NURS 6050 – Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health

Week 3 Discussion: Social Determinants of Health, Policy, and the Nurse’s Advocacy Role

This discussion focuses on how social and structural determinants of health shape population outcomes and how nurses can use policy and advocacy to address these determinants. You will link a real population health issue to current evidence, policy, and practical advocacy actions, consistent with NURS 6050 outcomes on policy, cost, quality, access, and equity. [web:14][web:41][web:43]

Discussion Overview

Using a population health issue of your choice (e.g., preventable hospitalizations among low-income adults, maternal mortality in Black women, diabetes in rural communities, opioid overdoses, housing insecurity and health), you will analyze how social determinants of health (SDOH) and structural determinants contribute to inequities, and propose nurse-led advocacy strategies at different system levels. Draw on recent evidence and national reports that highlight the role of nurses in addressing SDOH and advancing health equity. [web:41][web:43]

Preparation

Before posting, complete the following:

• Review course materials on SDOH and structural determinants of health.
• Read at least one recent article or chapter that addresses nursing, SDOH, and policy or advocacy (e.g., the Future of Nursing 2020–2030 report chapters on SDOH and equity; current peer‑reviewed articles on nurse advocacy and population health). [web:29][web:41][web:43]
• Select one specific population health issue where inequities are clearly influenced by social and structural determinants (e.g., income, education, racism, immigration status, neighborhood, rurality).
• Locate current epidemiologic or population-level data (2019–2025) describing the scope of the problem for your chosen population.

Initial Discussion Post Instructions

By Day 3 of the discussion week, write a 500–750 word initial post that addresses all of the following elements:

1. Describe the Population Health Issue and Affected Group

• Clearly identify your chosen issue and the specific population impacted (e.g., older adults in rural counties, immigrant farmworkers, urban adolescents, Native American communities).
• Summarize current epidemiologic data (incidence, prevalence, mortality, or other relevant indicators) that shows the scope of the problem and inequities across groups. [web:41][web:43]

2. Analyze Social and Structural Determinants

• Explain how at least three SDOH (such as economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, social and community context) contribute to your issue. [web:41][web:43]
• Discuss at least one structural determinant (e.g., policies, laws, institutional practices, systemic racism, immigration rules, zoning, funding structures) that shapes these SDOH and leads to inequities in your population’s outcomes. [web:41][web:43]

3. Connect to Existing Policies or Programs

• Identify at least one policy, law, payment model, or major program that affects your chosen population health issue (local, state, federal, or organizational).
• Briefly evaluate how well this policy or program addresses the SDOH and structural determinants you described. Note at least one gap or limitation. [web:29][web:43]

4. Propose Nurse-Led Advocacy Actions

• Describe specific actions nurses or nurse leaders can take to advocate for improvements, using at least two levels of influence (e.g., clinical/micro, organizational/meso, policy/macro). [web:41][web:43]
• Provide at least one concrete example of an advocacy strategy (e.g., joining a coalition, providing testimony, writing a policy brief, partnering with community organizations) and justify why it is appropriate for your issue and population.

5. Integration of Evidence

• Support your discussion with at least two current, peer‑reviewed sources (2019–2025) and one authoritative report or chapter (e.g., National Academies, AAN consensus paper, governmental report) that address SDOH, structural determinants, or nursing advocacy. [web:29][web:41][web:43]

Peer Response Instructions

By Day 6 of the discussion week, respond to at least two colleagues’ posts (200–300 words each) in a way that advances the conversation rather than agreeing superficially.

• Offer an additional SDOH or structural factor that may be relevant to their population health issue, supported by evidence.
• Suggest at least one complementary or alternative nurse-led advocacy strategy at a different level (e.g., shifting from micro/clinical to macro/policy) and explain how it could strengthen impact. [web:39][web:41]
• When possible, compare or contrast their population and policy context with your own chosen example to highlight shared patterns or unique challenges.

Formatting Expectations

• Use clear, graduate-level academic writing and organized paragraphs.
• Apply current APA 7th edition for in‑text citations and reference lists.
• Include at least three scholarly, recent sources (2019–2025) across your initial post.
• Write in your own words; paraphrase sources and avoid direct quotes where possible.

Indicative Discussion Rubric (NURS 6050 – SDOH, Policy, and Advocacy)

1. Integration of SDOH and Structural Determinants (30%)

• Exemplary (27–30 points): Provides a clear, specific, and data-informed description of the population health issue; insightfully analyzes multiple SDOH and at least one structural determinant with accurate, nuanced linkage to inequities.
• Proficient (23–26 points): Describes the issue and population with adequate data; correctly identifies several SDOH with some discussion of structural influences; connections to inequities may be less developed.
• Developing (0–22 points): Provides a general or vague description of the issue; identifies limited SDOH or omits structural determinants; minimal or inaccurate linkage to inequities.

2. Policy/Program Connection and Critical Insight (25%)

• Exemplary (22–25 points): Clearly identifies relevant policy/program; provides thoughtful critique of strengths and gaps in addressing SDOH and structural factors; offers well-reasoned insights about implications for equity. [web:29][web:43]
• Proficient (18–21 points): Identifies relevant policy/program and discusses basic strengths and weaknesses; some attention to equity but limited depth.
• Developing (0–17 points): Policy/program is unclear, inaccurate, or poorly aligned; little critical analysis or connection to SDOH and equity.

3. Nurse Advocacy Actions and Practicality (20%)

• Exemplary (18–20 points): Proposes specific, feasible nurse-led advocacy strategies at two or more levels (micro/meso/macro); clearly justifies how actions align with evidence and population needs. [web:41][web:43]
• Proficient (15–17 points): Suggests generally appropriate advocacy actions with some attention to level and feasibility; justification is present but limited.
• Developing (0–14 points): Advocacy actions are vague, unrealistic, or unrelated to the issue; limited or no justification.

4. Use of Evidence and Scholarly Sources (15%)

• Exemplary (14–15 points): Integrates ≥3 current scholarly sources (2019–2025) and at least one authoritative report; evidence is well synthesized, correctly cited, and used to support key points. [web:29][web:41][web:43]
• Proficient (11–13 points): Uses required number of sources with generally correct APA citations; integration of evidence is present but may be more descriptive than analytical.
• Developing (0–10 points): Uses few or outdated sources; errors in citation; evidence is minimally or inappropriately integrated.

5. Quality of Writing and Engagement in Discussion (10%)

• Exemplary (9–10 points): Writing is clear, organized, and concise with minimal errors; responses to peers are substantive, respectful, and clearly extend the discussion with new evidence or perspectives. [web:39]
• Proficient (7–8 points): Writing is generally clear with minor issues; peer responses are relevant but may be more confirmatory than expansive.
• Developing (0–6 points): Writing is disorganized or contains frequent errors; peer responses are brief, superficial, or missing.

This NURS 6050 discussion assignment on social determinants of health, structural determinants, and nurse advocacy reflects current graduate nursing expectations for linking population health analysis with concrete policy and advocacy strategies. The brief is aligned with contemporary literature and national reports on nursing, SDOH, and health equity, making it relevant for students searching for examples of population health policy discussions, SDOH assignments, and nurse advocacy forums in 2025.

References

1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021) The Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.​

2. Chiu, P., Young, K., Minami, C.A. & Erwin, K. (2021) ‘Policy advocacy and nursing organizations: A scoping review’, Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(4), pp. 294–306.​

3. World Health Organization (2024) Operational Framework for Monitoring Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity. Geneva: WHO.​

4. International Council of Nurses (2023) Health Inequities, Discrimination and the Nurse’s Role. Geneva: ICN.