Healthy Communities Start with Nurses

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES START WITH NURSES

By Cindy Zolnierek, PhD, RN, Executive Director, Texas Nurses Association

THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH Association defines public health as the promotion and protection of the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. Injury and disease prevention, wellness promotion, and healthy community development are all within the sphere of public health. And while public health can be thought of as macro perspectives, e.g. population health, actual public health interventions most often occur on a micro level in local communities — tobacco-free environments, lighted sidewalks that allow people to walk in their communities, and availability of local fresh produce and fluoridated water.

Many have recognized that a focus on community/public health holds promise for bending the curve on chronic disease and quality of life. In 2015, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation redirected its efforts toward building A Culture of Health. The American Public Health Association initiated a project Healthy Community 50. The Centers for Disease Control implemented a Healthy Communities Program. And, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services launched an Accountable Health Communities model.

To the three-legged stool of health care — quality, costs, outcomes — a fourth leg has been added. Care of the provider acknowledges that without healthy providers, optimal delivery of care cannot occur. Care of the provider begins with self-care.

Additionally, near the end of 2016 the surgeon general released the first report to frame addiction as a public health issue and suggest that the solution lies within a public health framework. Suicide, at a 30-year high, has been declared an epidemic, a major public health issue. Preventable chronic diseases (e.g. obesity, diabetes, heart disease) impact quality of life as well as longevity and medical costs for an increasing number of Americans; these diseases are public health issues.

Bending the curve on chronic disease and building healthy communities requires nursing involvement at the macro and micro levels. Nurses are called to be active in their professional associations, which advocate for public health policy, as well as within their local communities to advocate for safe, healthy environments. But perhaps most importantly, we nurses are called to participate as individuals — to examine our own behaviors, habits, and choices and consider how we can improve our own health status and thus become a role model for others.

To the three-legged stool of health care — quality, costs, outcomes — a fourth leg has been added. Care of the provider acknowledges that without healthy providers, optimal delivery of care cannot occur. Care of the provider begins with self-care.

Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation is an initiative of the American Nurses Association focused on promoting the health and well-being of nurses. When we are at our best, we can perform at the top of our practice to benefit our patients. TNA is participating as a Premier Partner of this initiative, and we encourage Texas nurses, whether TNA members or not, to participate with us in making our individual contributions to the health of our state and nation. For more information, visit the TNA website at texasnurses.org.

ANA is also designating 2017 the Year of the Healthy Nurse, which will focus on five domains of health: physical activity, nutrition, safety, quality of life, and sleep/ rest. (See article on fatigue on page 10).

For more information nurses can follow ANA on social media and watch for the national launch in May.

TNA is a member of the following coalitions concerned with public health:

• Texas Public Health Coalition

• Women’s Health Coalition

• Healthy Minds Coalition

• Texas Oral Health Coalition

• Texas Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Babies

• Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment