An Introduction to Community and Public Health Nursing
An Introduction to Community and Public Health Nursing
Practical Application: Book Activity
Practical Application
Setting the Scene
As a part of a review of homelessness in the area, the Pleasant City Council has convened a task force to evaluate the need for homeless shelters in the city. Results of the task force’s community assessment showed that, while more homeless men than women are currently present in the city, the percentage of homeless women is steadily rising. Assessment findings also showed that more women with children live in poverty than men do. The task force found that many women who are living in poverty are being overlooked and, as a result, are at risk of becoming unhoused.
Pleasant already has a homeless shelter for men. Based on the information gathered from the community assessment, the task force and the Pleasant City Council have decided to open a homeless shelter designed to primarily serve women with children who are unhoused or in poverty.
Think About It
Imagine you are a community health nurse serving on the task force. You and other task force health care professionals are charged with planning health care services for women with children to be provided at the new homeless shelter.
- What common health problems should you and the task force be aware of when planning which health services to provide at the new shelter?
- What health determinants influence the health of the residents who will be cared for in the new homeless shelter?
- What are some suggestions for primordial, primary, secondary, or tertiary disease prevention strategies to support the residents of the new homeless shelter? How might you help these residents participate in these efforts?
- After the shelter opens, you become one of the nurses who work in the clinic. What strategies are important for you to implement when working with this population?
- Drawing on the Healthy People 2030 recommendations for health policy advancement, where/how should you become an advocate for change?
Practical Application: Additional Guidance
Exercise Title
“Healthcare Planning for a Women’s Homeless Shelter: Bridging Gaps and Fostering Wellness”
Objective
This exercise focuses on addressing the pressing issue of homelessness, particularly among women with children, and offers a comprehensive approach to planning and delivering healthcare services in a homeless shelter setting.
Preparing for the Exercise
Setting the Scene: The Pleasant City Council has identified a rising trend of homelessness among women with children in the community. A task force, including healthcare professionals, has been convened to plan the opening of a homeless shelter specifically tailored to serve this vulnerable population.
Exercise Components:
- Understanding Common Health Problems: Students will use text and web resources to explore prevalent health issues among homeless women and children, including malnutrition, mental health disorders, substance abuse, infectious diseases, and chronic