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What is the role of health care reform in shifting the focus from a disease-oriented health care system toward one of wellness and prevention, and how does nursing fit into this shift?

Many people are dying from preventable diseases than need be. The role of health care reform in shifting the focus from a disease-oriented health care system toward one of wellness and prevention is helping Americans remain healthy and fit and prevent people from succumbing to preventable diseases. The health and vitality of Americans are critical to the productivity and innovation essential for our nation’s future. Students who are healthy are coming to school ready to learn, employees who are free from mental and physical illness take fewer sick days and are more beneficial to our economy (Benjamin, 2011). Although the U.S. spends more on health care than any other country, our nation ranks lower than several other nations in life expectancy, infant mortality, and other healthy life indicators (Benjamin, 2011). Healthcare reform is going to increase the use of preventive services such as, tobacco cessation screening, and alcohol abuse screening.This could save $3.7 billion annually in medical costs. Shifting our nation’s focus toward preventive health will not only result in cost savings but, more importantly, will save and improve lives (Benjamin, 2011). A few other focus areas include, building more healthy and safe communities, enhancing the quality of air, water and land, thereby decreasing the exposure to toxic environmental hazards.

Nursing fits into health care reform in a huge way because we are who people come to for preventive services. Nurses need to be available to run or contribute to preventive clinics that screen for diabetes, cancer, immunizations, etc. When people have better health, the cost of health care decreases. While preventive services are traditionally delivered in clinical settings, some can be delivered within communities, work sites, schools, residential treatment centers, or homes. Clinical preventive services can be supported and reinforced by community-based prevention, policies, and programs (Hassmiller, 2010). Nurses are educators. By word of mouth and teaching alone, nurses can educate people to make good healthy decisions regarding their own health. Nurses can reach people in all communities no matter the background. No community, person, or population should be left behind.

Benjamin, Regina. (2011). The National Prevention Strategy: Shifting the Nation’s Healthcare System. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3185312/

Hassmiller, Susan. (2010). Nursing’s Role in Healthcare Reform. Retrieved from https://www.americannursetoday.com/nursings-role-in-healthcare-reform/