Community Strengths, CNAs' Challenges, And Health Risks Week

Community Strengths CNAs Challenges and Health Risks Week 4 project June 24 2024

Community Strengths, CNAs' Challenges, and Health Risks Week 4 project June 24, 2024

Community health is shaped by a range of social, environmental, and individual factors that influence the well-being of populations. The presence of community strengths offers a foundation upon which targeted health interventions can be built to address existing challenges and mitigate health risks. Conversely, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) play a crucial role in providing care but face numerous challenges and health risks associated with their demanding roles. An understanding of these interactions is vital for advancing community health outcomes.

Introduction

The health of a community hinges on its intrinsic strengths, the challenges faced by healthcare workers such as CNAs, and the health risks prevalent within the environment. This paper explores these components with specific attention to the narratives of MM and JR, two CNAs working in Homestead, Florida. By analyzing their personal and professional circumstances, we can extract insights into how community assets and liabilities impact health outcomes, and formulate strategies to enhance health equity and safety.

Community Strengths

Community strengths are assets that foster resilience and support health promotion. In Homestead, Florida, valuable strengths include a diverse population characterized by immigrant communities, extensive social networks, and access to essential services such as healthcare and education. MM and JR, as immigrant healthcare workers, exemplify cultural competence and dedication to community service. Their familiarity with the healthcare system and their active roles in caregiving enhance local health resilience.

Additionally, community strengths extend to social cohesion; families like MM and JR’s rely on family and religious networks for emotional and practical support. Such social capital can bolster disease prevention efforts, foster health literacy, and improve adherence to health guidelines. Moreover, Homestead’s proximity to metropolitan areas offers access to health facilities and public health campaigns, which are vital in fostering preventive care and early detection of illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Furthermore, community awareness initiatives and local organizations often capitalize on existing strengths, such as cultural values emphasizing caring for the vulnerable, which improve community engagement in health promotion activities. For example, the family values shared by MM and JR reinforce health behaviors, such as regular health screenings and vaccination adherence, which are critical in preventative health strategies.

Challenges Faced by CNAs

Certified Nursing Assistants like MM and JR encounter multiple challenges that hinder their ability to deliver optimal care and maintain personal health. These challenges encompass physical, emotional, and systemic barriers. Physically, CNAs experience musculoskeletal strain due to lifts and transfers of residents, as well as repetitive motions that contribute to injuries, including their reported back pain and wrist discomfort.

Emotionally, CNAs often develop close bonds with residents, which increases the risk of emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue. The emotional toll is compounded by high workload demands, staffing shortages, and exposure to residents' suffering. As Walton and Rogers (2017) highlight, emotional stress can lead to burnout and impact quality of care.

Systemic challenges include limited training opportunities, language and cultural barriers, and resource constraints within workplaces. The CNA workforce in Homestead often comprises immigrant workers who may face disparities in training access and language proficiency, affecting their ability to implement safety protocols effectively. This is compounded by the inadequacy of ongoing safety and stress management programs tailored for CNA needs, increasing the risk of occupational hazards and compromising mental health.

Work environments also expose CNAs to chemical hazards from disinfectants and cleaning products, which can pose respiratory risks. Despite the use of PPE, inconsistent adherence or supply issues can lead to overexposure. Moreover, CNAs' sleep deprivation and fatigue, secondary to shift work, further impair their health and safety (Pfefferle & Weinberg, 2008).

Health Risks

Health risks for CNAs are inherently linked to occupational exposures and lifestyle factors. Exposure to infectious agents due to frequent contact and hand hygiene practices increases the risk of transmission of illnesses such as COVID-19. The repeated use of PPE and exposure to cleaning chemicals raise concerns about respiratory and skin conditions.

Back injuries represent a pervasive health risk, exacerbated by improper lifting techniques or lack of ergonomic equipment. Overweight status, common among some CNAs, further predisposes them to musculoskeletal disorders. The challenges of stress, exhaustion, and emotionally charged environments can also adversely affect mental health, leading to anxiety and depression (Walton & Rogers, 2017).

Additionally, systemic issues such as limited health promotion activities within workplaces mean CNAs often neglect their personal health. Their demanding schedules and high workloads may prevent regular health screenings or exercise routines, increasing susceptibility to chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.

Recognizing these risks, it is essential to implement comprehensive occupational health programs, including ergonomic support, mental health counseling, and ongoing training in safety protocols to mitigate hazards effectively.

Role of Community and Healthcare System

The community and healthcare systems can bolster CNA health through targeted policies and programs. Initiatives could include tailored training in ergonomics and stress management, provision of adequate PPE, and access to mental health services. Such interventions not only protect CNA health but also improve the quality of care provided to residents.

Public health campaigns emphasizing preventive care, vaccination, and healthy lifestyles can reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases, benefiting both CNAs and community members. Collaborations between local health agencies and community organizations are vital in fostering culturally competent interventions that resonate with immigrant populations like MM and JR.

Furthermore, fostering workplace safety cultures, improving staffing ratios, and offering professional development opportunities are critical. These strategies can mitigate workload-related stress and physical strain, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention (Diab et al., 2023).

Conclusion

The health and safety of CNAs in Homestead, Florida, reflect broader community strengths and challenges. Recognizing their vital role in caring for vulnerable populations, it is essential to address systemic challenges through enhanced training, safety measures, and support services. The community’s existing social capital and cultural assets provide a foundation for effective health promotion programs. To ensure sustainable improvements, a coordinated effort involving healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers is necessary to mitigate risks, enhance well-being, and promote equitable health outcomes for CNAs and the community they serve.

References

  • American Heart Association. (2022). The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations. American Heart Association.
  • Diab, A., Dastmalchi, L. N., Gulati, M., & Michos, E. D. (2023). A heart-healthy diet for cardiovascular disease prevention: where are we now? Vascular health and risk management, 19, 103-117.
  • Pfefferle, S. G., & Weinberg, D. B. (2008). Certified nurse assistants making meaning of direct care. Qualitative health research, 18(7), 952-961.
  • Walton, A. L., & Rogers, B. (2017). Workplace Hazards Faced by Nursing Assistants in the United States: A Focused Literature Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(5), 544.
  • Miami-Dade County. (2022). Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Recognizes Heart Month in February and Urges Floridians to Keep Blood Pressure in Check. Florida Department of Health.
  • Kale, S., Hirani, S., Vardhan, S., Mishra, A., Ghode, D. B., Prasad, R., & Wanjari, M. (2023). Addressing cancer disparities through community engagement: lessons and best practices. Cureus, 15(8), eXXXX.
  • Pinckard, K., Baskin, K. K., & Stanford, K. I. (2019). Effects of exercise to improve cardiovascular health. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 6, 69.
  • American Heart Association. (2021). The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations. American Heart Association.
  • Homestead, FL. Data USA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/homestead-fl

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