Question

Discuss the responsibilities of community and public health nurses in promoting health and decreasing illness and injury in populations, families, and individuals. Include the risk factors that contribute to vulnerability and poor health.

Answer 1

The responsibilities of community and public health nurses in promoting health and decreasing illness and injury in populations, families, and individuals include;

synthesizing knowledge from public health sciences and professional nursing theory. Promoting linkage between individuals, communities, the broader health system and other health determining sectors; and works with communities to develop specific services, programs and strategies (Adapted from – Community Health-Public Health Nursing, Canadian Public Health Association, 1990). PHNs have a major responsibility for implementing legislated services for controlling health hazards and communicable diseases as found in The Public Health Act, the Food and Food Establishment Regulation and the Diseases and Dead Body Regulation. The risk factors that contribute to vulnerability and poor health; age, gender, poor hygiene leading to communicable diseases and unhealthy lifestyles such as inadequate sleep, lack of physical activity, smoking and unhealthy diet.