Health Policy: Advancing Health Equity & Outcomes, Exams of Nursing

Download Health Policy: Advancing Health Equity & Outcomes and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity! NR 555 EXAM PREP LATEST Health Policy: Advancing Health Equity & Outcomes ANSWERED 2023/2024 1. What is health equity and why is it important for health policy? (5 points) - Health equity is the principle that everyone should have a fair opportunity to attain their full health potential and that no one should be disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of their social position or other socially determined circumstance. Health equity is important for health policy because it guides the development, implementation and evaluation of policies that aim to reduce health disparities and improve the health of all populations. 2. What are some of the social determinants of health and how do they affect health outcomes? (10 points) - Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. They include factors such as income, education, employment, housing, environment, culture, discrimination and access to health care. Social determinants of health affect health outcomes by influencing the exposure and vulnerability to health risks, the availability and quality of health resources, and the opportunities and barriers to health behaviors. 3. What are some of the strategies to advance health equity at the local, national and global levels? (15 points) - Some of the strategies to advance health equity at the local level include: engaging communities in identifying and addressing their health needs and priorities; providing culturally competent and linguistically appropriate health services; improving access to preventive and primary care; promoting healthy lifestyles and environments; and collaborating with other sectors to address the root causes of health inequities. - Some of the strategies to advance health equity at the national level include: developing and implementing policies that address the social determinants of health; allocating resources according to the needs and capacities of different populations; monitoring and evaluating the impact of policies on health equity; ensuring accountability and transparency in policy-making; and advocating for human rights and social justice. - Some of the strategies to advance health equity at the global level include: strengthening global governance and cooperation for health; supporting low- and middle-income countries in building their health systems; fostering solidarity and mutual learning among countries; addressing the global drivers of health inequities such as trade, migration, climate change and conflict; and advancing global health research and innovation. 4. What are some of the challenges and opportunities for advancing health equity in the context of COVID- 19 pandemic? (20 points) - Some of the challenges for advancing health equity in the context of COVID-19 pandemic include: the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on vulnerable and marginalized groups; the increased demand for health services and resources; the disruption of essential health services and programs; the exacerbation of existing health disparities and social inequalities; the emergence of new forms of stigma and discrimination; coverage for millions of Americans who were previously uninsured or underinsured, especially low-income individuals, people of color, women, young adults, and people with pre-existing conditions. The ACA also introduced reforms to improve the quality, efficiency, and affordability of health care delivery. The ACA has been shown to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in access to care, preventive services, chronic disease management, and mortality. However, the ACA also faced challenges such as legal opposition, political resistance, administrative difficulties, and incomplete implementation in 1. What is health equity and how does it differ from health equality? Health equity is the state in which everyone has the opportunity to attain their full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of their social position or other socially determined circumstance. Health equality is the state in which everyone has the same level of health outcomes, regardless of their social position or other factors. Health equity focuses on addressing the root causes of health disparities, such as poverty, racism, discrimination, and lack of access to resources and opportunities, while health equality focuses on providing the same amount of resources and services to everyone, regardless of their needs or preferences. 2. What are some of the social determinants of health that affect health equity? The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. They include factors such as income, education, employment, housing, environment, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and access to health care. These factors influence how people experience health and well-being, as well as their exposure and vulnerability to diseases and injuries. 3. What are some of the health disparities that exist among different populations in Kenya and globally? Health disparities are differences in health outcomes or indicators that are closely linked with social or economic disadvantage. Some examples of health disparities in Kenya are: - The maternal mortality ratio is 362 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is higher than the global average of 211 deaths per 100,000 live births. - The neonatal mortality rate is 22 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is higher than the global average of 18 deaths per 1,000 live births. - The prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15-49 years is 4.7%, which is higher than the global average of 0.8%. - The prevalence of tuberculosis among adults aged 15-49 years is 233 per 100,000 population, which is higher than the global average of 133 per 100,000 population. - The prevalence of malaria among children under five years is 27%, which is higher than the global average of 23%. Some examples of health disparities globally are: - The life expectancy at birth ranges from 53 years in Sierra Leone to 84 years in Japan. - The under-five mortality rate ranges from 3 deaths per 1,000 live births in Iceland to 122 deaths per 1,000 live births in Somalia. - The incidence of diabetes ranges from 0.9% in Ethiopia to 22.9% in Nauru. - The incidence of cervical cancer ranges from 1.6 per 100,000 women in Qatar to 75.6 per 100,000 women in Malawi. 4. What are some of the barriers that prevent people from accessing quality health care and achieving health equity? Some of the barriers that prevent people from accessing quality health care and achieving health equity are: - Lack of availability and affordability of health services and medicines - Lack of transportation and infrastructure to reach health facilities - Lack of information and awareness about health issues and services - Lack of trust and confidence in the health system and providers - Lack of cultural competence and sensitivity among health providers - Lack of participation and empowerment among communities and individuals - Lack of political will and commitment to address health inequities - Lack of accountability and transparency in the health system 5. What are some of the strategies that nurses can use to promote health equity in their practice? Some of the strategies that nurses can use to promote health equity in their practice are: - Assessing the social determinants of health and the needs and preferences of their patients and communities - Providing patient-centered and culturally appropriate care that respects diversity and human rights - Educating and empowering patients and communities to take charge of their own health - Advocating for policies and programs that address the root causes of health inequities - Collaborating with other sectors and stakeholders to create healthy environments and opportunities for all - Engaging in research and evidence-based practice that informs policy and practice on health equity 1. What is the difference between health policy and health law? Provide an example of each. - Health policy is a set of decisions or actions that aim to achieve specific health goals in a society, such as improving access, quality, or equity of health care. Health law is a branch of law that regulates the rights and obligations of individuals and organizations involved in health care, such as providers, insurers, patients, and governments. An example of health policy is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded health insurance coverage and reformed the health care system in the US. An example of health law is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects the privacy and security of health information. 2. What are the main sources of health policy in the US? Explain the roles and responsibilities of each. - The main sources of health policy in the US are the federal government, state governments, and private sector. The federal government enacts laws and regulations that affect health care at the national level, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA. The state governments implement and modify federal policies according to their own needs and preferences, as well as enact their own laws and regulations that affect health care within their jurisdictions, such as licensing, public health, and insurance. The private sector influences health policy through various actors, such as providers, insurers, employers, consumers, advocacy groups, and professional associations, who lobby, negotiate, innovate, and deliver health care services. 3. What are the main types of health policy analysis? Describe the purpose and methods of each. - The main types of health policy analysis are descriptive, normative, evaluative, and prescriptive. Descriptive analysis describes the current situation and trends of a health policy issue or problem, such as the prevalence, causes, consequences, and stakeholders involved. Normative analysis evaluates the ethical and moral aspects of a health policy issue or problem, such as the values, principles, rights, and duties that guide decision-making. Evaluative analysis assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of a health policy intervention or solution, such as the outcomes, impacts, costs, and benefits that result from implementation. Prescriptive analysis recommends a course of action or solution for a health policy issue or problem, based on evidence, criteria, and alternatives. 4. What are the main steps of the policy cycle? Explain what happens at each step. - The main steps of the policy cycle are agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. Agenda setting is the process of identifying and prioritizing the issues or problems that require attention from policymakers. Policy formulation is the process of developing and designing possible solutions or interventions for the issues or problems. Policy adoption is the process of selecting and approving a solution or intervention among the alternatives. Policy implementation is the process of putting the solution or intervention into practice by allocating resources and assigning responsibilities. Policy evaluation is the process of monitoring and measuring the outcomes and impacts of the solution or intervention. 5. What are some of the factors that influence health policy making? Give an example of how each factor can affect a health policy issue or problem. - Some of the factors that influence health policy making are political, economic, social/cultural, technological, environmental, and ethical/legal.