Unit 2 Discussion Board
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Institution
Date
Unit 2 Discussion Board
The chosen vulnerable population in week 1 is childhood obesity. The population is made vulnerable by having a BMI above the 85th percentile. Similarly, the health issue has become an epidemic based on the high prevalence and associated complications that include heart disease, and poor quality of life. Some of the factors that have contributed to the high prevalence of childhood obesity are unhealthy dietary patterns and low levels of physical activity.
A predominant COVID-19 related health care issue that is of concern to the vulnerable population is proper nutrition. COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a disruption of the food systems. A significant number of the population has fallen into poverty due to the lack of livelihoods while the number of undernourished people is likely to go up. It is vital to acknowledge that the loss of income results in no access to food and if any access, people access less nutritious foods. Similarly, travel-related restrictions and confinement measures have prevented the farmers from accessing markets, harvesting crops hence disrupting the food supply chains which has resulted in an overreliance on processed foods as compared to fresh produce from the farms (Naja & Hamadeh, 2020). Inadequate access to healthy foods is likely to result in unproportioned weight gain and higher levels of childhood obesity.
The primary prevention interventions to this issue would include educating the population on the importance of eating healthy foods within the recommended portions and legislation on school lunch programs. Secondary interventions would include regular monitoring of weight and cholesterol levels and engaging in daily exercise programs to prevent further weight gain. Tertiary prevention would include weight rehabilitation programs and weight-loss surgeries like gastric bypass surgery.
Three educational topics that the vulnerable population would benefit from with relation to COVID-19 include regular COVID-19 screening, body dietary needs, and food safety. The above topics would enhance the population’s knowledge about proper nutrition and influence their decision-making regarding food choices.
Reference
Naja, F., & Hamadeh, R. (2020). Nutrition amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-level framework for action. European journal of clinical nutrition, 74(8), 1117-1121.
Unit 5 Discussion Board
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Institution
Date
Unit 5 Discussion Board
In this unit, I learned about childhood obesity, the benefits of handwashing, and taking safety precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. I also learned about the low-income socio-economic class and their vulnerability in acquiring diseases. Childhood obesity is a common problem in the US that results in health complications like heart disease, poor quality of life and burden of disease among the victims. Proper handwashing with soap and water is another compelling topic that I learned about and its importance in lowering the risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19.
The experiential learning helped me understand the subject matter in depth. I was able to understand the dynamics of childhood obesity, social determinants of health that affect the populations from low socio-economic classes as well as how COVID-19 transmission can be prevented by proper handwashing with soap and water.
This course has built on my population health knowledge especially on the importance of educational interventions by healthcare practitioners to improve the population’s health outcomes. Educational interventions either at the individual or community level aim at preventing disease, improving the population’s overall health, and enhancing the population’s quality of life (HealthyPeople.gov, 2019). For example, the health education on handwashing and nutrition at the Brea Community Center enabled me to develop more skills as a population nurse educator. Similarly, I played the role of an advocate for vulnerable populations.
My new population nursing knowledge is likely to change my way of practicing nursing since I will not only provide health care but also be an educator and an advocate at the community level. I will strive to improve the welfare of the population for the achievement of optimal health outcomes
Reference
HealthyPeople.gov. (2019, September 26). Educational and community-based programs. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/educational-and-community-based-programs