Contemporary Perspectives of Population Health and Epidemiology

POPULATION HEALTH AND EPIDEMIOLOGY THEN AND NOW

Population Health and Epidemiology

In the past, health of the nation has been focused on traditional population health - which was grounded on biomedical research and personal health services that benefited the individual (Institute of Medicine, 2002). In this case, the health of high risk groups was improved through clinical interventions which use an individual-based approach. It is important to note that using the said approach in high risk groups faced a wide range of challenges which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; societal influences and norms, systemic problems, and dramatic changes. For this reason, the perspective of health care has recently changed to a population-based approach which helps assure national health.

According to the Institute of Medicine (2002), a population based approach helps a nation understand and act on a wide range of factors affecting health. This is more so the case given that the said approach addresses the cultural, economic, and social environments at local, state, and national levels. In essence, factors that affect health would not be addressed appropriately if they were to be highlighted with healthcare delivery system and government public health agencies rooted in traditional sectors. Therefore, it should be noted that epidemiology plays a crucial role in population health. This is more so the case given that it helps address the social determinants of health that influence functioning, mortality, and morbidity in a population (Institute of Medicine, 2002). Specifically, epidemiology addresses work conditions, social networks and social support, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic position.

In the 1800s and early 1900s, outbreaks of specific diseases were contained through measures of quarantine and isolation (Institute of Medicine 1988). The said measures were more prevalent in the eighteenth century whereby rules of isolation and quarantine were adopted in various cities. In addition, nurses cared for patients by volunteering in public hospitals. In the early 19th century, diseases were still contained through quarantine and isolation but there were advancements in public healthcare. During this period, the main component in public health was cleanliness/hygiene and identifying the cause and mode of transmission of disease (Institute of Medicine, 1988). The said measures were perceived as mutually reinforcing and compatible in assisting the public in resisting diseases.

While disease protection and prevention in the 18th century focused on isolation and quarantine of individual, adoption of sanitation approaches in the 19th century changed the society’s perception on health. Essentially, protecting the health of the public was now a social responsibility whereby the main aim was to improve and clean up the shared environment (Institute of Medicine, 1988). Further, protecting health now focused on continual measures rather than reactions to seasonal disease outbreaks. As a result, cleanliness changed the public health and health protection which became a societal goal and public activity.

Nurses can advance population health today by changing and challenging institutions and factors that lead to inequities in health. To ensure equity in health, nurses can use various reforms and interventions to influence public policy, social systems, and institutions. For instance, the National Academies of Sciences et al (2021) suggest that nurses can ensure equity in health by dealing with the social needs in the entire health system. According to the authors, addressing social needs in health improves equity in health through the system level. In this case, nurses can screen patients, review results, and create plans of care depending on the social needs indicated by the results reviewed. Thereafter, nurses can refer patients to relevant social services and professionals as well as coordinate care by interacting with social service providers, community health workers, and social workers (National Academies of Sciences et al, 2021).

Nurses can also achieve health equity in population health by working with other disciplines and sectors. For instance, nurses can work with government entities, community-based organizations, and healthcare systems to come up with interventions for under-resourced communities. This can be done through assessments of health needs in the said communities and coming up with plans and resources needed to effectively address the said healthcare needs (National Academies of Sciences, 2021).