Social determinants that impact this issue: The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, live, work, and age. They include things like income, education, housing, employment, and access to healthcare. These determinants can have a significant impact on a person's health, including their ability to access healthcare.
In the case of the community health worker program, the social determinants that were most relevant were income, education, and access to healthcare. The program was designed to address these determinants by providing participants with financial assistance, helping them to enroll in health insurance, and connecting them with healthcare providers.
The evaluation found that the program was effective in improving access to healthcare for participants. However, the evaluation also found that the program could be more effective if it were able to address the social determinants of health in a more comprehensive way. For example, the program could provide participants with additional financial assistance, help them to improve their education, and connect them with other resources that could help them to improve their health.
Nurses can play a valuable role in policy evaluation by providing input on the criteria used to measure effectiveness, as well as by collecting data and conducting research. Nurses are also well-positioned to advocate for policies that improve access to healthcare and address the social determinants of health.
Here are some specific ways that nurses can get involved in policy evaluation:
- Serve on evaluation committees: Nurses can serve on evaluation committees to provide input on the criteria used to measure effectiveness and to ensure that the evaluation is conducted in a rigorous and ethical manner.
- Collect data: Nurses can collect data on the impact of policies and programs. This data can be used to inform policy decisions and to improve the effectiveness of programs.
- Conduct research: Nurses can conduct research on the impact of policies and programs. This research can help to build the evidence base for policy evaluation and to inform policy decisions.
- Advocate for policies that improve health: Nurses can advocate for policies that improve access to healthcare and address the social determinants of health. This advocacy can be done at the local, state, and federal levels.
By getting involved in policy evaluation, nurses can make a real difference in the health of their patients and their communities.