Which of the following is a focus of community health nursing?

Community health nursing focuses on improving population health and addressing the broader factors that influence health outcomes within communities. By targeting social determinants of health, community health nurses aim to understand and mitigate the various social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors that impact the health of individuals and groups.

Social determinants of health include income, education, employment, social support, and neighborhood environments, among others. Recognizing that many health issues stem from these broader contexts allows community health nurses to implement strategies and interventions that promote health equity and access to care. This focus is essential for fostering healthier communities and addressing health disparities.

In contrast, hospital-based patient care, individual care in a primary care office, and emergency medical services are more centered on individual treatment rather than the collective health of the community. While these areas also contribute to overall health, they do not specifically address the systemic issues that influence health at the community level, which is the hallmark of community health nursing practice.