NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. 

Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

An Example NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities Follows:

Prompt for NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect families and communities. Describe the impact of health disparities and SDOH on care outcomes. Explain the role of the community health nurse in addressing these SDOH. Describe how the community health nurse can advocate for practices to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

NRS 425 Topic 1 DQ 1 Sample AI 

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Affecting Families and Communities

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. These factors influence health outcomes and contribute significantly to health disparities. The key SDOH impacting families and communities include:

  1. Economic Stability:
    • Income level: Low income is strongly linked to poor health outcomes due to limited access to healthcare, nutritious food, and safe living conditions.
    • Employment: Unstable or unsafe work environments can lead to higher stress, chronic health issues, and inadequate health insurance coverage.
    • Poverty: Families living in poverty often lack access to necessary resources like housing, healthy food, and adequate transportation, all of which directly affect health.
  2. Education Access and Quality:
    • Educational attainment: Lower levels of education are associated with poorer health outcomes due to reduced health literacy and lower-paying job opportunities.
    • Access to early childhood education: Children who receive early education and developmental support tend to have better health outcomes throughout their lives.
    • Health literacy: Lack of understanding about health and healthcare can lead to poor health choices, non-adherence to treatment plans, and delays in seeking medical care.
  3. Healthcare Access and Quality:
    • Access to medical care: Disparities in healthcare access, particularly for marginalized groups, lead to untreated medical conditions, delayed diagnosis, and higher morbidity and mortality.
    • Healthcare system quality: Low-quality healthcare services can exacerbate existing health conditions, limit access to preventive services, and perpetuate health inequities.
    • Health insurance coverage: Lack of adequate or any health insurance prevents families from seeking necessary care and leads to financial strain due to out-of-pocket costs.
  4. Neighborhood and Built Environment:
    • Housing quality: Poor-quality housing can contribute to respiratory problems, injuries, and mental health issues.
    • Safe neighborhoods: Violence, crime, and lack of safety can result in physical and emotional stress, limiting the ability of individuals to engage in outdoor activities or seek healthcare.
    • Access to healthy foods: Limited access to grocery stores or fresh produce (food deserts) can lead to poor nutrition and increased risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
    • Environmental factors: Exposure to pollutants, inadequate sanitation, and unsafe water can have detrimental effects on health.
  5. Social and Community Context:
    • Social support: Strong social networks and community support can promote mental health and provide emotional and practical assistance in times of need.
    • Discrimination and social exclusion: Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors leads to mental health issues, lower self-esteem, and limited access to opportunities.
    • Community engagement: Communities with a sense of belonging and collective support tend to have better health outcomes due to shared resources, resilience, and mutual care.

Impact of Health Disparities and SDOH on Care Outcomes

Health disparities arise when individuals or groups do not have the same opportunities to achieve optimal health due to social, economic, or environmental factors. These disparities affect health outcomes in the following ways:

  • Increased morbidity and mortality: Populations with limited resources or access to care often experience higher rates of preventable diseases, complications, and death.
  • Chronic conditions: Disadvantaged groups are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, due to a combination of lifestyle, environment, and limited access to preventive care.
  • Poor mental health: SDOH, such as poverty, discrimination, and social isolation, contribute to high rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
  • Delayed or inadequate care: Health disparities result in delayed treatment, lower-quality care, and increased hospital readmissions, often due to lack of insurance, transportation, or understanding of available services.
  • Higher healthcare costs: Health disparities lead to increased healthcare costs due to emergency room visits, late-stage treatments, and the management of preventable complications.

Role of the Community Health Nurse in Addressing SDOH

Community health nurses play a crucial role in addressing SDOH by providing care and advocacy that promotes health equity. Their responsibilities include:

  1. Assessing and Identifying SDOH:
    • Conducting thorough assessments to identify social, environmental, and economic factors that affect patients’ health.
    • Identifying vulnerable populations that are disproportionately affected by SDOH, such as low-income families, racial and ethnic minorities, and the elderly.
  2. Providing Culturally Competent Care:
    • Delivering care that is sensitive to cultural differences and ensuring that health information is accessible and understandable to all members of the community, regardless of their background.
    • Offering language support, such as translation services, to ensure patients can navigate the healthcare system and understand their health needs.
  3. Promoting Access to Resources:
    • Helping individuals and families access resources like transportation, housing support, food assistance, and employment opportunities.
    • Connecting patients with social services and community organizations that can help address their social needs and reduce barriers to care.
  4. Health Education and Empowerment:
    • Educating families and communities about preventive health practices, healthy lifestyles, and how to navigate the healthcare system.
    • Empowering individuals to advocate for their health and become active participants in their care.
  5. Advocating for Policy Change:
    • Working at local, state, and national levels to advocate for policies that address systemic issues contributing to health disparities, such as improved healthcare access, fair housing laws, and improved education.
    • Engaging in advocacy efforts to secure funding for community health programs that provide direct services to those most in need.
  6. Supporting Community Initiatives:
    • Collaborating with local organizations to create initiatives that address social needs, such as creating safe spaces for physical activity, providing mental health support, and ensuring access to healthy food.
    • Working to reduce environmental hazards by promoting policies that protect air and water quality, as well as improving neighborhood safety.

Advocating for Practices to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Community health nurses can advocate for practices that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in several ways:

  1. Cultural Competence Training:
    • Encouraging healthcare institutions to provide ongoing training for staff on cultural competence, sensitivity to diversity, and strategies to reduce implicit biases.
    • Promoting diversity within healthcare teams to ensure that various perspectives are included in decision-making and care planning.
  2. Inclusive Health Policies:
    • Advocating for health policies that ensure equal access to care for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status.
    • Ensuring that health resources are distributed equitably, prioritizing underserved communities.
  3. Addressing Discrimination:
    • Raising awareness about the negative impacts of discrimination on health and working to eliminate racial, ethnic, gender, and other forms of bias within healthcare systems.
    • Encouraging healthcare organizations to adopt zero-tolerance policies regarding discrimination and promoting an inclusive environment for both staff and patients.
  4. Community Empowerment:
    • Engaging marginalized communities in the decision-making process regarding their health and well-being.
    • Supporting grassroots efforts to address community needs, whether through advocacy for improved housing, employment opportunities, or healthcare access.
  5. Collecting and Analyzing Data:
    • Promoting the collection of data on health disparities, so that targeted interventions can be developed to address the root causes of inequities.
    • Advocating for the inclusion of diverse populations in clinical research to ensure that interventions are effective for all groups.

Conclusion

Social determinants of health are key factors that influence health outcomes and contribute to disparities among different populations. Community health nurses play a vital role in addressing these factors by providing direct care, promoting access to resources, and advocating for policies that ensure equity and inclusion. By focusing on the root causes of health disparities and advancing practices that support diversity, equity, and inclusion, community health nurses can help improve health outcomes for individuals and communities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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