Health promotion and disease prevention: a community nurse's approach

Author Name: Dr. Priya Sharma1, Navkirandeep2, Ratan Kumar3, Jyoti Sharma4, Praveen Kushwah5, Deepesh Swami6

Volume: 03/01

Country: India

DOI NO.: 11.2023-61555522 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/04.2025-37942719/GIJNR

Affiliation:

1. Professor, Army College of Nursing Jalandhar Cantt, Punjab, India
2. Vice Principal, Bansal College of Nursing, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, India
3. Nursing Lecturer, Bansal College of Nursing, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, India
4. Vice Principal, Maharana Pratap National Institute of Nursing Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
5. Associate Professor, Pushpanjali College of Nursing, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
6. Senior Nursing officer, AIIMS, Rishikesh, UK, India

ABSTRACT

Health promotion and disease prevention are critical pillars of modern healthcare aimed at reducing the global burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Community nurses are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts through their close engagement with individuals, families, and populations, especially in underserved areas. This review highlights the multifaceted role of community nurses in implementing preventive strategies and promoting health literacy within diverse socio-cultural contexts. The article explores the foundational concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and how nurses operationalize these through education, screening, immunization, outreach programs, and lifestyle counseling. Community nurses serve not only as caregivers but also as educators, advocates, care coordinators, and policy implementers. The review underscores the importance of addressing social determinants of health such as poverty, housing, and education, which often impede health equity. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for greater investment in community nursing infrastructure, expanded roles, and interprofessional collaboration. Strengthening the capacity of community nurses is essential for shifting healthcare paradigms from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, ultimately contributing to improved population health outcomes and sustainable health systems.

Key words: Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Health Education, Community Health