This course (taught by Dr. Johnson) is very informative for me in my position as a school nurse. My role involves more community health promotion than actual health treatment. Healthy People 2010 dictates what we do and how we do it. We are challenged by changing demographics – we have gone from a predominately rural Pennsylvania Dutch community to a bedroom community for Philadelphia with many minorities moving into the area. Needless to say – that changes the morals, ethics, culture and form of health delivery for our area. It has not been an easy transition, and it will take a lot more community involvement to make the changes. We do not have community health clinics, community centers and the like. The Pennsylvania Dutch are stubborn, independent people who do not take readily to outsiders or new ideas. New health issues are being introduced with the new residents, and these need to be addressed. Also, the role of health care has always been that “take care of your own, only see a doctor is you are REALLY ILL”. Prevention has not been a word in their vocabulary. And in their defense, that has worked for them. However, the lifestyles of the younger people are not that of their parents – few are farmers or laborers, they have a more sedintary lifestyle and are exposed to more environmental problems and concerns.
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