Addressing Environmental Health Problems and Its Impact on Health

RISE Model for Module Objectives

Initial Post
•    Watch the clip from the film Erin Brokovich and respond to the following questions.
•    Is the threat and pursuit of legal action a good way to address environmental health problems?
•    Why or why not?
•    What are other ways nurses working in population focused nursing can prevent/address environmental health problems?
•    Which types of data or statistics would you monitor to determine if the environment is contributing to poor health outcomes?
•    How does environment impact our genes in relation to health and illness?

Module journals are a place for you to reflect on the content and discuss how you have met the module objectives. In your journal, discuss how you have met each objective and give an example (i.e. readings, assignments, course activities). In addition, reflect on personal growth after completing module activities. You may want to discuss how you will use the information in your current and/or future nursing practice; did anything surprise you?; did this content alter or support your current thoughts on the content?

Instructions
•    Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment.
•    Using the RISE Model , reflect on the module objectives:
•    Apply the nursing process at three levels of practice.
•    Identify the application of the Intervention Wheel in selected case studies.
•    Discuss factors contributing to newly emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases.
•    Discuss relationships between environmental health and genomics related to the health of populations.
•    Interpret basic epidemiologic measures of morbidity and mortality.

Module 3 begins with providing insight into the origins and evolution of the Intervention Wheel and outlines the assumptions that serve as its foundation. The wheel is a conceptual framework that has proved to be a useful model in defining population-based practice and explaining how it contributes to improving population health. It has become a valuable tool for use in practice, education, and management. When the nurse understands the three components of the intervention wheel, this serves as a tool for applying the nursing process at multiple levels, including individual and family, community, and a systems level of practice.

Chapter 10 examines the environment’s impact on our health and the multidisciplinary task of not only analyzing that but also controlling these effects and preventing negative health consequences, including the use of strong legislative and regulatory policies. The nursing process is applied to the practice of environmental health as we examine environmental health roles and skills for nurses practicing in public health, as well as those in practice settings. Environmental health is defined by the World Health Organization as consisting of “those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations.”

We cannot discuss the environment without addressing the expanding world of genomics. Chapter 11 discusses the history of the field of genetics and genomics, what we know about genetics and genomics now, their impact on current nursing practice, and the prospects for significant changes in how nursing care is delivered. You will cover more genomics content in NURS 408. Chapter 13 reviews common communicable diseases. This should be a review for you, but serves to remind us that many diseases are just a plan ride away.....think about Ebola and Zika virus.