Problems that impact populations are vast and now more than ever social media
Problems that impact populations are vast and now more than ever social media is getting involved.
1. Choose one of the following population health problems to focus on:
a. Substance use and/or abuse
b. Environmental health (air, water, ground, energy, climate, etc.)
i. https://enviro.epa.gov/myenvironment/ Links to an external site.has a wealth of information
c. Violence
d. Abuse
2. Research and share an overview of the current data on this population health problem specific to your community. You must use one (or more) of the resources from the Direct Care Project Part 1: Assessment and Diagnosis assignment. You may choose to find additional outside source(s).
3. Then take a moment to review the Twitter feed for compelling Tweets that may have an impact on or discuss the population health problem.
4. Give an overview of any agency, organization, person, or affiliation that is addressing the population health problem.
5. How could a community health nurse collaborate with the agency, organization, person, or affiliation address the population health problem?
6. Compose a 280-character or fewer Tweet that describes what you have shared with the class. Remember Twitter only allows 280 characters (this includes spaces, etc.) so you will need to be concise. It should include a hashtag. Include the URL to the reference or Tweet if applicable. Share this Tweet in the discussion.
Sample Solution
SubstanceUseAbuse has a high rate of prevalence in many communities. According to the CDC (https://bit.ly/3ctxPFI), 1 in 7 people aged 12 or older reported using illicit substances in 2017-2018. Community health nurses can collaborate to provide resources for prevention and treatment, reduce stigma, and create safe spaces for individuals seeking help. #SubstanceAwareness
Substance use and abuse is a major issue throughout the world, with an estimated 30 million people engaging in illicit substance use annually. In the United States alone, over 20 million Americans aged 12 or older reported using an illicit drug in 2017-2018 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Substance use has been linked to numerous health problems including increased risk of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and tuberculosis; mental health issues such as depression and anxiety; physical health problems like heart disease, stroke, cancer and liver damage; social issues like homelessness and unemployment; financial difficulties due to increased medical expenses; legal troubles from arrests for possession or distribution of drugs; family discord due to relationship strain caused by addiction; among other potentially devastating consequences.
In order to address this population health problem effectively, community health nurses must work collaboratively with agencies, organizations and individuals who are actively engaged in addressing substance use. These entities play a crucial role in providing resources for prevention of substance misuse through education on drug-related topics such as risks associated with different types of drugs, signs of addiction/drug abuse in oneself or others and how to access help if needed. Additionally they often offer services that provide treatment options for those already affected by substance misuse ranging from counseling programs designed specifically for individuals dealing with addiction to medically supervised detoxification facilities designed specifically for safe withdrawal from substances. Furthermore many organizations are working hard to reduce stigma surrounding individuals seeking treatment while also creating safe spaces where people can go when they need help without worrying about judgement being passed upon them by society.
Although there is still much work that needs done on this issue before true progress can be made in reducing rates of substance misuse throughout communities across America it is important that community health nurses continue collaborating closely with existing agencies/organizations dedicated towards addressing this population health problem so that effective solutions may be implemented at both individual levels as well as broader societal scales. One way in which nurses can do this is by sharing information via social media platforms like Twitter about available resources related to preventing/treating substance misuse along with potential outreach efforts occurring within their own respective communities – all while utilizing concise yet powerful messages meant inform rather than preach - #SubstanceAwareness