Reducing barriers to Covid-19 vaccines among structurally disadvantaged populations: the role of public health nurses in promoting health equity

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Date
2024-07-05
Authors
Gelfman, Yael
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Abstract
In Canada, the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing social inequities and has further contributed to the morbidity and mortality of individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Access to evidence-based services, such as Covid-19 vaccinations, is paramount to population health promotion and health equity advocacy. Health equity can be achieved through the promotion of equitable access to healthcare services and equal distribution of resources. Addressing health inequities during the Covid-19 pandemic is a major goal and moral imperative in the public health sector. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the practice roles of public health nurses (PHNs) during the pandemic in regard to their contribution to reducing barriers to Covid-19 vaccines and promoting health equity for structurally disadvantaged clients. A greater understanding of the PHNs’ role in promoting health equity during the pandemic can contribute to excellence in nursing practice, improve client outcomes, and increase awareness about the importance of social justice and health equity action. Interpretive description by Dr. Sally Thorne was chosen as the methodology for this study to explore and understand the roles of PHNs delivering Covid-19 vaccines through the Focused Immunization Team (FIT). The WRHA Public Health Nursing Professional Practice Model by Dr. Cheryl Cusack was used in scaffolding this study. The literature search was completed using PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. The articles used in this study were published in English from 2012 to 2024. The literature reviewed included peer-reviewed journal articles, books, as well as grey literature obtained from professional organizations’ websites. A conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 FIT PHNs. During this process, 11 major themes were identified and categorized into five sections. Although the literature on promoting health equity during the pandemic by prioritizing Covid-19 vaccines for vulnerable populations is abundant, there is no sufficient evidence regarding PHNs’ role on the outreach FIT team in the local context of Manitoba. These study results have implications for future PHN practice, research, education, and administrative domains. It is necessary to further explore how local public health outreach programs can optimize equitable service delivery and improve health outcomes for vulnerable clients during global public health outbreaks.
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public health, disadvantaged populations, public health nurses, health equity, health promotion, social justice, outreach, barriers to Covid-19 vaccines, Covid-19 pandemic
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