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Capella University
NURS-FPX 4060 Practicing in the Community to Improve Population Health
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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is a leading global philanthropic organization that promotes the rights and well-being of every child. It is operated in more than 190 countries, providing lifesaving assistance and ensuring children have access to healthcare, education, protection, and opportunities for a brighter future (UNICEF, n.d.). In this paper, we will discuss the organization’s mission and vision that contributes to public health and safety. Furthermore, the paper elaborates on UNICEF’s ability to promote equality and improve the population’s quality of life. Additionally, the paper covers the impact of funding and policy development on an organization’s work and how these operations impact communities’ health and safety needs.
The mission of UNICEF is to uphold children’s rights, ensuring their basic needs are fulfilled, and they are provided with advanced opportunities to excel in their potential. The organization focuses on child survival, protection, and development as universal requirements for human progress and well-being. This mission and vision are guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Daly et al., 2022). The organizational mission and vision are closely aligned with public health and safety improvements by focusing on children’s basic needs, such as healthcare, education, and a clean and safe environment. These objectives directly impact public health by preventing diseases and promoting the well-being of every child worldwide. By advocating for children’s rights, UNICEF addresses social determinants of health and promotes healthcare accessibility, thus enhancing public health and safety (UNICEF, n.d.).
One of the global initiatives by UNICEF is WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). This is a comprehensive program that ensures children have access to clean water and sanitation facilities (basic toilets) and promotes good hygiene practices, particularly for children in underserved communities (UNICEF, n.d.). Access to clean water and sanitation facilities helps prevent waterborne diseases, reduces infant mortality rates, and promotes overall well-being. Simultaneously, good hygiene practices prevent the spread of diseases. Thus, the initiative directly addresses critical determinants of public health and safety. Finally, serving underserved communities aligns with the organization’s vision of reducing disparities and improving the lives of communities.
UNICEF promotes equal opportunity and enhances the quality of life within communities by providing healthcare, education, and protection to every child, regardless of social, cultural, economic, and physical barriers. Through policy development, community partnerships, and innovative programs, UNICEF addresses these barriers in marginalized communities. Thus, fosters sustainable development and advances equity and well-being for all children (UNICEF European Union, n.d.). Several social, cultural, economic, and physical barriers pose significant challenges to equal opportunity and quality of life among communities.
Social barriers, for instance, are discrimination based on gender and ethnic differences and limited access to education and healthcare. These barriers are addressed by UNICEF’s initiatives to advocate for inclusive policies and community engagement to overcome discrimination (UNICEF European Union, n.d.). Cultural barriers may inhibit the adoption of modern practices or gender equality, for which UNICEF promotes culturally sensitive practices within the communities to improve health and well-being. Economic barriers, such as poverty and limited healthcare affordability, are addressed by providing financial resources and affordable services to uplift underserved communities. Lastly, to address physical barriers, such as infrastructure and geographical locations, UNICEF can invest in creating an environment and facilities for improving access, ensuring equitable distribution of resources, and improving quality of life (Jackson et al., 2021). By addressing these barriers comprehensively, UNICEF empowers communities to overcome challenges, promote equal opportunities, and improve communities’ well-being.
Financial resources, policies, and legislative bodies have a substantial impact on the services provided by UNICEF. Funding sources directly influence the scalability and scope of the organization’s initiatives, determining the capacity of these programs to reach underprivileged communities. These funds are acquired from various organizations in the governmental and private sectors. Moreover, international aid plays a crucial role in sustaining UNICEF’s operations and addressing global challenges (UNICEF, n.d.).
On the other hand, policies and legislation provide grounding frameworks to UNICEF for action and setting standards for child rights, health, education, and protection. These frameworks enable the organization to collaborate with governments and local partners to provide social welfare and protect human rights. Along with the services of the organization, these factors have significant implications for community members. Sufficient financial resources enable UNICEF to expand its reach and deliver services to more children and families, improving their health, education, and overall well-being. Conversely, funding cuts or restrictions may limit the organization’s ability to respond to emergencies, worsening disparities among vulnerable populations (Jackson et al., 2021). Similarly, while some policies and legislation can support UNICEF’s projects, restrictive and discriminatory laws may impede the implementation, leading to inequality. Thus, the organization should carefully consider funding sources and evolve with changing policies and regulations to maximize the impact on communities worldwide.
The services that UNICEF provides have profound impacts on the health and safety needs of local communities worldwide. Through various initiatives for improving access to healthcare, education, water and nutrition, and protection for children and families, UNICEF works to address the healthcare and safety needs of the community members (Ahun et al., 2023). For instance, UNICEF’s vaccination campaigns ensure children receive essential immunizations, reducing the spread of infectious diseases and enhancing community immunity. Similarly, UNICEF’s WASH program may provide infrastructure for safe water storage and sanitation facilities in underserved communities, improving their health and safety from waterborne diseases (McMichael, 2019). Additionally, UNICEF provides psychosocial support and child protection services to children in conflict-affected areas, preventing mental health and safety. By addressing these primary health and safety needs, the organization contributes to building resilient communities.
Nurses can support UNICEF’s mission through various avenues, such as they can utilize their valuable clinical expertise and public health knowledge in implementing UNICEF’s healthcare programs. Moreover, nurses can volunteer to provide medical care, conduct health assessments, and deliver health education sessions during UNICEF’s healthcare visits and campaigns. Additionally, nurses can advocate for children’s rights and health equity by raising awareness about UNICEF’s initiatives and mobilizing community support. Finally, nurses can join UNICEF’s emergency relief programs to provide life-saving care during humanitarian crises (Flaubert et al., 2021).
In conclusion, UNICEF’s tireless efforts are evident in its mission and vision for every child’s well-being and quality of life. By advocating children’s rights and delivering essential services like healthcare, education, and water and nutrition, UNICEF fosters equitable opportunities for all. The organization empowers communities to overcome barriers, promoting resilience and sustainable development. Thus, nurses are encouraged to participate in UNICEF’s work to enhance healthcare delivery and contribute to building healthier communities worldwide.
Ahun, M. N., Aboud, F., Wamboldt, C., & Yousafzai, A. K. (2023). Implementation of UNICEF and WHO’s care for child development package: Lessons from a global review and key informant interviews. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1140843. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1140843
Daly, A., Stern, R. T., & Leviner, P. (2022). UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 2 and discrimination on the basis of childhood: The CRC paradox? Nordic Journal of International Law, 91(3), 419–452. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718107-91030007
Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Nurses in disaster preparedness and public health emergency response. In The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573904/
Jackson, D., Shahabuddin, A. S. M., Sharkey, A. B., Källander, K., Muñiz, M., Mwamba, R., Nyankesha, E., Scherpbier, R. W., Hasman, A., Balarajan, Y., Albright, K., Idele, P., & Peterson, S. S. (2021). Closing the know-do gap for child health: UNICEF’s experiences from embedding implementation research in child health and nutrition programming. Implementation Science Communications, 2, 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-021-00207-9
McMichael, C. (2019). Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools in low-income countries: A review of evidence of impact. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 359. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030359
UNICEF. (n.d.). About UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/
UNICEF European Union. (n.d.). Equity. https://www.unicef.org/eu/equity
UNICEF. (n.d.). Funding to UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/partnerships/funding
UNICEF. (n.d.). UNICEF mission statement. https://www.unicef.org/about-us/mission-statement
UNICEF. (n.d.). Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). https://www.unicef.org/wash
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