Introduction
The incidence of measles in the United States has reached critical levels in recent years. This situation has led to a global health crisis with implications for nursing practice. To understand the causes of the crisis and develop solutions and appropriate responses, it is necessary to analyze researchers’ views regarding the problem.
The recent number of measles cases in the United States, as well as the increasing number of unvaccinated individuals, have attracted healthcare providers’ and researchers’ attention. More than 700 measles cases were registered in the United States in 2019, surpassing previous years (Goldrick, 2019). The relationship between these cases and communities with many unvaccinated people has allowed for speaking about a developing measles crisis in the USA with implications for nursing practice.
Analysis of US Measles Crisis
Causes
The leading cause of the increase in measles in the United States is inadequate vaccination levels. Vaccine hesitancy among parents can provoke higher risks for their children, who can contact travelers from regions where measles outbreaks are observed (Goldrick, 2019). The lack of information on the prevention of measles infection, insufficient knowledge of its symptoms, and conflicting messages in the media raise doubts about vaccination against measles (Sarkar et al., 2019). Thus, insufficient vaccination against measles increases infection risk, particularly among children and young people.
Influences
Measles outbreaks present a public health crisis, and its impact on nursing practice is significant. The increasing incidence of measles increases the workload for nurses and healthcare professionals who must provide medical care to more patients (Patel et al., 2019). Nurses must also conduct various prevention and education programs for patients and their families to protect them from infection.
Solutions
Possible solutions to this crisis include the expansion of education programs. The public should be educated that vaccination against measles is the most effective way to prevent measles infection, and side risks are minimal. In some cases, parents following antivaccination views should be limited in opportunities to avoid vaccination for their children’s contact with other individuals (Goldrick, 2019). Furthermore, to combat misleading messages in the media, investment should be made in programs for public education.
Conclusion
In conclusion, steps against the measles crisis in the United States are essential to ensure public safety. An analysis and implementation of measures to prevent measles infection will reduce the workload in nursing practice. This approach will provide reliable protection from measles infection and other infections.
References
Goldrick, B. A. (2019). The alarming global increase in measles. American Journal of Nursing, 119(6), 14. Web.
Patel, M., Lee, A. D., Redd, S. B., Clemmons, N. S., McNall, R. J., Cohn, A. C., & Gastañaduy, P. A. (2019). Increase in measles cases—United States, January 1–April 26, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68(17), 402-404. Web.
Sarkar, S., Zlojutro, A., Khan, K., & Gardner, L. (2019). Measles resurgence in the USA: How international travel compounds vaccine resistance. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 19(7), 684-686. Web.