Economic Stability Health
Social determinants of health (SDOH) play an important role in shaping the health and well-being of individuals across the lifespan. It is imperative for healthcare providers to keep an open mind, respect differences, and be aware of implicit personal biases as they assess for social, cultural, economic, educational, and environmental factors influencing health. This week, you will begin to explore the impact that the SDOH have on your community and on your future role as a nurse practitioner (NP). Navigate to the HealthyPeople website and explore the five domains of the SDOH.
Include the following sections:
- Application of Course Knowledge: Apply all required criteria in the initial discussion post with information that is clear, accurate, and sufficient in detail.
- Identify and briefly define one domain of the SDOH.
- Describe how the selected domain impacts health outcomes in your community.
- Identify two strategies related to the selected domain to improve health outcomes in your community.
- Engagement in Meaningful Dialogue: Engage peers by asking questions, and offering new insights, applications, perspectives, information, or implications for practice.
- Respond to at least one peer.
- Respond to a second peer post.
- Communicate using respectful, collegial language and terminology appropriate to advanced nursing practice.
- Professionalism in Communication: Communicate with minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation
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Economic Stability Health
Understanding Economic Stability
Economic stability is one of the five key SDOH domains outlined by Healthy People 2030. It refers to a person’s ability to consistently afford basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, and transportation. Individuals who face economic instability often struggle to maintain their health due to limited access to services and healthy environments. Nurse practitioners must assess a patient’s financial status when creating treatment plans and recommending resources.
Impact on My Community
In my community, economic instability contributes to higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Many individuals are underemployed or unemployed, limiting their access to insurance and preventative care. Food insecurity and unstable housing are also common. As a result, residents often delay care or use emergency services inappropriately. This increases healthcare costs and worsens outcomes. Economic stress also affects mental health, leading to increased anxiety and depression.
Strategies to Improve Outcomes
One effective strategy is connecting patients with community-based financial support programs, such as local food banks, housing assistance, and job placement services. These resources reduce stressors and help stabilize families. Another strategy is incorporating financial screening tools during primary care visits. Nurse practitioners can identify at-risk patients and refer them to social services. Educating patients about low-cost clinics and prescription assistance programs also improves care access and adherence.
The Nurse Practitioner’s Role
As future nurse practitioners, we play a vital role in addressing economic disparities. We must advocate for patients through partnerships with social workers and community leaders. We must also support policies that improve minimum wages and expand Medicaid access. Awareness of economic factors enhances our ability to provide compassionate, equitable, and effective care.
Reference
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Social determinants of hea
