Posted: February 25th, 2023

Discussion Post: Health Issues: From Global to Local Sample Essay

Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance: Strengthening Public Health Policies and Community Engagement

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing threat to global and local health systems. And bacteria and other pathogens are now growing resistant to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. AMR is recognized as one of the top 10 global public health threats by the World Health Organization (WHO), which warns that without action, routine medical procedures will become increasingly high-risk due to untreatable infections (WHO, 2023). Banising a systems approach integrating public health policies, health care systems leadership, and community participation is needed to tackle the problem claiming families/couples.

The Role of Public Health Policies in Combating AMR
Effective policies play a critical role in slowing AMR by promoting antibiotic stewardship and strengthening infection control measures. In the United States, the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria focuses on surveillance, prevention, and research investment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Similarly, the European Union enforces strict guidelines on antibiotic use in both human healthcare and livestock industries, reducing the spread of resistant strains (European Commission, 2022).

Despite these efforts, uneven policy enforcement and limited public understanding still slow progress. Healthcare providers often prescribe antibiotics when they aren’t needed, and patients commonly stop treatment early. In low-income countries, unrestricted antibiotic sales fuel resistance, as individuals self-medicate without a doctor’s guidance. Greater international teamwork and uniform regulations could enhance policy impact and curb the spread of resistance globally.

The Impact of AMR on Local Communities
The consequences of AMR extend beyond hospitals, affecting communities through prolonged illnesses, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality rates. Resistant infections such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have been reported in nursing homes and outpatient settings, making even minor infections difficult to treat (Spellberg et al., 2022).

Local healthcare facilities bear the financial burden of managing resistant infections, requiring additional diagnostic tests, prolonged hospital stays, and more expensive second-line treatments. Rural communities, in particular, face challenges due to limited access to specialized care, increasing the risk of poor health outcomes. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions, including improved access to diagnostic tools and better training for healthcare providers on responsible antibiotic use.

Community Engagement and Public Awareness
Public education is essential in addressing AMR. Many individuals remain unaware of the risks associated with antibiotic misuse, contributing to self-medication and poor adherence to treatment regimens. Community-based initiatives, such as educational campaigns in schools and local health centers, can help promote responsible antibiotic use.

Nurses and pharmacists, as key healthcare professionals, are vital in connecting with the public. They can share straightforward, research-backed details about resistance risks and promote other treatment options when antibiotics aren’t needed. Organizing community workshops, offering educational materials in multiple languages, and using online platforms to raise awareness can greatly boost public knowledge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Strategies for Strengthening Local Action Against AMR
Improving Antibiotic Stewardship Programs – Hospitals and clinics should enforce stricter guidelines on antibiotic prescriptions, ensuring that only necessary treatments are administered.
Enhancing Surveillance and Reporting – Real-time data collection on resistance patterns can help identify trends and inform public health responses.
Investing in Alternative Treatments – Research on new antibiotics, probiotics, and vaccines can offer long-term solutions to reduce dependency on current drugs.
Encouraging Community-Based Prevention Measures – Proper hygiene, vaccination, and infection control practices can reduce the spread of resistant pathogens.
Regulating Over-the-Counter Antibiotic Sales – Governments should enforce stricter regulations on antibiotic distribution to prevent misuse, particularly in developing regions.

Conclusion
Antimicrobial resistance remains a critical global and local health threat, requiring a combination of public health policies, healthcare leadership, and community engagement to mitigate its impact. Strengthening antibiotic stewardship, enhancing public awareness, and promoting preventive measures can help curb resistance and protect future generations. By integrating global strategies into local healthcare practices, stakeholders can ensure a coordinated and effective response to AMR.

References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022). National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Atlanta: CDC.
European Commission (2022). EU Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. Brussels: European Commission.
Spellberg, B., Gilbert, D. N., & Bradley, J. S. (2022). The future of antibiotic resistance: Challenges and solutions. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 75(4), 659-666.
World Health Organization (WHO) (2023). Global Report on Antimicrobial Resistance. Geneva: WHO.

___________________________________

Global to Local: Addressing Health Issues in a Connected World

---

Discussion: Health Issues: From Global to Local

It is often said that the world is “becoming smaller.” This is largely due to advancements in technology, transportation, and communication, which have interconnected societies like never before. Among the justifications for statements such as this is that people are more mobile than ever before, more likely to visit other countries, and more likely to be consumers of products shipped from other countries.

While there are many benefits to being citizens of a smaller world, there are also some disadvantages. Among these is the threat of disease and other health problems that originate elsewhere. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly a local outbreak can escalate into a global crisis. What begins as a local health problem can quickly become a national or even an international health problem. As a nurse leader, you could be called upon to not only to help treat such issues but to help inform and educate your local population about the threat.

In this Discussion, you will examine one global healthcare issue and consider your potential role as a source of information for the population you serve.

To Prepare:
Review the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global health agenda in the Resources.
Identify and select one health issue at the global level that has implications at the local level.
Reflect on how a nurse leader might work with local authorities to inform and educate the local population about the global health issue you selected.

INSTRUCTIONS ON DISC> POST
Post a summary of the global health issue you selected and explain how it has impacted the local population. Be specific and provide examples. Then, explain the data you would need to best inform/educate the local population about this global health issue. Describe at least one source you might consult and use to gather this data and provide a rationale for why you would consult this source.

---

STEP 2
Assignment: Global Healthcare Comparison Matrix and Narrative Statement

If you talk about a possible poor health outcome, do you believe that outcome will occur? Do you believe eye contact and personal contact should be avoided? You would have a difficult time practicing as a nurse if you believed these to be true. But they are very real beliefs in some cultures.

Differences in cultural beliefs, subcultures, religion, ethnic customs, dietary customs, language, and a host of other factors contribute to the complex environment that surrounds global healthcare issues. For example, cultural stigmas around mental health can hinder access to care in certain communities. Failure to understand and account for these differences can create a gulf between practitioners and the public they serve.

In this Assignment, you will examine a global health issue and consider the approach to this issue by the United States and by one other country.

To Prepare:
Review the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global health agenda and select one global health issue to focus on for this Assignment.
Select at least one additional country to compare to the U.S. for this Assignment.
Reflect on how the global health issue you selected is approached in the U.S. and in the additional country you selected.
Review and download the Global Health Comparison Matrix provided in the Resources.

The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Global Health Comparison Matrix; 1-page Plan for Social Change)

Part 1: Global Health Comparison Matrix
Focusing on the country you selected and the U.S., complete the Global Health Comparison Matrix. Be sure to address the following:

• Consider the U.S. national/federal health policies that have been adapted for the global health issue you selected from the WHO global health agenda. Compare these policies to the additional country you selected for study.
• Explain the strengths and weaknesses of each policy.
• Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the global health issue you selected. Be specific and provide examples.
• Using the WHO’s Organization’s global health agenda as well as the results of your own research, analyze how each country’s government addresses cost, quality, and access to the global health issue selected.
• Explain how the health policy you selected might impact the health of the global population. Be specific and provide examples.
• Explain how the health policy you selected might impact the role of the nurse in each country.
• Explain how global health issues impact local healthcare organizations and policies in both countries. Be specific and provide examples.

Part 2: A Plan for Social Change
Reflect on the global health policy comparison and analysis you conducted in Part 1 of the Assignment and the impact that global health issues may have on the world, the U.S., your community, as well as your practice as a nurse leader.
In a 1-page response, create a plan for social change that incorporates a global perspective or lens into your local practice and role as a nurse leader.

• Explain how you would advocate for the incorporation of a global perspective or lens into your local practice and role as a nurse leader.
• Explain how the incorporation of a global perspective or lens might impact your local practice and role as a nurse leader.
• Explain how the incorporation of a global perspective or lens into your local practice as a nurse leader represents and contributes to social change. Be specific and provide examples.

---

THE ASSIGNMENT

Global Health Comparison Grid Template
Use this document to complete the Module 6 Assessment Global Healthcare Comparison Matrix and Narrative Statement.

Global Healthcare Issue
Description

Country United States
Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue

Strengths of this policy

Weaknesses of this policy

Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. (Be specific and provide examples)

How has each country’s government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue?

How has the identified health policy impacted the health of the global population? (Be specific and provide examples)

Describe the potential impact of the identified health policy on the role of nurse in each country.

Explain how global health issues impact local healthcare organizations and policies in both countries. (Be specific and provide examples)

General Notes/Comments

---

Resources
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 11, “The Impact of Globalization: Nurses Influencing Global Health Policy” (pp. 194–208)

Corless, I. B., Nardi, D., Milstead, J. A., Larson, E., Nokes, K. M., Orsega, S., Kurth, A. E., … Woith, W. (2018). Expanding nursing’s role in responding to global pandemics. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 412–415. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.06.003

Debie, A., Khatri, R.B. and Assefa, Y., 2022. Successes and challenges of health systems governance towards universal health coverage and global health security: a narrative review and synthesis of the literature. Health research policy and systems, 20(1), p.50.

Donkin, A., Goldblatt, P., Allen, J., Nathanson, V., & Marmot, M. (2017). Global action on the social determinants of health. BMJ Global Health, 3(1). doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000603

Holt-Lunstad, J., 2022. Social connection as a public health issue: the evidence and a systemic framework for prioritizing the “social” in social determinants of health. Annual Review of Public Health, 43(1), pp.193-213.

Sandoval-Almazana, R., & Gil-Garcia, J. R. (2011). Are government internet portals evolving towards more interaction, participation, and collaboration? Revisiting the rhetoric of e-government among municipalities. Government Information Quarterly, 29(Suppl. 1), S72–S81. doi:10.1016/j.giq.2011.09.004

Nickitas, D.M., Middaugh, D.J. and Feeg, V., 2024. Policy and politics for nurses and other health professionals: Advocacy and action. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Global health agenda. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://www.who.int/about/vision/global_health_agenda/en/

---

Kickbusch, I., & Reddy, K. S. (2015). Global health governance—The next political revolution. Public Health, 129(7), 838–842. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2015.04.014

Gostin, L. O., & Friedman, E. A. (2015). A retrospective and prospective analysis of the West African Ebola virus disease epidemic: Robust national health systems at the foundation and an empowered WHO at the apex. The Lancet, 385(9980), 1902–1909. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60644-4

Frenk, J., & Moon, S. (2013). Governance challenges in global health. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(10), 936–942. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1109339

Check Price|Discounts

Homework Samples, Study Bay Notes & Research Topics: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a key component of modern healthcare »Assignment: Headache Management in a Primary Care Clinic