Community Nursing
Healthy People 2020 in a School healthcare setting
Shaping the care given in schools to attain the goals of healthy people 2020 can be achieved through the use of school-based programs that seek to prevent or reduce violent behaviors and drug use amongst students. Programs meant to reduce violent behaviors, and drug/substance use are aimed at reaching out to all students. The healthy people 2020 agenda in school can increase health education that would prevent health problems associated with drug abuse and violence in schools (Appleby et al., 2019). These activities can include all elements of health education, such as physical education, nutritional services, psychological counseling, and social activities, and family and community collaboration. The priority areas for school guidance and programs include injury and violence (suicide is part of this program), drug and alcohol use lack of physical activities, and irresponsible sexual behaviors that may result in STI infection (Appleby et al., 2019). The programs being offered at school levels emphasize the goals of healthy people 2020, which seek to improve quality of life and healthy habits across all stages of life.
Health concerns and interventions for school-age children
School-age children can cause great health concerns if effective interventions are not put to place to control their behaviors and interactions. At schools, students are at a higher risk of contracting illnesses or suffering and injury to their body. Because of instances of peer influence, school-going children face the risk of indulging in drug and substance abuse behaviors, which significantly affect their performance. Due to the nature and risk of these problems, effective interventions ought to be undertaken to ensure that educational goals are being achieved through a health agenda for learners. School programs should carry out immunization and health screening for early childhood learners to prevent them from future illnesses that may later affect their learning process (Appleby et al., 2019). First aid and emergency care should also be fully available in school health programs to offer immediate care to the students. Schools should have a school nurse who is full time and certified to attend to the mild and acute health needs of the students. School health programs should be at the frontline of offering nutritional concerns for the students by advising them on foods to avoid such as junk foods while advising them to consume a balanced diet (Appleby et al., 2019). Most of all, the school education programs are offering guidance and counseling to prevent depression and substance abuse amongst the students.
Historical perspective of occupational health nursing
This field of nursing is tasked with the promotion, prevention, and restoration of people’s health in the community. The evolution of this nursing practice began in 1895 with the first industrial nurse, Ada Mayo Stewart. Thereafter, several other attempts that illustrated occupational health nursing began showing up. Anna B. Duncan visited the sick at their homes as early as 1897, and the first nurse services were established at the worksites in 1899. At the beginning of the 20th century, the world saw the registration of industrial nurses until during the great depression, which led to industrial nursing practice to be considered inessential (Markowitz, 2019). However, during the First World War through the Second World War, health services became of high demand by the government, leading to the re-emergence of occupational nursing. The fourth face of occupation nursing evolution was experienced in the mid-20th century as nurses began forming independent, autonomous associations to the modern nursing foundation such as AAOHN (Markowitz, 2019).
A multidisciplinary approach to resolving occupational health issues
Occupational health issues can be resolved through an effective multidisciplinary approach that comprises of the government and the private sector. Occupational health issues are matters of public interest, which should be a great concern of various stakeholders. For instance, the occupational safety and health act (OSHA) was established to enforce employers to furnish a workplace and ensure that it is free from hazardous materials that can harm employees or even cause death (Markowitz, 2019). This regulation helps to resolve occupational health issues that may arise in a particular workplace. Besides, the workers’ compensation act provides income replacement and employee care for injuries sustained or death during work. These approaches to occupational health issues ensure that employers and workers enjoy the health benefits of healthy people 2020 even as they execute their work duties.
References
Appleby, L. J., Tadesse, G., Wuletawu, Y., Dejene, N. G., Grimes, J. E., French, M. D., … &
Yard, E. (2019). Integrated delivery of school health interventions through the school platform: Investing for the future. PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 13(1).
Markowitz, G. (2019). A History of Occupational Health and Safety: From 1905 to the Present
by Michelle Follette Turk. Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 93(1), 132-134.