1

Health Disparities

Ashley Bryan

School of Health Professions and Wellness, Jacksonville State University

NU712: Clinical Prevention and Population Health

Dr. Keith

September 1, 2019
2

Introduction

Health disparities are unfortunately very prevalent in the United States. There are several types of

health disparities relevant to the community of Rome, Georgia. Doctorate prepared nurses are

transforming the medical field with their practice to help reduce and possibly eliminate health disparities.

Interventions are being implemented to help the disadvantaged population achieve quality healthcare

throughout their lifespan. Healthy People 2020 have many objectives that relate to the health disparities

the people in Rome, Georgia are battling.

Health Disparities

According to Healthy People 2020, “A health disparity is a health difference that is closely linked

with social, economic, or environmental disadvantage.” (Healthy People 2020, 2019) There are many

factors that adversely affect different populations preventing the best outcomes. Health disparities are also

known as the differences in health outcomes and their causes among certain groups of people. (Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019) Problems arise when populations have inequity regarding

access to quality healthcare that may be limited in the first place due to inadequate knowledge or health

insurance availability. Health disparities include: ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, geographic

location, working environment, cognitive, sensory, or physical disability. (Cupp Curley & Vitale, 2016)

Local Community Disparities with Healthy People 2020 Objectives

Health disparities are an unfortunate part of our society with several types of health disparities

relevant to the community of Rome, Georgia. There is an abundance of people in Rome that are a part of

a lower socioeconomic class that work or live in unsafe environments. Rome has racial minorities,

disabled people, gender inequity, and LGBT status. A local hospital in Rome, Georgia noticed frequent

readmissions for patients that have end stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Upon investigation, it was

noted that several patients are unable to go to outpatient dialysis clinics due to lack of health insurance.

The majority of this patient population suffer from at least one health disparity. Some of the patients are

not United States citizens, do not have health insurance, were not adequately educated regarding diet and

fluid restrictions, or cannot find a hospital that provides outpatient dialysis. Patients that do not have
3

insurance are not able to go to outpatient clinics. Uninsured ESRD patients frequent the emergency room

requiring hospitalization for immediate dialysis and discharge home. The hospital in Rome noticed that

patients up to 2.5 hours away were unable to find a hospital that will provide dialysis several days a week.

In Rome, the patients have set days throughout the week for their dialysis treatments and then leave after

completion. Readmission rates for these patients have declined due to the compliance with dialysis

treatments as well as diet and fluid restrictions. Healthy People 2020 have many objectives related to the

patients that are experiencing outpatient dialysis treatments at a hospital. Chronic kidney disease,

disabilities, environmental health, access to health services, nutrition and weight status, physical activity,

substance abuse, older adults, and diabetes are all problems related to this small group of patients affected

in this community. The Healthy People 2020 objects are able to give the DNP nurse statistics and

evidence to implement into practice in order to provide better patient outcomes. Healthy People 2020

website has multiple objectives related to many different populations suffering from health disparities.

DNP Advocates for Better Outcomes

DNP prepared nurses are equipped to advocate for poorer health populations and provide

interventions. Doctor of nursing practice prepared nurses are involved in the development,

implementation, and evaluation of interventions that help promote healthy living for everyone helping

eliminate health disparities. Populations with poorer health outcomes need advocates like DNP prepared

nurses to improve quality of life. Population of interest assessment by the DNP helps identify which

Healthy People 2020 objective contains the most appropriate and timely disease prevention and health

promotion interventions to improve the affected population. (Zaccagnini & White, 2017)
4

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Health equity. Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/index.html

Cupp Curley, A.L., & Vitale, P. A. (2016). Population-based nursing: Concepts and

competencies for advanced practice. (2nd ed.) New York, NY: Springer Publishing

Company, LLC.

Healthy People 2020. (2019). https://www.healthypeople.gov/

Zaccagnini, M. E., & Waud White, K. (2017). The doctor of nursing practice essentials: a new

model for advanced practice nursing. (3rd ed.) Burlington, MA: Jones & Barlett Learning.