Thank you to incoming PCNA President Erin Ferranti, PhD, MPH, RN, CDCES, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN and outgoing President Lisa Maher, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, FPCNA for this article on prioritizing public health.

Over the last 150 years, life expectancy in the US has lengthened by an average of 35 years, due in part to the strength and efficacy of public health. Worldwide, implemented efforts have included individual actions, collective endeavors of health care professionals, ongoing determination of community members and organizations, and the insights, policies, and financial support of governing bodies to build and sustain programs and activities that positively impact every individual.

Prioritizing public health can happen almost everywhere. No matter your role—researcher, bedside nurse, community health worker, academician, advanced practice professional, or other—what you do each day contributes to improved patient outcomes and public health.

Individual Actions Affect Public Health

It can be easy to forget our impact on the larger culture of public health, especially when we are bombarded with entering information into medical records, trying to untangle the medication regimen of a patient with complex comorbidities, working to implement new guidelines, or facing other struggles that happen during a typical workday.

We may not be thinking about the global implications of our actions when we empower patients to adhere to their medications or treatments, encourage behavior change to improve activity levels or healthy eating, or educate or counsel patients who are newly diagnosed with disease.

Yet, just as we coach patients that small steps add up to improved health, each of our individual ‘small steps’ add up to big differences for the population at large.

With each ‘win’ of a reduction of a patient’s risk for cardiovascular and other diseases, you are not only making a positive impact for them, but also for global health.

There is a ripple effect to your actions. By affecting an individual, you are also impacting their family, friends and broader community. They are more able to participate in activities of daily living (ADLs), continue to contribute to their workplace, volunteer, and share their experience with others—positively impacting a much wider range of individuals than simply the patient with whom you interact.

By working with colleagues on treatment options, you continue to establish new and nurture current relationships to help health teams and systems work more effectively.

When you are working through barriers to identify and implement solutions, you are forging new possibilities in treatments that can positively impact broader populations.

Your record-keeping assists researchers at all levels to identify trends, new or ongoing gaps, efficacy of treatment, and so much more.

How Public Health Affects Individuals—Including Healthcare Professionals

Conversely, while we may be focused on the patient in front of us, public health is simultaneously supporting our efforts to improve patient outcomes in reducing the risk for, or management of, cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Consider some examples of the synergy between public health and cardiovascular nursing:

• Policies
  • Food labels describe what is in a food package to minimize allergic reactions to specific foods or side effects from medications
  • Identification of the nutritional content of foods so individuals can make informed decisions about their choices
  • Rules about smoking, tobacco, and alcohol use reduce exposure to harmful substances, especially for children
• Access to Healthy Foods
  • Food benefits for children and underserved adults ensures strong nutritional options even for those with limited resources
  • Food safety standards decrease food spoilage and the transfer of disease vectors
• Preventive Care
  • Immunizations, such as for influenza, can reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke, particularly for those with heart disease
• Medical Access
  • Funding support ensures access to life-saving medications and services for those who are under-resourced
• Access to Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Public transportation allows individuals in many areas free or low-cost options to get to health appointments without need of a private vehicle or ride share service
  • Safe public spaces encourage individuals and groups to engage in healthy physical activities
• Research
  • Diving into data on a large scale can identify barriers and solutions to population-based issues (e.g., social determinants of health, implicit bias in health care, gestational diabetes to improve long-term cardiovascular health, etc.)
• Advocacy
  • Clean air, land, and water contribute to better cardiovascular health ,
  • Maternal health affects the short- and long-term prognosis for cardiovascular health of children
• Community Programming
  • Community programs such as screening events, health fairs, education nights, and others, help to reduce isolation, build social connections, and may improve physical and mental health—a key factor especially for those who are at a greater need, increased risk, or older age

Health-related Events: Public Health in Action

Join PCNA in prioritizing public health all year long!

For example, April 2025 includes a wide array of health-related events and activities to suit everyone involved in a healthcare capacity. Each provides an opportunity for education, advocacy, and action. Collectively, they contribute to improved knowledge about health issues and opportunities to advance public health.

• National Walking Day – April 3, but available any day
• National Public Health Week – April 7-13
• PCNA’s 31st Cardiovascular Nursing Symposium – April 10-12, virtually and in Orlando, FL
• Black Maternal Health Week – April 11-17

Additional Resources

• American Public Health Association
• CDC Public Health Professionals Gateway
• PCNA Screening Event Toolkit

References

1. O’Neill A. Life expectancy (from birth) in the United States, from 1860 to 2020. Stasia. Aug 9, 2024. Accessed March 12, 2025.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies Suggest Influenza Virus Infection Raises the Risk of Heart Attack. Influenza (Flu). Feb 16, 2024. Accessed March 17, 2025.
3. Sagheer U, Al-Kindi S, Abohashem S, et al. Environmental Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease: Part 1 of 2: Air Pollution. Environmental Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease: Part 1 of 2: Air Pollution. JACC Adv. 2024 Feb, 3(2):100805.
4. Blaustein JR, Quisel MJ, Hamburg NM, Wittkopp S. Environmental Impacts on Cardiovascular Health and Biology: An Overview. Circ Research. 2024;134(9).