A healthy community may be one that has a lower risk of chronic disease and utilizes education and prevention strategies to promote health and reduce risk. Community health nursing is a combination of nursing and public health practices that focus on prevention, health promotion, risk reduction, and well-being of a community or population (GCU, 2015).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was attempting to address community health issues by the implementation of the Health Communities Program (HCP). Unfortunately, this program is no longer funded. However, the goal for the HCP was to partner with local and state officials to prevent chronic diseases, educate, and promote strategies to help people make healthy choices in all aspects of life (CDC, 2017).
Therefore, one example of a healthy community would be one that provides support by way of physical activity (safe and clean places to exercise and play), availability of healthy food (more farmers markets, fresh produce and meat vs. corner stores with less healthy selections), and smoke-free/drug free environments. There are many other things a healthy community could do such as workshops, cooking classes, exercise groups, or various types of clubs to get people (old and young) out and active.
One thing that the CDC states is necessary to successful prevention of chronic diseases is providing the community with "the tools needed to achieve health equity and prevent chronic diseases" (CDC, 2017).
As a healthcare provider, I would utilize workshops or information sessions that include fact-based health information regarding prevention of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease or any other topic of interest within the community. I would integrate how diet and exercise can help change these diagnosis' and provide information and motivation to pursue healthier lifestyles.
Getting people involved in their own community can help change the community, as a whole, for the better. Community/public health nursing is the care provided by educated nurses in a particular place and time directed toward promoting, restoring, and preserving the health of the total population or community (Maurer & Smith, 2013).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Community Health.
Grand Canyon University. (2015). Community/Public Health Nursing.
Maurer, F.A. & Smith, C.M. (2013). Community/Public Health Nursing Practice (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elseveir Saunders.