References

Booker, S. (2016). Chatting and Dreamin. Hopestreetcards. Retrieved from
   http://hopestreetcards.com.au/blogs/news/84063492-chatting-and-dreamin

Children's Week (2015) Communities at Work, I Wonder [book cover]. Children's Week, Canberra,
    Australia. Retrieved 4/2/2016 from https://commsatwork.org/civicrm/event

Coleman, C., Hudson, S., & Maine, L. (2013). Health Literacy Practices and Educational   
   Competencies for Health Professionals: A Consensus Study. Journal Of Health Communication, 
   18 (sup1), 82-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2013.829538
 

 Cuellar, N. (2014). Caring People Who Can Change the World: You. Journal Of Transcultural Nursing,
   25(1), 5-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043659613513960

De Sousa, R. (2012). What is Health Literacy. NUTR 360 - fal 12. Retrieved from   http://www.personal.psu.edu/bal18/blogs/nutr_360-fall_12/2012/09/what-is-health-
 

Diversity Council Australia.(2016) Why Diversity Matters. Retrieved 24 January 2016,
   from http://www.dca.org.au/about-dca.html/why-diversity-matters.html
 

Goldbach, J. T., Amaro, H., Vega W., & Walter M. D. (2015). The grand challenge of  promoting
    equality by addressing social stigma (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper
    No. 1 8). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.

Google.com.au,. (2016). equity and diversity - Google Search. Retrieved 24 January 2016, from     
    https://www.google.com.au/search?q=equity+and+diversity
 

Harris, J., Springett, J., Croot, L., Booth, A., Campbell, F., & Thompson, J. et al. (2015). Can 
   community-based peer support promote health literacy and reduce inequalities? A realist
   review.  Public Health Research, 3(3), 1-192. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/phr03030

Jones, K., & Creedy, D. (2013). Health and Human Behaviour.(3rd ed.) South Melbourne,Victoria.
    Oxford University Press. 

 

Koch, D. (2013). Experiences of nursing students undertaking clinical placement in a bachelor
   degree : a perspective of diversity. Hdl.handle.net. Retrieved 24 January 2016 from  
   http://handle.net/10453/29231

 

Margaret Mead quote (BrainyQuote)         
    http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretme

 Mlik. K.,(2015)  Foreign Affairs,. (2015). The Failure of Multiculturalism. Retrieved 14 January 2016,
     from https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/western-europe/failure-multiculturalism

Moceri, J. (2013). Hispanic Nurses' Experiences of Bias in the Workplace. Journal Of Transcultural 
   Nursing, 25(1), 15-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043659613504109
 

Oxford University Press (2016). Retrieved 9 January 2016,   from http://www.etraining.communitydoor.org

Peroni, L., & Timmer, A. (2013). Vulnerable groups: The promise of an emerging
 concept in European Human Rights Convention law. International Journal Of Constitutional Law,11  (4), 1056-1085. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icon/mot042
 

 The BoogieFinger Times-All the NEWS Fit to Pick (: Former Democrat Governor Richard D. Lamm   
     on Multiculturalism) http://boogiefinger.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/former-democrat-governor
 

World Health Organization (WHO). (2013) Health Literacy. The Solid Facts [Online]. Available from:      http://www.thehealthwell.info/node/534072   [Accessed: 4th February 2016].
 

www.slideshare.net,. (2016). SlideShare.net. Retrieved 3 February 2016,   
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Disability, Disadvantage, Vulnerability & Stigma





(https://commsatwork.org)

Disability, disadvantage, vulnerability and stigma are four words that resonate as burdensome labels.  This blog is about reflecting how these words affect us as individuals and how we knowing or unknowingly label and treat others by using them.  For me the two strongest words in the title are stigma and vulnerability; emotional words that encompass shame, being singled out, a perception forced by others and leads to feelings of exposure and defenceless.  I don’t want to live like that, do you?

To look briefly at stigma, it can expose itself within self and families, workplace and communities to culturally and the effects of the stigma is felt strongly as indicated by (Goldbach, J. T., Amaro, H., Vega W., & Walter M. D.2015, p.9).  I have found literature relating inequality toward groups within the community and stigma.  An example of, but not exclusive to, these groups include disabled, lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual groups, obese, people with mental health issues, homeless and transient people.  Society forms generalisations and misinformation about less powerful groups which leads to stigma resulting in blame, discrimination, prejudice.(Goldbach, 2015,p.9)  This situation leads to disadvantage in social connections, education, housing, health literacy and loneliness.  Society in many ways sets a precedence on how people within our community should be treated, let's not become that person, be honest in your actions.

I have watched 4 interviews regarding this topic and have felt the overwhelming theme is the perception of others towards different groups within our community.  Members of disadvantaged groups are vulnerable, subject to suffering and disadvantage because of a need for community assistance, as a result of this reliance are easily accessible to hurt.  Vulnerability not unlike stigma is well documented to be influenced by quality and quantity of resources available.  (Peroni & Timmer, 2013p.1058)

As a Registered Nurse, a member of a healthcare team, a member of community in which I live,  who aims to provide holistic care to patients I think treating others how you would like to be treated is essential.  This attitude may not always keep you smiling in the short term but I think the long term benefits will be worth it.  

(http://hopestreetcards.com.au/blogs/news)

Booker, S. (2016). Chatting and Dreamin. Hopestreetcards. Retrieved from
     http://hopestreetcards.com.au/blogs/news/84063492-chatting-and-dreamin
 
Children's Week (2015) Communities at Work, I Wonder [book cover]. Children's Week,  
    Canberra Australia. Retrieved 4/2/2016 from https://commsatwork.org/civicrm/event/
 
Goldbach, J. T., Amaro, H., Vega W., & Walter M. D. (2015). The grand challenge of   
    promoting equality by addressing social stigma (Grand Challenges for Social Work
     Initiative Working Paper No. 1 8). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and
     Social Welfare.
 
Peroni, L., & Timmer, A. (2013). Vulnerable groups: The promise of an emerging concept in
    European Human Rights Convention law. International Journal Of Constitutional Law,
   11(4), 1056-1085. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icon/mot042

 



Health Literacy




(DeSousa, 2012)



 

   If you take the time to think about it, we have all experienced reduced health literacy, not due to being illiterate or a language barrier but simply because of reduced understanding or decision processes.  De Sousa (2012) suggests that health literacy and general literacy are comparable however the ability to listen, scrutinize and make decisions to improve health literacy.

  As I researched this topic I have discovered very little formative data on how health literacy is assessed by the medical community and less information on how a patient is identified as requiring assistance. (Coleman, Hudson & Maine, 2013, p.83)  I have included the illustration of The Health Literacy Umbrella as it depicts the many aspects of health literacy that are needed between the patient and health care team.  Peer support is described by Harris et al., (2015) as “the provision of emotional, appraisal and informational assistance by a created social network member who possesses knowledge…”. 

 

   Our interview with Peter highlights the benefits of peer support that was provided to him at a time when he had no idea of the direction he should look.  The difficulty that is experienced with sudden changes in social, work and financial situations is quite overwhelming.  As a nurse in any healthcare setting, it is important to remember the person who is requiring assistance and not always the task you need to complete.

   We can begin to empower individuals by building resilience and improve the communities in which they live.  WHO (World Health Organisation, 2016) indicates that health literacy is an asset for individuals and their community as this promotes resource development, builds strength individually, it will become a culture and will encourage positive lifestyle changes.



 

(www.slideshare.net, 2016)





 

Coleman, C., Hudson, S., & Maine, L. (2013). Health Literacy Practices and Educational 
     Competencies for Health Professionals: A Consensus Study. Journal Of Health Communication,
     18(sup1), 82-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2013.829538

De Sousa, R. (2012). What is Health Literacy. NUTR 360 - fal 12. Retrieved from
     http://www.personal.psu.edu/bal18/blogs/nutr_360-fall_12/2012/09/what-is-health-literacy-2.html

Harris, J., Springett, J., Croot, L., Booth, A., Campbell, F., & Thompson, J. et al. (2015). Can
    community-based peer support promote health literacy and reduce inequalities? A realist review.
    Public Health Research, 3(3), 1-192. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/phr03030

World Health Organization (WHO). (2013) Health Literacy. The Solid Facts [Online]. Available
   from: http://www.thehealthwell.info/node/534072 [Accessed: 4th February 2016]. 

www.slideshare.net,. (2016). SlideShare.net. Retrieved 3 February 2016, from
   http://www.slideshare.net