Emerging Infectious Diseases
Purpose: The main purpose of this assignment is to gain an understanding about the community and public health nurse’s role in addressing various concepts in community and public health nursing: communicable diseases, coordination of care, vulnerable populations, underserved populations
Instructions:
Part 1
Search the CDC National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS) list. Click this link: NNDSS.
Links to an external site.
Select the Notifiable Conditions List, year 2022 National Notifiable Infectious Diseases
Links to an external site.
(most current year), check Infectious.
Select one infectious disease that starts with the first letter of your first, middle, or last name (G) that could potentially impact your community.
Part 2
Clearly describe the disease, explain the chain of transmission, and include the CDC mandatory reporting requirements for the disease.
Explain the global impact of this disease and what country other than the U.S. is most affected?
Present one evidence-based strategy the nurse would use to help decrease the spread of this disease.
Post insightful initial integration of concepts, ideas, & information from required textbook as a reference and additional supportive evidence from at least one (1) other scholarly resource within the past five seven (7) years, and your personal clinical experience. There is little to no use of quotations.
Textbook : Rector, C. (2021). Community and public health nursing (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
APA 7th Edition Formatting | Scholarly Writing: All posts are cited in APA 7th edition
– Include In-text citation(s) in correct APA 7th edition format
– Include Reference list in correct APA 7th format
– Utilizes college level writing skills with proper spelling and grammar.
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Emerging infectious diseases are diseases that have recently appeared in a population or have existed but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range. These diseases pose a significant threat to public health as they can spread quickly and have the potential to cause outbreaks or pandemics. Examples of emerging infectious diseases in recent years include Ebola, Zika virus, and COVID-19.
In terms of the community and public health nurse’s role in addressing these diseases, they play a crucial role in disease surveillance, prevention, and control. They work closely with communities to educate them about the disease, its transmission, and preventive measures. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals, public health agencies, and community organizations to implement strategies for disease control, such as vaccination campaigns, screening programs, and promoting hygiene practices.
To address the concepts you mentioned:
Communicable Diseases: Community and public health nurses are responsible for monitoring and reporting communicable diseases. They work with local health departments and follow the reporting requirements set by organizations like the CDC. By promptly identifying and reporting cases of infectious diseases, nurses contribute to the surveillance efforts and enable early intervention to prevent further transmission.
Coordination of Care: Nurses play a vital role in coordinating care for individuals and communities affected by infectious diseases. They collaborate with various healthcare providers to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to prevention, treatment, and follow-up care. They also assist in the coordination of resources and support services to address the needs of vulnerable or underserved populations.
Vulnerable Populations: Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses, are often at higher risk for infectious diseases. Community and public health nurses advocate for these populations, provide education and support, and ensure they have access to appropriate healthcare services. They also work to address social determinants of health that contribute to health disparities.
Underserved Populations: Underserved populations, including those with limited access to healthcare resources or facing socioeconomic challenges, may be disproportionately affected by infectious diseases. Community and public health nurses strive to reach these populations through outreach programs, mobile clinics, and community partnerships. They provide culturally sensitive care, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies to reduce the burden of infectious diseases.
