Exploring the Role of Nurses in Addressing Health Inequities in Underserved Rural Populations
Posted: Jun 24, 2021
Abstract
Health inequities in rural populations represent one of the most persistent challenges in contemporary healthcare systems. Rural communities face disproportionate burdens of chronic disease, limited access to specialized care, and higher mortality rates compared to their urban counterparts. These disparities are compounded by socioeconomic factors, geographic isolation, and systemic barriers to healthcare access. Within this complex landscape, nurses emerge as critical frontline providers who possess unique potential to address health inequities through their clinical expertise, community relationships, and holistic approach to care. This research investigates the expanded roles and innovative strategies that nurses develop and implement to mitigate health disparities in underserved rural settings. The traditional conceptualization of nursing practice often fails to capture the full scope of activities that rural nurses undertake to promote health equity. Beyond direct patient care, rural nurses frequently serve as health educators, community organizers, system navigators, and policy advocates. Their position at the intersection of clinical care and community health provides them with distinctive insights into the structural determinants of health that affect rural populations. This study seeks to document and analyze these multifaceted
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