Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in the environment where people live, learn, work and play, affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. These conditions are determined largely by their social, economic, physical environment and one’s individual characteristics (CDC, 2015). To a large extent, factors such as where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, behavior, lifestyle, our income, and our relationship with friends and family, have considerable impact on health. Poverty, one of the nation’s most intransigent social problems, continues to contribute to multiple health outcomes through a variety of pathways which includes reduced social standing and limited access to healthy food, health services and a safe
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Every individual is potentially a source of disease, a vehicle of transmission and a person susceptible to disease. Therefore, the nurse should encourage the practice of universal precautions at all times which will control the spread of diseases. Education on healthy eating should not be overemphasized. The nurse should have infection control and prevention plans, policies, procedures and protocols for addressing the care and placement of patients who do have or is suspected of having a communicable disease. There are precautions that should be maintained for each and every communicable disease. For example, with a patient diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB), the nurse should follow the protocol for infection control of droplet transmission. This diagnosis should be reported to the doctor so that the patient can start treatment. In the meantime the patient should be isolated and be educated on the importance of covering their mouth and nose whenever they sneeze and cough. For individuals that have been exposed to the infected person should also be tested and be put on prophylaxis treatment. The nurse in planning and providing treatment should take into consideration the patient’s socioeconomic status. People with low socioeconomic status are most likely malnourished, have compromised immune systems or have some comorbidity that will make them more susceptible to this disease. These patients might not even have access to health care. Knowledge of the patient’s socioeconomic status will assists the nurse to provide the care needed and make the necessary referrals to promote
Every individual is potentially a source of disease, a vehicle of transmission and a person susceptible to disease. Therefore, the nurse should encourage the practice of universal precautions at all times which will control the spread of diseases. Education on healthy eating should not be overemphasized. The nurse should have infection control and prevention plans, policies, procedures and protocols for addressing the care and placement of patients who do have or is suspected of having a communicable disease. There are precautions that should be maintained for each and every communicable disease. For example, with a patient diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB), the nurse should follow the protocol for infection control of droplet transmission. This diagnosis should be reported to the doctor so that the patient can start treatment. In the meantime the patient should be isolated and be educated on the importance of covering their mouth and nose whenever they sneeze and cough. For individuals that have been exposed to the infected person should also be tested and be put on prophylaxis treatment. The nurse in planning and providing treatment should take into consideration the patient’s socioeconomic status. People with low socioeconomic status are most likely malnourished, have compromised immune systems or have some comorbidity that will make them more susceptible to this disease. These patients might not even have access to health care. Knowledge of the patient’s socioeconomic status will assists the nurse to provide the care needed and make the necessary referrals to promote