A) During the lectures, how nurses can contribute to global health was talked about through the sustainable development goals. The 17 sustainable development goals is a call for countries to come together and make a change to protect the planet and the people and animals who live on it. Nurses are at the forefront of care and are a huge advocate for ending poverty, hunger, and can increase economy, world health and more. Nurses are in a role where we constantly care for people and try to create a healthy and supportive environment. Nurses encompass roles of prevention, protection and treatment. Nurses have the ability to advocate for large groups of people, and can impact and inspire many people in the process. Nurses can prevent child mortality, transmission of disease and can improve the overall quality of life. The international Council of Nurses goal is to raise awareness. For example, nurses are currently hosting a camp for children and adolescence who have type one diabetes. This camp educate patients on how to manage their diabetes and they do it in a fun filled environment. Children found that this helped them feel as though they are not alone, and have friends who are going through the same fate that diabetes presents. Older children left feeling as though they have a better understanding of the disease and how to control their symptoms. This is one of many example of how nurses are contributing to SDG’s. This example relates to the SDG 3, 4 (Health and education).
B) Evidence outside of course content.
Evidence 1:
International Council of Nurses [ICN]. (2017). Nurses role in achieving the sustaineddevelopment goals. Retrieved from https://www.icnvoicetolead.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ICN_AVoiceToLead_guidancePack-9.pdf
Nurses are currently trying to improve SDG number 2, which is zero hunger and improved nutrition. Malnutrition can lead to children who do not do well in school, adults who do not provide for families, and can result in a decrease in the ability to ward of disease/infection (ICN, 2017). One nurse in Syria advocated for food access, however was first denied. She then sent pictures and videos that went viral, then the Syrian Government allowed access to enter the city to provide the hospitalized patients with food (ICN, 2017). This relates to the SDG’s because the nurse attempted to make food accessible for all, which helped to end hunger in the hospital.
Evidence 2:
Health care without harm is an organization that is trying to change health worldwide to promote environmental health and well-being. Nurses are taking action through this organization by advocating for the reduction in the use of hospital supplies, and proper disposal of medications and equipment. For example, by reducing, separating and isolating waste, it can result in a reduction of cost and eliminate the risk of disease, injury or infection (HCWH, 2018). Health care facilities can reuse and treat waste by autoclaving (heat-based disinfectant) which kills bacteria and allows for the equipment to be reused again, or disposed of safely as it is less likely to carry infectious diseases or chemicals (HCWH, 2018).
Global Health Nursing 