Health inequities are shaped by social determinants of health (SDoH). By understanding and acting on the SDoH impact on health status, population-focused nurses can contribute to upstream changes in policy, laws, and regulations to improve community conditions (i.e., affordable housing and expanding healthy food access). The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements, as emphasized by American Nurses Association President Ernest J. Grant, “obligates nurses to be allies and to advocate and speak up against racism, discrimination, and injustice” (ANA, 2020). Advocacy for health policies that improve community conditions for populations fulfills this obligation.
In this Assignment, you will choose a vulnerable population and discuss one policy at the upstream level that addresses SDoH within your community. You will also consider how ethics apply to your policy choice.
Consider an upstream policy that addresses social determinants of health related to the selected population.
Consider the role of ethics in policymaking.
Construct a paper addressing the following, using at least three scholarly references published in the past 5 years to substantiate your work:
Introduce your chosen population taken from the list of options. Describe the population within the context of your local community.
Discuss one upstream policy (local, state, or national) that addresses social determinants of health needs for the population within your community.
What have been the effects of that policy?
Describe the role of ethics in policymaking. How does the policy adhere to being ethical?