Health Policy and Health Promotion – A Self-Reflection

Health Policy and Health Promotion – A Self-Reflection

When I look back at what I have learned over the course of the Health Policy and Health Promotion course I can conclude that the level and the range of the acquired information is remarkable. This has not only helped me to develop ideals and knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention but also made me realize the correlation between health policy and nursing. In this regard, this reflection delves into the lessons learned, their relevance to the APN career, and the various processes involved in the formulation and implementation of health policies.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

My knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention has profited immensely, especially with regard to identifying health promotion and disease prevention strategies with targeted and at-risk communities. Concerning what I have learned, this means that health promotion requires respecting the cultural aspects of the various population groups. For example, in targeting diabetic Hispanic people, culture, such as diet and the families’ structure, should be well put into consideration in the course of the interventions (Healthy People 2030, n.d.).

The course has also helped me understand the strategies for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention, for instance, includes vaccination programs and health education, which go a long way in preventing disease before it actually occurs. Secondary prevention involves early detection and intervention, such as screening programs for either breast cancer or hypertension. Tertiary prevention involves managing chronic conditions to prevent complications and improve quality of life, such as diabetes management programs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024).

Healthy People 2030 has emerged as a cornerstone in addressing current health issues. Its comprehensive approach, focusing on social determinants of health and health equity, provides a roadmap for improving population health. For example, the initiative’s objective to reduce the proportion of adults with diabetes who have an A1c value above 9% directly supports efforts to improve diabetes management and reduce complications (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2020).

Policy Advocacy as an APN

As an APN, I am particularly passionate about ensuring the passage of a law that would expand access to telehealth services, especially in rural and underserved areas. This policy would not only improve access to care but also potentially reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. Key members of the committee that could help pass this bill include Senator Patty Murray, known for her work on healthcare access, and Representative Frank Pallone, who has been involved in healthcare reform efforts.

Political Process and Policy Impact

A bill of such nature requires the integrated support of political figures in order to be passed. The Senator would bring it to the Senate and debate its necessity, drawing consensus with colleagues for its passage. The Representative would do much the same in the House of Representatives and might provide a companion bill. The support of the Governor would be voiced publicly and demonstrate at the state level what such a bill could accomplish, although not being directly involved in federal legislation.

The process a bill undergoes in Congress is multi-stepped, first through introduction, then committee hearings, floor debates, and voting in both the House and Senate. At virtually every step in this process, a bill is vulnerable to influence through lobbying efforts, public will, and negotiations that may dramatically shape the final product.

This policy in telehealth would, no doubt, make remarkable impacts on nursing practice: there would be a wider range and flexibility for APNs in their care provision, hence possibly extending their scope of practice in the care settings where telehealth is applied. It would include additional training in telehealth technologies and practices and perhaps new nursing roles aimed at being responsible for distant patient care and monitoring.

Health Policy Development and Implementation

Development and implementation of health policy are complex processes emanating from various influences. Evidence-based research provides the grounding for recommendations in policy. However, economic considerations such as cost-benefit analyses and implications for the budget often show their final forms in policies. Public opinion and media coverage may also play a role in shaping the decisions made by policymakers.

Health policy implementation engages a number of different stakeholders, including providers of health care, insurers, and government agencies. In most cases, implementation requires guidelines, proper funding, and continuous evaluation and adjustment. Successful implementation under the ACA has been the creation of new insurance marketplaces, the expansion of Medicaid in participating states, and the establishment of new regulations for insurers (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2023).

Strategies for APN Political Action

The involvement of APNs in the political process is crucial for shaping healthcare policy. Strategies to foster political action among APNs include 1) joining professional nursing organizations that engage in policy advocacy; 2) attending town halls and legislative sessions to voice nursing perspectives; 3) writing to legislators about healthcare issues; 4) participating in nursing advocacy days at state capitals; and 5) utilizing social media to raise awareness about health policy issues. APNs are important in the political process because they bring perspectives that are derived from direct care with patients. Their experiences with health-related problems at the front line can result in better, more practical policies. As trusted healthcare providers, APNs can have a greater influence on the public and policymakers as advocates.

Economic Factors Affecting Health Policy

Economic variables strongly influence various levels of health policy and health promotion. Locally, resources devoted to community health programs depend on municipal budgets. On the state level, revenues generated through taxation and state budget priorities establish funding levels for public health programs and Medicaid services. On the federal level, major health policies and programs, such as Medicare and funding for the National Institutes of Health, are influenced by economic considerations. The overall performance of the national economy, including unemployment rates and the growth rate of GDP, may affect healthcare expenditures and policy priorities.

On the global platform, economic indicators such as the status of world trade agreements, budgets for international aid, and different levels of economic development are all significant driving forces that determine world health policies and programs. Notably, countries with low and middle-income economic bases are unable to pursue comprehensive public health programs or respond to health-related emergencies because of their weak economic structures (World Health Organization, 2023).

Conclusion

This course has provided me with an in-depth understanding of the interrelationships among health policy, health promotion, and nursing practice. As an APN, I can better navigate the complex dimensions of healthcare policy and, most importantly, be more prepared to advocate for changes to come that benefit patients and the profession in general. Accordingly, I am committed to being current with evolving issues in health policy, continuing to engage in the political process, and making an active effort toward continuous improvement in health outcomes across diverse populations. I know my role as an APN extends beyond patient care to being a voice for positive change in the larger health system as well. These will undoubtedly shape my future practice and help me contribute effectively to health promotion endeavors and policy development. I look forward with enthusiasm to commencing my career as an APN, with its many opportunities to influence healthcare delivery and healthcare policy, always remembering the needs of patients and communities.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). National diabetes statistics report. Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/dataresearch/index.html

Healthy People 2030. (n.d.). Reduce the rate of death from any cause in adults with diabetes — D-09. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/diabetes/reduce-rate-death-any-cause-adults-diabetes-d-09

Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). Summary of the Affordable Care Act. https://www.kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/summary-of-the-affordable-care-act/

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Healthy People 2030 framework. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/healthypeople/about/healthy-people-2030-framework

World Health Organization. (2023). Global health expenditure database. https://apps.who.int/nha/database

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The self-reflection final post MUST be 650 to 1500 words and MUST include the following:
1. Summarize what you’ve learned about knowledge related to a) health promotion and disease prevention to address health disparities among diverse and vulnerable populations; b) discuss primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention; and c) discuss Healthy People 2030 and how its initiatives support current health issues.

Health Policy and Health Promotion – A Self-Reflection

2. Reflect on a policy that you as an APN want to ensure passes as a law to improve health. Detail the policy and members of the committee that will help pass this Bill.
3. Describe the role of the Senator, Representative, and Governor and their influence towards passing this Bill and the political process. Discuss this policy and its impact on nursing practice.
4. Provide an analysis of the processes that influence the development and implementation of health policy for application in health care environments.
5. Discuss strategies to foster political action by advanced practice nurses (APN). Why is it important for APNs to get involved in the political process?
6. Discuss economic variables that impact health policy and health promotion at the local, state, federal, and international levels.