For This Assignment You Will Explain And Defend Your Selecti

For This Assignment You Will Explain And Defend Your Selected Advocac

For this assignment, you will explain and defend your selected advocacy issue. Using evidence and experience, you will determine the advocacy issue most important to your nursing practice. Why are you selecting this issue? Why is this an area of high need? How might this area be improved with policy? What can you do to advocate for this area of need? To prepare: Review resources associated with vulnerable or marginalized populations to determine an advocacy issue. Consider which advocacy issue you find most important, and why. Consider how policy might help to mitigate this need. Select an issue you find most important, and then defend your position in a persuasive paper. Submit a 1-page persuasive argument defending why you selected the advocacy issue to move forward with as your priority in this course. Support—with evidence—why this advocacy issue is most important, and how it might be mitigated or eliminated through policy. Consider how this issue might set your policy agenda. Reminder: 3 APA format references/ The College of Nursing requires that all assignment submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. APA FORMAT

Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of nursing advocacy, addressing health disparities among vulnerable populations is paramount. For this assignment, I have chosen to focus on the advocacy issue of improving healthcare access for homeless individuals. This population faces significant barriers to healthcare, including lack of insurance, transportation challenges, and mental health or substance use issues that complicate their ability to seek and receive care. The high prevalence of untreated health conditions among homeless populations highlights the critical need for systemic change and policy intervention.

The importance of advocating for homeless individuals stems from the recognition that health equity cannot be achieved without addressing social determinants of health. Homelessness is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates, chronic illnesses, and untreated acute conditions that often lead to emergency department overuse. These disparities are rooted in structural inequalities and insufficient policy frameworks that fail to provide consistent and accessible healthcare to this marginalized group. Therefore, advocating for improved healthcare access is essential for reducing health disparities and promoting social justice.

Policy interventions can significantly improve healthcare access for homeless populations. For example, expanding Medicaid in states where it is not yet implemented can provide more comprehensive coverage. Additionally, implementing mobile clinics and community outreach programs can bridge gaps in service delivery. Policies that promote integrated care models—which combine mental health, primary care, and social services—are critical in addressing multifaceted needs. Such policy changes can reduce hospital readmissions, improve health outcomes, and decrease long-term healthcare costs.

As a nurse, advocating for these changes involves participating in policy development, engaging with community organizations, and educating stakeholders about the importance of health equity. Educating policymakers about the health disparities faced by homeless individuals and providing evidence-based solutions can influence legislation that supports access to care. Furthermore, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop sustainable programs can create lasting impact and foster systemic change.

In conclusion, prioritizing healthcare access for homeless populations aligns with nursing principles of advocacy, social justice, and evidence-based practice. Policy changes addressing social determinants of health have the potential to mitigate the disparities faced by this vulnerable group. By championing this issue, nurses can influence public policy, improve health outcomes, and promote a more equitable healthcare system for all.

References

  • Fletcher, J., & Kripalani, S. (2019). Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Emergency Care for Vulnerable Populations. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 45(2), 123-128.
  • Hwang, S. W., & Burns, T. (2018). Health interventions for homeless populations: Policy and practice. Journal of Public Health Policy, 39(3), 365-377.
  • National Coalition for the Homeless. (2020). Healthcare Access and Homelessness: Policy Recommendations. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhomeless.org
  • Romaszko, A., & Miller, B. (2021). Social determinants of health and nursing advocacy. Nursing Clinics of North America, 56(4), 563-576.
  • World Health Organization. (2017). Addressing the social determinants of health: The role of policy. WHO Publications.

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