“Nurses cannot expect legislators to have an accurate and full understanding of the important contributions that nurses make to the health of the nation. Rather, it is a nursing responsibility for nurses to take the message to them (Alligood & Miles, 2011, p. 7). This is a call to action for nurses to take active leadership in policy making to effect change in healthcare. Nurses have the knowledge and the understanding of how social inequities drastically affect their patient population. However, there is a disconnect that happens in translating this knowledge into public policy. The working knowledge of nurses regarding human interaction, social, cultural, and environmental influences make their contribution to policy creation invaluable.
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In Orange County, poverty is a key social issue that is faced by more than 20% of its residents, 120,000 of which are children (County of Orange, 2015). One of the primary driving factors why people inhabiting this area live at or below poverty level is attributed to exorbitant housing costs. According to the latest Orange County Community Indicators Report, 31% of families with children living in this area spend more than 50% of their earned income on housing alone (2015). Many of the developments in housing are catering to “above average” income earners, with the “low income” category very much lagging behind. The glaring problem from lack of affordable housing spills over to other dimensions which affect overall quality of life for its residents. When housing costs eat up majority of earned income, money for other necessities such as food, healthcare, education, and recreation are sharply curtailed. This can translate to poor nutrition and eating habits due to lack of affordable, healthy choices in food. This problem is compounded by the proliferation of mass produced, low-cost foods that are calorically dense but nutritionally …show more content…
I feel hopeful in the initiative started by the World Health Organization in creating Healthy Cities in different continents by bringing health agendas on the fore front of decision making and policy creation. Its goal is to create health protection and sustainable development through cooperation amongst communities, private and public sectors, and governments. It promotes equitable opportunities for good quality of life, sanitary and healthy environments, and access to health care (de Leeuw, Green , Spanswick, & Palmer, 2015). Countries like Sweden, for example, are incorporating long term goals of health into city planning and development. Local political and health leaders and visionaries encourage communities to participate in the achievement in their vision of a healthier tomorrow. There is movement to address climate change by lowering carbon emissions, which not only makes for healthier citizens, but a healthier world. Policy makers and communities have united to promote intersectoral cooperation in building appropriate infrastructures to provide sustainable resources, use clean energy, and promote better health. Citizen now use their bikes to commute and are rewarded with cleaner air and healthier bodies. Citizens feel empowered, invigorated, and inspired by these changes. It is clear that effective policy creation and implementation are important and can bring about much needed
In Orange County, poverty is a key social issue that is faced by more than 20% of its residents, 120,000 of which are children (County of Orange, 2015). One of the primary driving factors why people inhabiting this area live at or below poverty level is attributed to exorbitant housing costs. According to the latest Orange County Community Indicators Report, 31% of families with children living in this area spend more than 50% of their earned income on housing alone (2015). Many of the developments in housing are catering to “above average” income earners, with the “low income” category very much lagging behind. The glaring problem from lack of affordable housing spills over to other dimensions which affect overall quality of life for its residents. When housing costs eat up majority of earned income, money for other necessities such as food, healthcare, education, and recreation are sharply curtailed. This can translate to poor nutrition and eating habits due to lack of affordable, healthy choices in food. This problem is compounded by the proliferation of mass produced, low-cost foods that are calorically dense but nutritionally …show more content…
I feel hopeful in the initiative started by the World Health Organization in creating Healthy Cities in different continents by bringing health agendas on the fore front of decision making and policy creation. Its goal is to create health protection and sustainable development through cooperation amongst communities, private and public sectors, and governments. It promotes equitable opportunities for good quality of life, sanitary and healthy environments, and access to health care (de Leeuw, Green , Spanswick, & Palmer, 2015). Countries like Sweden, for example, are incorporating long term goals of health into city planning and development. Local political and health leaders and visionaries encourage communities to participate in the achievement in their vision of a healthier tomorrow. There is movement to address climate change by lowering carbon emissions, which not only makes for healthier citizens, but a healthier world. Policy makers and communities have united to promote intersectoral cooperation in building appropriate infrastructures to provide sustainable resources, use clean energy, and promote better health. Citizen now use their bikes to commute and are rewarded with cleaner air and healthier bodies. Citizens feel empowered, invigorated, and inspired by these changes. It is clear that effective policy creation and implementation are important and can bring about much needed