[Environment, health and nursing in the ecosystem context]

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Nursing Theory
• Ecosystem Science

Context:

• The intersection of environmental factors and human health is increasingly recognized.
• Nursing practice traditionally focuses on direct patient care, with less emphasis on broader ecological influences.
• There is a need to integrate environmental considerations into health and nursing frameworks.

Purpose:

• To theoretically review the interrelations between environment, health, and nursing.
• To explore the potential of an ecosystem perspective in healthcare.
• To identify how understanding environmental influences can inform public policy and nursing practices.

Summary:

• This theoretical review examines the interconnectedness of environment, health, and nursing through an ecosystem lens.
• It posits that understanding environmental impacts on health can guide policy formulation and practice reorganization.
• Nursing professionals can implement ecosystem actions to provide comprehensive care, encompassing environmental, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.

Impact:

• Provides a framework for incorporating ecosystem principles into nursing education and practice.
• Highlights opportunities for nursing to advocate for environmental health and influence public policy.
• Enhances the scope of nursing care towards a holistic and interactive model that includes environmental determinants of health.