Begin Reviewing And Responding To Peer Postings Early

Begin Reviewing And Replying To Peer Postingsresponses Early In The W

Begin reviewing and replying to peer postings/responses early in the week to enhance peer discussion. See the rubric for participation points. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing viewpoints with a rationale, challenging aspects of the discussion, or indicating relationships between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Always use constructive language, even in criticism, to work toward the goal of positive progress.

Peer 1: Topic 1 – Causes of Death

The CDC’s website makes data available for different causes of death, and some studies break it down by ethnicities. According to data from the National Vital Statistics System, in 1999 there was a gap in life expectancy between white and black ethnicities, with white people living an average of 5.9 years longer than their African-American counterparts (cdc.gov, 2020). The last published data indicated that by 2013, this gap had decreased to 3.6 years, primarily due to reductions in death rates from heart disease, cancer, and HIV (cdc.gov, 2020). This trend offers hope but highlights that significant work remains.

In terms of years, the average white individual can expect to live approximately 79.1 years, whereas the black population’s expectancy is around 75.5 years. Factors influencing this disparity are closely tied to social determinants of health, which are addressed by initiatives like Healthy People 2030. For instance, the particular class project demographic includes two-thirds African Americans, illustrating the relevance of population-specific health data and disparities. Although software limitations restrict detailed ethnicity data collection in the clinic, anecdotal observations suggest disproportionate patient load based on ethnicity, which could influence targeted interventions.

The nurse workforce plays a crucial role in addressing these disparities through community engagement and activism. Volunteer efforts and advocacy within the scope of nursing practice can contribute to reducing health inequities. By fostering culturally competent care and advocating for policy changes, nurses can influence social determinants—such as access to healthy foods, safe housing, and education—that impact life expectancy disparities between racial groups.

Paper For Above instruction

The persistent disparity in life expectancy between Black and White populations in the United States exemplifies the ongoing influence of social determinants of health and systemic factors. Despite a decline in this gap over recent decades, there remains a significant difference that underscores the importance of targeted interventions and community-based efforts. This paper explores the causes of this gap and discusses how healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, can contribute to mitigating these disparities.

The data from the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System reveals that in 1999, the life expectancy gap was approximately 5.9 years in favor of White individuals, which decreased to 3.6 years by 2013 (CDC, 2020). The reduction reflects progress in addressing specific health issues such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and HIV, which historically disproportionately impacted Black populations. However, these improvements have been uneven and are often linked to broader social determinants, including socioeconomic status, education, healthcare access, and environmental factors (Williams & Jackson, 2005).

Social determinants of health are critical in explaining disparities in life expectancy. These factors deeply influence health outcomes by shaping individuals' access to resources and opportunities for health promotion. For example, poverty is associated with limited access to nutritious food, safe neighborhoods, and consistent healthcare. Education impacts health literacy, affecting the ability to make informed health decisions. Environmental hazards, often more prevalent in marginalized communities, contribute to higher rates of chronic illnesses and preventable deaths (Braveman et al., 2011).

Addressing these complex issues requires a multifaceted approach involving policy change, community engagement, and healthcare delivery reforms. The Healthy People 2030 initiative emphasizes reducing health disparities and improving social determinants of health through strategies such as increasing access to care, promoting equitable health policies, and fostering community-based interventions. Nurses, especially those in community and public health roles, are vital in this effort, serving as educators, advocates, and care coordinators.

Nurses possess the skills necessary to implement culturally competent care, which is essential in effectively addressing the needs of diverse populations. They can facilitate health education tailored to community contexts, empower patients to navigate healthcare systems, and participate in policy advocacy. For instance, community health nurses often collaborate with local organizations to improve access to healthy foods, safe housing, and preventive services. Such initiatives can directly impact social determinants, thus narrowing the life expectancy gap.

Furthermore, nurse-led research can identify specific barriers faced by marginalized communities, informing targeted intervention programs. When nurses advocate for policy changes—such as expanding Medicaid or enhancing funding for community clinics—they contribute to systemic solutions that address root causes of health disparities. Continuous education on health equity issues enhances nurses’ capacity to serve as change agents and leaders within their communities.

In conclusion, the disparity in life expectancy between Black and White populations is a multifactorial issue rooted in social determinants of health. Progress has been made, but significant disparities remain. Nurses, through community engagement, education, advocacy, and research, are uniquely positioned to effect meaningful change. By addressing social determinants and promoting health equity, nursing professionals can contribute to closing the life expectancy gap and advancing social justice in healthcare (Smedley, Stith, & Nelson, 2003).

References

• Braveman, P., Egerter, S., & Williams, D. R. (2011). The social determinants of health:Coming of age. Annual Review of Public Health, 32, 381–398.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Leading Causes of Death Contributing to Decrease in Life Expectancy Gap Between Black and White Populations: United States. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
• Smedley, B. D., Stith, A. Y., & Nelson, A. R. (2003). Unequal treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in health care. National Academies Press.
• Williams, D. R., & Jackson, P. (2005). Social sources of racial disparities in health. Health Affairs, 24(2), 325–334.
• Healthy People 2030: Social determinants of health. (2020). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). The path to becoming a nurse practitioner. https://www.aanp.org
• Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (10th ed.). Elsevier.
• CDC (2020). Life expectancy data and trends. https://cdc.gov
• Williams, D. R. (2018). Race, socioeconomic status, and health: Complexities, ongoing challenges, and research opportunities. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1426(1), 71–90.
• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity. The National Academies Press.