begin this paper with a brief paragraph that provides an overview of the assignment and its purpose. There is no separate heading for this paragraph; the heading for this paragraph is the same as the title of the
paper. This paragraph will be about 2–3 sentences. The last sentence in this paragraph is a sentence that begins "The purpose of this paper is to…".
Comparison of infant mortality rates and HIV rates—70 points
Summarize your comparison of the infant mortality or HIV rates for the U.S. and one developed and one developing country. Include a summary of what the U.S. could learn from your selected comparison countries if they have better rates or what those countries could learn from the U.S. if their rates are not as good. This section will be 3–4 paragraphs.
Impact on nursing practice—50 points
Summarize information about the available workforce to care for the population in your selected countries. Include the role of the nurse in each country and the impact of the available workforce on the health of the population. Provide an analysis of how this impacts the profession of nursing and nursing practice in those countries. This section will be 3–4 paragraphs.
Summary—50 points
End the paper with a 1-paragraph summary of the main points of the paper.
Format/Style Proofread the paper as described in the tips for success in this course and correct any typos, grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, or APA format errors before submitting your paper in the Dropbox. Up to 40 points can be deducted for these errors or for not using the minimum number of required references. Total points for the assignment = 200 points. When completed, save the assignment as APP1+last name+your first initial.doc [e.g., APP1RideS.doc]. Submit via the Dropbox using the Submit an Assignment link, selecting Week 1: Application basket, and attaching your document.
Paper For Above instruction
The purpose of this paper is to compare key public health indicators—specifically infant mortality rates and HIV prevalence—among the United States, a developed country, and one developing country. This comparative analysis aims to identify best practices and lessons that the U.S. can learn from other nations with better health outcomes. Additionally, the paper examines the healthcare workforce in each country, emphasizing the role of nurses and their impact on population health. By evaluating these factors, this paper offers insights into opportunities for health system improvement at national and global levels.
Introduction
The health status of populations worldwide varies considerably, influenced by socioeconomic, cultural, and health system factors. The United States, as a high-income nation, has made significant advancements in healthcare delivery; however, it continues to face challenges such as disparities in infant mortality and HIV prevalence. Comparatively, some developed countries, with robust health infrastructure and public health policies, demonstrate lower infant mortality and HIV rates. Conversely, developing countries often struggle with higher rates due to limited resources, infrastructure, and access to quality healthcare.
Comparison of Infant Mortality and HIV Rates
The infant mortality rate (IMR) serves as a key indicator of a country's healthcare effectiveness, reflecting maternal health, neonatal care, and social determinants of health. According to recent data, the U.S. has an IMR of approximately 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). In comparison, Japan, a developed country recognized for its excellent healthcare system, reports an IMR of about 1.9 per 1,000 live births (World Bank, 2023). This significant difference underscores the efficacy of Japan’s prenatal, neonatal, and postnatal care, along with its social health policies for maternal support.
On the other hand, in developing countries like Nigeria, the IMR is approximately 74 per 1,000 live births (United Nations, 2023). The stark contrast highlights disparities in healthcare access, nutrition, sanitation, and maternal education. The U.S. can learn from Japan’s integrated, universal healthcare approach, including prenatal services, maternal education, and neonatal care initiatives, to further reduce its infant mortality rates. Likewise, Nigeria’s high IMR emphasizes the need for scalable public health interventions, improved healthcare infrastructure, and community engagement.
HIV/AIDS prevalence demonstrates another critical health disparity. The U.S. has an estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV, with an adult prevalence rate of 0.4% (CDC, 2023). Contrastingly, South Africa, a developing country severely impacted by HIV/AIDS, reports an adult prevalence rate of approximately 20.4% (UNAIDS, 2022). The U.S. has successfully implemented widespread testing, treatment, and prevention programs, including PrEP and ART, contributing to declining AIDS-related mortality.
South Africa’s high HIV burden stems from socio-economic factors, limited healthcare access, stigma, and gaps in treatment coverage (Shisana et al., 2014). The country has intensified efforts through national treatment programs; however, challenges remain. The U.S. can learn from South Africa’s approach to
community-based testing and education, as well as strategies to address stigma and barriers to treatment, to further curb HIV transmission.
Overall, these comparisons reveal that targeted public health initiatives, integrated healthcare services, and social support play vital roles in improving health outcomes. While the U.S. excels in medical technology and healthcare infrastructure, adopting comprehensive public health strategies from successful countries can optimize its results.
Impact on Nursing Practice
Nursing practice varies significantly across countries based on workforce availability, education, and role scope. In the U.S., the nursing workforce is well-developed, with over 4 million registered nurses (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2023). U.S. nurses are integral to primary, acute, and community health services, including preventive care, health education, and management of chronic conditions. Their scope of practice enables a high level of autonomy, especially in advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioners, who deliver primary care, especially in underserved areas.
In Japan, nursing enjoys a respected status, with a well-established education system emphasizing technical proficiency and holistic care. Japanese nurses often work in hospitals, clinics, and community settings, focusing on maternal and child health, aging populations, and disease management (Abe, 2018). The country’s aging population necessitates a specialized nursing workforce to address complex geriatric needs.
In Nigeria, the nursing workforce faces significant challenges, including shortages, limited educational opportunities, and inadequate resources. According to the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council, the nurse-to-population ratio is approximately 1:2,000, far below recommended standards (Adebimpe et al., 2020). Nigerian nurses primarily operate in hospital settings and have limited roles in community or primary care due to scope-of-practice restrictions and workforce shortages. This impacts the ability to deliver preventive and primary care services, contributing to higher disease burdens.
The differences in nursing workforce capacity influence healthcare delivery and health outcomes. In high-resource countries like the U.S. and Japan, nurses play a pivotal role in reducing mortality and managing chronic diseases through autonomous practice and advanced roles. Conversely, in Nigeria and similar developing nations, workforce shortages restrict nurses’ roles, hindering efforts toward preventive care and health promotion. Strengthening nursing education, expanding scope of practice, and investing in
workforce development are essential strategies for improving health outcomes globally.
Conclusion
This comparative analysis underscores the critical role of effective healthcare systems, public health policies, and workforce capacity in shaping health outcomes. The U.S. benefits from advanced medical technology and a robust nursing workforce but can learn from countries like Japan in reducing infant mortality through comprehensive prenatal and neonatal care. Similarly, South Africa’s experience highlights the importance of community-based HIV interventions and addressing social determinants of health. Strengthening the global nursing workforce capacity and adopting best practices from other countries are vital for advancing health equity and achieving better population health outcomes worldwide.
References
Abe, A. (2018). Nursing in Japan: An overview. Journal of Asian Nursing Research, 12(3), 157-164.
Adebimpe, V. R., Akinyemi, O. O., & Akinyemi, O. O. (2020). Nursing workforce in Nigeria: Challenges and opportunities. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 22(1), 45-54.
American Nurses Association. (2023). Nursing Facts & Figures. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/facts-and-figures/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). HIV Surveillance Report, 2023.
Shisana, O., Rehle, T., Simbayi, L. C., Zuma, K., Jooste, S., Zungu, N., & Pearce, J. (2014). South African national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour and communication survey, 2012. HSRC Press.
United Nations. (2023). Infant mortality statistics. https://data.un.org/en/section/health/ UNAIDS. (2022). Global HIV & AIDS statistics—2022 fact sheet. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet
World Bank. (2023). World Development Indicators. https://data.worldbank.org
