NURBN2009 Health Promotion & Illness Prevention - Assignment Solution

Introduction

Nurses are integral path of comprehensive care and health promotion standards (Raingruber, 2016). Health promotion involves a process of empowering people to increase control on their health and enable them to improve their health (Pender, Murdaugh, Parsons, 2014). One of the growing problems faced by young Australians is type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Victoria, 2019). The type 2 diabetes has been considered to be a condition that is found in middle-aged or older adults and hence most of the care and support services are not designed to meet the needs of younger adults (Diabetes Victoria, 2019). This essay discusses how nurses’ role and concepts of health literacy, education and promotion can help in empowering the young adults aged 25-35 living in Burnswick and maintain healthy lifestyle and avoid risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Target Population 

Around 3% of the type 2 diabetes registered with National Diabetes Service Scheme are between the age of 21-39 (NDSS, 2018). As per the Australian National Diabetes Audit (ANDA), which carried out a study among 2552 adults with type 2 Diabetes, which involved comparing the self-care variables such as physical activity, adherence to dietary recommendations and medication adherence it was found that younger adults as poorer diabetes self-care practices that affected their glycaemia control hence control over diabetes was difficult among the younger adults (Nanayakkara et al., 2018). Moreland City Council covers suburbs of Brunswick and other areas and highlighted that in 2011, the areas under Moreland was named as Diabetes Hot Spot as there was increase of 161% in diabetes between years 2006 and 2011 (Moreland City Council, 2017). Type 2 diabetes can mostly be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes at an early stage, which will enable the young adults to significantly reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and live a health life (Diabetes Victoria, 2019). 

Analysis of use of Ottawa Charter Health Promotion to reduce risk of Diabetes among Young Adults

According to Ottawa Charter, there are three basic strategies for health promotion, which include advocate, enable and mediate (World Health Organization, 1986). Enabling involves providing equal opportunities and resources to people to achieve their full health potential. Mediating refers to coordinated action by all the key stakeholders that include government, economic, health and social sectors, local authorities and media (Parnell, 2014). Nurses advocate on behalf of their patients and community by supporting cause that optimizes health that includes educational campaigns and activities carried out by non-profit organizations (Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons, 2014). They empower patients by making efforts to provide equal access to health are services. Nurses also play role of mediator between healthcare providers, businesses, governments and media (Parnell, 2014). Health education involves implementing effective programs that helps individuals enhance their health (Parnell, 2014). Health literacy refers to ability to access, understand and use services and information for good health, which the nurses can provide based on the requirement of the patients (Estacio, Oliver, Downing, Kurth & Protheroe, 2017).  As per Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion there are five action areas, which are build healthy public policy, create supportive environment for health, strengthen community action for health, develop personal skills and reorient health services (World Health Organization, 1986).