Nursing Approach to Environmental Health: Strengthening Preventive Care
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17057830Keywords:
Environment, Enviromental Health, Nursing, CareAbstract
This review comprehensively addresses the nursing approach to environmental health and the strengthening of preventive care. Environmental health has become a critical area in light of global threats such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. In this context, nurses are expected to adopt sustainable practices, enhance environmental literacy, and assume advocacy roles. Updating nursing curricula to incorporate environmental sensitivity is essential to equip future healthcare professionals with the competencies needed to respond to environmental challenges. Environmental determinants—such as physical factors (air, water, soil pollution), social conditions (poverty, housing), and climate change—significantly influence individual and public health. Nurses play a vital role across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels by contributing to disease prevention and health promotion through environmentally conscious practices. Moreover, public health nurses act as key figures in community-based interventions by leading strategies grounded in sustainability and equity. Addressing environmental health issues effectively requires interdisciplinary collaboration, nurse involvement in policy-making, and a strong commitment to environmental justice. Through these contributions, the nursing profession can support ecological sustainability and improve global health outcomes.
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