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Nursing, Essays

Advocacy Through Legislation

Advocacy Through Legislation

Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation. Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as appropriate for the topic/proposal.

Problem

In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the issue continues.
San Antonio, Texas, is battling with obesity in a population of a little over 1.3 million persons (CDC, n.d). 65.7% of the adults in Bexar County, where San Antonio is located, are either overweight or obese. 32.4% of the children in the area who are aged between 10 and 17 years are either overweight or obese. There is also racial disparity among those who are obese in San Antonio. For example, 27% of Hispanic or Black children are obese, while 12% of White children are obese (CDC, n.d). Additionally, the efforts at tackling obesity are aimed at certain high-risk groups (CDC, n.d).

According to the CDC (n.d), pediatric obesity can cause harm to the body in several ways. Obese children have a high likelihood of having high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease; increased risk of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose intolerance; breathing complications such as sleep apnea and asthma; musculoskeletal discomfort and joint problems; fatty liver disease, heartburn, and gallstones. Pediatric obesity is also related to psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, lower self-esteem and lower self-reported quality of life, and social problems such as stigma and bullying. Further, children who are obese have a high likelihood of becoming obese adults, which again predisposes them to an increased risk of other health problems such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Lastly, pediatric obesity leads to more severe disease risk factors in adulthood (CDC, n.d).

Idea for Addressing Solution

In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has contributed negatively to increasing childhood obesity. The lockdown reduced the possibility of physical activity, increased screen time and food consumption frequency for children, and consequently increased pediatric obesity (Browne et al., 2021). While schools have since been opened and opportunities for physical activity have increased, it is safe to initiate a healthy eating culture among children. When children learn how to make healthy food choices and make these foods available, then in times of any pandemics in the future, they will not slide to comfort eating. That said, the proposed idea is to have the county government implement and support community organic gardens. Educating the communities on the need to eat healthily and encouraging them to actively participate in the projects will inadvertently contribute to a healthier community. The gardens will cost money, which the county government will, hopefully, fund. The community gardens will be owned by the community members and will benefit them and, more so, the children even as they promote the said culture of healthy eating.

Research the Issue

Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.
Evidence 1 According to Lanier et al. (2015), having an understanding of a community garden offers a potentially tangible way of cultivating positive change, as witnessed in the McLean County Wellness Coalition (MCWC) located in Illinois. The MCWC developed a community support initiative and expanded community gardens. The leading causes of death in McLean cunty are heart disease and cancer, while rates of obesity both in children and adults continue to be on the rise (Lanier,2015). The MCWC embarked on the community gardens in an effort to reduce the overall well-being of the community. These efforts also included goals that focused on increasing intake of fruit and vegetables as well as physical activity to combat obesity. The fruit and vegetable intake was increased by increasing access to the same through community gardens.

 
Evidence 2 According to Garrett et al. (2016), community gardens not only have the potential to reduce barriers such as affordability, availability, and accessibility to fresh foods, but they have to be implemented in an effective and efficient way to provide positive results to the community. A community garden can help in providing access to education, healthier lifestyles, quality nutrients, and fresh foods in urban communities. Reducing the barriers to healthier lifestyle access through support, education, and community gardens is the ideal way of positively intervening in the lives of the participants and reducing health issues and food security risks (Garrett, 2016).
 
Stakeholder Support

Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1 The county government would offer grants to grassroots groups willing to set up and maintain community gardens. The county government stands to benefit from a healthier population and lower medical costs
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2 Schools would support this idea and apply for grants to have community gardens in their vicinities. Schools can teach children about the need for healthy eating and get children to participate in growing their own food to be served in the cafeteria.
 
Stakeholder Opposition

Discuss the stakeholders who would oppose the proposed idea. Explain why they would be in opposition and how you would prepare to debate or converse about these considerations.
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1 County government members who would oppose the idea if the county budget does not cover the said community gardens and if they believe that the funds would be best forwarded to other courses
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 2 Some community members would be in opposition, especially if they are not getting access to the community gardens because of the distance from their dwellings. For example, elderly persons who may be unable to access the community gardens may oppose the same and prefer that the funds go to Meals on Wheels instead.
Financial Incentives/Costs

In no more than 250 words, summarize the financial impact of the issue and the idea (added costs, cost savings, increased revenue, etc.). Provided support.
The cost of healthcare for obese patients and complications related to obesity can be very high. Reducing these costs will mean the county has additional funds to invest in the community garden. When funds are injected into the community gardens, there will be an opportunity for even more gardens to be grown as the population becomes healthier and adopts healthier food options. The county stands to benefit economically from community gardens in the long term.
 Legislature: Information Needed and Process for Proposal

Discuss how to advocate for your proposal using legislation. Include the following:
Provide the name and complete contact information for the legislator.

Ron Nirenberg,

The Mayor, City of San Antonio

P.O. Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283
Describe the steps for how you would present this to your legislator. A letter will be addressed to the Mayor of San Antonio proposing the provision for a grant for community gardens. The proposal will also add that interested parties (and examples of such parties given) could apply for the grant.
Ø  Outline the process if your legislator chooses to introduce your idea as a bill to Congress.
Ø  Christian Principles and Nursing Advocacy

Ø  In no more than 250 words, discuss how principles of a Christian worldview lend support to legislative advocacy in health care without bias. Be specific as to how these principles help advocate for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations, including those more vulnerable, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, religion/belief, etc.

The Christian worldview propagates that the poor and needy in society should be taken care of in love and with justice. The Bible admonishes that Christians should take care of each other and the environment. The man was given the authority to eat the fruit of the land, but he would need to work the land to eat. Rieg et al. (2018) assert that Christians should show mercy and treat others with dignity. Nurse practitioners, in carrying out their Christian duty, can advocate for the welfare of the poor and needy, while legislators can enact bills that are in alignment with the issues being advocated for. In this case, community gardens fall in line with the Biblical command to work the land and eat its fruit and also in caring for the needy and ensuring that they have access to healthy food options. Cuellar And Robinson (2017) add that justice should be a component of the legislation. The equitable distribution of resources in a community should be observed. NPs can ensure this justice is assured by educating the population on the need for healthier lifestyles, which will reduce the strain on the few available healthcare resources and ensure that those with the greatest need of the resources can access them.

References

Browne, N. T., Snethen, J. A., Greenberg, C. S., Frenn, M., Kilanowski, J. F., Gance-Cleveland, B., … & Lewandowski, L. (2021). When pandemics collide: the impact of COVID-19 on childhood obesity. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 56, 90.

CDC (n.d). Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html

CDC (n.d). Community Profile: San Antonio, Texas. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dch/programs/communitiesputtingpreventiontowork/communities/profiles/obesity-tx_sanantonio.htm

Cuellar De la Cruz, Y., & Robinson, S. (2017). Answering the call to accessible quality health care for all using a new model of local community not-for-profit charity clinics: A return to Christ-centered care of the past. The Linacre Quarterly, 84(1), 44-56.

Garrett, J., White, M., Huang, J., Ng, S., Hui, Z., Leung, C., … Wong, M. (2019). Urban blue space and health and well-being in Hong Kong: Results from a survey of older adults. Health and Place, 55, 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.11.003

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Question 

Advocacy Through Legislation

Nurses often become motivated to change aspects within the larger health care system based on their real-world experience. As such, many nurses take on an advocacy role to influence a change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger health care system.

Advocacy Through Legislation

Advocacy Through Legislation

For this assignment:

  • Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity for advocacy through legislation.
  • Research the issue and use the “Advocacy Through Legislation” template to complete this assignment.
You are required to cite to a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice.
Solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.