NPs Can Provide Evidence to Influence Health Policies

Abstract

As an individual you have the right to make any decision you want about your personal health, even one that is not in your best interest. However, policy decisions should be made on the best evidence available and not discredited beliefs. Period. Knowledge based on observation of natural phenomena, trial and error, experience, and when possible, well-designed experiments should be the standard for decision making, especially when those decisions impact resource allocation for programs or services that protect or impact the health of populations. Just a few examples from the news in the past couple of years include what are commonly called gag rules. The “Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance” policy restricts up to $8.8 billion in health funds from going to foreign organizations, even if the organization uses its own funds to advocate for polices that enable women to have choices regarding reproduction. While this may not seem so bad on the surface, it severely limits the ability of these organizations to offer other much needed health services (Human Rights Watch, 2018Human Rights Watch (2018). US Finds “Gag Rule” Flaws, but Makes no Changes. February 14. Human Rights Watch Retrieved from: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/02/14/us-finds-gag-rule-flaws-makes-no-changesGoogle Scholar). Restrictions were being planned to impact similar organizations in the United States at the time of this writing and may have been enacted by the time this editorial is published (Davis and Haberman, 2018Davis, J.H. & Haberman, M. (2018). Trump Administration to Tie Health Facilities’ Funding to Abortion Restrictions. New York Times, May 18. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/17/us/politics/trump-funding-abortion-restrictions.htmlGoogle Scholar). Restrictions on communications from federal science agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Human and Health Services on using certain terms, such as climate change and evidence-based, can have a serious impact on public narratives and undermine the decision-making processes that are critical to the nation’s health now and in the future (Dennis and Eilperin, 2018Dennis, B. & Eilperin, J. (2018). EPA staffers get talking points playing down human role in climate change. The Washington Post. March 28. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2018/03/28/epa-staffers-get-talking-points-downplaying-human-role-in-climate-change/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9a8ae73fb8cdGoogle Scholar). More recently, many news reports quoted scientists who said the attempt of the US delegation at the United Nations-affiliated World Health Assembly in July to water down a resolution on mother’s milk as the optimal choice for infant feeding is contrary to resounding scientific evidence. Many health care specialists responded that those who are charged with making policy are putting the interests of corporations, such as formula manufacturers, before those of the women and children of the world. Of note, our nursing organizations have responded to these threats to our health. For example, the American Academy of Nursing and the American Nurses Association provided a prompt response to the World Health Assembly Resolution on Breastfeeding opposing any language other than full support of human milk as critical for infant health and development throughout the world (American Academy of Nursing & American Nurses Association, 2018American Academy of Nursing & American Nurses Association (2018). American Academy of Nursing and American Nurses Association Statement on U.S. opposition to World Health Assembly Resolution on Breastfeeding. July 12. Retrieved from: https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2018/aan-ana-oppose-who-breastfeeding-resolution/Google Scholar). We should continue to support our nursing organizations and their significant political influence and involvement. However, individual NPs who follow guidelines established as best practice have the responsibility to hold accountable those we elect or appoint to policy-making positions. We are experts on patient health and well-being and can speak, argue, and provide examples of how current or proposed policies are or may impact the health of many people in the future. Use your knowledge base in evidence and experience whenever there is a chance—even if you have to make the chance—to educate policy makers how to make decisions using more than hearsay and pressure from special interests.