Case 1: S.M. is a nurse practitioner in a large midwestern city. Today she is participating in a health fair at the Islamic Cultural Center. She is anticipating attendance by many families of Arab-American descent.
S.M. knows common health issues in Arab Americans include cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Her goals today are to gain the trust of the families she meets, learn about their health behaviors, provide education about healthy lifestyles, and arrange any follow-up care that may be needed.
Question for the case: During the health fair, S.M. assesses her clients risk factors, including person-dependent factors andenvironmental-dependent factors. List at least 3 examples of a person-dependent factors and environmental dependent-factors.
Discuss the 3 topics listed below for your case:
1.Define and describe the primary goals of screening.
2. Discuss your thoughts on the relationship between economics and nutrition. How would you advise people of low socioeconomic status to eat healthy on a budget? How would you respond to patients whose financial restraints limit their access to food?
3. Identify potential barriers to patient teaching and how you would address these barriers.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Case Analysis: S.M. at the Health Fair
S.M.’s participation in the health fair at the Islamic Cultural Center presents an excellent opportunity to address the health needs of Arab-American families. Understanding the risk factors related to health, both person-dependent and environmental-dependent, is crucial to effectively promoting wellness and establishing trust within the community.
Risk Factors Assessment
Person-Dependent Factors
1. Genetic Predisposition: A family history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes can significantly increase an individual’s risk, especially in communities with high genetic prevalence.
2. Lifestyle Choices: Personal habits such as smoking, physical inactivity, and dietary choices directly impact health outcomes and can lead to increased risk for chronic diseases.
3. Health Literacy: An individual’s understanding of health information and their ability to make informed health decisions can influence their risk factors and health outcomes.
Environmental-Dependent Factors
1. Access to Healthy Foods: The availability of grocery stores that offer fresh produce and healthy options can impact dietary choices. Areas classified as “food deserts” often limit access to nutritious food.
2. Cultural Acceptability of Health Resources: The presence of culturally appropriate health resources and education can influence health behaviors. If resources are not culturally sensitive, community members may be less likely to engage.
3. Socioeconomic Status: Economic factors affecting the community, such as income levels and employment opportunities, play a significant role in determining access to healthcare services and healthy food options.
1. Primary Goals of Screening
Screening involves assessing individuals for potential health issues before symptoms arise. The primary goals of screening include:
1. Early Detection: Identifying diseases at an early stage can lead to more effective treatment and better health outcomes. For example, screening for hypertension or diabetes can help manage these conditions effectively before they lead to severe complications.
2. Risk Assessment: Screening helps identify individuals at high risk for certain diseases based on factors such as family history, lifestyle choices, and environmental risks. This enables targeted interventions to mitigate those risks.
3. Health Education and Promotion: Screening events provide opportunities for education about preventive care, healthy lifestyles, and available resources, which can enhance community knowledge and engagement in health management.
2. Relationship Between Economics and Nutrition
Discussion
There is a significant relationship between economics and nutrition, as socioeconomic status (SES) often determines access to healthy foods. Individuals with lower SES may experience food insecurity, limiting their ability to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods.
Advising Low Socioeconomic Status Individuals
1. Budget-Friendly Meal Planning: Encourage patients to plan meals ahead of time using seasonal produce and bulk items, which are often cheaper. Simple recipes that use staple ingredients like beans, rice, and whole grains can be both nutritious and economical.
2. Utilizing Community Resources: Advise patients to explore local food banks, community gardens, or nutrition assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which can help alleviate financial burdens while improving food access.
3. Cooking Classes: Suggest attending cooking classes that focus on preparing healthy meals on a budget. These can provide practical skills and foster a sense of community.
Responding to Financial Restraints
For patients facing financial constraints that limit their access to food, I would validate their feelings while emphasizing the importance of nutrition for overall health. I would explore options such as local support services or community programs that provide access to affordable fresh produce. Additionally, I would encourage them to focus on low-cost, nutrient-dense foods such as legumes, grains, and seasonal vegetables that provide essential nutrients without breaking the bank.
3. Potential Barriers to Patient Teaching
Identifying Barriers
1. Language Barriers: Patients may have limited English proficiency, making it difficult for them to understand health information.
2. Cultural Differences: Different cultural beliefs about health and wellness may conflict with Western medical practices or recommendations.
3. Health Literacy: Patients may lack the knowledge necessary to comprehend medical terminology or instructions provided during teaching sessions.
Addressing Barriers
1. Use of Translators: Employ bilingual staff or interpreters to facilitate communication with patients who have limited English proficiency, ensuring they fully understand health information.
2. Culturally Tailored Education: Develop educational materials that respect cultural beliefs and practices, possibly incorporating traditional dietary habits with recommended changes for better health outcomes.
3. Simplify Health Information: Use plain language and visual aids when providing education to enhance understanding. Providing written materials in the patient’s preferred language can also reinforce learning.
In conclusion, S.M.’s proactive approach in assessing risk factors, understanding the economic implications of nutrition, and addressing barriers to patient teaching will be instrumental in fostering trust and improving health outcomes in the Arab-American community she serves.
References
– U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Economic Research Service – Food Security Status of Households.
– American Heart Association (AHA). (2020). Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.
– National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2019). Health Disparities in Arab Americans.
