In Brooklyn, New York zip code 11234, there are a number of issues which are likely to negatively affect the wellbeing of persons in this community. I didn’t know that the main factors which may impact on the health of community members in the zip code consisted of air pollutants and water pollutants. The realization that air pollutants have been on the rise in recent times means that there are possibilities of individuals in the community suffering from serious health problems for instance children being born with birth defects and skin cancers as a result of some of these pollutants like green house gases depleting the ozone layer (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017). Additionally, the status of the water being used in the community may also compromise the wellbeing of individuals since most water sources for instance the Paerdegat Basin have been impaired. Such a fact is likely to lead to water-borne diseases like dysentery and/or cholera.
My knowledge of these factors will be essential in understanding how to address the healthcare challenges which may come about as a result. As a community health nurse, I will be tasked with seeing to it that the members of the community are protected from the possible negative outcomes from the pollutants affecting their health. In the same direction, I will involve myself in sensitizing the community on the need for taking care of their wellbeing by organizing seminars, workshops and community health open days where materials containing information on how to protect oneself from such ailments themselves will be distributed to them. Additionally, demonstrations on hand washing will be crucial to the community members as it will serve the role of averting the spread of dysentery or cholera. Concerning the threat of skin cancer, I will educate the members of community on the importance of applying sun screens on their skin when one gets exposed to the sunlight for long periods of time (Diepgen et al., 2012).
References
Diepgen, T. L., Fartasch, M., Drexler, H., & Schmitt, J. (2012). Occupational skin cancer induced by ultraviolet radiation and its prevention. British Journal of Dermatology, 167(s2), 76-84.
Environmental Protection Agency. (2017). MyEnvironment | US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www3.epa.gov/myenv/myenview2.html?minx=-73.98605&miny=40.57641&maxx=-73.79551&maxy=40.64288&ve=12,40.60695,-73.91087&pSearch=11234,%20NY
