Assignment task:
Instructions: Below is what I wrote and underneath is what someone said about what I wrote regarding housing. I would like you to respond to what someone said about what I wrote regarding housing. 1 paragraph needed with references and in text citation. Accurately analyze, synthesize, and/or apply principles from evidence with no more than one short quote. Include a minimum of two different scholarly sources. Cite all references and provide references for all citations. Engage peers and faculty by asking questions, and offering new insights, applications, perspectives, information, or implications for practice.
a. Communicate using respectful, collegial language and terminology appropriate to advanced nursing practice. Communicate with minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation. Use current APA format to format citations and 2 references and is free of errors.
This Is What I Wrote That You Will Read and the Person Is Responding To---Social Determinants in the Neighborhood and Built Environment
One critical social determinant in the "Neighborhood and Built Environment" is safe and healthy housing access. This determinant pertains to the quality, safety, and cost of housing in a neighborhood. Safe and healthy housing bears a significant relationship to health care outcomes, inadequate housing conditions like mold and pests, lead, or poor ventilation and are responsible for respiratory problems, infectious diseases, and mental health issues (Healthy People 2030, 2021). For instance, crowding can lead to potential transmission of infectious diseases, and exposure to lead in older homes is neurologically damaging to children. Additionally, the psychological stress caused by housing instability or poor conditions can worsen mental health issues and contribute to a vicious circle of adopting poor health outcomes.
Objective Related to Neighborhood and Built Environment
One objective related to the social determinant of safe and healthy housing is to "Reduce the proportion of families that spend more than 30 per cent of income on housing" (SDOH-04). The objective has a status of "Little or no detectable change." It applies to all families, specifically emphasizing low-income families disproportionately affected by high housing costs in the United States. Spending a large percentage of income on housing leaves less available for other basic human needs, like health care, good nutrition, and education, which may further accentuate health disparities (Healthy People 2030, 2021).
Questions as Nurse Practitioners:
To assess the impact of housing on health, nurse practitioners can incorporate the following questions into the health history and interview:
- Can you describe your current living situation? Do you feel safe and comfortable in your home?
- Have you experienced any issues with your housing, such as mold, pests, or poor ventilation?
- How much of your monthly income is allocated to housing expenses, and has this impacted your ability to afford other necessities such as food or healthcare?
Resources for Meeting the Objective:
Two valuable resources to help meet the objective of reducing the proportion of families that spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing are:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD administers various programs to help low-income families seek affordable housing. For example, Housing Choice Vouchers allow families to rent safe, decent housing in the private market. Such programs lower housing costs and makes income available for other crucial health-related expenses.
Local Community Action Agencies (CAAs): CAAs offer numerous services through which low income families are transformed into self-sufficient entities. Amongst these are emergency housing assistance which comprises of programs that seek to enhance the efficiency of their homes' energy usage and financial counselling. CAAs enhance health among the concerned families by addressing the quality and accessibility to housing among the needy families.
Integrating Scholarly Sources
Access to safe and affordable housing is a critical social determinant of health. According to a study by Ammon et al. (2020), Stable, affordable housing is essential to child health and urges more decisive action on housing. Another study by Chen et al. (2022) highlights that Housing insecurity increases the risk of homelessness and poor health.
Conclusion:
Attempts towards the goals associated with this aspect, such as the proportion of the income that is used for rent, are mandated in setting the fundamental foundation for enhancing the health status. Like the acquisition of independent legal aid, the settlement of the client housing issues, nurse practitioners also assess the prospective housing health risks and refer the clients HUD and CAAs. The role is to elucidate the fundamental concepts of ER in programs and social policies aimed at fostering healthier and safer communities for all individuals.
Someone's Response to What I Wrote above That you are responding To - Thank you. Some great questions to add to your assessment of clients.
Safe affordable housing is becoming more and more challenging for many families. The costs have certainly skyrocketed for housing.