The Hispanic community can be significantly impacted by foodborne illness, especially in terms of health inequities. To “promote health equity, reduce inequities, and improve the health of all populations” is one of Healthy People 2030’s significant objectives (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). In terms of foodborne, this might entail addressing social determinants of health that may contribute to these disparities, as well as the disproportionate rates at which specific Hispanic subpopulations may be impacted by food poisoning. Resolving this issue through preventive measures is essential for achieving health equity and eradicating disparities.
The goal of health promotion is to improve the well-being of people, communities, and groups. This involves encouraging healthy habits like balanced diets, regular exercise, and the utilization of preventative services. For Healthy People 2030, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created a list of national goals pertaining to food safety and foodborne illness (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The frequency of food poisoning should be decreased, and the usage of preventative measures, including food handler training and food safety education, should be increased.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge of enforcing rules and regulations to guarantee the safety and accurate labeling of food products. The FDA regulates food facilities and inspects imported foods to prevent foodborne illness (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are also in place to safeguard food handlers from the dangers of food poisoning. Food safety education and training initiatives, health screenings, and risk assessments are a few examples of preventative interventions that might help lower the prevalence of foodborne in the Hispanic community (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). For instance, a community health clinic may conduct risk assessments for people who may be more susceptible to food poisoning and classes on food safety and proper food handling.
Preventive services are measures taken to prevent the onset or progression of a disease or condition. Examples of preventive services related to food safety and foodborne in the Hispanic community may include food handler training, food safety education, and community outreach and education. Juan is a 32-year-old Hispanic man who works as a food handler at a local grocery store. He is unaware of the proper food handling techniques and the risk of food poisoning. The ARNP conducted an assessment and found that Juan and his colleagues lack food safety knowledge (Guptill et al., 2022). The ARNP provides education on proper food handling techniques and works with the grocery store management to ensure that all employees receive food safety training.
The Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) serves as a primary care and preventative service provider for individuals, families, and communities in the Hispanic population. In addition to offering information and education to encourage healthy lives, ARNPs can assist in identifying and addressing health inequities (Torrens et al., 2019). Educating the Hispanic community on how to recognize and avoid food poisoning is an example of a transformative intervention that an ARNP may perform in the healthcare sector. This can entail educating people on proper food handling techniques and giving them access to tools like translated educational materials and culturally competent health tests (Ervin & Kulbok, 2018). The development and implementation of initiatives that address social determinants of health associated with food safety and foodborne could also be done by an ARNP in collaboration with community groups.
In conclusion, foodborne can disproportionately affect the Hispanic community, and addressing this issue is in line with the overarching goal of Healthy People 2030 to eliminate health disparities. Preventive measures such as food safety education and food handler training can help reduce the incidence of food poisoning. The role of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) in the Hispanic community is to provide primary care and preventive services and address health disparities by providing education and resources to promote healthy lifestyles.
References
Ervin, N. E., & Kulbok, P. (2018). Advanced public and community health nursing practice: Population assessment, program planning, and evaluation. Springer Publishing Company.
Guptill, A. E., Copelton, D. A., & Lucal, B. (2022). Food & Society: Principles and paradoxes. John Wiley & Sons.
Torrens, C., Campbell, P., Hoskins, G., Strachan, H., Wells, M., Cunningham, M., & Maxwell, M. (2020). Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the advanced nurse practitioner role in primary care settings: a scoping review. International journal of nursing studies, 104, 103443. Web.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Healthy people 2030. Web.