Peer Response Brooke and Allyssa

Brooke

I do not fully agree with Brooke because the article has not explained what the community care provider can do as per the question. Instead, the paper expounds on the problems and challenges the patient population is undergoing. For example, saying, “I was faced with a high Hispanic population that poorly complied with recommendations and had many health disparities.” In this case, the article does not provide a solution; instead, it explains the problem of transportation and non-compliance. In the end, it says that there is a need to prevent future health disparities. The care provider has not explained what he can do to avoid the discrepancies.

In my opinion, I would have, for example, stated about government intervention to solve the problem. I would recommend the government and the local leaders’ intervention because observing that the Hispanic population faces health challenges, then racism is evident. In such a case, the government has the most power to solve it than a mere individual like a care provider. The government and local leaders have the influence required to drive change in a community (Morse, 2014). Some local leaders may include; health practitioners, mayors, fire chiefs, religious leaders, and business leaders.

Nevertheless, Brooke has pointed out about educating families on the importance of physical activity and quality nutrition. This is a great point and can solve parts of the problems the population suffers. Even though the article does not articulate what exactly the care provider can do, it mentions a clinic with a coach who saw patients for 30 minutes prior to seeing a doctor. They used to discuss the social detriments affecting them. Also, that could be a good move towards achieving social justice and reduced health disparities. 

References

Morse, S. W. (2014). Smart communities: How citizens and local leaders can use strategic thinking to build a brighter future. John Wiley & Sons.

Allyssa

The article starts with a very well explained paragraph of what the care provider could do to solve the health challenges—for instance, focusing on helping the community get food donations and referring the patients to social work helps solve transportation barriers. The article has focused on what can be done, which is quite a good move. However, I cannot entirely agree with the point where the writer talks about reducing social justice by educating the families on lifestyle modification. This seems to solve more health issues than social injustice. Social justice cannot be fully solved by educating a person. Even if the writer meant educating individuals to solve health issues, social injustice could not have been solved.

Instead of merely talking about solving health challenges, there is much to say about social injustices that lead to the community’s health problems. For instance, the writer could have added about access to education or employment opportunities in the community. If they are limited, provide solutions on how to act on them. This could solve social injustice because Brown (2013) says education and employment unlock many potentials, so transportation and poor nutrition can find a way to be solved. However, the article talks about many positive things that the care provider could do to solve the community’s issues. The last point, which says the care provider should act as an advocate, is powerful. It says care providers need to act as advocates for patients who need assistance. This is true because the care providers have an influence in the community that can attract other community leaders and the government to help the patients.

References

Brown, P. (2003). The opportunity trap: Education and employment in a global economy. European Educational Research Journal, 2(1), 141-179. https://doi.org/10.2304/eerj.2003.2.1.4