Health Promotion in Food Deserts

Health Promotion in Food Deserts

In the context of health promotion, Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) often work with diverse populations that have varied health needs and barriers to care. Reflect on a case or scenario from your clinical experience or studies where you encountered challenges in promoting health within a specific population.

Word limit 500 words. Support your answers with the literature and provide citations and references in APA, 7th ed. format. No AI, Plagiarism less than 20 %, 3 or more references.

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Health Promotion in Food Deserts

Health Promotion Challenges in a Low-Income Urban Population

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) play a critical role in promoting health among diverse populations, yet certain groups face significant barriers that hinder the effectiveness of these efforts. During my clinical rotation at a community health center in a low-income urban neighborhood, I encountered a 54-year-old patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. The patient’s A1C levels had remained elevated despite multiple education sessions and medication adjustments.

The primary challenge in this case was the patient’s limited access to healthy food options and safe exercise environments. The neighborhood was a recognized “food desert,” with minimal access to fresh produce and affordable healthy groceries. Instead, convenience stores and fast-food outlets dominated the area. According to Walker et al. (2010), such environments contribute to unhealthy dietary patterns, exacerbating chronic disease management challenges. Additionally, concerns about neighborhood safety discouraged the patient from engaging in outdoor physical activity, further complicating disease control.

Cultural factors also played a role. The patient expressed strong attachment to traditional high-carbohydrate meals, and family gatherings often reinforced these dietary patterns. As noted by Juckett (2013), cultural food preferences must be acknowledged and respected in health promotion, but they also require culturally sensitive adaptations for effective disease management.

Financial constraints further limited the patient’s adherence to treatment recommendations. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket medication costs and co-pays were burdensome. Research shows that financial hardship is a significant predictor of poor medication adherence in chronic disease populations (Gellad et al., 2011).

As the FNP student, I employed a multifaceted, culturally tailored approach. I collaborated with a dietitian to develop meal plans using affordable, locally available ingredients. We identified nearby community centers offering indoor exercise programs at reduced or no cost. Motivational interviewing techniques were used to explore the patient’s readiness for change and…