Guest Post: The Role of Public Health Nurses in Alleviating Poverty
This post was written by guest writer Jasmine Brithen
Introduction
Poverty rates may have been declining in the past few years, yet it remains to be a large problem. Before the pandemic, there were approximately 34 million people in poverty in the United States — 10.5% of the country’s population. Many of these people are part of indigenous communities, with studies by the United States Agency for International Development revealing that low public spending and little access to social services have led to poverty rates rising to nearly 80% in indigenous areas.
While poverty isn’t an issue that can be resolved overnight, there are professions that are actively working to mitigate its effects. One of these professions is public health nurses. Public health nurses work in "at-risk" areas that need healthcare support, such as the highlands, and are therefore one of the most in-demand nursing careers in the United States. Public health nurses are often employed by the government, although many also work in non-profit organizations as well. Through their work in both of these areas, public health nurses are capable of enacting great change across many communities through efforts such as expanding telemedicine access, decreasing monetary cost, and fostering community relationships.
Increasing access to telemedicine
Telemedicine is a category of telehealth that focuses on ways people can reach out to medical professionals outside of the clinic, such as through chat or video conferencing. Sessions are usually conducted through a mobile app or an online patient portal. Telemedicine service ensures that people have access to every kind of doctor no matter their social status nor location.
However, there is a very prominent digital divide within Indigenous land. Due to the remote location and poor network structure in their area, Indigenous people may not always have the equipment to access these telemedicine services. Fortunately, many indigenous healthcare facilities such as the Native American Health Center are offering access to telemedicine services, which are most often overseen by a public health nurse. Public health nurses are also tasked with educating the locals about telemedicine services during medical appointments and community-wide seminars.
Minimizing financial costs of using health services
Public health nurses, particularly those who work as care coordinators, administrators, or case managers, also play a big part in constructing healthcare policies and initiatives. They have the power to design healthcare services in a way that’s accessible to everyone regardless of their income. A good example of this is how the U.S. Indian Health Service partnered with Alaskan tribal organizations to distribute vaccines to Native populations. Through this action, Indigenous people were able to access vaccines without worrying about transportation and other fees.
Public health nurses can also help families enroll in healthcare programs that may help alleviate the costs of using health services. For instance, Medicaid is a state-based assistance program that was created for people with low income under the age of 65. Enrollees are often eligible to receive all covered medical services at no additional charge.
Developing community relationships
Research has shown that many people in marginalized communities, including those in Indigenous areas, don’t trust the healthcare system, as fundamental and structural issues have often barred them from receiving care. However, many healthcare initiatives have been developed to benefit those from marginalized communities — yet the level of trust of the system remains lacking. As public health nurses interact with these communities daily, they’re in the best position to build this trust. As such, nurses must be equipped with an understanding of healthcare issues specific to these groups through cultural competency training, allowing them to be better advocates.
For example, many initiatives around the world have been patterned after the efforts of the International Council of Nurses. In order to produce better health policies by analyzing nurse-led services on a global scale, the International Council of Nurses studied the work of public health nurses in Uganda who taught rural communities relevant sanitation tips, such as the proper removal of stagnant water in 2019. Since then, organizations have created similar projects which have seen collaborations between healthcare workers and social workers, including American nurses partnering with social workers to develop community relationships with homeless populations.
Public health nurses are natural advocates against poverty, as seen in the initiatives they have put forth and the services they provide. As these efforts press on, poverty rates will continue to decline.