Nursing and Public Health Impact

Climate Change and Health

• Climate change affects both physical and mental health through increased extreme weather events and air pollution.
• Waterborne diseases are rising as a consequence of climate change impacts.
• Nurses play a crucial role in climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in healthcare.

Philippine Health Profile

• Key health indicators include life expectancy, infant mortality, and maternal mortality rates.
• Overall health status is often compared with global benchmarks for context.

Leading Causes of Morbidity and Mortality

• Major health issues include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
• Understanding these causes is essential for effective nursing practice and public health interventions.

Health Disparities

• Variations in health outcomes are influenced by socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, and ethnicity.
• Nurses are essential in addressing and reducing health disparities in communities.

Health System Challenges

• Underfunding impairs healthcare access and quality; nurses advocate for better funding.
• Human resource shortages arise from nurse migration and uneven healthcare worker distribution, requiring strategic solutions.
• Weak primary healthcare systems hinder disease prevention, highlighting the need for nursing interventions.

The Role of Nurses

• Advocacy for health promotion and disease prevention is a fundamental nurse responsibility.
• Nurses deliver quality care and educate communities to empower them regarding health issues.
• Research conducted by nurses contributes to evidence-based practices in healthcare.

Definitions and Focus

• Health, according to WHO, is a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of illness.
• Community health emphasizes health improvements within specific groups.
• Public health focuses on organized efforts to enhance health quality and prevent diseases.

Standards of Public Health Nursing

• Assessment, population diagnosis, and outcome identification are fundamental care standards.
• Professional performance includes quality of practice, education, ethics, and leadership.

Public Health Interventions

• Key strategies: surveillance, counseling, outreach, screening, case management, and health teaching.
• Community engagement through coalition building and advocacy is essential for effective public health.

Evolution of Public Health Nursing in the Philippines

• 1912 marked the Fajardo Act which initiated modern public health nursing in the country.
• Major reforms and legislation in following years, like the Local Government Code of 1991, decentralize health services.

Recent Developments

• The Universal Health Care initiative launched in 2012 aims for equitable access to healthcare.
• The Universal Health Care Act ensures comprehensive health services without financial hardships for all Filipinos.

Local Health System and Devolution

• Devolution of health services empowers local governments to enhance healthcare delivery.
• Health services are structured into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels to ensure accessibility.

Classification of Health Facilities

• Health facilities are categorized based on their service offerings, including primary, custodial, and diagnostic/therapeutic categories.
• Each category serves different health needs, from basic care to specialized treatments.

Philippine Health Agenda 2010 – 2022

• A strategic framework focused on achieving universal health care (UHC) and addressing overall health needs.
• Key goals include financial risk protection, improved health outcomes, and a responsive health system.

DOH Programs

• Initiatives include immunization, health programs for mothers and children, and infectious disease prevention.
• Comprehensive health strategies aim to tackle emerging health threats effectively.

Explore the interconnection between climate change, health, and nursing. This quiz covers key health indicators, leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and health disparities. Understand the critical role nurses play in improving health outcomes amid environmental challenges.