United States healthcare system and environmental health cha…

please answer both answer provided example student 1 1.) Sachees How can the United States health care system effectively meet the challenges of caring for vulnerable populations whose environment poses health risks? Consider air quality, drinking water, hazardous waste, lead poisoning, lack of access to supermarkets, climate change, lack of air conditioning during heat waves and failing/aging infrastructure. The United States health care system can better serve vulnerable populations by merging both environmental health and social determinants of health (SDOH) into patients routine care. Collaboration between health care, housing, transportation, and environmental agencies is key to reducing risks and improving health equity. Low-income neighborhoods are particularly affected by environmental risks such as lead exposure, hazardous waste, poor drinking water, polluted air quality, and lack of grocery stores. Within these environments, it is common to see the population be diagnosed with health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and kidney disease. According to research, these health disparities are getting worse due to climate change, particularly for underserved populations. Health care systems could work with public health and community organizations to address these issues by screening for social and environmental hazards and using community-level data to identify high-risk locations (Novilla et al., 2023). These areas could then be supported with additional resources like food programs, transportation vouchers, mobile health clinics, asthma education programs, lead testing, utility and air-conditioning assistance during heat waves and access to cooling centers, and home water filtration systems. To lower long-term environmental health risks, health systems might also increase telemedicine services, hire community health professionals, and cooperate together on clean air and lead pipe replacement projects. 2.) Define the role of the APRN and explain how the APRN’s role relates to environmental health and the family? Assessing, diagnosing, treating, and encouraging disease prevention are all aspects of advanced clinical care that APRNs often offer to their patients. APRNs prioritize patient-centered, comprehensive care and frequently care for individuals as a whole, taking into account of the patients family and environmental health. Environmental issues like housing conditions, water safety, air quality, and local resources have a direct impact on health outcomes, which is why the APRN’s function is related to environmental health and families. APRNs evaluate environmental hazards, provide families with information on how to minimize exposures such as lead or asthma triggers, and link these different families to local resources (Riebsomer et al., 2025). APRNs contribute to the protection of families at risk and the enhancement of community health by addressing environmental and social determinants of health. They also link vulnerable patients with community resources and act as an advocate for those who are facing food insecurity or insecure housing. Along with helping families become more resilient to environmental health risks, APRNs also have an impact on policy by advocating for environmental justice and fair access to healthcare (Riebsomer et al., 2025). References Novilla, M. L. B., Goates, M. C., Leffler, T., Kenneth, N., Wu, C., Dall, A., & Hansen, C. (2023). Integrating social care into healthcare: A review on applying the social determinants of health in clinical settings. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19), 68736873. Riebsomer, E. T., Dunn, A., Irvin, M., Lesser, A., Hemmes, M., & Kemp, G. (2025). Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Address Southwestern United States Air QualityA Public Health Imperative. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 21(10), 105526. student 2 Bridges How can the United States health care system effectively meet the challenges of caring for vulnerable populations whose environment poses health risks? Consider air quality, drinking water, hazardous waste, lead poisoning, lack of access to supermarkets, climate change, lack of air conditioning during heat waves and failing/aging infrastructure. Families living in poverty are disproportionately affected by environmental health risks. Many low income communities are exposed to poor air quality, unsafe drinking water, hazardous waste, aging housing, food deserts, and extreme heat. These environmental stressors add another layer of risk for families who may already struggle with limited access to healthcare, healthy food, and necessary medications. Social determinants of health play a major role in shaping these outcomes, and environmental conditions are a significant part of that picture (Braveman et al., 2011). The U.S. healthcare system cannot effectively care for vulnerable populations if it focuses only on treating disease after it develops. Environmental exposures such as air pollution are closely linked to both respiratory and cardiovascular disease. (Landrigan et al., 2018). Long-term exposure is also associated with increased premature mortality, particularly in low income communities located near highways or industrial areas. Children are especially vulnerable because their lungs are still developing, making repeated exposure more harmful over time. Lead exposure remains a major concern, especially in older homes with aging paint and plumbing. Even low levels of lead have been shown to negatively affect childrens cognitive development, attention, and academic performance There is no safe level of lead exposure, and because it accumulates in the body, early exposure can result in long-term neurologic consequences. These risks are more common in families living in poverty, where aging housing and limited remediation resources increase ongoing exposure. Climate change has also widened existing disparities. Families without air conditioning or reliable housing are more vulnerable during heat waves, which increases the risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke. Communities without nearby supermarkets often rely on processed foods from convenience stores, contributing to higher rates of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. To create meaningful improvements, healthcare systems need to collaborate closely with public health departments and community-based organizations. This includes supporting infrastructure improvements, expanding access to preventive care, investing in safe housing, and advocating for environmental policies that reduce exposure in high-risk communities. Addressing these risks upstream can prevent long-term health consequences and reduce healthcare costs over time. Define the role of the APRN and explain how the APRN’s role relates to environmental health and the family? APRNs play an important role in bridging clinical care and environmental health. Environmental exposure is closely connected to social determinants of health, and these factors influence family outcomes across the lifespan (Braveman et al., 2011). In practice, APRNs can incorporate environmental screening into routine assessments by asking about housing conditions, access to clean water, exposure to mold or pollutants, and food security. APRNs can screen children for lead exposure risk, identify patients vulnerable to heat-related illness, educate families about reducing asthma triggers in the home, connect families with community resources and public health programs and advocate for safer environments at local and policy levels. By addressing environmental factors alongside medical conditions, APRNs provide more comprehensive, family-centered care. Improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations requires recognizing that environmental conditions are not separate from health. APRNs are in a unique position to assess these risks, educate families, and advocate for systemic change that promotes health equity. References Braveman, P., Egerter, S., & Williams, D. R. (2011). The social determinants of health: Coming of age. Annual Review of Public Health, 32, 381398. Landrigan, P. J., Fuller, R., Acosta, N. J. R., Adeyi, O., Arnold, R., Bald, A. B., … Zhong, M. (2018). The Lancet Commission on pollution and health. The Lancet, 391(10119), 462512. )32345-0 Lanphear BP;Hornung R;Khoury J;Yolton K;Baghurst P;Bellinger DC;Canfield RL;Dietrich KN;Bornschein R;Greene T;Rothenberg SJ;Needleman HL;Schnaas L;Wasserman G;Graziano J;Roberts R; (n.d.). Low-level environmental lead exposure and childrens intellectual function: An international pooled analysis. Environmental health perspectives.