Health disparities: what can nursing do?

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Health Equity Studies
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Health disparities stem from societal lack of care, impacting vulnerable populations.
• Nursing's focus on status and the scientific model has diminished its caring capacity.
• Social and economic factors like discrimination and policy decisions significantly influence health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nursing's potential for leadership in reducing health disparities.
• To identify strategies for restoring nursing's caring and relational practice.
• To advocate for policy changes promoting health access and equity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the relationship between caring, social determinants of health, and health disparities.
• Conceptualizing the transformation of nursing education based on mutuality.
• Proposing nurse-managed primary care and policy advocacy.

Main Results:

• Nursing's core value of caring is essential for addressing health disparities.
• Transforming nursing education can restore relational practice and caring capacity.
• Policy changes and nurse-led primary care can improve health access and equity.

Conclusions:

• Nursing is uniquely positioned to lead in reducing health disparities through a renewed focus on caring and relational practice.
• Transforming nursing education and advocating for equitable policies are critical steps.
• Rebuilding nursing's caring capacity is vital for achieving health equity and protection for all individuals.