How does the creation of the community health center program help to address this public health problem and what can you as a nurse practitioner and/or nurse leader do to influence policy innovation to resolve the problem?

It is important to create a community health center because this program provides medical services as well as preventive care in areas that are under-served. These programs provide free or low-cost medical care to patients that may otherwise not have the means to access it. These programs also include resources, such as health and nutrition education. This can be used to reduce the risks of diseases that are preventable.

In my role as a nurse-practitioner and/or leader, I could influence the policy innovations by advocating increased funding for local municipalities to establish more Community Health Centers in areas with gaps in coverage. In addition, I can work with state and federal legislators and administrative agencies to make sure that facilities have the resources they need for quality patient care. The last thing I can do is use my platform as a way to make other health professionals aware of the importance and reach out to them.