The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is part of the executive branch and presides over much of the health care within the country by implementing health policy. Through policy, some of the most significant advances in the 20th century have occurred. The health of the population has been greatly improved by the government’s management of immunizations, motor-vehicle safety, workplace safety, safe and healthy food handling, family planning, fluoridation of drinking water, control of infectious diseases, public knowledge campaigns, and treating tobacco as a health hazard (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).
Unfortunately, there are vulnerable populations that are at greater risk of poor health outcomes. As previously …show more content…
The profession delivers high-quality, cost-effective, and patient centered care across the lifespan, while providing health promotion and care coordination (Hamric, Hanson, Tracy, & O 'Grady, 2014). APNs are, therefore, in a suitable position to reduce the current social determinants of health that exist within the country.
The most direct way APNs can aid vulnerable populations is by treating and managing their care. Primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) describes regions within the country that have insuffient primary care being provided. It is estimated to include 58 million citizens. Although rates may vary greatly from state to state, about half of the states include at least 30 percent of their population living within a HPSA (Vleet & Paradise, 2015). According to research, primary care NPs are more likely than primary care physicians to provide care in rural and urban areas, practice within a greater varierty of community settings, and tend to serve a greater number of uninsured individuals and other vulnerable populations (Buerhaus, DesRoches, Dittus, & Donelan, 2015). Through continuing this trend, APNs can improve the health outcomes of vulnerable …show more content…
The existing inequality within healthcare is not acceptable. It is, however, clear that health policy has the ability to reach several vulnerable populations. Progress can be seen through the implementation of community healthcare clinics, Medicare, Medicaid, and most recently, the ACA. In order to continue to providing for individuals who have been denied and neglected proper healthcare, it is the duty of the APN to become involved. This can be done by combating the influences of interest groups in the health care policy making process, through providing direct care to vulnerable populations, and by becoming involved in
Unfortunately, there are vulnerable populations that are at greater risk of poor health outcomes. As previously …show more content…
The profession delivers high-quality, cost-effective, and patient centered care across the lifespan, while providing health promotion and care coordination (Hamric, Hanson, Tracy, & O 'Grady, 2014). APNs are, therefore, in a suitable position to reduce the current social determinants of health that exist within the country.
The most direct way APNs can aid vulnerable populations is by treating and managing their care. Primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) describes regions within the country that have insuffient primary care being provided. It is estimated to include 58 million citizens. Although rates may vary greatly from state to state, about half of the states include at least 30 percent of their population living within a HPSA (Vleet & Paradise, 2015). According to research, primary care NPs are more likely than primary care physicians to provide care in rural and urban areas, practice within a greater varierty of community settings, and tend to serve a greater number of uninsured individuals and other vulnerable populations (Buerhaus, DesRoches, Dittus, & Donelan, 2015). Through continuing this trend, APNs can improve the health outcomes of vulnerable …show more content…
The existing inequality within healthcare is not acceptable. It is, however, clear that health policy has the ability to reach several vulnerable populations. Progress can be seen through the implementation of community healthcare clinics, Medicare, Medicaid, and most recently, the ACA. In order to continue to providing for individuals who have been denied and neglected proper healthcare, it is the duty of the APN to become involved. This can be done by combating the influences of interest groups in the health care policy making process, through providing direct care to vulnerable populations, and by becoming involved in