#1

The World Health Organization defines social determinants of health as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. Social determinants of health influence the health of a community, and in turn they also influence what is needed from healthcare organizations. 

In your discussion, this week, include the following: 

• Discuss how economic, environmental, social, and demographic factors contribute to the evolution of healthcare organizations located within communities that have vulnerable populations. 
• How are nurses and nurse leaders uniquely positioned to foster positive relationships between healthcare systems and local communities? 
• Consider a healthcare organization within which you currently work or have previously worked. Did that organization develop community partnerships that addressed the needs based on social determinants of health? If so, what were they? If not, what partnerships would you recommend? 
• Healthcare organizations provide illness-based services and/or wellness services, and economic, environmental, social and demographic factors influence that care (Yoder-Wise & Sportsman, 2023). These factors have stimulated the development of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Quintuple Aim. This is an organization that seeks to improve patient care, improve the population's health, reduce the per capita cost of care and improve health equity.  
• Nurses and nurse leaders are in uniquely positioned to foster relationships between healthcare systems and local communities because they practice in many different types of healthcare settings and take a much more active and independent role in providing care to patients then in the past (Yoder-Wise & Sportsman, 2023).  
• HCA foundation invested over $13 million through grants to over 247 agencies and nonprofit foundations (HCA Healthcare Today, 2025). Additionally, HCA gives to the Healthier Tomorrow Fund, which aims to help create career pathways for underserved high school students throughout Florida. 

#2

Economic, environmental, social, and demographic factors shape how healthcare organizations evolve in communities with vulnerable populations by influencing both the needs of the community and the services required. Economic hardship often limits peoples access to care, leading to healthcare organizations offering lower cost services. Environmental issues like poor housing or pollution lead to increased chronic conditions. Social challenges like isolation or limited education lead to organizations investing in outreach programs to educate and help prevent illness. Demographic factors, such as aging populations or increasing cultural diversity, increase the need for culturally competent care. Altogether, these factors influence the revolution of healthcare organizations located within these communities. Nursing and nurse leaders are uniquely positioned to foster positive relationships between healthcare systems and local communities due to their close daily interactions with diverse populations. They are able to advocate, educate and help guide organizations in compassionate, culturally appropriate care.  Some partnerships I would recommend in Tampa would involve the homeless population and their access to healthcare. Tampa has actually taken a step to address this with Tampa Hope. "The City of Tampa, in partnership with Tampa General Hospital, Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg and OnMed, has taken a groundbreaking step in its commitment to addressing the welfare of the city's homeless population with the introduction of an OnMed CareStation. Funded by Tampa General Hospital and The McNamara Foundation, the indoor structure is a clinic-in-a-box that can be installed anywhere there is an outlet. It allows residents to have real-time consultations with a licensed clinician via high-definition audio-video capabilities and a comprehensive suite of medical devices." (2025)

The City of Tampa announces on-demand health care solution for Homeless Communities. City of Tampa. (2025, January 28). https://www.tampa.gov/news/2025-01/city-tampa-announces-demand-health-care-solution-homeless-communities-163156