NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 4060 Practicing in the Community to Improve Population Health

Prof. Name

Date

Community Resources

The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948 and focuses on global public health. This organization promotes the health and safety of vulnerable populations by advocating rights, providing leadership, shaping research, setting regulations, and coordinating international health initiatives (World Health Organization, n.d.). This paper explores WHO’s role in promoting public health, elaborating the organization’s mission and vision. Furthermore, it analyzes WHO’s contribution towards maintaining equity to enhance quality of life and the impact of funding, policy, and regulations on organizational capabilities. 

WHO’s Mission and Vision for Public Health

WHO is dedicated to advancing global public health through its mission to enhance health and better advancements in the future for all populations (World Health Organization, n.d.). Its vision is to achieve improved health and promote the well-being of people belonging to all age groups, both now and in the future, by guiding international efforts to prevent and control diseases, improve access to health services, and address health inequities. This mission and vision enable the organization to develop holistic strategies, provide evidence-based guidance, and coordinate global responses, contributing to public health promotion.

For instance, in 2020, the WHO collaborated with the UN Secretary-General to activate the United Nations Crisis Management Policy, calling out the significant level of emergency crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration allowed WHO to lead the COVID-19 Crisis Management Team and coordinate UN strategies, policy decisions, and action plans, eventually curbing the disease’s burden and promoting public health (Zhang et al., 2023). 

Another example of a WHO’s collaborative initiative with other public health agencies is the “Global Polio Eradication Initiative” (GPEI). This effort aims to eliminate polio worldwide by enhancing vaccination coverage, particularly in low-income and conflict-affected regions (WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, n.d.). It focuses on eradicating polio globally through widespread immunization, especially in underserved and conflict-affected areas, surveillance, and rapid response to outbreaks to protect future generations from this disease. These initiatives collectively enhance public health and safety by reducing disease transmission, improving healthcare access, and fostering environments conducive to healthier living. This demonstrates how the WHO mission and vision translate into concrete actions that benefit global and local populations.

WHO’s Role in Advocating for Equity and Improving Quality of Life 

The WHO is dedicated to mitigating physical/geographical, financial, cultural, and social barriers to health and safety in order to advance equity and enhance the standard of living in communities throughout the world. The initiatives aim to reduce health disparities by ensuring that all people, regardless of their background, have access to essential healthcare services. For instance, social and cultural barriers like gender disparities are addressed by promoting integrated care services that include culturally appropriate health education, gender equality, and destigmatization, particularly for HIV/AIDS and mental health conditions (WHO, n.d.-a). This approach helps to increase acceptance and understanding of health initiatives, making them more effective in diverse communities. 

To reduce economic barriers, the Universal Health Coverage, constituted in the 1948 WHO constitution, promotes equitable health opportunities for populations who are unable to finance their healthcare costs. Through the promotion of primary health care, WHO advocates for health coverage for all by strengthening health systems, improving access to essential medicines and vaccines, and supporting the training of healthcare workers (Ranabhat et al., 2023). Finally, to overcome physical and geographical barriers, the organization supports the development and expansion of healthcare facilities, mobile clinics, and telemedicine services to reach populations in remote areas. By addressing these barriers, the WHO promotes equal opportunity in health by mitigating the impacts of poverty, discrimination, and geographic isolation on health outcomes, fostering a more inclusive approach to enhancing the quality of life. 

The Affect of Funds/Resources, Policy, and Legislation on WHO’s Operations 

Funds and resources, policy and regulations, and the legislature have a significant impact on WHO’s work and service delivery, shaping its ability to implement and sustain health initiatives. Firstly, the availability of adequate funds influences the WHO’s capacity to address global health challenges. Sufficient funding is crucial in deploying resources, supporting health programs, conducting research, and responding to emergencies. Sustainable financing through member states, private donors, and international organizations is crucial for the WHO to effectively perform its tasks, mitigate global health challenges, and fulfill states’ anticipations to promote the health and safety of communities (WHO, n.d.-b). Conversely, funding shortfalls can lead to constrained operations, limited outreach, and delayed responses to health crises. 

Policies and legislation at national and international levels impact public health initiatives in enhancing the health and well-being of populations (Teitelbaum et al., 2021). For example, these aspects guide WHO’s operations by defining priorities and setting health standards. Supportive policies facilitate smoother program execution and enhanced health outcomes while conflicting or restrictive policies can hinder progress and limit the scope of interventions. There are several implications of funding decisions, policies, and legislation for community members.

For example, adequate funding ensures that health services are available and accessible, promoting better health outcomes and equity. It allows the WHO to invest in preventive measures, essential medicines, and health education, benefiting communities by reducing disease burden and improving quality of life (WHO, n.d.-b). Additionally, policy and legislation shape the focus of health initiatives, influencing priorities such as vaccination programs, disease control, and health system strengthening. For communities, favorable policies and robust funding mean more comprehensive health services, reduced disparities, and enhanced support for vulnerable populations. Conversely, inadequate funding or restrictive policies can lead to gaps in service delivery, unequal access, and unmet health needs, adversely affecting community well-being.

Impact of WHO’s Work on Health and Safety Needs of the Community

WHO’s work significantly impacts the health and safety needs of local communities by setting global health standards and providing guidance and resources for implementing best practices in public health. For example, during disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, WHO developed protocols for infection prevention and control, which eventually maintained communities’ health and preserved safety (Gilmore et al., 2020). Similarly, immunization campaigns and health education initiatives by WHO contribute to improved health outcomes at the local level. Furthermore, WHO’s efforts to address noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, guide local healthcare providers in developing strategies for prevention, early detection, and management, enhancing the overall health and safety of the community.

Nurses can become involved with WHO in several ways. They can participate in local and global health initiatives led by the organization, such as vaccination drives, maternal and child health programs, or efforts to reduce non-communicable diseases. Nurses can also engage in training programs led by WHO to enhance their skills in emergency preparedness and disaster management (Alotaibi et al., 2024). Moreover, nurses can contribute to shaping and implementing health policies, advocating for health equity, and ensuring evidence-based practices in their communities. Additionally, they can play a crucial role in data collection and reporting, helping WHO monitor health trends and evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions, ultimately improving health outcomes at both local and global levels.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the World Health Organization (WHO) continuously makes efforts to promote global health and equity, focusing on initiatives like the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and its response to crises such as COVID-19. Crucial aspects like funding, policies, and legislation impact the WHO’s operation and the effects on community health and safety. Thus, nurses can adequately contribute to WHO by participating in health initiatives and advocacy. Overall, these collaborative efforts and strategic approaches aim to overcome barriers, improve healthcare access, and enhance the well-being of communities worldwide.

References

Alotaibi, S., Hessa Almutairi, Alotaibi, M., Alharbi, K., & Ghareeb Bahari. (2024). Enhancing nurses’ disaster management and preparedness: Evaluating the effectiveness of an online educational program through a quasi-experimental study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 17, 101–111. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s446704 

NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources

Gilmore, B., Ndejjo, R., Tchetchia, A., de Claro, V., Mago, E., Diallo, A. A., Lopes, C., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2020). Community engagement for COVID-19 prevention and control: A rapid evidence synthesis. BMJ Global Health, 5(10). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003188 

Ranabhat, C. L., Acharya, S. P., Adhikari, C., & Kim, C.-B. (2023). Universal health coverage evolution, ongoing trend, and future challenge: A conceptual and historical policy review. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1041459 

Teitelbaum, J., McGowan, A. K., Richmond, T. S., Kleinman, D. V., Pronk, N., Ochiai, E., Blakey, C., & Brewer, K. H. (2021). Law and policy as tools in Healthy People 2030. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, Publish Ahead of Print(6). https://doi.org/10.1097/phh.0000000000001358 

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. (n.d.). Polio eradication initiative. Emro.who.int.  https://www.emro.who.int/polio-eradication/about-eradication/index.html 

WHO. (n.d.-a). Integration of mental health and HIV interventions: Key considerations. Iris.who.int. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/353571/9789240043176-eng.pdf?sequence=1

WHO . (n.d.-b). Working toward a sustainably-financed WHO. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/about/funding/sustainable-financing 

World Health Organization. (n.d.). About WHO. Who.int; World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/about 

NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources

Zhang, X., Jin, Y., Lu, Y., Huang, L., Wu, C., Lv, S., Chen, Z., Xiang, H., & Zhou, X.-N. (2023). Infectious disease control: From health security strengthening to health systems improvement at global level. Global Health Research and Policy, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-023-00319-w