NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 4060 Practicing in the Community to Improve Population Health

Prof. Name

Date

 Community Resources

This assessment entails a comprehensive evaluation of a particular community resource, i.e., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With the rapid proliferation of health issues, the CDC plays a significant role in improving public health and safety through its continuous endeavors to promote health initiatives and disease prevention. This organization also advocates and promotes equal opportunity and health equity for the public. Moreover, the paper will discuss how external bodies like funding agencies, policies, and law enforcement influence the organization’s services. Lastly, the impact of the CDC’s services on the health of the local community will be discussed.

CDC’s Mission and Vision in Improving Public Health and Safety

The goal of the CDC is to safeguard American citizens against internal and foreign dangers to their health, safety, and security. It seeks to achieve this by advancing health equity and ensuring that the country is equipped to handle public health emergencies through science, policy, and leadership. The CDC envisions a world in which all people live healthy lives, free from preventable illness, injury, and premature death. Additionally, it strives to achieve this vision by collaborating with partners to improve health at every stage of life (CDC, 2022).

Contribution to Public Health 

The CDC’s mission and vision empower it to conduct vital research, provide evidence-based guidance, and implement interventions to prevent and control the spread of diseases and health threats. Through surveillance systems, the CDC monitors the prevalence and distribution of diseases, identifies emerging threats, and tracks trends in public health. The agency also offers assistance and technical aid for state and local health agencies. For instance, it has provided short technical assistance like Epi-Aid (for epidemic outbreaks), Lab-Aid (for Laboratory assistance during outbreaks), and Info-Aid (helps in the meaningful use of EHRs), etc. for public health communities (CDC, 2020). This support aims to strengthen their capacity to respond to health emergencies and implement effective public health interventions.

Example of Initiative Supporting Mission and Vision

One specific initiative that exemplifies the CDC’s commitment to its mission and vision is its global efforts to combat infectious diseases. One such initiative is the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which was launched in 2014 in partnership with other nations, non-governmental agencies, and international organizations. The GHSA aims to enhance countries’ capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, whether naturally occurring, deliberate, or accidental (CDC, 2022).

It focuses on strengthening health systems, improving laboratory and surveillance capabilities, and fostering collaboration and coordination among nations. By supporting the GHSA, the CDC contributes to global health security and helps prevent outbreaks from becoming pandemics (CDC, 2022). This program supports the CDC’s goal of safeguarding Americans from foreign health threats and its vision of a world free from preventable illness and premature death (Moolenaar et al., 2020).

CDC’s Efforts for Equal Opportunity and Improvement of Community Quality of Life

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demonstrates a strong commitment to promoting equal opportunity and improving the standard of living in local communities through various efforts. The CDC conducts extensive research, implements targeted interventions, and collaborates with stakeholders to address health disparities and advance health equity. For example, it provides recommendations for improving access to healthcare, promoting healthy behaviors, and reducing the burden of chronic diseases in underserved communities (CDC, 2023).

The CDC collaborates with local health departments, community organizations, and other stakeholders to implement programs tailored to the specific needs of diverse communities. These partnerships facilitate the delivery of culturally competent services and interventions that address social determinants of health. The CDC educates the public about health risks, preventive measures, and available resources through various channels, including educational campaigns, workshops, and online resources such as WeChat (Ma et al., 2021). Through increasing public awareness and enabling people to make knowledgeable decisions about their health, the CDC enhances the general well-being of the community.

Barriers and their Implications

Health equity is severely hampered by social determinants of health, such as discrimination, poverty, and poor access to healthcare. Disparities in health outcomes based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, and other characteristics may arise from these barriers. The ramifications for marginalized people include worse overall health outcomes, increased incidence of chronic diseases, and restricted access to healthcare services. Cultural differences and language barriers can hinder effective communication and access to healthcare services (Butkus et al., 2020).

The CDC’s efforts to address cultural barriers include providing culturally competent care, offering language assistance services, and promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare settings. Economic disparities, such as restricted availability of cheap housing, wholesome food options, and transportation, contribute to health inequities. These barriers can result in higher rates of preventable diseases, limited opportunities for health promotion, and increased healthcare costs (Butkus et al., 2020). The CDC advocates for policies that address economic barriers, such as increasing access to affordable healthcare, improving social support systems, and promoting economic empowerment initiatives.

Physical environments that lack access to safe and walkable neighborhoods, parks, and recreational facilities can negatively impact health outcomes. The CDC’s efforts to address physical barriers include promoting urban planning strategies that prioritize health, advocating for built environments that support physical activity, and improving access to healthcare facilities in inadequately supplied areas. By addressing physical barriers, the CDC aims to create healthier environments that support overall well-being and reduce disparities in health outcomes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).

Impact of Funding, Policy, and Legislation on Service Delivery

Funding Sources

The availability and allocation of funding significantly influence the CDC’s ability to fulfill its objective and offer crucial public health services. Decreased financing may lead to staffing reductions, program cutbacks, and limited resources for research, surveillance, and emergency response efforts. Conversely, increased funding enables the CDC to expand its programs, invest in innovative research, and enhance its capacity to effectively address emerging public health threats (CDC, 2024).

Policy and Legislation

Policy decisions and legislation at the local, state, and federal levels shape the CDC’s priorities, mandate, and authority. Changes in policy and legislation can impact the CDC’s ability to implement specific programs, enforce regulations, and respond to public health emergencies. For example, changes in healthcare policies may affect access to preventive services, vaccination programs, and disease surveillance systems, ultimately influencing population health outcomes (CDC, 2022).

Potential Implications for Community Members

Funding cuts and policy changes can limit access to critical public health services, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates, especially among underserved populations. According to Williamson (2023), these acts deteriorate already-existing health inequities by disproportionately harming underprivileged communities that have little access to resources and medical care. The CDC needs adequate money and supportive policies in order to plan and handle public health catastrophes. More funding or adequate policies are required to ensure the CDC’s ability to mount timely and effective responses, putting communities at risk (CDC, 2021).

Organization’s Impact on Local Health and Safety and Nurse Involvement

The work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) significantly impacts the health and safety needs of local communities through its comprehensive initiatives spanning environmental health, illness prevention, emergency preparedness, and health promotion. By conducting research, surveillance, and public health campaigns, the CDC actively works to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, promote healthy behaviors, and prepare communities for public health emergencies (Huston, 2023). Additionally, the CDC addresses environmental health concerns, such as air and water quality, to protect communities from environmental hazards.

A critical role that nurses may play in assisting the CDC in its activities is engaging in public health education and outreach, facilitating community partnerships, contributing to data collection and surveillance, and participating in disaster response and emergency preparedness activities (Ramos et al., 2021). Through collaboration with the CDC, nurses can leverage their expertise to build resilience, avoid illness, and advance health equity in local communities in the face of public health challenges.

Conclusion

In summary, the CDC’s comprehensive approach to public health positively impacts local communities by addressing disease prevention, health promotion, emergency preparedness, and environmental health. Nurses’ involvement strengthens these efforts, contributing to healthier and safer communities. Together, the CDC and nurses play crucial roles in promoting health equity and improving the quality of life for individuals and families.

References

Butkus, R., Rapp, K., Cooney, T. G., & Engel, L. S. (2020). Envisioning a better U.S. health care system for all: Reducing barriers to care and addressing social determinants of health. Annals of Internal Medicine, 172(2), S50. https://doi.org/10.7326/m19-2410 

CDC. (2020, March 5). CDC support to health officials | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdepartmentresources/health-official-support.html 

CDC. (2021, December 1). Federal regulations and policies | grants | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/grants/federal-regulations-policies/index.html 

CDC. (2022, April 29). Mission, role and pledge. Cdc.gov; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/mission.htm 

CDC. (2022, May 19). Key achievements in five years of GHSA | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/resources/factsheets/5-years-of-ghsa.html 

CDC. (2022, May 20). What is the global health security agenda? Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/security/what-is-ghsa.htm 

CDC. (2023, March 27). Health care access and quality | prepare your health | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/discussionguides/healthcare.htm 

CDC. (2024, January 30). Grants. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/grants/index.html 

NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 8). Social determinants of health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/cdc-doing-sdoh.html 

Huston, S. L. (2023). State and local health departments: Research, surveillance, and evidence-based public health practices. Preventing Chronic Disease, 20. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd20.230142 

Ma, X., Lu, J., & Liu, W. (2021). Influencing factors on health information to improve public health literacy in the official WeChat account of Guangzhou CDC. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.657082 

Moolenaar, R. L., Cassell, C. H., & Knight, N. W. (2020). Lessons learned in global health security implementation. Health Security, 18(S1), S-4-S-7. https://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2019.0157 

Ramos, V. G., Kaiser, M. T., Benzekri, A., Hidalgo, A., Lanier, Y., Tlou, S., de Lourdes Rosas López, M., Soletti, A. B., & Hagan, H. (2021). Nurses at the frontline of public health emergency preparedness and response: Lessons learned from the HIV/AIDS pandemic and emerging infectious disease outbreaks. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 21(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30983-x 

NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources

Williamson, G. (2023). Healthcare access disparities among marginalized communities. International Journal of Public Health Studies, 1(1), 11–22. https://forthworthjournals.org/journals/index.php/IJPHS/article/view/92