Assignment Task:
As healthcare professionals, nurses are responsible for understanding and addressing the complex factors that can impact a patient's health. One significant element that contributes to a patient's overall well-being is their social determinants of health, or the conditions in which a person is born, grows, lives, works, and ages.(World Health Organization: WHO, 2019) These social determinants can have a substantial impact on a patient's likelihood of developing diseases and infections, as well as their ability to access medical care and treatment. Social determinants of health can also affect a patient's risk of developing chronic diseases. Some examples of social determinants that can impact a patient's health include access to healthy food and safe living environments, levels of education and income, and exposure to environmental toxins. Patients who live in disadvantaged communities often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, which can compound the negative effects of social determinants on their health.
In terms of communicable diseases, social determinants of health can play a crucial role in the spread of infectious diseases. Patients who live in crowded, unsanitary conditions, lack access to clean water, or are unable to afford medical care, are more likely to be exposed to or infected with viruses or bacteria (The Health line Editorial Team, 2022). Social determinants also influence patient behavior, such as adherence to vaccination schedules, which can impact the spread of infectious diseases.
The communicable disease chain model is a framework used by healthcare professionals to describe how infectious diseases are transmitted. The model includes six steps that represent the different stages of infection, from the pathogen, to the reservoir, to transmission, and ultimately, to the susceptible host (CDC, 2012). By identifying each link in the chain, healthcare professionals can identify ways to break the cycle of infection. As a nurse, there are several steps you can take to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and break the chain of infection. These include practicing good hand hygiene, following proper isolation procedures, and promoting vaccination. Nurses can also advocate for policies and interventions that address social determinants of health, such as improving access to clean water and safe living environments.