The modern population is struggling with a host of challenges, such as lack of physical activity, nutritional problems, and, as a result, problems with the stomach and intestines. The scourge of modern American society is obesity, which most people do not know how to deal with: “The US obesity prevalence was 42.4% in 2017 – 2018” (Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease, 2021). Some decide to undergo bariatric surgery, but this is not as easy as it seems, and this operation has its severe consequences and makes you change your lifestyle. The next challenge for the American population is HIV/AIDS, which is common among all people of different ages and income levels (U.S. statistics, 2021). All of these health concerns make society put special emphasis on healthcare and preventions of numerous conditions.
The Social Determinants
The social determinants of obesity and nutrition problems are considered a low level of education and the inability to travel and eat varied. Racism is often singled out as a factor in obesity, as black people are forced by institutional racism to live in worse conditions (Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease, 2021). They eat fast food, do not have the time or opportunity to exercise, and are initially less likely to be helped by society and hospitals in the early stages of problems.
HIV and AIDS are associated with low social status, and patients are always subject to severe stigma. According to the official statistic data: “In 2019, the estimated number of HIV infections in the U.S. was 34,800 and the rate was 12.6 (per 100,000 people). By age group, the annual number of HIV infections in 2019, compared with 2015, decreased among persons aged 13–24 and persons aged 45-54, but remained stable among all other age groups” (U.S. statistics, 2021). Social determinants are social status, marital status, possible criminal record. In some cases the geographic location is a social determinant, as travelers in Africa have many opportunities to become infected. People who have lived for a long time in Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho) have significant risks. These people must be tested for possible HIV upon arrival in the US. In addition, the social determinants of HIV include unprotected sexual intercourse as a phenomenon of society; they include sexual abuse and lack of sexual education.
The social determinants of mental disorders include high-stress levels and a demanding work environment over a long time. Government statistic states, that “Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe” (Mental illness, n.d.). Domestic violence or other past abuse, including sexual harassment, can damage mental health. The inability to eat well and diversify racial and gender inequality can aggravate mental health. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of property, and housing play an essential role in acquiring mental disorders. Usually, nurses do not ignore the hereditary factor since diseases such as schizophrenia are inherited.
Identifying of Health Problems
Nurses can recognize obesity early through screening, and especially children and adolescents should be subjected to this careful screening. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that there are disorders that are more complex and not as obious, such as bulimia that many children and adolescents hide. As for drug addiction, nurses can take special care of people suffering from this condition and people involved in prostitution to identify HIV. However, in this situation, all the efforts of nurses should be directed to preventive measures. It is recommended to arrange educational programs about contraception in schools and colleges, reminding teenagers about possible diseases, including STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea). Lastly, identifying mental problems can be difficult, but nurses should pay increased attention to constrained and uncommunicative people and those who people once involved in violence; it does not matter in the role of a victim or an aggressor.
Interventions
Possible educational interventions could be lectures in schools and colleges and academic programs outside schools, not for schoolchildren. Volunteers or the local government can help nurses host evenings where nurses can talk about the possible consequences of overeating, stress, and drug use. As for the policy, higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco and the promotion of vaccinations can significantly increase the population’s awareness of various health issues. Moreover, workplace leadership cannot omit the problem of heath as well. In this respect, management can contribute to the overall health of their employees and provide free therapy sessions. The last factor, involving practice, might refer to the personal experience and outlook of individuals. In this case, there is a necessity to culturally adapt healthcare and incorporate regular check-ups by improving communication with patients.
Evaluation
Evaluation of nurse performance is essential but difficult to achieve, as it is not entirely clear where to get data for comparison. Screenings can identify more children with possible obesity and can also be used to evaluate nurses’ performance. The identification of HIV-positive patients is also due to the careful and detailed screening of all population segments, including those who do not undergo regular commission. It is essential to detect HIV among the homeless and poor because they are often involved in criminal activities and immediate health risks. Identifying mental illness is tricky because people do not always seek help from psychotherapists. Often, people speak seriously about mental illness only after a suicide attempt or an attack of aggression, after which the patient harmed other people. If there are fewer outbreaks of aggression and fewer cases of violence, respectively, then the implementation of the nurse can be evaluated as successful.
References
Mental illness. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Obesity is a common, serious, and costly disease. (2021). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.S. statistics. (2021). HIV.Gov.