Influence of The National Academy of Medicine 2021 on Nursing Practice

Professional Development of Nursing Professionals
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Professional Development of Nursing Professionals
The recent National Academy of Medicine report investigates the mechanisms nurses can exploit to address emerging issues in healthcare, promote health equity, and eliminate health disparities while remaining cognizant of the influence of technology and costs on health outcomes (Wakefield et al., 2021). Its content demonstrates that nurses have a fundamental role and responsibility in finding a balance between healthy equity, social determinants of health, and patient health outcomes. As a result, it provides diverse recommendations to successfully assist these stakeholders in charting these emerging territories.
Why Health Equity is Important in the Report
Health equity emerges as a significant concept in this report because the National Academy of Medicine places it at the center of quality health outcomes. The authors acknowledge that health inequalities are commonplace and that they disproportionately affect the LGBTQ community, African Americans, people living with disabilities, underserved areas, and low-income groups (Wakefield et al., 2021). However, it recognizes that nurses are adequately equipped to eliminate this vice by promoting health equity through diverse mechanisms. It also underscores their capacity to work in different settings and practice at various professional levels, strategically positioning them as the first contact for most individuals seeking health care (Wakefield et al., 2021). The capability of nurses to tackle the underlying poor health causes also illustrates why this concept is critical. The National Academy of Medicine emphasizes that nurses are the leading stakeholders. They can quickly reshape the health equity landscape in the next ten years with support from the government and other entities (Wakefield et al., 2021). This progress would ensure that all Americans enjoy a just and fair chance of being healthy without worries of discrimination based on any social, economic, health, or racial lines. Thus, the report affirms that the nurses’ position in the healthcare system offers the best opportunity to make health equity a reality and assist the nation in combating diverse healthcare issues.
Social Determinants of Health and Effect on Health Equity
The social determinants of health comprise the non-medical elements that significantly influence an individual’s health outcomes. Wakefield et al. (2021) constitute all the conditions surrounding a person, including birth, growing time, work, life, and age. They can be positive or negative, with the former promoting one’s health outcome while the latter inducing a harmful effect. The National Academy of Medicine report lists diverse social determinants of health factors. They comprise employment, education, housing, public safety, health services, physical environment, transportation systems, wealth, and income, among many others. Wakefield et al. (2021) indicate that these factors directly ...