Describe three political actions nurses could take to strengthen their role in policymaking as it relates to advocacy for improving LGBTQ health. Correlate your discussion to the AACN MSN Essentials, identify one that most pertains to this topic and elaborate on your selection. Attached below is additional information regarding providing adequate care for the LGBTQ community as outlined by Joint Commission and the CDC: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health: https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/
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Nurses can take several political actions to strengthen their role in policymaking and advocacy for improving LGBTQ health. Some examples of such actions include:
Advocating for LGBTQ-inclusive policies and legislation: Nurses can advocate for policies and legislation that promote LGBTQ health and equality, such as non-discrimination laws and policies, access to healthcare, and LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare training.
Participating in political campaigns and advocacy efforts: Nurses can actively participate in political campaigns and advocacy efforts that support LGBTQ health and equality. This could include volunteering for campaigns, writing letters to elected officials, and speaking out about issues that affect the LGBTQ community.
Engaging in public health initiatives: Nurses can get involved in public health initiatives that focus on improving LGBTQ health, such as working with community organizations to provide education and resources to the LGBTQ community or participating in research studies that aim to better understand the health needs of the LGBTQ community.
One AACN MSN Essential that particularly pertains to this topic is the “Advanced nursing practice and advocacy for population health” Essential. This Essential emphasizes the importance of nurses advocating for the health and well-being of the populations they serve, including the LGBTQ community. Nurses who are committed to improving LGBTQ health can use their skills and expertise to advocate for policies and initiatives that support the health and well-being of this population. This could involve working with community organizations and elected officials to promote LGBTQ-inclusive policies and initiatives, as well as educating the public about the unique health needs of the LGBTQ community.
According to the Joint Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are several key areas where healthcare providers can focus their efforts to improve the health and well-being of the LGBTQ community. These include:
Providing culturally and clinically competent care: This involves ensuring that healthcare providers are trained to understand and address the unique health needs of the LGBTQ community, as well as providing care that is sensitive to the cultural and social context of the patient.
Addressing health disparities: The LGBTQ community experiences a number of health disparities compared to the general population, including higher rates of certain types of cancer, HIV, and mental health disorders. Nurses can work to address these disparities through research, education, and advocacy.
Promoting LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare policies: Nurses can advocate for policies that support the health and well-being of the LGBTQ community, such as non-discrimination laws, access to healthcare, and LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare training.
By taking these and other political actions, nurses can play a key role in improving the health and well-being of the LGBTQ community and strengthening their role in policymaking and advocacy.
