D025 Task 2 Advocating for Policy Change to Improve Health Outcomes in the Community

Grace J.
January 15, 2026January 15, 2026
D025, MSN, Western Governors University

Student Name

Western Governors University

D025 Essentials of Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Advanced Professional Nurse as Advocate

Nurses are fundamental advocates for patients in diverse environments. Advocacy, as described by the American Nurses Association (ANA), is a core element of nursing practice. Nurses instinctively advocate not only for individual patients but also within their workplaces and communities (American Nurses Association [ANA], n.d.). The nature of advocacy varies depending on the context. Advanced professional nurses extend their advocacy beyond individual care to address broader community health concerns, especially for at-risk populations. They identify critical issues affecting these groups and develop tailored advocacy strategies. For example, in a community setting, these nurses utilize demographic and statistical data to inform and drive policy changes or program initiatives that benefit the entire vulnerable population.

Conversely, clinical advocacy is more focused and individualized. In this setting, the nurse’s efforts center around enhancing the health outcomes of a single patient by considering their specific medical history and needs. Advocacy in clinical environments requires personalized strategies to improve treatment plans and promote the patient’s well-being.

Interprofessional Collaboration

As healthcare evolves, nurses take on pivotal roles such as policy development, care coordination, and implementation of healthcare improvements (Moss, Seifert, & O’Sullivan, 2016). For successful advocacy, advanced nurses must form an Advocacy Action Team (AAT) that relies on interprofessional collaboration.

Interprofessional collaboration involves multiple health professionals working together with patients, families, and communities to ensure high-quality care (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017). Two essential strategies enhance collaboration within the AAT:

Role-defining: Clearly establishes each member’s responsibilities, promoting shared understanding and synergy toward common goals.
Promoting diversity: Enriches the team with varied perspectives, skills, and expertise, fostering innovative problem-solving and comprehensive decision-making.

Data-Driven Health Issue

Solano County in California, home to over 400,000 residents across seven cities, is experiencing a troubling increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). From 2012 to 2015, STI cases rose by 13.3%, reaching 2,430 reported infections (Solano County Health, 2019). Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are the most common, with gonorrhea cases increasing by 95.5% between 2012 and 2016. These local trends reflect broader statewide increases of over 14% in STI rates during the same timeframe (Hansen, 2018).

Characteristics of the At-Risk Population

The demographic most vulnerable to STIs in Solano County includes young adults aged 20-24, followed by adolescents aged 13-19 (Hansen, 2018). There are significant racial disparities; African Americans are disproportionately affected, with infection rates for chlamydia four to five times higher and gonorrhea six to eleven times higher compared to non-Hispanic Whites (Solano County Health, 2016).

Social Determinant of Health

Access to quality healthcare is a crucial social determinant influencing elevated STI rates among at-risk groups. Many minorities, adolescents, and young adults face barriers such as high costs and limited provider availability, restricting their ability to receive preventive education, timely diagnosis, and treatment. Closing this healthcare gap is vital to reversing the rise in STI cases.

Current Policy

Currently, Solano County lacks targeted policies addressing the spike in STI rates among youth and minority populations. Existing initiatives are broad, aimed at enhancing healthcare access generally, but do not sufficiently tackle the specific needs of vulnerable subgroups. This gap highlights the necessity for focused policies addressing these unique community challenges.

Policy Proposal

The recommended policy integrates both treatment and education, focusing on middle and high school adolescents. Healthcare professionals would volunteer monthly to provide free STI screenings, prevention, and treatment services directly within schools. This strategy mitigates barriers related to cost and access by delivering care where adolescents spend much of their time. It also aligns with Healthy People 2030 goals to increase adolescent preventive healthcare visits (Healthy People 2030, n.d.).

Health Issue Impact

Education forms the backbone of this policy. School-based programs will educate students about STIs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. Early testing and diagnosis, as advocated by Dr. Matyas, are critical in reducing transmission through timely intervention (Hansen, 2018). Private healthcare provider consultations within the school setting encourage adolescent autonomy and trust, key elements for effective health promotion (Healthy People 2030, n.d.).

Equitable Distribution of Resources

The policy ensures resources are distributed equitably by targeting schools in both affluent and underserved areas. Recruiting healthcare volunteers from diverse backgrounds mirroring the community’s demographics further promotes engagement and trust, motivating adolescents to utilize the services.

Ethical Provisions

This policy aligns with the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics, particularly Provision 3, which obligates nurses to advocate for patient rights, health, and safety (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2016). It also supports Provision 8, emphasizing collaboration among healthcare professionals to promote equity and reduce disparities.

Barriers

Challenges to the policy include potential parental objections to STI education and treatment without explicit consent, which may limit adolescent participation. Additionally, school administration approval is crucial; resistance from school leaders could impede program rollout.

Policy Makers

Lizette Estrella-Henderson, the superintendent of Solano County schools, holds significant influence over this policy. As the key figure overseeing school funding, programming, and coordination, she can champion and facilitate the successful implementation of the initiative.

Strategic Next Steps

To strengthen professional nursing advocacy, care should be personalized to the adolescent age group, enhancing educational and health service effectiveness. Furthermore, pursuing certification as a Public Health Nurse would equip nurses with specialized expertise to tackle community health issues such as STIs more effectively.

Comparison of Advocacy Approaches by Setting

Advocacy Aspect	Community Level	Clinical Practice Setting
Focus	At-risk population in the community	Individual patient
Data Utilized	Population statistics and trends	Personal health history and medical details
Advocacy Goals	Policy change, program implementation	Patient treatment and individualized care
Scope	Broad, affecting entire population	Narrow, targeting individual patient needs
Strategy	Tailored to community needs and resources	Personalized for specific health conditions

References

American Nurses Association – Advocacy. (n.d.). https://www.nursingworld.org/practicepolicy/advocacy/

American Nurses Association. (2016). Code of Ethics for Nurses. https://nursing.rutgers.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2019/06/ANA-Code-of-Ethics-for-Nurses.pdf

Hansen, T. R. (2018, February 14). STD rates on the rise in Solano. Daily Republic. https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/solano-news/solano-county/std-rates-on-the-rise-in-solano-state/

Healthy People 2030. (n.d.). Increase the proportion of adolescents who speak privately with a provider during preventive medical visits. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/adolescents/increase-proportion-adolescents-who-speak-privately-provider-preventive-medical-visit-ah-02