Public Health Nurse

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The main aim of health care professionals in the health care industry is to prevent diseases, prolong life, and promote good health through informed choices and organized efforts by society. To achieve this, health professionals conduct daily health analyses of the populations they serve. This paper traces the history of public health nursing, its development in the United States, and its impact on healthcare practice.

Public health nursing in the United States originated in 1893 when Lillian Wald founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City. Wald was a pioneer who integrated nursing services into community settings, advocating for women's rights, civil rights, immigrant rights, labor rights, and children's rights. She emphasized the importance of social responsibility and humanitarianism. The Henry Street Settlement provided healthcare, social services, and health education to the community. By 1913, the settlement had expanded to include 3,000 members and 92 nurses delivering various social, recreational, and educational services (Kulbok & Glick, 2014).

Wald’s approach revolutionized public health nursing by shifting its focus from solely treating illnesses to emphasizing disease prevention and health education. This paradigm shift fostered a broader understanding of health as a community responsibility, integrating social justice with healthcare provision. The development of public health nursing contributed to standardizing practices such as health screening, immunizations, sanitation, and health promotion, which are fundamental to modern public health efforts.

The role of public health nurses has evolved over more than a century to respond to dynamic societal health issues. These nurses serve two primary populations: the population-of-interest and the population-at-risk. The population-of-interest comprises healthy individuals who require health promotion and preventive interventions, whereas the population-at-risk includes groups exposed to specific health threats or at risk of developing health problems (Lewenson & Nickitas, 2014). To address these needs, public health nurses employ three main levels of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs by reducing exposure to risk factors through health education, immunization, and environmental modifications. Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and treatment of health issues to prevent progression, exemplified by screening programs and early interventions. Tertiary prevention seeks to restore health and prevent disability in individuals already affected by disease, often involving rehabilitation and supportive care. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent, are paramount across all levels, respecting individual autonomy and privacy (Lewenson & Nickitas, 2014).

In conclusion, public health nursing in the U.S. dates back to the late 19th century, with Lillian Wald’s pioneering efforts dramatically shaping its development. Public health nurses play a vital role in promoting community health, preventing illness, and addressing social determinants of health. Their strategic interventions across primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention levels are essential to improving health outcomes and fostering healthier communities globally.

References

• Kulbok, P. A., & Glick, D. F. (2014). “Something Must Be Done!”: Public health nursing education in the United States from 1900 to 1950. Family & Community Health, 37(3), 205-213.
• Lewenson, S., & Nickitas, D. M. (2014). Nursing’s history of advocacy and action. In Policy and Politics for Nurses and Other Health Professionals (pp. 1-15). Elsevier.
• American Public Health Association. (2017). What is public health? Retrieved from https://www.apha.org/
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• World Health Organization. (2010). Foundations of Public Health. Geneva: WHO.