Introduction to Community Heath Nursing

Because 'health III' (broadly defined as well-being) is influenced by a wide array of socio-demographic characteristics, relevant variables range from the proportion of residents of a given age group to the overall life expectancy of the neighborhood/community. Medical interventions aimed at improving the health of a community range from improving access to medical care to public health communications campaigns. Recent research efforts have focused on how the built environment and socio-economic status affect health

The term community has two distinct commutative meanings: 1) Community can refer to a usually small, social unit of any size that shares common values. The term can also refer to the national community or international community, and 2) in biology, a community is a group of interactinglivingorganisms sharing a populated environment.

Community health, a field of public health, is a discipline which concerns itself with the study and improvement of the health characteristics of biological communities. While the term community can be broadly defined, community health tends to focus on geographical areas rather than people with shared characteristics. The health characteristics of a community are often examined using geographic information system (GIS) software and public health datasets.

In human communities, intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks, and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of cohesiveness.

Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals. It is concerned with threats to health based on population health analysis.

The dimensions of health can encompass "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity", as defined by the United Nations' World Health Organization. Public health incorporates the interdisciplinary approaches of epidemiology, biostatistics and health services. Environmental health, community health, behavioral health, health economics, public policy, insurance medicine and occupational health (respectively occupational medicine) are other important subfields.

COMMUNITY HEALITH NURSING

The science & art of preventing , prolonging life & promoting physical & mental health efficiency through organized community effort. community health nursing,

a field of nursing that is a blend of primary health care and nursing practice with public health nursing. The community health nurse conducts a continuing and comprehensive practice that is preventive, curative, and rehabilitative. The philosophy of care is based on the belief that care directed to the individual, the family, and the group contributes to the health care of the population as a whole. The community health nurse is not restricted to the care of a particular age or diagnostic group. Participation of all consumers of health care is encouraged in the development of community activities that contribute to the promotion of, education about, and maintenance of good health. These activities require comprehensive health programs that pay special attention to social and ecologic influences and specific populations at risk.

Community based nursing is a philosophy of care in which the care is provided as patients and their families move among various service providers outside of hospitals. This is a nursing practice that focuses on promoting and maintaining the health of individuals and families, preventing and minimizing the progression of disease and improving quality of life.

Mission: To promote high quality community/public health nursing through the integration of education, practice, research and service to improve the health of populations which includes individuals, families, groups and communities.

Community heath nursing is: Theutilization of the nursing process in the different levels ofclientele-individuals, families, population groups and communities, concernedwith the promotion of health, prevention of disease and disability andrehabilitation.”

the component of community are people, goal & needs, environment, boundaries and social services.

Nurses Role in Community Settings :

Direct Care Provider

Educator, Counselor, Advocate, Manager, Adviser, Case Finder, Coordinator, Good Observer

Good Leader, Health Planner, Collaborator, EpidemiologistParticipant in planning,

Preventer of illnessPromoter of Health

 Potentiator Primary Health Care Practitioner Role Model

 Advanced Practice

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