DNP 825 Propose two realistic and achievable initiatives within the scope of nursing science that could help to mitigate this crisis

We are all aware of the effect that COVID-19 had on global health. Despite all of the challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) was able to be a part of the worldwide response to the pandemic and continue the other efforts they have been working on for many years. WHO published a report on their significant achievements in the midst of the pandemic (WHO, 2022). WHO led the largest-ever global response to a health crisis by working with 1600 technical and operational partners to deliver more than 1.4 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses globally (WHO, 2022). It also was part of the global rollout of crucial health materials of US$500 million worth of personal protective equipment, US$187 million in oxygen supplies, US$4.8 million in treatments, and 110 million diagnostic tests (WHO, 2022). An interesting piece of this report is that 117 of 127 countries surveyed reported disruption to at least one essential health service because of COVID (WHO, 2022). This learner finds it hard to believe that ten countries out there had no disruption from COVID-19. The DNP-prepared nurse can be an active part in educating patients about the COVID vaccination options and its benefits for them.

Another noteworthy achievement of the WHO during the pandemic is helping 58 countries prohibit the use of trans fatty acids (a hazardous food compound linked to cardiovascular disease) (WHO, 2022). They have a goal of a world free of trans-fats by the end of 2023 (WHO, 2022). That seems like a lofty goal, in this learner’s opinion. Overall, tobacco use is decreasing in 150 countries (WHO, 2022). Fifteen countries have achieved the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis (WHO, 2022). Park et al. (2022) found that provider education on the correct treatment of syphilis in pregnant women was a gap. They discussed that prenatal care providers receive focused, ongoing training on syphilis treatment guidelines for pregnant women, encompassing screening, testing, test interpretation, patient and partner notification, and the recommended follow-up treatment regimen.

WHO was part of the response to deliver the world’s first updated malaria vaccine (RTS,S/AS01) to 1 million children living in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high P. falciparum malaria transmission. This is a health risk with associated mortality for so many that live in those regions. Thompson et al. (2022) recommended malaria vaccination to all populations, including children, as an additional tool to existing interventions.

Park, E., Yip, J., Harville, E., Nelson, M., Giarratano, G., Buekens, P., & Wagman, J. (2022). Gaps in the congenital syphilis prevention cascade: Qualitative findings from Kern County, California. BMC Infectious Diseases, 22, 129. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8818245/

Thompson, H., Hogan, A., Walker, P., Winskill, P., Zongo, I., Sagara, I., Tinto, H., Ouedraogo, J., Dicko, A., Chandramohan, D., Greenwood, B., Cairns, M., & Ghani, A. (2022). Seasonal use case for the RTS, S?AS01 malaria vaccine: a mathematical modelling study. The Lancet, 10(12), E1782-E1792. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(22)00416-8/fulltext

World Health Organization. (2022). For a safer, healthier, and fairer world: Result report, Programme budget 2022-2021. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/about/accountability/results/who-results-report-2020-2021