Discussion Questions

Application of Course Knowledge
1.
a. Provide an overview of the health outcomes and factors in your country. Which health factors are strengths in your county? Which are areas for improvement?
b. Consider the communities within your county. What influencing factors might be at the root of health factors needing improvement?
c. How does your home county or county of practice compare to the counties with the highest and lowest health outcomes rankings?
d. How will the information you found impact your role as an advanced practice nurse?

How to Approach Each Question

1a:

Research national and local health data (e.g., prevalence of chronic diseases, infant mortality, life expectancy).
Identify strengths (e.g., high vaccination rates, access to clean water) and areas needing improvement (e.g., obesity, mental health access).
Be specific and provide supporting evidence from credible sources.

1b:

Analyze social determinants of health in your county, such as socioeconomic status, education, housing, employment, or cultural practices.
Link these factors to why certain health outcomes need improvement.

1c:

Compare your county’s health outcomes with counties that have the best and worst rankings.
Highlight differences and possible reasons for these disparities (e.g., resources, infrastructure, healthcare access).

1d:

Reflect on how this information informs your role as an advanced practice nurse.
Consider how you might address local health disparities, advocate for policy changes, or implement population health interventions.

Sample Solution

The county of Palm Beach is well connected to other cities across the state of Florida, while many of the areas of Palm Beach are considered low population density. Concerning health outcomes, it is seen as much better than other counties across Florida. There are many areas where Palm Beach shines, such as a lower number of premature deaths of 7,500 years of life……Click below to access the full sample solution (PDF)